Good speakers for a low budget

No, she's definitely not an audiophile. I posted the question because I was trying to provide her with suggestions other than Bose which she was actually looking at. Musically, she mostly listens to light rock, new age, pop (generally upbeat with synths), classical, and a little folk. As far as the system is concerned, this probably won't be very helpful, but there's a sony str-de895 receiver, a pioneer pd-m501 cd player, and unlabeled PSB speakers manufactured in the early 90's (I think they might be the alpha B's). She was going to replace the system component by component as she acquired the funds and was going to start with her cd player, but I suggested that she upgrade the speakers first because that generally leads to the greatest amount of improvement. I believe the receiver puts out something like 100 watts per channel and the receiver should be able to drive the speakers for the time being, although I guess the alternative is to save up and buy speakers and an integrated amp in one shot.

What a concept ... someone who buys equipment and actually holds on to it. So most likely, your friend will hold on to this equipment for another 15 years. So, she wants stuff that will sound good, look good, and last another 2 presidential elections. So, let's think systems.

I don't like buying used. I prefer to buy close-outs, look for deals, etc. If you were to look at new clearance items that Audio Advisor is offering right now, you could do the following pairings. I own or have owned this equipment at one time or another and have paired it together over the last 6 years.

NAD amp/ Energy speakers ($633)
NAD receiver/ Energy speakers ($833)

NAD amp/ NHT speakers ($950)
NAD receiver/ NHT speakers ($1150)

Cambridge Audio amp/ cd player/ Energy speakers ($933)
Cambridge Audio amp/ cd player/ NHT speakers ($1250)

The links:

1. NAD receiver at 500

2. NAD amp at 300

3. Energy speakers at 333

4. NHT speakers at 650

5. Cambridge Audio amp at 300

6. Cambridge Audio CD player at 300

Another option is to buy a $1600 pair of speakers for $800 like these Spendor 3se and gradually grow a system around them.

Best regards,

Rich

She isn't asking for recommendations on speakers that cost a few grand - just $600. There aren't that many good ones that we'd need to know what her musical preferances are.

The best speakers in the $600 class are limited in one way or another, and I doubt the different music going through them would make 'that big' of a difference. Take the Bose-they sound terrible no matter what type of music goes through them - and doubt any speaker in this range would/could play large scale classical without compormising (hy, even the Magico Minis don't do that, and they're $29,000). So, keeping it simple - how about just go with the B&W 685? Right at $600 bucks? It's like someone asking me to recommend a $200 CD player and my asking what type of music they listen to? What's the difference? I think we're just showing how stuck up our hobby can be. Someone is asking about an inexpensive speaker and we are asking the same questions as if they were buying expensive ones.

"The best speakers in the $600 class are limited in one way or another, and I doubt the different music going through them would make 'that big' of a difference."

Well Carrot, why did you even post the question if that the way you feel about $600 class speakers? While you are correct that speakers in this price range have their limitations, the fact is what those limitations may be vary greatly beween the various makes of speakers. and what their designers think is the best compromises to make in keeping a speaker at certain price point. Anyway, based on what you posted about your friends listening taste, and associated equipment. I would probably be like Rar1 (Rich) and would suggest either the Energy RC-10 or the NHT Classic Two or Three. All are incredibly good souding and good looking speakers at their price point, and should she in the future, wish to upgrade her other components these speakers would be more than ready to fit into an upgraded system.

PS: Just curious on why your friend wants to get rid of her "unlabeled PSB"? From what I remember, their Alphas were some good sounding little speakers.

She knows little about audio and wanted to replace the cd player to improve the sound of the system which has a really small sound stage and seems to drown out a lot of the high frequencies (female vocals, violins, etc. can barely be heard in the presence of male vocals, drums, etc.). I suggested the speakers, which are definitely not the weakest link, because changing speakers typically has the most drastic effects on the sound of an audio system. I hooked up my North Star cd player in place of her cd player today to see whether or not it would make a difference and, surprisingly enough, it actually made a world of a difference. More detail, tighter bass, etc. I guess there is always the option of spending the same money on an integrated amp or a cd player such as the rotel rcd 1072.