gjphw@mhuxo.UUCP (WYANT) (09/03/86)
The recent purchase of a CD player has started me considering an ungrade
for my speakers. Currently, I have an 80 watt/channel receiver (Onkyo TX-85)
driving a pair of large two-way bookshelf speakers (ESS PS-5). A review of
some JBL speakers (L100T) in the August STEREO REVIEW has me wondering about
the value of speakers in this price range ($500-$600 per speaker, suggested
list price).
Now, I am seeking suggestions about speakers in the $500-$600 apiece range
to be considered or be avoided. I intend to audition these speakers carefully
at local (west suburban Chicago) dealers before purchasing, so don't worry
that a purchase might be made on your recommendation alone. These
recommendations are for speakers with which you might have some personal
experience (e.g., sound quality, construction quality, crossover performance)
and that I should consider further.
Since this is a step up in speaker performance for me, some general
comments would also be appropriate. Do speakers in this price range sound
more alike than different from one another? While there probably are few
exotic designs (e.g., ribbon or electrostatics) at these prices, do these
speakers sound less "boxy" (i.e., more open) than typical bookshelf speakers?
Are three-way speakers superior to two-way systems? Can J. Hirsh of STEREO
REVIEW be trusted with his speaker reviews? What about HIGH FIDELITY or AUDIO
magazine reviews? Or are they all lackey running dogs of the speaker
manufacturers?
Please send email directly to me with your experiences and hearsay
evidence. Thank you for your replies.
Patrick Wyant
AT&T Bell Laboratories
Naperville, IL
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