It's Over! Say Goodbye to Cheap Speakers... or is there hope?
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- čas přidán 2. 11. 2023
- Are the days of great cheap speakers behind us. Check out this video to find out if we have hope!
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Cheap anything is dead. Companies took that "supply chain" excuse and ran with it. Record profits, stagnant wages.
Bidenomics
@@tedkay5272 So Biden had exactly what to do with private corporations upping their profit margins? I'll wait, Know-nothing.
@@tedkay5272 would be the same with any flavour of government.
@@bazmatvichuk7319 don’t kid yourself Democrat are definitely not serving the people
@@tedkay5272inflation adjusted profits might be lower though. Recession, which we’re in, hurts everyone. Tends to be a problem when you print money so recklessly.
I was able to pick up a pair of first generation RP 600Ms for $399 from Crutchfield last summer. I listen to these in my office all day and they are excellent for my needs.
I bought a pair of these for 300 when On sale as well, cannot remember who from now lol.
@@patrickgeorge141 Probably Adorama. That is where I got mine for that price. These are also my daily speakers. I like them but i do boost the mids just a bit with the EQ on the Wiim Pro Plus.
They're really decent. They were my first speakers circa ex-wife 2020 birthday in my new house. I've gone through so many speakers since then. Currently on a pair of ELAC DFR52. They are kind of like the DBR62, just with more speaker.
The OG RP600M are worthy of the praise they were once bestowed. I picked mine up about 2 years ago on a whim when they were $268 on Amazon, the lowest I’d seen. I didn’t expect to like them as much as I did/have/do for music, as they excel at HT. I recently switched my stereo setup to them from my DIY CSS Criton 1TDX, and they actually hold their own on pure dynamic energy enjoyment. Very different speakers, but I enjoy both!
@@4thewinir344 Really. The 1TDX is supposedly a bit of a monster. The weakness I heard in the RP600M was the box and a bit of tuning issue. The HF were a bit shouty in your face, but that is the Klipsch house sound. Having not heard the 1TDX, I would have thought them vastly different.
I think good vintage speakers are the way to go, some are very affordable and sound way better than new speakers for the same money. Maybe you could do reviews on vintage speakers.
Do you have any examples that would be better as something like Sony SSCS5? I'm looking into buying my first hifi setup.
Do you have any recommendations for EDM music? i plan on getting a sub too
I have a pair of 1969 KLH model 5 speakers that sound absolutely incredible . Very detailed , with crisp highs and punchy lows . They sound like my new L100s in terms of quality . And they cost $500-$800. L100s are $5000
To put things in historical perspective when I was 12 years old I put together my first stereo system that in 1975 cost $650 adjusted for inflation is well over $3500 today. It consisted of a Harman/Kardon 330b Celestial H speakers and a pioneer PL 12 with an audio technics cartridge. paper routes, shoveling, snow, and cutting grass a little help from my parents at the time to Purchase 😊
The first Hi-fi system I purchased for my parents included a Pioneer PL12D in 1975. They were still using it in 2006.
My first stereo cost me about $800 in 1990. (Receiver/EQ/Tape/Phono/Speakers) That's about $2000 today. So it's never been super cheap, but it is possible to get a good setup for well under $2K total. Meaning that it actually still be better value than in the old days. Doubly so if you drop down a tiny bit in quality and go with some of these smaller class D amps/DACs.
Spent about $1000 in 1982 for a Technics receiver, Technics linear tracker w/a Stanton cart, EPI speakers and a small entertainment center. That's $3120 today.
I'm sure I can best my old system today for $3000...
I still have the receiver and TT/cart and they still work great. Will todays gear last 40 years?
In 1975 I built a system (2600) that cost.as.much as my brand new car. It was nice, as nice as a 5000 system today. It is all relative. Don't think I would spend 47 grand for a system today which would be the price of the average brand new car.
