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Best Buy Speakers

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Posted on November 8, 2009 at 09:45:14
sockman
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Joined: November 8, 2009
 Hey Guys,

I'm looking to buy some speakers from best buy with my employee discount (cost + 5%, so it's pretty good) and I want to make sure I don't buy overpriced junk. I have no idea what brands are reputable or anything, I am a complete audio newbie. All I know is that the two old Sony bookshelf speakers that my uncle gave me just don't cut the mustard. The music just sounds kinda flat. Now I don't need anything super high end as the source audio is going to either be mp3's encoded at V0 burned to CD (44.1 khz right?), played from a sony DVD player, or its going to be coming from a usb creative xfi go soundcard which only outputs 48khz 24bit audio. I'm going to be using the speakers in a room thats aprox. 12' by 12'. Take at look at the link to the speaker listings and tell me if there's anything there that you would recommend. I can't use the discount on anything that isn't in the store so ignore anything that says "available online only." Also Im looking for stuff listed at less than 400$ (basically it comes down to the Sony, Polk, or Klipsch)

Thanks in advance for any advice! Any feedback at all is very welcome.

Check out the Insignia coaxials and then mod them., posted on November 11, 2009 at 21:32:00
Enophile
Audiophile

Posts: 7139
Location: Las Vegas
Joined: October 15, 2005
 They are practically free and loads of fun to play with!
RE: Check out the Insignia coaxials and then mod them., posted on November 12, 2009 at 09:05:53
telewacked
Audiophile

Posts: 187
Location: Kansas City
Joined: May 24, 2006
 I agree with this. Good sounding speakers, especially for your application.
Save the extra $ to upgrade your sources or buy more CD's

2nd. Sound better than Polk, Sony and Klipsch., posted on November 14, 2009 at 09:16:10
ppopp
Audiophile

Posts: 2076
Location: Southern California
Joined: October 10, 2002
 And with your discount you'll find they are cheaper than Home Depot speaker wire. Those are easily the best value speakers at BB.

Here's what ya do, posted on November 10, 2009 at 16:54:16
late
Audiophile

Posts: 70882
Joined: April 4, 2000
 Basically, you are running this off your computer. I have the same sound card, what I got for is the Klipsch system I linked to.

It is great for the money, I am completely happy with it.

It's also cheap enough that you can start thinking about putting together
a regular stereo. Ask what are some good cheap speakers, there are a few, especially used.

RE: I wouldn't buy any of them., posted on November 9, 2009 at 14:24:20
SirAnthony
Audiophile

Posts: 1706
Location: No California
Joined: March 16, 2004
 If you have a run of the mill system you would be best buying a speaker that is a little colored. Paradigm or PSB are nice speakers that sound pretty good no matter what you connect them too. I'm sure Polk is ok for $300 bucks. Really your not going to have much of a choice for that kind of money. If your system any good, a used Vandersteen is the best value in audio by far.

RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 9, 2009 at 10:06:33
sockman
Audiophile

Posts: 2
Joined: November 8, 2009
 Thanks for all the feedback guys, I think I'll end up checking out the Polk's, ill let you know what I think of them.

RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 8, 2009 at 23:55:47
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 2305
Joined: June 3, 2006
 One of the Polks would be the Best Buy.Listen to them.My son is very happy with his 'budget' model RTi4.

I wouldnt write off the Sony in spite of audiophiles keeping a distance from Japanese speakers.

And I havent liked any of the Klipschs in spite of the great name.

Best of luck.

For under $400 - go with the Polk's., posted on November 8, 2009 at 19:47:51
VynylTap
Audiophile

Posts: 1123
Location: USA - SouthEast
Joined: November 16, 2007
 as others have said - that's your best bet.

i don't know why some people around here have to be such pompous asses... I actually remember what it was like to be on a limited budget.

The Polk's are fine speakers and will work well with the gear you're likely to mate with it. The Klipsch can be good too - but they can be brutal with the wrong mid-fi gear and source. The Polk's are much more forgiving and even-handed.

Enjoy!


"I'll play it and tell you what it is later..." - Miles Davis
What amplifier (receiver) are you going to use with them?, posted on November 8, 2009 at 18:13:24
carcass93
Audiophile

Posts: 2634
Location: NJ
Joined: September 20, 2006
 Like others here said, Polk is probably the least offensive of all those.

They're your ears! Since M-L is the only brand I see which stands, posted on November 8, 2009 at 14:45:51
tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 26525
Location: Willamette Valley OR
Joined: April 9, 2006
 near the top of the high-end pyramid, I'd say go with its modest model: one hopes the same guys who design the top model also care about the entry stuff.

Whoa! What about Vienna Acoustics?, posted on November 8, 2009 at 19:38:41
hesson11
Audiophile

Posts: 621
Location: Florida
Joined: December 8, 2005
 I think most would agree Vienna certainly ranks with M-L in the high-end pantheon. But since neither one has models in the OP's price range, it's kind of a moot point.

-Bob

My bad! Now, I don't know that VA actually reaches the Olympian, posted on November 8, 2009 at 21:02:01
tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 26525
Location: Willamette Valley OR
Joined: April 9, 2006
 heights of the M-L "bigs" but they certainly are better than.... modern Polks!

RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 8, 2009 at 12:48:53
wgallupe
Audiophile

Posts: 362
Location: Boston
Joined: November 7, 2002
 Since you have the opportunity to listen to all of them, go with the one that you like the best. In that price range, things are very competitive so you can freel confident that the three brands your looking at will not be "overpriced". Good luck...

BTW, Best Buy has a great return policy so you've got nothing to worry about. Right? Trust your own ears.

Polk, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:57:27
Prisoners
Audiophile

Posts: 1704
Location: Chicago
Joined: June 13, 2004
 Buy the biggest that you can afford. The Klipsch can sound very brittle and harsh if fed a low-rez signal from a less than stellar amp. I'm not impressed with Sony speakers, but buy what sounds good to you.
Baba-Booey to you all!
RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:12:58
BillyL
Audiophile

Posts: 64
Location: Forest Hills, NY
Joined: October 25, 2008
 Of the speakers available at Best Buy and your budget, I'd go for the MartinLogan - Preface 6-1/2" 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker.

RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:25:52
bullethead
Audiophile

Posts: 329
Location: New York
Joined: June 15, 2009
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2009
 I gather he's talking about $400 for 2 speakers. I could be wrong however.
RE: Best Buy Speakers, posted on November 8, 2009 at 11:12:03
bullethead
Audiophile

Posts: 329
Location: New York
Joined: June 15, 2009
Contributor
  Since: July 26, 2009
 Best buy doesn't have that great of a speaker line, even their Magnolia section is ho hum.

Polk Audio is really good however for what you are going to do with it. Good luck.

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