HDTV Forum

I am have a Pana 42 plasma and Polk RM7200 system, which I like. Am adding another plasma, and want a speaker system that has a fuller, richer sound, esp. for watching music videos on DVD, etc. Want to stay around 2K. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I bought a 7 speaker PSB Image system last year for $2300 and am VERY satisfied. You'll only find them at high end audio stores and there's not much of a discount, but they sound fabulous. The Perfect Vision has recommended them as an Editor's choice several times.

Go here:
http://www.psbspeakers.com/HomeTheaterST.html

#4 has a MSRP of $2149
#5 has a MSRP of $2998

You can get a few hundred off MSRP if you're lucky.

I have #5 (last year's models) with my existing Boston Acoustics sub (to be upgraded to a 6i later). They're fantastic.

yorkmed wrote:I am have a Pana 42 plasma and Polk RM7200 system, which I like. Am adding another plasma, and want a speaker system that has a fuller, richer sound, esp. for watching music videos on DVD, etc. Want to stay around 2K. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Room size has a lot to do with what kind of speakers you may need. Another factor in getting that full and rich sound is the power your amp or receiver is putting out. A power amp that struggles to feed hungry speakers, especially in a large room, will sound thin and shrill when you turn the volume up just a little. Look at the speaker's sensitivity ratings. 88 or below requires lots of power.

Buying a system at retail forces you into a marrige that you might not be happy with 3 months later. They all sound great in the showroom, where they often use $10,000 amps and other equally pricey gear and cabling to audition $2000 speakers in a great sounding room.

Another option is to buy on the used market like I did. You can get a $4000 pair of speakers for $1800 or so. Try www.audiogon.com and www.videogon.com and click on the classifieds of the component you are looking for. I have made dozens of buys there and haven't been burned once. It's a very reputable site for those interested in audio and video. It doesn't have that eBay sleaze factor at all. If you choose this route feel free to email me for any help.

Speaker quality has more to do with overall sound than just about any part of the audio chain-Always has. My rule has always been to add up the total cost of your electronic audio components and spend at least that much or more on the speakers.

I spent two days in a Hi-Fi Specialty store listening to some CDs that I brought with me, especially selected so I knew the music and what to expect. After two days and a very understanding saleman, I selected a 5.1 set from Definitive Technology. They have a range of sizes and prices. My impression was the bigger sets were only needed for huge rooms, so ended up in the middle at about $2500. I don't know about today's prices, but am suggesting you check them out. If you are buying other stuff too they can deal.

I love their sound. Mine have two midrange/tweeters in each Left and Right tower which are about 2 ft from the back wall. One of these "bi-polar" speaker sets points out the back and bounces off the wall, the other speaker set to the front. It increases the overall distribution of the sound filling the room. the big woofers are on the side and bounce off the side walls of the room.
The result is room filling sound with the forward facing L/R speakers, center channel and bipolar rears giving directional sound. There are those who want a more precisely directional sound and for them the reflections would not be to their liking. I have the speakers connected to a Yamaha amp that can make you think you are in a gothic cathedral, the local movie theater, a concert hall, or a small jazz club by changing reverbs and delays. It is amazing how the apparent room size and acoustics can be adjusted for movies or music.

http://www.definitivetech.com/

Def Tech makes great speakers, especially for those interested in using one system for movies and music. Ironicaly, the high end community looks down their nose at this company because of their heavy, and I do mean heavy, ad buys. That said, all of their speakers have received rave reviews in all the mags, though you can read btw the lines and see the struggle that the reviewer is having by heaping praise on a manufacturer that buys so many ads in the same publication and also his own natural bias of pleasing the audiophile snobs (by giving a tepid review) who spend five figures on speakers.

Many of their models come with powered woofers so you get some added slam or can even avoid buying a subwoofer. I loved them when I auditioned, but the old wife factor reared up on its hind legs and nixed any chance of a purchase there. They aren't the best looking speakers out there.

One other thing. If you're looking for a deal, forget about it! Def Tech controls prices more closely then any company I've ever seen. No gray market there! Even prices on the used market are way high.

Tombanjo wrote: One other thing. If you're looking for a deal, forget about it! Def Tech controls prices more closely then any company I've ever seen. No gray market there! Even prices on the used market are way high.

True about prices, but tell the salesman you want a good receiver/amp too that is not" price controlled" and see what the package deal costs.

High prices on the used market tell me lots of people like these speakers, just like certain popular car models retain their used value much more than others.

Most of the items in a home theater are becoming technically obsolete in just a few years just like computers ( they are similiar now). Good speakers are a "lasting" investment - 10 to 20 years. I like a good deal too, but have found the hard way, buying a cheaper product that turns out unsatisfactory and has to be replaced is the MOST expensive way to buy.

I saw a sign in a store many years ago.

"With every product sold, there are always a few brands that will cut corners in hidden ways and then try to fool you that their product is the same as the quality brand".

A perfect example of this is cheaper big flat panel displays on the floor right beside the good HD ones that in the mostly hidden fine print say " native resolution 480p", or two receivers apparently equal in power and features, but one has "max distortion 0.05% and the cheaper one "max distortion 0.5%!). Same problem for speakers.

A centuries old quote"
"Caveat Emptor"
Latin for "Let the buyer beware." The idea that buyers take responsibility for the condition of the items they purchase and should examine them before purchase. This is especially true for items that are not covered under a strict warranty"

"I spent two days in a Hi-Fi Specialty store listening to some CDs that I brought with me, " This quote from one of the posts is the best way to select speakers, this is exactly what I tell people to do.
Good speakers can last a very long time,
If you take your time when choosing them, you may never grow tired of them.
Most of the questions I get asked are for speakers in the $1000 range. Polk is one of the brands I recommend. John