My first stereo cost me about $800 in 1990. (Receiver/EQ/Tape/Phono/Speakers) That's about $2000 today. So it's never been super cheap, but it is possible to get a good setup for well under $2K total. Meaning that it actually still be better value than in the old days. Doubly so if you drop down a tiny bit in quality and go with some of these smaller class D amps/DACs.....
well under 1k
It's a running joke with a friend (who owns a pub) here in London that nearly all bars/restaurants/shops nearly all use JBL Control Ones for their sound systems. It's one of those things, once noticed, always spotted. The main reason may be that they resell for £99 a pair but always sound good in busy environments.
There is also still the Dali Spektor 1. Dali also raised there prices but the Spektor 1 is still priced pretty good. The Spektor 2 is also still well below 250.
Going back 10 years or so, I used to collect "mid-fi" audio stuff....Bookshelf Speakers, Receiver/Amps, DACs etc. Starting about 5 years ago I "switched" to portable equipment (Headphones, Amps, DAPs, DACs). Lots of choices at the Mid-fi level. It scratches my itch and works better for my limited space. Also easier to swap-out, re-sell and ship.
Canada has been the home of affordable hifi speakers. Now the prices have gone up and woofer sizes have gone down(back in the 90s you could swing a dead cat without hitting a $199 6.5" two way), but both PSB and Paradigm still have speakers @ or slightly under the $250 mark. PSB has the Alpha line which includes the $250 P3(a 4" two way)and Paradigm has the Monitor SE Atom currently on sale for $225. It's a 5.5" two way that may be on the way out but Paradigm have has an Atom in there line up for the last 40 years and I don't see that changing.
oh those early entry level paradigm! They rock. I think I had something like the 5SE. I also have a pair of Signet SL280EX sitting here gathering dust.
Their designs are basically a basic box, though. You are better off just going to Madisound or another similar site and making a cheap kit speaker versus those at this point if you have a slightly larger budget. Or skipping the amp and getting powered speakers. I have a pair of M Audio BX8 connected to my computer and synth (multiple inputs - yay!) and they are about $150 each. And I demoed them side by side at the time with the Paradigm and PSB and similar speakers and the 8 inch simply crushed the 4 inchers across the board. Like comparing a bluetooth speaker to those 4 inchers. So there are good choices, but most have gone to powered designs as that's where the market is. Simple DAC, Mixing board, Synth, PC, etc... out to powered speakers.
I think affordable is becoming used or open box with speakers. I recently bought a pair of Dali Spector 1s open box for $250. Just inside the affordable boundary. Paired with Emotiva A2 Mini and Geshelli J2 DAC. This setup fits my definition of hi fi and as close to affordable as I can get.
Thanks for covering this! I like my Polk TSi100 and am glad to see that Polk is still going strong with passive speakers
Monoprice seems to still be doing well. I think a lot of people are wary of speakers from a company known for its low-price cables, but apparently their speakers are a good value.
Thanks for the video!! Cheap or inexpensive speakers are great for introducing new people into this hobby! It would be interesting to see a comparison between Fosi V3 and Aiyima A07 Max, and how well they pair with affordable speakers. I 'be heard these little amps have a slightly different sound signature; Fosi V3 (slightly darker) vs A07 Max (slightly brighter) vs original A07 (neutral). To me, making a good pairing is everything, and you can add a tube preamp, or an equalizer, in addition to a DAC.
This video makes me feel better about my order earlier this morning of 2 Monoprice Encore T6 towers ($180 each) and 4 Monoprice Encore B6 Bookshelves ($90 each)
I got 2 T6 monoprice speakers for $170 each about 3 weeks ago, too. A year earlier I bought 2 at $325 each and didn't feel ripped off because retail was 400 and I liked them. At that price of $170 each, I bought them to replace lower quality tower speakers in my BR. I paid $150 for both of them used 10+ years earlier.
I bought the monoprice monolith encore b5 speakers for $50 a piece and have been very impressed so far. Portless and ~5 inch woofer works well for my desk.
It is so hard to find audio at the prices most of us can afford. Thank you Randy.
