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Speakers Needed: Audiophile Taste - Low Budget

I am looking to upgrade my current HT system's speakers (fronts & center). I have the taste for high-end speakers however, I have 3 children & a new home. In other words I can not afford much, $500-$1000. I am looking for bookshelf speakers for mains & a center channel. I would like to get the best possible sound I can, (clearity & accurate tones - easy to drive). My receiver is a Sony STR-BD930. I have a good sub & rears. I prefer to purchase used so I can get the best speakers for my money.
Can some steer me in the right direction? Any comments are encouraged.
pfchico6868
jimel84
38 posts
 
If you can find them, some used Energy RVS-2 for the front pair and the matching RVS-1 center speaker do a fine job with music and movie soundtracks. Will probably work ok with the Sony. You might consider Sony's ES line of recievers. They have discrete amplification as opposed to a single chip that drives all five channels. Will definitly improve the sound of your system. Good luck and have some fun in your quest for beter sound.
entrope
482 posts
 
Their neutrality will reveal the weakness in your reciever.

Tremendous two way stand mount speaker!!!
ellery911
549 posts
 
I second the Vandersteen 1B or 1C..I used to have a pair running off an old 20wpc NAD 7225pe...I now have the B&W CDM 1nt's run off a Bryston B60 and am quite happy, but with your receiver, the Vandy's might be the way to go.
lithojoe
119 posts
 
Tesla II outstanding mids and a very handsome look. Fits into a lot of undesirable acoustic settings.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
02pete,
I was using with my Vands Creek 4330R amp(45W/ch) and Marantz CD67SE player.
I felt that the bass isn't controlled but for the money spend the clarity and stage were incredible. If I would go for budget amp with greater power I would not think that it would improve the sound. Later-on I switched to Bryston 3b-st/Bryston 11b combination and realized that these speakers do benefit from power but stretching a budget for the "quality watts" is needed more than for "quantity watts"
I heard many times Vands 1c with tubes and the key thing of these speakers is musicality: soft bass(that actually never goes tight), clear highs but not bright and soft midrange and there is nothing you can do to make the bass tight on these speakers efen if you bring some 300W/ch amp.

The best upgrade for these speakers I would suggest getting a 2Wq subwoofer leaving the rest of your electronics unchanged

As for CD-players I would say that the maximum price point where you should look for it is arround $1k but not more for the new piece and used arround $500.

To finalize I can say that Vandys 1C or 1B are truly be champions on budget or beginers setups.
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