Floorstanding, BIG speakers that sound good??

[Cujet]

Every year, I want to purchase or build big, floorstanding speakers. But, I can't find any that really sound good, are big and reasonably priced.

In particular, I like sealed woofers, dome tweeters. But, they have to be responsive speakers. Can't be muddy like some or overly bright like Klipsch.

Suggestions?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Define 'big'. Define "reasonably priced".

 

[Cujet]

Big is something more than 2 or 3ea. 6.5inch woofers in a ported box. That simply ain't enough for my tastes. I do have subs. Don't like them on music.

Cost, less than $1500/pair + or - a few bucks.

I've listened to the Polks. Not "big" enough. I've listened to Cerwin Vega's. Too cheap and they don't sound all that good to me.

What I'd really like is,,, something like a large sealed box with 2ea. 10in carbon fiber woofers, quality mid, dome tweeter, quality crossover. That, in my opinion could sound tight, deep and clean.

Can't find anything like that, anywhere. Even a 12 inch setup.

 

[JOD]

If you can find a pair of old Snell E3's, I'd go with those. They were a great value when new, and you can often find them for reasonable prices on CL. Here's one pair, though it's a bit of a drive...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ele/3287065153.html

You can still buy kits for the surrounds, which is nice.

Type D's, also nice, but over-priced:

http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/ele/3286733366.html

If you're looking to build your own, here you go:
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/

The Orions are about as close as you're going to get to the "perfect" loudspeaker. I hate to throw out things like "best speaker in the world", because I certainly haven't heard every speaker out there...but it's hard to imagine something sounding better.

 

[Quest]

One of my current setup comprised of a 80s JBL 4425 "Babboon Budt" 2-way speakers, with 12-inch bass bins.

I grew more and more fond of them as time goes by, even though they are more than 30 yrs old (professionally re-edged by yours-truly). Sensitivity is great I must say, even when compared to the most recent release of JB big speakers.

If you can find them in decent shape and condition (obviously used), grab them while you can.

Q.

 

[JOD]

I'd worry more about the whole package vs. the size of the drivers. The right cabinet counts for a lot, as does a quality driver. You would never know the E3's have "only" an 8" driver. Turned up load, you can feel the vibration in your chest.

 

[VicVinegar]

I don't think they really exist anymore unless you have a giant budget or build them yourself.

 

[Quattro Pete]

To be honest, I'm not aware of any currently built floorstanders that are sealed in this price range. I've seen some sealed exotics, but they were upwards of $10K, and even they did not have 10" woofers. You may have to build your own.

What kind of subs do you have? There are high quality sealed subs out there that have been designed with music in mind and sound much more natural than the typical ported home theater subs. But one sub like that will likely eat up most of your budget alone.

Depending on the size of the listening room, even a BIG speaker may sound tiny. On the other hand, in a smaller, well sound-proofed room, even a smaller speaker can sound big.

I will be tracking this thread to see what recommendations others come up with as I'm curious myself.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Mine are a lil over 5 ft tall. 15 Inch woofers,midrange and tweeters are both horns. Acoustic suspention cabinets. Drivers are Electro Voice and cabinets are solid stock walnut. Theyll rattle the foundation and sound crystal clear.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Ive always wanted to find a pair of the 70s era Realistic Mach One's.

 

[aquariuscsm]

North American Sound "Studio Monitors" from the mid 80s were awesome speakers.

 

[Colt45ws]

http://billfitzmaurice.net/David.html

 

[Cujet]

Fairly large room, 16 x 20 or so, which is fully open into a large living area. So, the speakers need to have some ability to produce room filling bass.

I own many pairs of smaller (dual 6.5) speakers. They are, quite simply, too small. Even stacked up.

 

[jdeare]

I can't vouch for the sound, but they are big and pretty cheap:

http://www.cerwinvega.com/home-audio/floorstanding-speakers/xls-215.html

 

[sparky123]

The first two names that came to mind were "Legacy" and vintage JBL's. Polk SDA's. Snell's D/C's. These may be ported however.

 

[AVB]

What kind of reciever/amp do you have? I have found that most multi channel home theater receivers in general lack the bass output of a good stereo receiver.

 

[JavierG]

Check out Snell, Thiel or my all time favorite, Vandersteen. They may bring out any deficiencies you have in your sound system though. But all 3 brands make awesome loudspeakers.

 

[rainman49]

I sitting between a pair of JBL L-100s as I type. They're the home version of the 4311 studio monitors that were used for years by the professionals. Bought them in the 70s and they'll still "rock" your world. But they are not sealed. They're ported to the 12-inch woofers. Still my favorite speakers.

 

[rainman49]

Just looked around eBay and there are several pairs of both 4311s and L-100s. Shipping is pretty high because they are heeaavvvy!

 

[simple_gifts]

All I can think of is the scene from Ruthless People with Judge Reinhold.