Floorstanding speakers for front left/right

Vinny

Vinny

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I'm trying to get a pair of floorstanding speakers for my apartment. The ones I have now are really cheap and I want something just slightly better. I'm not looking for any high end speakers. I'm looking for speakers that can handle 100 watts and have a built in woofer of some kind. I'm also looking for speakers fairly tall so that I don't need to get any stands and I'd like something in black so that they look nice with my Sharp LCD but these last to points aren't important.

The best I could find are the Sony SSF-7000s, for $240 shipped. That's about the quality/price I'm looking for... though I'd like to be able to find something under $200 if possible.

Everything else I found were single speakers (so I'd need to buy 2) and cost a lot. Shipping at most places ranges from $50-60 dollars so that's another killer.
 
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Go do some searching at avsforum. They can help you get the best bang for the buck at that price.
 
[quote name='rmb']Go do some searching at avsforum. They can help you get the best bang for the buck at that price.[/QUOTE]

I searched some of their older threads and they're really not that helpful at such a low price range. They usually recommend spending more regardless of how much I tell them that I'm not an audiophile.
 
Might want to try some local garage sales and flea markets. I lucked out and got some awesome JBLs for 30 bucks a couple years ago.
 
[quote name='scorpiolaw']Might want to try some local garage sales and flea markets. I lucked out and got some awesome JBLs for 30 bucks a couple years ago.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I tried that but most people just don't take care of their stuff. I found these really nice JBL speakers but one of the woofer's bubble (I don't know, whatever it's called) was punched in and I didn't want to risk it.

[quote name='equest943']You could always find cheap bookshelf speakers and then get stands for them.[/QUOTE]

Most of the good bookshelf speakers are just too big and finding good stands (cheap ones don't work).
 
Provided that the cone wasn't ripped you could've just taken some tape and pulled it out. I used to work in audio at Circuit City and people did that to the floor models all the time and that's what we did. It shouldn't really affect the sound quality because they're likely paper or some other material that is made to flex.

As for bookshelf being too big, you're just looking at the wrong ones. Normally I wouldn't recommend them at all, but the Bose bookshelf sets are actually decent. I'd take those in a second over some Sony floorstanding speakers.
 
[quote name='Redeema']Provided that the cone wasn't ripped you could've just taken some tape and pulled it out. I used to work in audio at Circuit City and people did that to the floor models all the time and that's what we did. It shouldn't really affect the sound quality because they're likely paper or some other material that is made to flex.

As for bookshelf being too big, you're just looking at the wrong ones. Normally I wouldn't recommend them at all, but the Bose bookshelf sets are actually decent. I'd take those in a second over some Sony floorstanding speakers.[/QUOTE]

Really? Damn, I never knew that... no they weren't ripped, just punched in. But I still don't know if I would've risked getting speakers which were abused.

I want a full range bookshelf, so that's why I looked at larger ones. And as for Bose, I honestly don't understand the hype... they don't sound as good as to me, I've heard Klipsch and Athenas that cost much less.
 
I have the SSF-5000 (just like the 7000 but with only one woofer per speaker), and I like them a lot. The thing with speakers, is that you really should hear them before buying. However, some of the better speaker deals are online only. So, I just drove to Best Buy and spent about an hour listening to all the speakers they had figuring that I would find some I like and buy online. Well, those Sony's were the best I heard, so I bought them and have been happy ever since. In general Sony speakers do represent a pretty good value.

If you want to save on shipping, check your local Bestbuy, because the prices in store is about the same as Amazon online.

By the way, I added a Sony 12" subwoofer (SA-W3000) to my set up and it complements these speakers perfectly.
 
[quote name='kungfuchemist']I have these Athena floorstanding speakers all the way around my home theater setup:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ATLS300

Price is great and shipping is free for orders over $199

Also, there is a youtube video Audio Advisor put out about this series of speakers. Pretty dry presentation, but the info is there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS8nbKPS4Uk&feature=related[/QUOTE]

Definitely noted, I know Athena's are an excellent brand so I'll look into these.

[quote name='techstar25']I have the SSF-5000 (just like the 7000 but with only one woofer per speaker), and I like them a lot. The thing with speakers, is that you really should hear them before buying. However, some of the better speaker deals are online only. So, I just drove to Best Buy and spent about an hour listening to all the speakers they had figuring that I would find some I like and buy online. Well, those Sony's were the best I heard, so I bought them and have been happy ever since. In general Sony speakers do represent a pretty good value.

If you want to save on shipping, check your local Bestbuy, because the prices in store is about the same as Amazon online.

By the way, I added a Sony 12" subwoofer (SA-W3000) to my set up and it complements these speakers perfectly.[/QUOTE]

I found the 7000 for $240 shipped online which is better than any store deal. I'd like to get them at a B&M store so I could return them if they sucked but no such luck.

I used to go this local place that had a sound room set up to listen to speakers but they've stopped carrying many of the budget brands and now only carry really expensive stuff.
 
Buy the athena's. they are better specs and quality. Not to mention lower in price. For $298 you can get the atls500 which would give you even more bass if I am correct. Ask this question over at avsforum. Ask them which to buy, the sony or the athena. fairly certain you will get 100% athena as a response. Regardless the athena's have better specs.
 
My whole sound system and HDTV didn't cost me that much.:lol:

I'm actually saving my money for the LS 500. They only about $100 more but seem like a vast upgrade. I just hope they don't sell out before I take the plunge.
 
[quote name='Vinny']My whole sound system and HDTV didn't cost me that much.:lol:

I'm actually saving my money for the LS 500. They only about $100 more but seem like a vast upgrade. I just hope they don't sell out before I take the plunge.[/quote]
If you have a home theayer setup try and save more to get a matched center channel speaker as well.
 
