I'm trying to nail something down in the next week or so, and I could really use some help here. I'll tell you what I've found, and what I've read, and you tell me what you think, and if I need to check out anything else before I buy. I've seen that quite a few peopel in this forum like Paradigm and Monitor Audio. I'm not familiar with these at all, and hence, is one of the reasons I'm writing this. I've listened to a handful of speakers, but not a lot. I've compared the B&W 300 series and the Klipsch 25 series, and as of now, I'm strongly favoring the Klipsch 25 series. I want to do 7.1, but I can deal with 5.1 for now, as I have a price limit of about $1500-$1600. My living room is open (half-wall to left, and open to breakfast and kitchen bar in back), with all ceramic tile, so I've started worrying about the brightness of the room added to the brightness of the speakers I love so much -- the Klipsch 25 series. I've read a lot on other forums, and I'm discovering other widely favored speakers as well. So this is what I need to know: What is comparable to the Klipsch 25 series and B&W 300 series in other lines like Paradigm, Monitor Audio, Boston Acoustics, etc? I don't know what to look for in Paradigm (their website doesn't break down the speakers as well as other sites). I've been told the Monitor series in Paradigm will rival the Klipsch Reference. What do you think? I need specific speaker model numbers / series / etc. so that I know exactly what to compare. If I can get a great sound that I love as much as the Klipsch 25 series for a lower price, I'll do it. But I want suggestions instead of going into it blindly! FYI, I listen to a lot of music, and I've found myself favoring floorstanding towers for the fronts. Any suggestions of what else I should look at that compares with B&W 300 and Klipsch 25 for around the same price or less? Thanks!!!
Im not sure about the speakers you will choose as your surround sound setup, so we'll just take your Main Front Left/Right speakers, the RF-25 Floorstanding Speakers Dual 6.5 by Klipsch: and the B&W 300 series, which personally i found to be slightly over-rated. Between those two, id probably go for the Klipsch, but...i am a huge Monitor Audio fan, and have some of their Silver Range gear. Monitor Audio have the Bronze, Silver and Gold Reference range, the latter being a tad over-priced for me. I have the Monitor Audio S8's, which are awesome, but slightly more expensive that the Klipsch RF25. For a more direct comparison, id look at the S6's or even the B6's. Polk Audio are doing some great speakers, and if you were going to spend a lot on a subwoofer, have a look at the Polk LSi15 which has twin built in 8" subs... Remember not to rule out Mordaunt Short, especially the 502's, though like the Polk, they are a tad expensive. Chris
1+ to klipsch, you will be satisfied with what ever model you get in RF, even the synergy, F series is very nice, the f-3's are motivating! The F-1,2,3's cost less than the speakers in the RF line, but have very good sound quality! i havent heard thoes polk speakers yet, so i cant say anything about them.
Take a look at the Wharfedale line. The Pacific Evolution line is my choice but the Diamond 9 line is almst as good.
Is this what you are looking for? http://www.paradigm.ca/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/ParadigmModels/MonSeries/MonitorSpecs.htm
Canadian speakers are well made and highly rated. Not sure if you can find them in your area, but PSB's and Energy are also worth a look. I own a pair of Energy C6's, never regretted buying them. But then: I am Canadian and proud of it !!!! http://www.canadianmade.com/speakers.html
