Entry Level- Mid Level- High End Speakers Thread

[CRMA]

There are so many different brands and styles of speakers on the market today. I am trying to educate myself on entry level, mid level, and high end.
It seems like the general rule of thumb is to start with a Polk, Boston Acoustics, or a Def Tech. I really enjoy my Polks that I own. I have not heard the TSi or the LSi models, that seem to be Polk's higher end. Are they really a step up?
I have heard of B&W, Martin Logan, Paradigm, Canton, and KEF. Never really listened to anything besides the B&Ws. How would you rate these in the Beg, Mid, or High catagories?
Thanks guys, look forward to hearing from you Audiophiles!!

[SammyG]

I wouldn't answer this question with a gun to my head, there will be many angry speaker owners! Look at George Lucas's HT, thats high end!

[kpkelley]

It's difficult to classify an entire brand as Low, Mid or High-end. For instance, Swan speakers range from 1K 5 speaker systems(entry-level HiFi) to a few hundred grand(High-End), where would you put them on the list?

[prerich]

That's a loaded question. There are speakers that are simply entry level (such as LG, Samsung, HTIB type stuff). However there are people that make high end stuff that also makes "entry level" speakers. (It's entry level for their market brand, but its High Mid level performance wise). The brands the OP listed all have entry level speakers as well as High-end models. If you gave me a ML Mosaic - I would place it in the solid Mid level speakers, while the CLS's are definately high end (with ML I consider any speaker with an ESL panel to be in the high-end catagory - now the question is if its entry level high-end, mid level high-end, or just plain ol' High end). You see...its a loaded question

[richteer]

Originally Posted by prerich

That's a loaded question. There are speakers that are simply entry level (such as LG, Samsung, HTIB type stuff). However there are people that make high end stuff that also makes "entry level" speakers. (It's entry level for their market brand, but its High Mid level performance wise). The brands the OP listed all have entry level speakers as well as High-end models. If you gave me a ML Mosaic - I would place it in the solid Mid level speakers, while the CLS's are definately high end (with ML I consider any speaker with an ESL panel to be in the high-end catagory - now the question is if its entry level high-end, mid level high-end, or just plain ol' High end). You see...its a loaded question

Agreed.

I think one criteria one might apply would be where the speakers can be purchased. Most stuff available from places like Best Buy and other big box stores I would not classify as high end. OTOH, if you have to go to a specialist dealer, it's more likely to be high end.

Price is often an indicator, but stuff that is expensive isn't necessarily high end, but more importantly, some stuff that has high end aspirations isn't necessarily expensive (although I concede that "expensive" is a relative term!).

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by SammyG

I wouldn't answer this question with a gun to my head, there will be many angry speaker owners! Look at George Lucas's HT, thats high end!

Hah, so true. I was upset that the OP put my Def Techs in that beginning list!

Trying to quantify and classify speakers and brands into low/med/hi-end is probably a futile effort. Time would be better spent going out and listening to what brands you are able to listen to, set down a guideline for a budget and buy the speakers that sound the best (within budget constraints) to you.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Hah, so true. I was upset that the OP put my Def Techs in that beginning list!

Trying to quantify and classify speakers and brands into low/med/hi-end is probably a futile effort. Time would be better spent going out and listening to what brands you are able to listen to, set down a guideline for a budget and buy the speakers that sound the best (within budget constraints) to you.

I was just happy he didn't say Klipsch not that mine are high end, but when you spend a couple grand, feelings get hurt when someone says "entry level"

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by SammyG

I was just happy he didn't say Klipsch not that mine are high end, but when you spend a couple grand, feelings get hurt when someone says "entry level"

...it's dumb, but it's so true.

[Fors*]

I was feeling pretty darn good about my recent speaker purchase, but now I kinda feel like this..... LOL!

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I was feeling pretty darn good about my recent speaker purchase, but now I kinda feel like this..... LOL!

when your watchinig a movie, does it matter? i could care less about the segregation as im enjoying every sound that comes out of my speakers.

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by SammyG

I was just happy he didn't say Klipsch not that mine are high end, but when you spend a couple grand, feelings get hurt when someone says "entry level"

Anyone for sub-basement?

Rich

[mdm1699]

Originally Posted by CRMA

There are so many different brands and styles of speakers on the market today. I am trying to educate myself on entry level, mid level, and high end.
It seems like the general rule of thumb is to start with a Polk, Boston Acoustics, or a Def Tech. I really enjoy my Polks that I own. I have not heard the TSi or the LSi models, that seem to be Polk's higher end. Are they really a step up?
I have heard of B&W, Martin Logan, Paradigm, Canton, and KEF. Never really listened to anything besides the B&Ws. How would you rate these in the Beg, Mid, or High catagories?
Thanks guys, look forward to hearing from you Audiophiles!!

The sheer nerve! Boston is NOT entry level. They may have a budget line that is comparable to Polk, Infinity, Klipsch etc but they are not entry level in terms of quality, performance.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by mdm1699

The sheer nerve! Boston is NOT entry level. They may have a budget line that is comparable to Polk, Infinity, Klipsch etc but they are not entry level in terms of quality, performance.

lol, see?

[CRMA]

Originally Posted by aramis109

lol, see?

It is not like I asked when Star Wars is coming out on Blu?

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by CRMA

It is not like I asked when Star Wars is coming out on Blu?

no but people are going to get bent. regardless of what some think, others will think differently and classify differently. just because someone thinks that thier speakers are not entry level, others will. if you want a clearer answer i would suggest contacting something like hometheater mag and ask how they classify entry, mid and high end.

[rded]

I think the better question would be: Is your speaker and audio gear considered HI-FI?

[SammyG]

What's funny is that when friends come over, they'll say thats the nicest system i ever seen. To me that don't mean (censored), because they are rocking Bose or Sony dream systems. Just remember if all your friends say its the highest end system they saw, how much about HT do they know: NOTHING!

[Clark Kent]

It is very hard to compare speakers across the same manufacturer, much less the many different companies selling speakers now. Some people simply use price as a proxy for quality, though that model breaks down when one considers used speakers or a few of the models directly available on the Internet.

Another factor to consider is that what one considers high-end might be entry-level for another person.

[CRMA]

Originally Posted by mdm1699

The sheer nerve! Boston is NOT entry level. They may have a budget line that is comparable to Polk, Infinity, Klipsch etc but they are not entry level in terms of quality, performance.

Calm down. It is a list. If your ego is hurt because I said Boston's were entry level then you need to get past it. I am trying to get different views and ideas.

[mdm1699]

Originally Posted by CRMA

Calm down. It is a list. If your ego is hurt because I said Boston's were entry level then you need to get past it. I am trying to get different views and ideas.

I'll give you calm You are about to get an education