Good Sound under $500


Hello All,
I'll get to the point, I'm downsizing and looking for a good sounding, inexpensive speaker to hold me over until I can get a pair of Proac 1sc or the newer D1. I presently have an Arcam AVR300, Oppo BDP83, Totem Hawks, Totem Signature 1 Center, HSU VTF2 sub. The Totem Hawks and Signature are going to waste because I live in a duplex and we share a common wall in our living rooms which happens to be 13x18x8. I've always felt the Hawks had a little more bass than I needed, I'm not a bass hound. But I do like a good solid detailed bass, The Hawks's bass is a little overwhelming and not very detailed. I went to a local audio store and listened to the Usher Tiny Dancer BE-718, an amazing sounding speaker but out of my budget now or in the future but it's sound was more of what I am looking for. Definitely different than the Hawks.

I'm looking for a decent stand mounted Speaker with clarity, imaging, and decent bass down to about 60 or 70 hz. The sub can handle the rest if needed. Is the size I quoted above for my living room considered small or medium?

Some I've been thinking about are:
Epos els3
ERA D4/D5
PSB Image B6
Silverline Minuets (too small?)

To name a few. I've been reading the forums for the last month or so, this is where I decided on the Proac's but I have to wait till some come up for sale. Plus I will need a center channel speaker for these present and future speakers.

I listen to 50/50 movies/music, my musical tastes are Dave Matthews, Eric Clapton, acoustic guitar, blues, female vocals like Sarah Mclaclan, Bonnie Rait, etc.

I'm open to suggestions folks and thanks for your help.
denon53
I would agree with jrinkerptdnet, ProAc tablettes are a good choice. Also consider a used re-foamed pair of Boston Acoustics A40's. I have the 1SC's, tablettes and the A40's. All sound good with solid state, but I run the 1SC's with tubes for a 'warm' sound. Stands a must.
you can never go wrong with paradigm (assuming they're in good operating shape, obviously). buy second hand, keep em as long as you need em, and sell them for little or no loss when you've found your "longer term" speakers.

jeff's suggestion of totem model ones would be great if you can find one in that price range, although i think they may be a little pricier. totem rainmakers are probably closer in price, but i can't comment on them.

the epos, eras, and silverlines you mention have failed to impress me IN LISTENING ROOMS (i.e., i have no real world experience with them). they all sounded small.

the paradigms aren't the warmest speakers out there, but your arcam will help that a bit, and, as you say, you have a sub to fill out the bottom end.

studio 40's would be perfect for you and the v2's come in around your budget. the studio 20's are really good, too, but i don't have any real experience with them.

good luck
Thank's Jeff and Dcrugby, I owned some paradigms studio 20's years ago. I believe back then I was using a NAD 973 receiver and I wasn't all that impressed with the 20's. I've also had in the past NHT's with a denon receiver and ran some Triangle Titus 202's with this Arcam. I loved the clarity of the Triangles but alittle thin on the bottom end. Jeff you feel the Tablettes sound better with SS than the 1sc? And here I was pretty sold on the 1sc's, oh well better to know that now than later. thanks. Maybe a better questioin would have been, what speakers sound great with Solid State?

Thanks,
Bruce
I have two pair of Triangle Comete ESs in two different small rooms and they are coherent from top to bottom and are bigger than the Titus and do not seem thin in the bass to me. Great small speakers and well priced if you can find them.
Hello Jndean, I would also consider the Cometes if I can find a pair. I heard they had the bass that the Titus's lacked.