I've been fortunate to find some decent equipment and speakers from goodwill.ij my area
It's only hard if you avoid the Internet. There are plenty of affordable audio options.
Let me say that I'm happy I got my Elac 5.2's when I did, during the pandemic. They were nearly $300 at one point then fell to around $240 and I pounced. Glad I did, love those pups. Secondly, it kind of surprises me that Yamaha isn't making an effort to provide an affordable bookshelf speaker. I think they may still be making a small 3-way speaker (which strikes me as very 70's) but I'm not aware of a 5" or 6.5" bookshelf speaker. Seems like a natural given all the receivers and amps they sell.
I think that's an 8 inch Yamaha 3way they have been making since the 80s.
Good call!!
@@jC-kc4siLets hear it for 80s AWESOMENESS!! Sony used to be the KING SHAT!!
Just yesterday I read a review about two Dali speakers. It seems that Dali has entered the US market. One of the speaker pairs reviewed was the Spektor 1, which is Dali's budget line. Here in Europe, I bought a set of Spektor 1s for under €200. Great sound for the price.
Love my Polk ES15 bookshelfs for my 2 channel stereo setup and the Signa S4 soundbar/sub combo for my tv. Excellent value and great clear and punchy sound. They’re not V curve sounding which suits my taste just fine.
I think part of the problem is overall lack of demend for traditional 5.1 / 7.2 passive speakers lines since many households have switched to soundbars or wireless options. Quality but cheap standmount speakers are inexpensive because they are parts of these large but dying home theater sets.
There are a ton of cheap speakers you haven’t reviewed. Saiyin, Pyle, Sanyun, Edifier, Bestisan, Micca… just a quick survey and Amazon has about 100+ speakers that you haven’t reviewed.
@@aaronwelker i don’t know if that’s true or not. There are lots of cheap speaker available (that Randy hasn’t reviewed), but if I were Randy, I’d probably be a little sick and tired of listening to cheap speakers. I mean, once I listened to Cornwalls with a Decware amp, I don’t think I could go back to ‘cheap’ and find nearly as much enjoyment.
I’m sure Randy wants this channel to thrive, but he has to enjoy the process. I think this episode is more about him being tired of ‘cheap’, rather than the lack of availability of new cheap hifi. It’s just unfortunate that he named is channel “Cheap Audioman” because it is a limiting factor on what he should review (yet, the name is largely what brought us to this channel). Just my two cents.
@@aaronwelker I still buy stuff. I was talking mass market stufftoo. And I have reviewed edified and bestisan. I’ve also reviewed micca, Dayton audio. Over 800 vids gents. Sometimes you’ll need to do some research into the back catalog before piping up.
@@cheapaudiomanI wasn’t saying you haven’t reviewed these brands (and these are just some examples), but just that there is a lot still out there. For example, Edifier has 15+ speakers that are under $200, but I don’t think you’ve done 15+ Edifier reviews. Maybe the “little guy” (that you discuss in the video) already exists.
@@chrisveltman1795 did you ever hear the saying you can please some of the people some of the time but you can’t please all of the people all of the time
@@shipsahoy1793 Yes. I didn't realize CAM was only talking about mass-market companies. My only point is that there is plenty more 'cheap' to review for the Cheap Audio Man. It isn't accurate to say that "Cheap Speaker are Dead."
I think powered and smart speakers are where people will find their affordable speakers moving forward. This is why JBL isn’t pushing passive on their site and they don’t need to because folks buying their passive speakers are going to a speciality dealer.
Yes, JBL LS305 powered studio monitors are amazing for their price, can often be found on sale or refurbished at a relatively low cost.
I own the JBL lsr305p. Amazing speakers for the money. I paid 85$ for a pair used. I couldn't believe it. They are in perfect condition. To me the most incredible part is the sound stage. When the monitors are in the best spot they create an invisible center channel speaker. You swear the center channel speaker is on. But it isn't. I have had to get up and feel the center channel to verify it was not on. Lol. Certain music sounds better on them than others. I think Jazz and Classical music, along with some old country and classic rock is where these shine. I really enjoy Willie Nelson on them. Pretty paper sounded incredible on them.
