Need suggestion for small inexpensive floorstander

jcoat007 · « **on:** 26 Jan 2010, 06:49 pm »

I have a Marantz sr-19EX receiver that is currently collecting dust. I would like to use it in another room with a Cambridge DVD player, Direct TV and video games. This is where my kids watch TV. I want a floorstander, small footprint and around $500.

Any suggestions?

cujobob · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 06:53 pm »

The pair of GR-Research AV3s that are for sale in the For Sale area. Hmm...those might be local only. If that's the case, I'd look for a pair of used speakers...maybe the AV123 X-Omnis which have a very small footprint and project a big soundstage.

timind · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 07:22 pm »

Hard to beat these http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC300

rollo · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 07:49 pm »

Monitor Audio has a wonderfull synergy with marantz as well as B&W [ used]. Silverline is worth checking out. My 2 cents.

charles

TONEPUB · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 07:50 pm »

used pair of Vandersteen 1C's....

turkey · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 08:21 pm »

You can get new PSB Alpha T1 speakers for about $400/pr. They're quite good, especially for the price.

Len_Dreyer · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 09:01 pm »

Horn Shoppe Horns $400 on Audiogon

toobluvr · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 09:12 pm »

My advise: don't spend the $500 on a new speaker. You will get sooooo much better performance buying used.

For that budget you can get an older yet still excellent sounding small 2 way floorstander that originally listed for $1500.

There are many many candidates, and since I owned them, I can confidently recommend Spendor S6 and Vienna Acoustics Bach. Both are around 500 used and I'm confident they are better by a wide margin than the $500 MSRP spkrs being recommended.

Another one I have direct experience with is Soliloquy. The 5.2, 5.3 and 6.2 are incredible values at used prices.

Another one to watch for is Coincident Conquest. One of my very first "high end" speakers. My brother still owns a pair and everytime I listen they still satisfy......despite my being much further down the upgrade path.

I would also target the small Silverlines and Audio Physics.

I have no idea how these would work with your gear. I only recommend them as excellent sound and value, in the right setting.

Have fun!

EthanH · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 09:59 pm »

Toobluvr is spot on. For 500 I would either buy used or diy.

lcrim · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 10:09 pm »

I actually agree w/ Jeff Dorgay. A used pair of Vandersteen 1c's can usually be found for less than $500. They don't require a sub and are around 90 dB efficient w/ a benign impedance curve so they don't require much power to sound right.
They just don't do anything wrong.

toobluvr · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 11:39 pm »

Quote from: lcrim on 26 Jan 2010, 10:09 pm

I actually agree w/ Jeff Dorgay. A used pair of Vandersteen 1c's can usually ....

I don't think 12" wide and 10" deep qualifies for the small footprint requested by the OP.

ecramer · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 12:01 am »

Meadowlark swift in cherry wood

and there only $100 more then your budget

toobluvr · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 12:12 am »

Ahhh....I forgot Meadowlark.

I often see the older Krestrels and Shearwaters in the $400 to $700 range.

Highly recommended!

satfrat · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 12:19 am »

Quote from: lcrim on 26 Jan 2010, 10:09 pm

I actually agree w/ Jeff Dorgay. A used pair of Vandersteen 1c's can usually be found for less than $500. They don't require a sub and are around 90 dB efficient w/ a benign impedance curve so they don't require much power to sound right.
They just don't do anything wrong.

Here's a set of Vandy 1c's on A'gon for $400.

Cheers,
Robin

toobluvr · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 12:45 am »

Once again....I don't think Vandy 1c qualifies as a small footprint.

Does anyone read?!

Doublej · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 01:59 am »

Quote from: toobluvr on 27 Jan 2010, 12:45 am

Once again....I don't think Vandy 1c qualifies as a small footprint.

Does anyone read?!

I guess not

Vandersteen 1c
36" H, 12" W, 10" D

Coincident Speaker Technology Conquest
About 38" H X 10 1/2" W X 11 1/2" D

http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/conquest.htm

toobluvr · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 02:10 am »

Mea culpa! You got me. I apologize.

I owned it about 15 years ago and in my minds eye it's a much smaller speaker.

timind · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 02:15 am »

Not only the size of the Vandys , but that cloth wrap in a room full of kids.

I had four plus all of their friends, things happen when no parents around.

Doublej · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:11 am »

I think this question has been asked before:

Totem has a couple of models including the Arro
Role Audio has 3 or 4 models
Possibly Linkwitz Pluto w/o the subwoofers
Gallo has some 4 and 5 inch spheres
Orb Audio spheres

jcoat007 · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 04:32 am »

Great suggestions so far!!!

As far as new or used, I was definitely thinking used.

As for small footprint, the vandy's are bigger than I was thinking, but a good suggestion. I have had 2C's, 3's and 3A Sigs. Good speakers!!!

I breifly saw a heard the Totem Arro and that is the small footprint I am looking for. I was not familiar with Role, but they have some very interesting small footprint designs, but more than I want to spend.

I am investigating all of your suggestions. Let me know if you have any other's.

Thanks

Steve

p.s. No monitors.