Too Much, Too Much Already! Any Help?

bhobbs

New Member
Oct 17, 2013
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I am that guy in his young 40's who loves live music and now has a little extra money to set up a decent system. I have a Yamaha receiver 7.1 that is not cheap item..paired with a nice amp, I am simply looking for the best Clarity of sound Speaker for listening enjoyment--like most other junior audiophiles. I want to hear the I-had-7-beers-before-I-came-on-stage in Hank's voice. I listen to an extra amount of blues, Albert King, SRV..maixed with rockand occasional new stuff and R&B. I am driving myself crazy looking at reviews and opinions and opinions--realy running me in circles. I am just trying to get a "buy this or this" Share all you like, but any help at all would be appreciated. I would rather not spend more than $800 for the set, even if I have to search for used/good condition. The room is about 15' by 30' finished basement office/mancave. Help? - Brian
 

Peter Breuninger

[Industry Expert] Member Sponsor
Jul 20, 2010
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For $800 I recommend a pair of Vintage Bozak B-4000 Symphonys with a pair of Radio Shack super tweeters (discontinued but available on ebay). This "under" $1,000 full range system will give you bass slam and clarity and will rock your socks off.
 

zztop7

Member Sponsor
Dec 12, 2012
750
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Edmonds, WA
Free

FREE - If you are near Bellevue, WA; I can give you a pair of excellent condition full range drivers [FREE]. Also available to other WBF members. I will also show you how to make the enclosures for ~~ $100. materials. That will tide you over.

I use a similar set in my large garage/workshop, and I spend a lot of time in there. Therefore, no boom box for me.

zz.
 

bhobbs

New Member
Oct 17, 2013
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Peter-Doing a quick search, they are looking like an extremely hard item to find..thank you and i'll keep looking

ZZ-in Atl..thank you for the offer, maybe i will decide to visit washington:b
 

zztop7

Member Sponsor
Dec 12, 2012
750
3
0
Edmonds, WA
Peter-Doing a quick search, they are looking like an extremely hard item to find..thank you and i'll keep looking

ZZ-in Atl..thank you for the offer, maybe i will decide to visit washington:b

This should only be a Drive-By. If that means Atlanta, please put those Travel $$$s into finished speakers.

zz
 

MylesBAstor

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
11,236
81
1,725
New York City
I am that guy in his young 40's who loves live music and now has a little extra money to set up a decent system. I have a Yamaha receiver 7.1 that is not cheap item..paired with a nice amp, I am simply looking for the best Clarity of sound Speaker for listening enjoyment--like most other junior audiophiles. I want to hear the I-had-7-beers-before-I-came-on-stage in Hank's voice. I listen to an extra amount of blues, Albert King, SRV..maixed with rockand occasional new stuff and R&B. I am driving myself crazy looking at reviews and opinions and opinions--realy running me in circles. I am just trying to get a "buy this or this" Share all you like, but any help at all would be appreciated. I would rather not spend more than $800 for the set, even if I have to search for used/good condition. The room is about 15' by 30' finished basement office/mancave. Help? - Brian

Give some consideration to a pair of Sound Dynamics speakers if they ever show up on the used market. They were around $600 new.
 

Johnny Vinyl

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 16, 2010
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Calgary, AB
You could try a pair of Klipsch Heresy's....
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
9,481
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You could try a pair of Klipsch Heresy's....

John-Given his budget, musical tastes, and the size of his room, I think you made an outstanding recommendation that he should take very seriously.
 

treitz3

Super Moderator
Staff member
Dec 25, 2011
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The tube lair in beautiful Rock Hill, SC
I'll second that excellent recommendation. I think that would be right up his alley. Oh, my manners....welcome to the forum, bhobbs.

Tom
 

bhobbs

New Member
Oct 17, 2013
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Thanks gentlemen..I am appreciating the learning. I found a pair of Klipsch http://greenville.craigslist.org/ele/4109073728.html ...do you recommend the new Klispch rather than these? and..(hesitantly)..I was looking at a pair of factory refurb Polk TSI500 before joining the forum...you'd suggest the Klipsch over these? Thanks a bunch!!
Brian
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
9,481
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Thanks gentlemen..I am appreciating the learning. I found a pair of Klipsch http://greenville.craigslist.org/ele/4109073728.html ...do you recommend the new Klispch rather than these? and..(hesitantly)..I was looking at a pair of factory refurb Polk TSI500 before joining the forum...you'd suggest the Klipsch over these? Thanks a bunch!!
Brian

Brian-It would all come down to your personal preference between the two speakers. If it's possible to hear both, you should.
 

mmatuva

New Member
Oct 26, 2012
30
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0
Brian,

First, welcome to the forum...I think you'll find a lot of good advice here (for sure a "lot" and hopfully "good"). Another suggestion to consider because I think they are tremendous value for the money and are at least in the same zip code as your price range would be the Vandersteen 1C. Back when I got my first introduction to what was possible in high end audio, I too had only a Yamaha receiver and some great folks at my dealership which was about an hour away, introduced me to Vandersteen 1B's, which I think were about $700 back in the day. I had never heard of them (I was new to the hobby at the time), but they sounded so great in my living room paired with a modest receiver that it started me down this journey. I have spent a lot more money over the years for upgrades, but still own the 1B's and never regretted that purchase for a second. I think the new retail on 1C's is just under a thousand dollars which still represents a tremendous value. If you simply can't go over $800, I think they also pop up on the used market fairly often. Best of luck--keep us posted!
 

bhobbs

New Member
Oct 17, 2013
6
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0
Hello again...so I have been shy to respond that I went with Polk 521 series and a BIC pl200 sub..not up to the standards but the price was right. I got the pair of Polks refurbished from factory for under $500. I am getting ready to set up the system and have once again some beginner questions. I read where monoprice premium 12guage wire was a good fit. Thoughts about the guage? I am running no more than 15'. Also I have read both sides of whether to use banana plugs or just insert wire..any help?
One other question on a slightly different topic but related...Family member left me album collection..included was a John Lennon Shaved Fish album..he had told me that he went and bought it on the day Lennon died and then would never open it..it is in original unopened packaging and has barcode and $6.95 price on it from KMart. Any idea what it is worth and where I might find someone to buy it for a good price? Thanks again gents, Brian
 

Phelonious Ponk

New Member
Jun 30, 2010
8,677
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In that price range, I would have gone for Infinity Primus 363s, or small actives and upgraded with subs later. But mep's right. Particularly with speakers, you should have what sounds good to you, period. If you like the Polks, the Polks are the right choice. 12 g wire is fine at 15 feet.

Don't know which Yamaha HT receiver you have, but most of them will allow you to bridge four amplifier to the mains, doubling your power and headroom in stereo. Worth doing. Lots of clean power is important, even at moderate volume levels.

Tim
 

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