Entry Level- Mid Level- High End Speakers Thread

[rded]

I consider my audio stuff HI-FI(not my sub and power conditioner ) but not totally high end. There's a difference you know...

[Intamin]

I would consider anything that can be bought a big box store to be entry level, and some of the stuff mid-level (such as some of the offerings at Magnolia). I would also say price can be deceiving and not exactly a great determinant of hi-end. With the emergence of ID companies, as well as the used market, you can get stuff that competes with the so called "high-fi" for not nearly as much. In the end, it's all relative though.

[989547]

I have Polk Monitor 50's, 30's, CS2, PSW10, and I'm not a expert, but I consider this setup, entry level.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by SammyG

I agree, but you know how touchy people get defending their brand. Prerich, let me get those Heresy's, you don't want them.

They're not doing anything right now, but who knows what might happen !

[primaz]

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 brands you list are all a step up from the Polks or Bostons in my opinion. To me any mass produced speakers like those are entry level and once you hear others that description should be crystal clear.

Once you listen to better speakers the difference is obvious as the sound is just more natural and the range of the speaker is better. For me I love the Canton speaker line as all of their speakers are very consistent in providing great smooth natural sound. I have a pair of their towers and center channel and love them! I would also say the B & W and Martin Logans are also excellent speakers.

[rded]

Originally Posted by Intamin

I would consider anything that can be bought a big box store to be entry level, and some of the stuff mid-level (such as some of the offerings at Magnolia). I would also say price can be deceiving and not exactly a great determinant of hi-end. With the emergence of ID companies, as well as the used market, you can get stuff that competes with the so called "high-fi" for not nearly as much. In the end, it's all relative though.

Did you know that Magnolia Audio(not Magnolia HT) is starting to carry Arcam, Sonus Faber, Rel, Primare, Mcintosh and Pro-ject to name a few? I wouldn't call these mid-level though...

[Driver_King]

I don't consider everything in my system as entry-level but the things I would consider entry-level would be my A2-300 subwoofer, my DIY sub (if you can classify it as any level), and my surrounds. My Polk SDA II's are definitely not entry level, and my surrounds, well, maybe you could consider them entry level but they match my SDA's mid-range drivers and have similar tweeters.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by supersix4

but the only thing that matter is your reality lol

the good thing about audio its all what you personally hear

if your happy spending $10-3000 enjoy it, whose to tell you otherwise.

but if you want more there is always more lol
Avalon Acoustics
Linn
McIntosh
Dali
Meridian
Vandersteen
Dynaudio
to name a few

I have about 10k in my home theater, and its not high end! Now I am including tv, cables, components, and receiver and seating! 3k won't get you more than your front soundstage and a receiver. It sucks, but high end is something a lot of people don't understand. I have a combo of mid to entry level products, when my room is loaded with McIntosh etc then we're talking high end. My local stereo shop has a PAIR of McIntosh speakers for 100k, how could anyone say they have high end, when there is equiptment out there you could not even fathom. Don't get mad at my response, its common knowledge, this is not a cheap hobby.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by prerich

They're not doing anything right now, but who knows what might happen !

I wanna do a 7.1 Heresy setup!!! Thats my dream entry level setup!!!

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by rded

Did you know that Magnolia Audio(not Magnolia HT) is starting to carry Arcam, Sonus Faber, Rel, Primare, Mcintosh and Pro-ject to name a few? I wouldn't call these mid-level though...

I was referring to Best Buy's magnolia, so if they are carrying the brands you mentioned that's sweet. I also don't consider those brands mid-level.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I've been really hesitant on posting in this thread, because there isn't an answer. It's all subjective! One man's high-end is another's mid-level or entry-level and vice-versa. People will quote dollar amounts and say that is the point at which the next level starts, but that's not true either. People will identify companies like Polk, Mirage, Energy as being entry-level, because so many people use those speakers, and that's not fair either as they each have much higher-level of speakers than the norm being purchased.

