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so many choices, yet so little to demo

What's a person to do? I'm in the market for new speakers. I go to few mid end stores (within 100 miles) and listen to Monitor Audio, PSB's and Golden Ear. Of course all are different stores. Then I come here and find another 25 brands that aren't carried in my state, no less area.

That being said I surely will not ask for a recommendation and I'm fairly confident that I am not the first to have this issue. And honestly, I don't believe that I ever read a BAD speaker review and comparisons always end up saying the two are really close. Useless to the average person.

My market range is for a 5 speaker HT setup that I will use for audio as well. I have an Onkyo PR-SC885 pre/proc driving an Emotiva UPS-7 (7ch @ 125W each) . My price range is 1700-2500. I feel that I really need to hear them before I lay down the money and knowing the markup need to get a deal. That combo is nearly impossible, deals are usually only on the internet (B- stock, demo, several years old)and the mid end stores want list price and don't carry any of the above.

I know many internet dealers allow returns but there are so many caveats attached. So I don't view that as a solution.

Shall I limit myself to only those brands I can demo in my area? How have you guys/gals addressed this?

Thanks in Advance
wzakaras
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
The very fact that the L+R speakers should closely flank the screen for the best HT performance prohibits their ability to image correctly for two channel audio. Not to mention that the screen is probably close to the wall, and the speakers should be several feet into the room for best audio performance.

Yeah, it might sound pretty good for both situations. But only one can be ideal.

I stand by that.

Shakey
rlwainwright
1,901 posts
 
Yes, it's true that it can be setup "ideal" for one type of use. But the fact that the OP is working with a $2500 budget would seem to indicate that he is not one who is willing to spend $50,000+ to obtain the "absolute sound".

Too many folks on these type of fora seem to have blinders on when it comes to what is acceptable sound quality for most folks. The fact of the matter is that speakers, electronics, and sources today are worlds better than what was available back in the 70s and 80s.

And it is quite possible to assemble a very credible system for both stereo and HT without spending crazy money....

-RW-
darkj's avatar
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darkj
135 posts
 
Good conversation overall. Sometimes I wish Audiogon had a "like" button" for certain comments.

I'll say that the way that civilians might solve this would be by buying online with a return policy - that way you can have them in your home, even at the same time, for comparison.

I also have loved the Gallo for what they are and do, so a worthy choice. Also, I've not heard them, but the brand that has been promoted for this purpose is Aperion. Many reviews out there...
english210
121 posts
 
Shakey - speaking purely for myself, my mains are quite distant from my screen, mainly because I made the assumption that anything that 'needed' to sound like it was coming from a central position would come from the center channel, which is in the middle. Maybe naive, but it seems to work for me. In fact, sometimes I wonder if the 'mains' aren't borderline-redundant with so much happening from the center, but I also remember the system pre-center-channel, and the mains were pretty good at making up for there being no center.
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