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I was at Best Buy the other day -- don't tell anyone -- and they have a great set-up for A-B ing speakers and permutations such as with or without sub, satellites only, etc. I thought the Polk T50 towers sounded good and better than the more expensive Polks next to them. They had a rather sweet, non-irritating quality on the vocal and unlike the matching sat had a decent mid-bass impact without the very boomy subwoofer made available. They cost about fifty cents or so. The experience reminded me that you are ultimately matching speakers to your ears and your taste and there are some very fancy speakers that are irritating to listen to and some relatively modest ones that sound good. Based on quick audition I could live with them, though I already have something better. But if I didn't have anything and was looking to spend less than grand on a system I would consider them even if they lack 'pedigree.'
It's never too late to turn back the clock.
Follow Ups:
Speakers are the one component where there is very little correlation between price and sound quality.
With the electronics, generally you spend more and you get more, but with speakers, not so much.
Another part of it is, I think, familiarity. You get used to how your speakers sound in your room. So another speaker system, even one objectively better, will sound "off" to you after years of listening to the same thing. And then after you get used to the difference, you discover that they are indeed better overall.
As for reading reviews. One can usually read between the lines to get a good idea if you will like it or not. Although listening is super critical for speaker selection.
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Mucking around the low-end since 1986.
There is far more correlation in speaker prices and performance than there is in any other component except for maybe a turntable.
I have listened to $4000 speakers that I hated and $500 speakers that I loved. But I have never heard a 5-figure piece of electronics that I hated.
Stereophile and others recommend some of the super cheap Dayton speakers as punching way above their class.
And the new $280 Elac B6 Debut is said to equal or better the B&W of the same size that cost twice as much.
There is more sound quality variation within price strata for speakers than for any other audio component.
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Mucking around the low-end since 1986.
on your speaker choice. Thats a personal thing and I get that. However, the more expensive the speaker, better the driver, crossover and better inertness of a cabinet (less cabinet vibration ).
Thiel CS 2.4
Everything is subjective when it comes to speakers.
They say money can't buy love?
That is also true of some expensive speakers out there.
The most plain jane looking speakers, just might surprise the hell out of the right owner?
LOL....my $19 Canadian-made late 1980s IMAGE speakers.....so far.....are hanging tough at the top of my modest pecking order of bookshelf speakers.
Steve
Always looking for worthy components/speakers for a 'patio' or garage system, thanks for youR insight on these; a quick glance sees them $99-$150 online :)
Edits: 04/26/17
...is like recommending a paint color or room deodorant scent. It's definitely "One man's meat is another man's poison". Establish a price range you can afford, then go listen. Sure it helps to read some reviews. But ultimately your ears, your music tastes, your listening environment, (and to some degree your wallet) make the decision.
"That was some weird shit".- George Bush
In general I agree, but reviewers would be out of jobs if there were no winnowing process. Somebody might tell me that Tommy's sister is cute. Maybe I wouldn't think she was cute, but it's still useful information that somebody thinks that. I agree that we have to go by our own ears, not somebody else's.
It's never too late to turn back the clock.
That was the best description of giving bad advice on buying a speaker.
Many times I've upgraded to a more expensive speaker from the same manufacturer (Vandersteen,Harbeth,Spendor,etc.) only to find that I liked the less costly one more enjoyable. I learned not to equate the price anymore!
Couldn't agree more!
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