Recomend a Pair of Studio Monitors

[SlickSnake]

Infinity Interlude or Beta speakers. The Interlude IL40 is one of the flattest and most highly regarded speaker in the Interlude series. It is a 3 way speaker that uses an 8 inch woofer.

Interlude IL40 Review from Cnet

Interlude IL40 Reviews from Product Investigator

I use this speaker on my main HT system in the living room, and the sound paired with he IL36c center channel is phenomenal. Polk and some other brands that are touted a lot on forums don't even hold a candle to this speaker series. And unless you have heard them compared with a Polk speaker, you don't have a clue what your not hearing from the sound colored Polks. Interludes can be had for way less than retail on Ebay. But the IL40 seems to be a bit harder to find, for obvious reasons. The only speaker in the Interlude series I was not overly impressed by was the IL50s 3 way powered towers. But as a surround speaker, they would be great. The IL50 just lacked a bit of midrange imaging for my tastes, since they lacked a true midrange driver.

Sometimes Harman Audio Ebay Store or their online site Harman Audio Store might actually carry a refurbed pair for sale, with full warranty.

 

[Rio Rebel]

You might do a search on Slicksnake's previous posts before taking any of his advice. He seems to have some connection to Harman, the way he constantly mentions them. (And I actually like Harman. I just hate spamming.)

 

[SlickSnake]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
You might do a search on Slicksnake's previous posts before taking any of his advice. He seems to have some connection to Harman, the way he constantly mentions them. (And I actually like Harman. I just hate spamming.)

I just hate misinforming people to buy JUNK TVs and HT systems. That seems to pass around here for information, and somehow that is not spamming? My connection is that's what I bought, and I can recommend it. If spamming is recommending good components, then maybe you need to start a Polk/Onkyo support group here, and tell any other poster their input is not appreciated at all.

He asked for a FLAT response speaker system. And this IL40 fits what he wants. And I listed reviews from Cnet and several other sources to back up my SPAM. Maybe you need to read a few of those reviews before bashing a poster for spamming next time just because I don't buy cheap junk HT components and promote others to do the same.

 

[mshan]

I would guess that if you don't need insane SPL / power handling and subterranean bass extension, you can find many reasonably priced "studio monitors" from either a pro audio source or more consumer directed manufacturer.

Perhaps what you are looking for is a speaker that is voiced to be as characterless as possible (rather than neutral per se, as in ruler flat frequency extension), rather than a manufacturer which tends to voice their product with a very overt house sound.

Studio monitors directed at recording enthusiasts might edge towards ruthlessly revealing (perhaps voiced to slightly accentuate recording technique defects), while consumer speakers that are voiced neutrally (with as little character as possible might be better description), might be perceived as equally neutral, but easier and more enjoyable to listen to music on because they may very subtly burnish away those recording technique defects.

I would think as you go up in price, in addition to higher power handling and bass extension, that you would get lower noise, greater resolution, and increased purity because less grundgier sounding solid state components might be used in amp section.

I read excellent review over at Soundstage.com about Paradigm Active 40 (?), now discontinued, that reviewer felt were most neutral he had ever heard. Don't know if you can pic up an used pair over at Audiogon.com cheap. And self-powered, so no amp required.

Paradigm Reference Active / 40:http://www.soundstage.com/reve.../paradigm_active40.htm (I know new price was $2000, but if you can find well taken care of pair used on Audiogon, might be able to pic up under $1000)



EDIT: read through your follow-up postings, and because of computerized design, even entry level speakers from consumer brand names you might find at audio video store (not big box store) are all probably surprisingly good. These speakers can be either voiced for characterlessness, or an overt house sound (just depends what their target audience is). I also suspect that you really don't want truly ruler flat frequency response because it will probably not sound very good (remember that many mainstream cd recordings are voiced to sound good on boomboxes and car radio, so do you really want something that is ruthlessly revealing of recording technique, or a speaker that passes a signal that you perceive to be uncolored, neutral, and musically satisfying?)

