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Speakers help for a newb...

Let me start off by saying I'm a total newb to the audio scene so if I sound like I don't know what I'm talking about it's because...I don't. A buddy of mine recommended I visit this site to get some expert opinions.

I have a $1000 budget and would like to purchase a pair of speakers (new or used). At the moment, all I have is a receiver (Rotel RSX 1056). My next purchase will be speakers if I can manager to not get so overwhelmed by all the choices out there.

Here are my criteria:

1. Must be at or under $1000

2. If used, must be in very good functional and cosmetic condition

3. Can be floorstanding or bookshelf.

4. The fact that my musical taste is all over the chart (from Bach to Morbid Angel) needs to be taken into consideration.

5. These speakers will be in our main living space (room size = 15 x 15). My wife would probably prefer something that doesn't visually overwhelm the space but that's not a huge concern for me.

Please let me know if I'm missing any important information for you guys to come up with some good recommendations.

Thanks!!
kxshook
ghstudio
141 posts
 
You have to be very careful about speaker selection because your Rotel only outputs 75W per channel and many of the speakers today require more than that for clean sound. I was going to suggest NHT 2.5i's used, but you don't have enough power. I'm not sure you have enough power for the magnapan's that have been recommended.

I would actually look for a used pair of JBL L100's which would be a terrific match with your amp if you want great stereo for a wide range of music.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
For a "newb" the Vandersteen 1C is an easy choice in the floor stand category.
For stand mounts, look at Quad 12L2.
Yes I have owned and enjoyed both.
dunkmeister
52 posts
 
While you can't go wrong with the Magnepan MMGs at under $600 new (especially because you can put the price you pay to a more expensive model), I agree with an earlier comment that 75w might not be enough for Maggies, With your power limits in mind I would second the Vandersteen 1C (if you like a speaker built from the low end up) and another good choice is the Monitor Audio RS-6. While new, the Revel F-12's are a little over your budget, used they would be a good choice.
eslaudio
118 posts
 
A second for the Von Schweikert VR-1. They come up fairly regularly for sale here for $500-600.
cmalak
681 posts
 
Kxshook...you mention that all you have is the Rotel RSX 1056 receiver. Does this mean you have no source (CD, DVD, DAC, turntable, etc...)? You will obviously need something to play music on :-) so make sure you budget some funds for that if that is indeed the case. As for your speaker question, I would give the Aperion Intimus 5T ($990/pr) and 6T ($1,390/pr) some consideration. Prices listed are for new so you should be able to get them used for under a $1000, although I do not see them on Agon at the moment. Also, Aperion has 30-day free in-home trial with free shipping both ways, so you can audition them in your system at home. The 6Ts were favorably reviewed (and won a bunch of awards) in Stereophile, Soundstage, Enjoythe Music.com and Playback magazines (online zine associated with The Absolute Sound magazine) and numerous other Home Theater publications. While I have not heard them, the accolades at least merit a looksie. Here are some of the reviews:
http://www.soundstage.com/equipment/aperion_intimus_6t.htm
http://stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/aperion_audio_intimus_6t_loudspeaker/
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1008/aperion_audio_6t.htm
http://hometheaterreview.com/aperion-audio-intimus-6t-tower-speaker-reviewed/
Happy shopping and good luck.
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