Make a lot of sense.
I just looked them up because you make curious about them and they're quite good looking as well.@@waterlife.1905
There's no reason to be looking at passive diskette when your cheap audio dude
I started this hobby about 10 years ago and my first system was a little pair of wharfedale diamond speakers with a little NAD 326 integrated. Took me about 5 years until that system evolved into a much more expensive one (Yamaha as2100 with a pair of KEF LS50s and a Marantz streamer).At the time dealers were selling those Yamahas for like $2k even tho they retailed for over 3k. I think that entire system costs about as much the newest version of JUST that same Yamaha alone($4500!!!!). It is just wild to me how much prices have inflated and just continue to stay that way. A few years ago I moved to a new state and had to sell off that system and have only recently gotten into the headphone/desk setup world and that to me is so much more fun. You can find insanely good value and the fact I sit at my desk and work from home all day and have my little system I have no desire to ever get into the big stuff again. Just too much money for what you get and no where to audition plus the headache of having to send a unit back if you don't like it.
The best way to have a great system on a budget is DIY. Building great equipment is not that hard but It does take some time to acquire some skill and knowledge but it pays off in spades. When you've completed a custom build be it speakers or electronic component and you power them up and the sound you hear is something coming from you've built yourself, the sanctification is off the chart. Don’t be intimidated because it’s not as hard as you think and it doesn’t require a huge investment in tools. The tools will pay for themselves from your saving of your first build.
Diy isn't cheap at ALL, no way you can build 2 decent bookshelves for 200 usd incl finish
It can be done if you cannibalize old speaker cabinets. But then you have deal with the crossover. If you use air core poly capacitors on the tweeter crossover the speaker wont be dirt cheap. The best budget speaker cabinets were made by Infinity (primus p163 line) of the 90s and early 2000s. They have center bracing and are better enclosures than any bookshelf speaker made today under 1200 dollars. For 35 dollars new I used to buy and gut them just for the cabinet, nice grill and mounting hardware.
Hey Randy. I think you missed two obvious options: The Neumi BS5 is still $110/pair on Amazon, and the RSL CG3M is $210/pair, direct from RSL. I think you were pretty pleased with both of those speakers.
Eh. Emotiva t-zero+ pair for 349
Yeah, I was waiting for the Neumis to get mentioned. I'm not at all discerning, but I've been pleased with them.
@@Phreekful they sound pretty good on my desktop.
During Covid shutdown I built the Swan diy 3.1 on Amazon upgraded crossovers with veneering about $380. Driving them with vintage Adcom. Of my 29 speakers they are one of my favorites. The best deal out their is vintage audio. Purchased 3 sets of used ESS / Cannon 12inch 3 ways. Reconditioned surrounds updated crossover. About $120 total into each pair. It is rare to find a small speaker that can hold its own against larger vintage
One often overlooked cheap speaker is the little Denon SC-M41… you don't see it that often. But I managed to snag a demo pair for 100 bucks… They list for about 200 bucks a pair… not sure if they still sell them in America… but they are still listed on Japanese Amazon… and at about 100 bucks a pair! No speaker in my house has even gotten more positive comments than these little things… sorta irks me LOL… because my main speakers are Dali bookshelves that retail for 1000 bucks each in a system that is over 10K… but people never say anything about those… they always say man the sound in your kitchen is awesome… little Denons right against the wall… hung high, and pushed by a 45 year old Aurex amp combo… 500 bucks all in… my favorite cheapo combo.. the Denon amp combo made to go with teh SC-41 speakers is pretty good too… I think that is about 500 plus the speakers…
Hey Randy - Great call on Cambridge Audio. They punch way above their weight. The core of our modest 5.2.2 is CA SX-80 Towers, with Aeros on stands, and the SX-70 center. Ruthlessly neutral with our aging Yamaha AVR. I even upcycled my old SX-60s into a two channel rig for my lady.
