Reccomended towers for $5,000 / pair or less

[pdfield34]

In addition to Philharmonic, see what kind of deal you can get on the Revel F228 Be s. With dsp, for music, pretty much no need for subs with both of these.

 

[Everett T]

Sorry that was my impression of the sound. That it was a tiny bit muddy on the low end. Others I have read also said the same. That helps bad recordings sound better though, so it's not a bad thing.

Again my subjective impression. I liked them very much.

The bass on many Philharmonic's is semi transmission line which (IMHO) like as it has a cleaner sound and doesn't care so much about placement to a wall with a rear port. I have bass reflex and MLTL designed by Paul Kittinger for Dennis and prefer the MLTL, but the bass reflex pairs I have sound great too.

 

[Defi]

I don't understand the logic that something that sounds bad makes something else that sounds bad sound better--nevermind the fact that "muddy" most of the time means that the speaker has more low end and it is poorly managed. The good news is you can make that into something nice. It has absolutely been my experience that bad recordings benefit more from good speakers than good recordings do. A good engineer will test their mixes on every manner of speaker they expect it to end up on to make sure it translates. Most "bad recordings" probably sound good in the studio they were made. Also, are we stating that classic rock sounds bad??

Anyway, from the requirements initially posted, the room size, and due to the presence of a subwoofer and a somewhat modest amp I would have put Philharmonic HT towers at the top. However, seeing that Perlisten has an offering in that range and additionally satisfies the color requirement, I am going to cast my vote for their A3t tower. They tend to be efficient and loud, not to discount their performance in all other areas.

 

[PristineSound]

Does it have to be a tower?

 

[Chanur]

I don't understand the logic that something that sounds bad makes something else that sounds bad sound better--nevermind the fact that "muddy" most of the time means that the speaker has more low end and it is poorly managed. The good news is you can make that into something nice. It has absolutely been my experience that bad recordings benefit more from good speakers than good recordings do. A good engineer will test their mixes on every manner of speaker they expect it to end up on to make sure it translates. Most "bad recordings" probably sound good in the studio they were made. Also, are we stating that classic rock sounds bad??

Anyway, from the requirements initially posted, the room size, and due to the presence of a subwoofer and a somewhat modest amp I would have put Philharmonic HT towers at the top. However, seeing that Perlisten has an offering in that range and additionally satisfies the color requirement, I am going to cast my vote for their A3t tower. They tend to be efficient and loud, not to discount their performance in all other areas.

No one said the MOFI sound bad. I know I said I liked them too.

 

[Matt34]

No one said the MOFI sound bad. I know I said I liked them too.

I wasn’t inferring that either, I’m on the lookout for some SP8 for myself.

 

[DMill]

Let’s see… who is better the Beatles or Rolling Stones? For me the philharmonics, but you put your money to the one you like best and never look at another audio review again. Cancel all feeds to all audio sites and I promise you’ll have great speakers for the rest of your days.

 

[2slow]

It doesn't "have to be" a tower. That said, I prefer the look of a tower vs a smaller speaker on a stand, so it although it doesn't have to be, I think its very likely to be.

I still think the Mofi 888s are in the lead, but now I am thinking about streatching the budget and getting the Mofi V10, but its kinda big, a bit over intended budget, and might not have a good spouse acceptance factor.

 

[Everett T]

It doesn't "have to be" a tower. That said, I prefer the look of a tower vs a smaller speaker on a stand, so it although it doesn't have to be, I think its very likely to be.

I still think the Mofi 888s are in the lead, but now I am thinking about streatching the budget and getting the Mofi V10, but its kinda big, a bit over intended budget, and might not have a good spouse acceptance factor.

Just a reminder that you'll need about 12" from a side or back wall as not to have a bass build up when setting them up if you go with the V10 and their PRs.

 

[MarkS]

@2slow, do your Infinity RS-10 towers get loud enough for you without excessive distortion?

If so, the MoFi 888 should be plenty loud and clean.

http://www.audioreview.com/product/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/infinity-systems/rs-10.html

 

[2slow]

I have had the RS10s since new. They get plenty loud enough and have plenty of bass with the powered 10" sub, but the clarity has never been great. They are solidly OK, but I'm looking to get into a different world then where they are.

 

[MarkS]

The lesson from that is that you do not need massive amounts of cone area to get as loud as you want, especially with a Rythmik F-18 Sub on order. The MoFi 888's have fewer compromises in the midrange/treble than do the V10's, see Erin's youtube reviews of both.

 

[Chanur]

It doesn't "have to be" a tower. That said, I prefer the look of a tower vs a smaller speaker on a stand, so it although it doesn't have to be, I think its very likely to be.

I still think the Mofi 888s are in the lead, but now I am thinking about streatching the budget and getting the Mofi V10, but its kinda big, a bit over intended budget, and might not have a good spouse acceptance factor.

I to prefer the tower look and almost didn't get them this time around. I'm very glad I did. Don't compromise imo.

 

[JRowland]

I love my KEF R7 Meta, they were designed to be placed close to the rear wall. The walnut is gorgeous, to me anyway.

 

[2slow]

The only thing holding me back on the 888s is that the efficiency isn't that great and I am pushing with a Sony AVR. That said, I don't go super loud super often, so I think im still leaning that way

 

[2slow]

A local shop has v10s slightly used / open box for 6500 and they are more efficient than the 888s. For an extra grand, it might be worth it, but spouse approval of giant speakers isn't likely so I haven't brought it up with her yet

 

[MarkS]

Is it possible to listen to the V10s?

 

[kyuu]

JBL HDI-3800 is an easy recommendation, IMO.

 

[Chanur]

The only thing holding me back on the 888s is that the efficiency isn't that great and I am pushing with a Sony AVR. That said, I don't go super loud super often, so I think im still leaning that way

My 2019 Lowest in the range Sony ES with a rated 90WPC is pushing my 84.5 impedance BMRs easily. I wouldn't worry about that to much unless it's a really low model Sony with out the robust build.

 

[Chanur]

A local shop has v10s slightly used / open box for 6500 and they are more efficient than the 888s. For an extra grand, it might be worth it, but spouse approval of giant speakers isn't likely so I haven't brought it up with her yet

If it's the V10s and the bookshelf make sure it's the master edition. They have a much improved crossover. I think the towers all have the new one.