Want speakers for 700 but none sound good.


Hello all,

I apologize for asking a question which might have been asked many times before, but I have a small problem at hand. I need speakers around <$700 and I have auditioned quite a few incl B&W 602.5 S3, Triangle Titus 202, JBL S38II, Paradigm Studio 20 v2 etc. These are all good speakers I am sure but somehow don't do it for me. I am probably like the other guy who said he had 'audiophile tastes but a poor man's budget' or something.

The speakers above were auditioned at home. I have a NAD c350 amp, Cambridge audio CD player with Straightwire Maestro interconnects and apature speaker cables. The (small) listening room measures about 10'x12'x8' (LxWxH) w/ hardwood floors (I know bad!). The speakers are going to be replacing the excellent Boston Acoustics A70 speakers from the late 80s. Very very good for it's time but, sadly, dead with torn woofers and distorting tweeters. I may not get good replacements knowing the only mid-fi quality of current BA drivers (some may beg to differ).

Sorry for the longish post but I need help getting room filling sound with tight bass and good detail/imaging from speakers that you recommend. Not much concerned with playing too loud. New age electronic/ acoustic and some rock music.

Thanks a lot!
pranagas
You could always have your woofers re-foamed. I assume that is $700 new? You could give the Epos M12 a listen. Epos is owned and designed by Mike Creek and his team at Creek Audio
If you really want good sound for you dollars, DIY isn't that hard for speakers with a good design. Alot of people could recommend some good kits for that money. However, I can understand the attraction to a finished product.
The Epos M12 mentioned by Sugarbrie is a good bet. I havent heard it but someone (or two) I trust sells it and says it is very good.