Tippy

Spinning off of the, "What's the best speakers you've heard", thread - which had many high-$$$ equipment out of reach for me - I was wondering if you can get 85% - 90% there to "perfect sound" for cheap?

I heard a Marantz integrated receiver ($750) and a pair of Definitive Technologies towers ($2000) that sounded great to me.

Ever heard a cheap(er) system that knocked your socks off?

Dale Gribble

www.axiomaudio.com

I was very happy listening to their home theater setups. I've recommended their subs to friends and all have come away very content. No affiliation, just a happy customer.

Tippy

Wow, their floorstanding are dirt cheap.

DrJay

www.peachtreeaudio.com

the Decco, iDecco, Nova, and iNova are incredible devices for the amount of money charged.

sig_a

Best sound for cheapest price? Build your own.

I built this kit in about 2 hours powered by my 1979 MAC 4100 McIntosh receiver system. $160/pair.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=300-640

MDeBoard

Vandersteen 1C's and a Rotel RA970. It was a very musical, sweet sounding system. It also had a Rotel CD player.

Tippy

Funny you mention them; that teamed with the B&W 805D's was the best sounding system to me in the place beating out about a ~$60k rig.

Cool!!

I wish our shop had these brands but they don't....

cobalt

I set my nephew up with a complete surround system 4 1c's + bases and a 1CC center with marantz 880 MK II receiver all purchased second hand local pickup for under $1000. Decent sound for so little $$.

Dean_Fuller

Paradigm Studio 100 V1 will be cheapish but the Studio 60's V1 are always overlooked and sound very nice.
I had a pair of Vandersteen 2c's in 1985ish. They go REAL cheap now ( $300 pair ) and for the money would be hard to beat.
Also some of the B&W 600 series are good buys.
I assume you listen to ROCK mostly and your room is average size...if so then the above is a starter but if you listen to JAZZ, Diana Krall, Norah Jones...the single driver no cross over speakers for the money is GREAT if you like the sound. Intimate and not HUGE. Like they are in the room and playing just for you and not a concert hall....of course all this really depends on the recording too.
Also don't be afraid to go Vintage. May be pricier but the resale will hold or increase. Heritage series Klipsch, Bozak.

Large Advents can be had for less than $100 a pair and are easy to find and for that amount of money...its a no brain-er especially the garage.

Tippy

Very cool...

ArthurPE

buying used you can get a lot of bang for the buck
a place like audiogon is a good start
a good system can be assembled by looking a Stereophile's or The Absolute Sounds recommended systems...they come in various price ranges...1k to 5k and up

I would think for 3k used you can get a system that will satisfy

the room and set-up are a key system compenent(s)

a stereo is such a good investment...it can be used for many hours a week

MDeBoard

Or you could get a Bose 321 for the same price. Amazing system for the $$$.

Tippy

Audiogon seems to have stagnant stuff that gets me excited then you find out it is sold.....

My money is on Cobalt's system, I bet it sounds great and packs decent power. There's no love for Bose from these guys if you haven't found out yet.

MDeBoard

That's actually what I meant. It was supposed to be sarcasm but I guess it was too subtle.

A.Wayne

Bose 901 series 7 ... fantastic .....