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I need 'decent' speakers for my cheap system

First, I should probably admit that I still have most of the 'hi-fi' gear that I acquired in the early '80s - which means, of course, that I do not have anything that would be considered 'hi-fi' these days.

Now, to try and make a long story short - I just purchased an almost-new Rotel RA 1070 and RCD 1070 for a VERY attractive price. I was actually looking around for a used Creek integrated amp and a quality CD player, but a friend-of-a-friend was willing to sell this Rotel stuff CHEAP.

So, now I'm looking to replace my old JBLs. I'll need a tuner and some other stuff too but new speakers are first.

I have spousal approval to spend $1K on speakers, which I can probably stretch to $1200 or so. I am hoping to buy a used pair of loudspeakers that will stay with us when I do (eventually) upgrade the amp and CD player. I realize that some of you will say that I should have bought a higher quality amp/source and went for better speakers later - but there is no going back for me now...

I listen to classic rock, blues, and some jazz in my carpeted living room (approx 18X20). I would prefer floorstanding models, but I will audition anything.

What are the most appropriate used loudspeakers in my price range? What about 'affordable' cables?

I would appreciate any assistance!
ekistler_sj
edesilva
768 posts
 
My recollection was that when I looked at Vandy's years ago, they were a lot more sensitive to room placement in the sense that they really didn't like being in corners or, for that matter, anywhere *near* a corner. I know, ideally, most speakers are supposed to be somewhere like 1/5 to 1/3 of the room width away from the side walls, but my sense was that (at least the 3s) weren't as tolerant as, for example, minimonitors to accommodating the realities of most people's living spaces. I keep seeing recommendations for the 2Ce's and 3's on A'gon forums, but I got driven away by the compromises I had to make in my life at that time placement-wise. Maybe some Vandy owners can chime in if I'm right, because its something to consider if my memory is right (its generally pretty bad, frankly). They sure sounded good tho'. Also, if you do go the minimonitor route (might look at the ProAcs as well), you should budget some funds for some good solid spiked stands.
subaruguru
1,362 posts
 
Spendor sp3/1p you will own for life, moving them around the house as you develop a ref system someday. Used for about $800, a STUNNINGLY realistic apeaker. I use 'em in a second FM/HT system with NAD 5.1 receiver and am VERY pleased. Good Luck.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
There are hundreds of speakers that fit your needs. I have put many systems together for myself and friends. Always take your room size,layout and flexability of speaker placement into account first. Your rotel equipment is really not to bad and you said your going to keep it for awhile. Your room is really a plus for you size wise because it will let you use floor or stand mount speakers with very good results. ( as long as your wife is not to fussy.) Some are. You will need some speakers that are not to hard for you amp to drive and fill your nice size room with sound. Your Rotel can sound vary good if you do not over work it. You and I can not afford speakers that do it all so get some speakers that will do most of what (YOU) want them to do. Classic rock does not sound good on hyper detailed speakers. Get a good all around speaker for your music tastes,something with easy and good resale value. Get something that will make you happy now but will only get much better if you upgrade your equipment down the road. The vandersteen fits the bill and so does the spendor line of speakers. Also: Psb,snell,vmps, and alot more.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
These are on audoigon: Vandersteen 1,2 and 3's-Mirage M5si-B&W 804-Snell typeA,type EII, and snell CV- Dunlavy SCII-B&W 604s3- Paradigm studio 60-snell type D-Spendor SP100. They are all in your price range. There are a lot more.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
765 posts
 
Sogood51, I have to disagree on one of your points...there are plenty of (what I consider) reasonably priced speakers out there. The Vandersteen, Theil, and Dunlavy lines are perfect examples. You can spend less than $1000.00 or more than $10,000.00 (a stupid amount IMHO). However, each of these lines (no matter the price) use 1st order crossovers, are time and phase aligned, and will basically not be out-classed by any hardware you match with them.

I'm not a believer that expensive hardware automatically sounds better than inexpensive hardware. Also, I'm not the type of person to attempt to acquire the last 5% of audio nirvana with a cost-no-object fervor. I guess that's where I draw the line.

However, I don't believe that you can emphasize the following enough: Always take your room size, layout and flexability of speaker placement into account first. I have B&W Nautilus 805s driven with Rotel hardware. Until I have a better physical space for my toys, I have no desire to upgrade. Well, I have a desire....but I can't justify it.
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