When I was working at Stereo Warehouse in the late 70s early eighties, 50-60% of a speakers price was profit. We would give away the receiver, tape deck, turntable at cost if the customer ought the “system” from us.
I’m lucky enough to have scooped up a few pairs of these cheap speakers when they were still cheap, and now I’m ready to ‘up my game’ to something much better when I make my next speaker purchase. There seems to be some great value in the ‘mid-fi’ category tho so pinch some pennies if you can and treat yo self, thanks Randy!!!
Good to hear about Polk. I like what they have been bringing to the market. I just wish they would build a throwback old school high efficiency 12” 3 way floor stander with real wood veneer 👍🏻
Excellent subject matter! Thanks for covering this. Triangle BR03's for the win in my opinion. There was also that BS41 knock-off that Neumi makes. Right now it is very hard to obtain a decent low cost passive loudspeaker. Parts Express' C-Note and similar two-way models are also great options if you have some skills in woodworking. Perhaps check out local second hand speakers. I've seen some people get great deals. A local thrift shop had an entire Klipsch 5.1 set up (pair of towers, multi-pole surrounds, center channel, and powered sub) for around $300 this week. Didn't stay in the store long.
*you did leave out monoprice/monolith but I know you didn't like the B6 bookshelfs. The T4 tower speakers are only $200/pr right now. Haven't heard them, but at that price anyone could throw in some modifications and still keep the cost low.
We've left out the Canadians, eh? PSB offer the excellent Alpha P5 at around $300/pr. And Paradigm is currently offering its entry level Monitor SE Atom at $225/pr!
I upgraded from small beer cans 5.1 HT Speakers from Yamaha. After 1.5 years the subwoofer cone cracked because it was cheap! I found a repair engineer who swapped it out for a better sub-cone and that was that for a few years! I was looking around and I bought a pair of the Klipsch R-51M ($149.99) with a RP-250C ($149.99) front and, Polk ES10 ($179.99) rear. Next up is the new sub that is a Klipsch SPL-100 10". I have all my speakers dialed in. Before the R-51M did not sound distinguished, maybe very flat. Let me tell you that my receiver is a lower Denon 5.1 4k and that I had to lower the decibels by -3/-4 for the R-51M to actually sound good. I wanted to enjoy stereo music again and here I am!
Speakers are dying because people have migrated to ear/headphones. My kids rarely ever listen to music out loud. Even in their room, they have headsets on for gaming and chatting with friends.
For the fact it usually pisses everyone off if it's 2 loud but that's how I thought music is supposed to be played. 😂 Cheers
But stock in hearing aid companies
I know people who only use headphones and refuse to use speakers, and in some cases it isn't even because of an issue with speakers being "too loud". I don't understand it nor do I like using headphones. They're uncomfortable and not the same experience as using speakers. Plus there's the issue with them limiting awareness of your surroundings.
Same with my son. It’s headphones for gaming and AirPods for everything else. He has no interest in my passive system.
It was only when I spent £1000+ on speakers that I really understood what speakers can do. The Lintons are genuinely the most incredible investment I’ve ever made. I’ll never get rid of them
I almost bought those, they were definitely my second place pick but in the end went with the KEF R3 meta.
Try buying a pair of 6800$ speakers. You are not a Jedi yet😊
Afraid I got a bit snark there. The best speakers you can have are the ones you can afford. Remember the two Jedi statements... on sale and closeout
@@musicman8270 there will always be that upgrade waiting past the horizon, it's our nature to continue looking for what's new or better. But yes, finances can betray that mission a lot of the time. My first system, a home surround sound setup, I bought with my own money, I bought at closeout, one piece at a time. First the bookshelves, then the towers and moved the bookshelf to the rear, then the bigger towers, then the center and finally a subwoofer. They were Jbl and this was 25 years ago.