I would consider my speakers to be mid-level and no more. Although, based on many reviews I've read, those in the know say they perform at a much higher level and can be compared to speakers costing twice as much. Kinda nice to read that and certainly brings a smile to my face, but I didn't buy them for that reason. I bought them because I liked how they sounded and they fit my budget. I'm still very pleased with them and would consider an upgrade to their next level, if finances permitted me to do so.

High-end, mid-level or entry-level...be happy with what you have and if you really get into the whole HT scene and want to do better....go look around and audition what's out there. Try something new....

John

BTW...I use Totem Sttaf's for my fronts, Totem Mites for my rears and Totem Mite-T for my Centre. No sub-woofer yet (I know Big Daddy...working on it).

[Big Daddy]

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.

For my entry-level 7.1 setup, I would like to have a pair of Definitive Technology BP7000SC Super Towers for $5,498 a pair.

One Definitive Technology C/L/R 3000 Center Channel speaker for $1,099 each.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Side Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Rear Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

One Definitive Technology SuperCube Trinity subwoofer for $2,999.

Total Cost: $12,392 + Tax or Shipping

Maybe, I will take another Trinity subwoofer. Two subwoofers sound better than one.

Total Cost: $15,391 + Tax or Shipping

Sounds like a great entry level set of speakers.

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

For my entry-level 7.1 setup, I would like to have a pair of Definitive Technology BP7000SC Super Towers for $5,498 a pair.

One Definitive Technology C/L/R 3000 Center Channel speaker for $1,099 each.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Side Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Rear Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

One Definitive Technology SuperCube Trinity subwoofer for $2,999.

Total Cost: $12,392 + Tax or Shipping

Maybe, I will take another Trinity subwoofer. Two subwoofers sound better than one.

Total Cost: $15,391 + Tax or Shipping

Sounds like a great entry level set of speakers.

It's just a rule of thumb!

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

I would consider my speakers to be mid-level and no more. .

I hear you buddy! But what you have is definitely HI-Fi.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by SammyG

It's just a rule of thumb!

how big are your thumbs? j/k

[rded]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

For my entry-level 7.1 setup, I would like to have a pair of Definitive Technology BP7000SC Super Towers for $5,498 a pair.

One Definitive Technology C/L/R 3000 Center Channel speaker for $1,099 each.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Side Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

Two Definitive Technology BPVX Rear Surround speakers for $1,398 a pair.

One Definitive Technology SuperCube Trinity subwoofer for $2,999.

Total Cost: $12,392 + Tax or Shipping

Maybe, I will take another Trinity subwoofer. Two subwoofers sound better than one.

Total Cost: $15,391 + Tax or Shipping

Sounds like a great entry level set of speakers.

I wouldn't call that entry level but what the heck its your opinion Now I'd like to know what you think is high end?

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

how big are your thumbs? j/k

3inches

[ShockWave]

There is always something better, always!!!! I know some people might look at my system and say trash, others might say pretty good system.

All that matters to me is, when I am sit down am I happy. No one else is going to buy your stuff so you have to be happy with it.

I am happy with my system, doesn't mean I wouldn't mind getting a pair of 804's to replace them. Oh well that's what dreams are for!

[SammyG]

Originally Posted by ShockWave

There is always something better, always!!!! I know some people might look at my system and say trash, others might say pretty good system.

All that matters to me is, when I am sit down am I happy. No one else is going to buy your stuff so you have to be happy with it.

I am happy with my system, doesn't mean I wouldn't mind getting a pair of 804's to replace them. Oh well that's what dreams are for!

Exactly, sky's the limit, be happy with what you have and don't worry about what level you're on.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by SammyG

Exactly, sky's the limit, be happy with what you have and don't worry about what level you're on.

That is a mistake. There is such a thing called WAF factor. Even if you have a $20,000 system, you have to tell her that your system is entry level so that she will agree to upgrading your system to mid level.