And if you just want to enjoy the music, this might not be a bad option: http://www.silverlineaudio.com...ws=article&sid=91

Another, cheaper, still highly praised entry level audiophile speaker: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EPELS3

Really entry level (I think $200/pair range) audiophile recommendations might include Paradigm Atom or PSB Alpha:
- Paradigm Atom: http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/paradigm_atom.htm
- PSB Alpha: http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/psb_alpha_b1.htm

Dirt cheap, non-audiophile speakers that might sound acceptable: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/...rs-now-79-99-a-216359/


16G stranded, oxygen-free copper speaker wire is probably all you need (bare wire terminations are probably going to sound better than crimped on or poorly soldered connectors) with your receiver. Google for oxygen free copper speaker wire. Monoprice.com offers cheap speaker wire, but picture there seems to indicate return lead is tinned (don't know if this would make any audible difference). Or go to a local car stereo store and see what they sell (twisted pair oxygen free copper speaker wire?)

 

[Rio Rebel]

Originally posted by: SlickSnake

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
You might do a search on Slicksnake's previous posts before taking any of his advice. He seems to have some connection to Harman, the way he constantly mentions them. (And I actually like Harman. I just hate spamming.)

I just hate misinforming people to buy JUNK TVs and HT systems. That seems to pass around here for information, and somehow that is not spamming? My connection is that's what I bought, and I can recommend it. If spamming is recommending good components, then maybe you need to start a Polk/Onkyo support group here, and tell any other poster their input is not appreciated at all.

He asked for a FLAT response speaker system. And this IL40 fits what he wants. And I listed reviews from Cnet and several other sources to back up my SPAM. Maybe you need to read a few of those reviews before bashing a poster for spamming next time just because I don't buy cheap junk HT components and promote others to do the same.

I haven't seen all the Polk or Onkyo comments (though I would agree that H/K is better than those in general.) I just have a problem with someone constantly pushing a brand on people, particularly when they do it so brazenly and always provide links, making me suspect that there's more to it than just being a happy customer. And I am far from the first person with that suspicion.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel

Originally posted by: SlickSnake

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
You might do a search on Slicksnake's previous posts before taking any of his advice. He seems to have some connection to Harman, the way he constantly mentions them. (And I actually like Harman. I just hate spamming.)

I just hate misinforming people to buy JUNK TVs and HT systems. That seems to pass around here for information, and somehow that is not spamming? My connection is that's what I bought, and I can recommend it. If spamming is recommending good components, then maybe you need to start a Polk/Onkyo support group here, and tell any other poster their input is not appreciated at all.

He asked for a FLAT response speaker system. And this IL40 fits what he wants. And I listed reviews from Cnet and several other sources to back up my SPAM. Maybe you need to read a few of those reviews before bashing a poster for spamming next time just because I don't buy cheap junk HT components and promote others to do the same.

I haven't seen all the Polk or Onkyo comments (though I would agree that H/K is better than those in general.) I just have a problem with someone constantly pushing a brand on people, particularly when they do it so brazenly and always provide links, making me suspect that there's more to it than just being a happy customer. And I am far from the first person with that suspicion.

It's glaringly obvious. It's a spammer/shill.

-edit-
heck, sometimes I think it's a bot how predictable it responds.

 

[Excelsior]

Seriously, forget everything else mentioned and just build this kit.

It'll only take a couple of hours to assemble.

 

[Geraldo8022]

One thing about Tannoy, and certainly not the only thing, is that most of the great ones were, and are, coaxial.
For a poor man's "Tannoy" go here: http://www.hawthorneaudio.com/

These speakers on an open baffle are very inexpensive, for what they are, and being open baffle they just can't be any easier to build. Would make exceptional and affordable speakers in a HTPC setup.
I have found most so-called monitors to be hard to listen to for an extended period of time. Gave me much listener fatigue. I have heard many different types of speakers over the years. I no longer pay much attention to specifications or magazine reviews. I rely greatly on the recommendations of people I know and trust. If I can listen to a speaker into the early morning hours then I know it is a good one. Regardless if it has a flat frequency response (your room doesn't and your ears likely don't) or an extended response.
For near field listening I use a pair of these: http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/compacthemp.html

coupled with a nice tube amp and preamp I can, and have, listened for six or more hours at a stretch.

I have no affiliation other than owner. Just IMHO and my two cents. Your mileage may vary.

 

[sdifox]

Tannoys were great when they were still using natural magnets, that is no longer the case. That is why the ancient drivers fetch a handsome price, never mind the cone is rotting.