Check out frys they have polk floorstanding R500's i believe for 39.99 each with 20 shipping comes out to be about 100 and they are descent speakers
 
[quote name='swizzle44']Check out frys they have polk floorstanding R500's i believe for 39.99 each with 20 shipping comes out to be about 100 and they are descent speakers[/QUOTE]

I don't see any R500s, I only see R50 which costs $200 each. Not sure what you're talking..?
 
[quote name='Redeema']Provided that the cone wasn't ripped you could've just taken some tape and pulled it out. I used to work in audio at Circuit City and people did that to the floor models all the time and that's what we did. It shouldn't really affect the sound quality because they're likely paper or some other material that is made to flex. [/QUOTE]


Exactly correct. Now if it were a paper woofer cone then it could have defaced when you removed the tape, but again that should not effect the coil under the cone.

craigslist?
 
The only thing I see on Craigslist is crap. Either people will list those shitty HTiBs for ridiculous prices because it's a "100000000000000" watt system or they'll list car subwoofers/speakers.
 
[quote name='swizzle44'] Check out frys they have polk floorstanding R500's i believe for 39.99 each with 20 shipping comes out to be about 100 and they are descent speakers
[/QUOTE]

You meant R300s. I own these mofos and they rock for the price.

POLK AUDIO R300 Floorstanding Tower, 6.5" Mid/Bass Drivers

$39.99 each with ~$20.00 ground shipping for the pair at Frys.com. (Not bad since they're listed at an MSRP of $199.95 each)[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]

Rated 4.46/5.00 on Polkaudio.com - Link to Polk Audio spec page.
[/FONT]
 
[quote name='psiufoxx2']I've got your speakers:

POLK AUDIO R300 Floorstanding Tower, 6.5" Mid/Bass Drivers

$39.99 each with ~$20.00 ground shipping for the pair.

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]FRYS.com #: 4965501[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]The R300 Series Loudspeakers are perfect for building starter systems, or for small room or multi-room applications. With the addition of a PSW Series powered subwoofer, you can assemble an impressive home theater system on a budget. [/FONT][/QUOTE]

Yeah, I considered these as they're posted every now and then on FW and SD. I know they normally sell for $200 each so I'm kinda iffy as to why there's such a drastic cut. I know these go on sale all the time so if all else fails, I could turn to these.
 
[quote name='Vinny']Yeah, I considered these as they're posted every now and then on FW and SD. I know they normally sell for $200 each so I'm kinda iffy as to why there's such a drastic cut. I know these go on sale all the time so if all else fails, I could turn to these.[/quote]
I couldn't tell you, but I own them and they're fantastic for freestanding L/R speakers.
 
[quote name='Vinny']Yeah, I considered these as they're posted every now and then on FW and SD. I know they normally sell for $200 each so I'm kinda iffy as to why there's such a drastic cut. I know these go on sale all the time so if all else fails, I could turn to these.[/quote]
It is because speakers always have a higher msrp than they really sell for. They are like new cars.
 
I just picked up some used speakers from a guy for $260 for a pair, they carried a MSRP for $350 each according to the website. They're JBL ND310s and sound great- huge jump over my last pair.

They were really heavy and big as hell so it was a bitch to fit them in my car and get them in my apartment. They're in great shape, besides a few nicks here and there. And I broke one of the grills on the right speaker's port dragging it out of my car... which sucked but oh well.

Before:
HPIM0416.jpg

After:
HPIM0417.jpg

Yeah, I moved my PS3... figured they get better ventilation on the top shelf vs the bottom.
 
Damn, those things are huge! Looks like a good buy. JBL is a brand. It's a lower quality Infinity (if they still make those), but most of the same tech goes into them. Congrats.
 
[quote name='psiufoxx2']You meant R300s. I own these mofos and they rock for the price.

POLK AUDIO R300 Floorstanding Tower, 6.5" Mid/Bass Drivers

$39.99 each with ~$20.00 ground shipping for the pair at Frys.com. (Not bad since they're listed at an MSRP of $199.95 each)[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]

Rated 4.46/5.00 on Polkaudio.com - Link to Polk Audio spec page.
[/FONT][/quote]

I was going to mention these, but you beat me to it. I bought a pair of theses from Fry's about 2 months ago and they are working great for me.

Overall, they sound really nice. In my case, I'm using the subwoofer that came with my HTiB (non-powered sub) and these speakers go a long way in adding extra bass to my setup.

At $50 a piece, you really can't beat these.
 
im curious what frys instore price is on the r300's
think ill stop by and check tomorrow.
id really like some floor standing speakers though id like/need to upgrade my receiver. im getting a short in the output to one of the rear channels.
 
BTW those insignia bookshelf speakers get great reviews at avsforum. For people trying to keep to a small budget they recommend those over many name brands.
 
[quote name='Vinny']I just picked up some used speakers from a guy for $260 for a pair, they carried a MSRP for $350 each according to the website. They're JBL ND310s and sound great- huge jump over my last pair.

They were really heavy and big as hell so it was a bitch to fit them in my car and get them in my apartment. They're in great shape, besides a few nicks here and there. And I broke one of the grills on the right speaker's port dragging it out of my car... which sucked but oh well.

Before:
HPIM0416.jpg

After:
HPIM0417.jpg

Yeah, I moved my PS3... figured they get better ventilation on the top shelf vs the bottom.[/QUOTE]

yeah i am running some from that line. Mine had an MSRP of 850 apiece. i will post a picture. They are nice sounding speakers.
 
[quote name='Snake2715']yeah i am running some from that line. Mine had an MSRP of 850 apiece. i will post a picture. They are nice sounding speakers.[/QUOTE]

Damn! The guy I bought them from said they were $600 a piece... your's must be insane if they were 850 each. I know there's always a markup but that's ridiculous.
 
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