Got my SSCS5s for 70 bucks used like new last year and my BS41s for $77 when they were first released and either on sale or Amazon screwed up the pricing. I could probably resell both pairs on eBay and make a few bucks, but I like having them around as examples of really good cheap speakers.
What are you using to power the BS41s and do you like the sound quality?
@@crazyprayingmantis5596This is the price for Australians because Sony HQ did not intend to sell it in Asia/Australia. All Sony products are in the same conditions.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Yah, that sucks! Are there brands that are decently priced in Australia?
@@bpalpha I've powered them with many different amps. I've used an Emotiva MiniX A-100, SMSL DA-8s, Denon AVR-X3400, SMSL A50 and a Fosi Audio V3 (48v) to name a few. I think they sound best with the class AB Emotiva.
To me the BS41's are warm and lack some detail in the highs. Bass performance is decent, but not class leading. If you've heard the ELAC Debut series they sound very similar to them. I think they even use the same tweeter, but I could be mistaken.
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 Wow, thats unfortunate. Makes buy good, cheap gear a challenge!
Another details video that took me over an hour to document the details. Well done. Thanks,
I love the NHT Super One’s I just bought for under $250pr. Perfect for my small den. I wanted something with a smooth, non fatiguing sound. Great with my little tube amp. Used for both movies and music. Maybe not the best but certainly very good sound.
I just bought the Sony SSCS5 pair on Amazon for $123 about the time this video was posted. Today is Cyber Monday and that is also the Cyber price. I also bought the Aiyima T9 Pro on Amazon on Sunday for $150 and the next morning it dropped to $120. It was black Friday week and they still hadn't dropped the price on Sunday although Aiyma had posted the sale starting the Friday before. Amazon won't match prices even on their own sales. It all sounds good! I am happy with the combo of Sony speakers and Aiyma, a good affordable start to my HiFi hobby. Thanks for the advice CheapAudioMan!
Jbl also has the 3 series monitors, under 250 for their most expensive, and 115 for their cheapes per speaker
The reality is, the kids only want mass-market bluetooth speakers/headphones. Nothing wrong with that, but it's a wiser investment for mass-market companies to invest in small, cheap bluetooth speakers/headphones rather than cheap passive/active speakers. As a hifi enthusiast, it is difficult for me to accept that reality, but that's the reality. And I repeat, there is nothing wrong with it. It pains me to write it, but Bluetooth has done more to get music into kids' hands than audiophile/hifi ever will.
It's funny because most of them are mono so we are actually going backwards but it's true that's what they want and if you listen to modern pop It's just a couple of notes and bass they just care about bass don't matter if it's distorted or not just as long if it makes noise
I was one of those kids playing with Bluetooth speakers but that was a gateway for me to transition to Hi-Fi as I felt the need for better sound. Maybe those kids simply need a place to start before actually buying real audio equipment 😅.
They are missing out on 70% of the sound by using cheap bluetooth speakers. There is no comparison. A Hi Fi puts you in the room with the band. A blue tooth speaker is like listening to a live band play over a speaker in a bathroom. Kids like to bring the music with them. Once they get their own house or apartment they might reconsider. Especially if they go to a buddies house who rocks a Hi Fi.
@@waterlife.1905 it's in mono to it's like taking a step back in technology but most people don't care it's just background music and tbh modern pop is crap it's 3 notes on a keyboard and a drum machine it's not like they are listening to Aja or dark side of the moon on those things.
@@nissan_200essex I went from hifi back to Bluetooth because of space and convenience. But I got into diy and I have built some beautiful speakers. One pair is like the old style with a 10" Dayton reference woofer and I went all out on the cabinets and crossover components it sounds like I have a live band in my room
A lot of people have started their journey into high-end audio when they first experienced Magneplanars back in the 1970s to the present. With the Magnepan LRS Plus, one can experience the magic of line source open baffle quasi-ribbon technology for just $1K. While not in the under $300 cheap definition Randy is using, I am sure he would agree that $1K is pretty amazing for what the LRS Plus can do, especially with subs added. There are many comments all over the internet about them, and I thought I would just bring these up. See you at Capital Audiofest Randy in one of the hallways there. Cheers, Prof. Jim
And of course I've been buying second hand since the 70s (I'm a cheapskate) I picked up a pair of MG2.5s with the (possibly) finest true ribbon tweeter ever made. For 400 pounds in UK. What speaker at that price comes close? Well there simply isn't one... Apart from another second hand pair of something. Be careful buying second hand Maggies or any electrostatics... There are a few things to carefully check.
