Should I upgrade my Speakers to Polk Monitor 60's?

[sfric]

I know very little about speakers. Are the specs for the Polk Monitor 60's siginificantly better than these Yamaha's. Would it be worth the upgrade? I like the way the Yamaha's sound, it's just that I don't know if my listening experience will be that much better. My speakers are driven by a Yamaha RX-V663, it that matters.

Thanks!

[Steve]

Are the Yamaha speakers what you're using currently? If not, then what speakers do you have? What is your budget for the upgrade? Do you plan to upgrade the center or just the towers?

[sfric]

Sorry, I should have mentioned I do currently have the Yamaha's. I also use the Sony SSCN5000 center. I would also upgrade the center to a Polk CS2. I've searched high and low for a dealer near me that sells the Polks (to audition) but can't find one.

[Steve]

How much are you planning to spend on those 3 speakers? I ask because the Polks might be an upgrade, but maybe not a huge one. If we know your budget we might be able to steer you toward something that would be a more significant upgrade.

[sfric]

Thanks for the help thus far, Steve. I was going to spend ~$380 on the three speakers, which is what my budget can handle right now.

[Steve]

Have you checked the official Polk store on ebay? I think it's all refurb speakers, but the prices are usually pretty good there. You may be able to step up to another speaker or get the Monitor 60s for less money. The inventory changes regularly so keep an eye on the site. I was looking at a pair of the RTi8s there, but unfortunately the shipping cost would put you quite a bit over your budget. It also wouldn't hurt to get better mains now and save up again to upgrade your center a little later.

[sfric]

Yeah, I looked there but still over my price range with shipping. It sounds like I should save some more $$ and get something that would be a more significant upgrade.

[Atticus]

Newegg has the Monitor 60's for $149each.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tor+60&x=0&y=0

[sfric]

I see that but my neighbor was going to sell me his 2 brand new in box (long story ) for 250. With the cost of the CS2 from Newegg, which would bring my total to $380.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by sfric

I see that but my neighbor was going to sell me his 2 brand new in box (long story ) for 250. With the cost of the CS2 from Newegg, which would bring my total to $380.

Ah, nice!

Good deal.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by sfric

I see that but my neighbor was going to sell me his 2 brand new in box (long story ) for 250. With the cost of the CS2 from Newegg, which would bring my total to $380.

That's not a bad deal at all. I'm guessing you've heard them and like their sound? Also remember that you could get those now, and if you decide to upgrade again you could move the 60s to surround duty.

[callas01]

You could get the Energy C-300s from vanns.com for $260 and the C-C50 from ebay for $94, $354 and the Energys are better then the Polks

[Steve]

Originally Posted by callas01

You could get the Energy C-300s from vanns.com for $260 and the C-C50 from ebay for $94, $354 and the Energys are better then the Polks

The Energys would be a really nice setup.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by sfric

I see that but my neighbor was going to sell me his 2 brand new in box (long story ) for 250. With the cost of the CS2 from Newegg, which would bring my total to $380.

Originally Posted by callas01

You could get the Energy C-300s from vanns.com for $260 and the C-C50 from ebay for $94, $354 and the Energys are better then the Polks

Subjective much?

sfric, I would also go the audition route with the energy speakers before making a purchase just because they fit in your price range, or any speakers in your price range for that matter. Only your ears can tell you which one you prefer.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by -dase-

Subjective much?

sfric, I would also go the audition route with the energy speakers before making a purchase just because they fit in your price range, or any speakers in your price range for that matter. Only your ears can tell you which one you prefer.

actually no. I went shopping for polks once before I got them. Polks are nice, but once we start talking about Energy, PSB, Monitor Audio, Kef, eD, etc. for the same price range and entry systems, the Polks just are not as good. Each of the speakers listed there have better mid-range detail, more accurate highs and equal to or better low end frequency response. To me those sound like better speakers... perhaps liking more accurate and detailed speakers is subjective, but then why is so many people always jumping from their Polks to something else?

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Steve

That's not a bad deal at all. I'm guessing you've heard them and like their sound? Also remember that you could get those now, and if you decide to upgrade again you could move the 60s to surround duty.

Steve. You totally screwed me up with the name change. Steve

[Dase]

Originally Posted by callas01

actually no. I went shopping for polks once before I got them. Polks are nice, but once we start talking about Energy, PSB, Monitor Audio, Kef, eD, etc. for the same price range and entry systems, the Polks just are not as good. Each of the speakers listed there have better mid-range detail, more accurate highs and equal to or better low end frequency response. To me those sound like better speakers... perhaps liking more accurate and detailed speakers is subjective, but then why is so many people always jumping from their Polks to something else?

In PSB, Monitor Audio, Kef, etc. I could agree with your statement a bit more. But it is a subjective opinion because you are sharing "your experience" auditioning, in which someone else's can be completely different. What I was getting at is that in that price range there are some brands that are equal in price but the sound isn't a huge step up. I am not trying to start a debate but the energy speakers you referenced are not in some people's mind a big step up, and vice versa. I agree that they do sound different, but that does not make them better.

Granted I have polks but I am under no false illusion that they are the best speakers. I have been on an auditioning rampage the last year for when I get ready to upgrade. But at the time I purchased them they fit the budget, and they sounded to my ears better than the few others I heard in the same price range, the energy speakers you reference among them. I wasn't a fan of their sound.

So I was just trying to get the OP to make sure he has a chance to hear anything before he purchases, limited budget or not. Chances are his ears are different than any subjective opinion he may read posted on any internet forum. Mine included.

[sfric]

So, my neighbor was kind enough to let me hook up the speakers to my receiver. After seeing how giddy I was while listening to them, he told me I could have them for $200! Keep in mind, they truly were brand new so I bought them on the spot. Then, I ordered a pair of Monitor 40's and a CS2 from Newegg (after getting the family CFO's aka my wife's approval) and just got the email this morning that they shipped last night. I'm going to use my Sony SA-W2500 sub for a while until I can upgrade but overall I think I got a sweet deal. I opened up a really nice bottle of wine and shared it with him. Isn't that how neighbors are supposed to treat each other?

Anyway, thanks for your help!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by callas01

Steve. You totally screwed me up with the name change. Steve

Sorry about that. It's something I've been considering for a while. I think I'll send a PM out to everyone on my friends list to help minimize the confusion.

Originally Posted by sfric

So, my neighbor was kind enough to let me hook up the speakers to my receiver. After seeing how giddy I was while listening to them, he told me I could have them for $200! Keep in mind, they truly were brand new so I bought them on the spot. Then, I ordered a pair of Monitor 40's and a CS2 from Newegg (after getting the family CFO's aka my wife's approval) and just got the email this morning that they shipped last night. I'm going to use my Sony SA-W2500 sub for a while until I can upgrade but overall I think I got a sweet deal. I opened up a really nice bottle of wine and shared it with him. Isn't that how neighbors are supposed to treat each other?

Anyway, thanks for your help!

Glad to hear you got an entire setup coming and that you really liked what you bought and got a good deal on them. I hope you'll post your impressions and some pictures when you get everything set up.

When you're ready to buy a subwoofer come back here and post up your budget and people here will be able to give you the best recommendations in your price range.

[callas01]

You may have heard the newer energys because the reviews/opinions are hit and miss, I have yet to hear them personally, but many people have not liked them as much as past energy products.

if you like MA and Kef, then you probably like a brighter sounding speaker. which is a different taste.