I think the best method of gauging what speakers to buy is to set a budget (could be less than $200, $250 or whatever) and find a way to demo it. I thought I would've enjoyed the dali spektor 1s but I preferred the sound signature of kanto yu4 passives. Obviously there are many more available but I do think the best way is to demo it. (unless you plan to eq it hard of course)
I also listened to the hivi swans os-10 when I demo'ed in the shop, it definitely punches way above its price but I needed a passive speaker rather than a powered one.
A year ago I saved a bunch of speakers on a shopping list expecting some of these price points for my desktop and I haven’t seen any hit their old price points since. Kef q150s haven’t hit 300 since last black friday
Right now they’re at $350 and since my current desk powered monitors are dying I may pull the trigger :(
I enjoy cruising Craigslist for used speakers. I have picked up book shelf speakers from Boston Acoustics, Phase Tech and NHT for $60 per pair or less. I bought some good sounding Paradigm towers for $100.
In Canada the Klipsch Black line is carried by Visions Electronics, and when I was looking to compare prices I couldn't find it on anywhere else so I assumed that line was exclusive to Visions. Two tower speakers I bought I think cost me around $800 CAD and they were on sale. I would bet it's an exclusive line to some big chain store in the states as well.
Triangle hifi does not fit the 250$ category, but will always have a "more affordable" line. (currently named Borea) The BR03 I have work quite well, however I use eq and I have a sub in a 2.1 arrangement. They also had other lines in the affordable category in the past.
I bought a pair of Emotiva B2+ several months ago for the close-out price of $359 which IMO is a flat-out steal considering today's prices. In the previous months I bought the Emotiva C1+ center channel and a month later the Emotiva BasX A3 amp so my front stage is now Emo across the board and I'm quite happy with it. Erin was the only one who wasn't crazy about the B2+ but everyone else, including yourself, liked them quite a bit. Thanks.
I just ordered the t-zero+ for 349 and got the basx a2m on sale to pair it with as well, my first foray into hi-fi I usually have PA or studio monitors
Emotiva B1+ are my favorite speakers I've tried under $1K.
JBL Studio A130 are fantastic, HSU Research bookshelf speakers were excellent too.
I’d like to see Wharfedale have speakers readily available in North America, similar to Dovedale’s, at an affordable price. $7000 per pair just for the speakers
is out of range for many people that ❤good sound equipment. It would also be nice to see Wharfedale resurrect an affordable bookshelf speaker line focused on
best sonic performance in its price class.
Yes! I have Wharefdale Diamond 220 got them on sale for 110 dollar. Very nice for that price. Saving up to buy Mission QX II MK 2
The Dayton 442 mtm is 109 a pair and they use the tcp 115 mid woofers and trust me I have built speakers with them and they are bangers they have 4.5 x max and can get some low bass and then you have the Dayton transmission line m442 t I think it is called that I saw for $180 and it's probably the best speaker for the money ofc I can build a really good pair of speakers for well under $200 but only for my friends
I was very fortunate to buy the Q Acoustics 3020 last August from Amazon for $149. Amazon now sells them for $389. I knew the 3020's were a little weak in the base department, but I already had a sub to augment those frequencies. We may have to wait a while for retailers to decide to dump old stock speakers, unfortunatly it may take longer than we would like.
The floor 3050’s where at 199. I picked up several pair of the 3020’s. Great surround speakers and/or 2nd system or garage systems. The 3030i’s sometimes go for 449….those are crazy good at 529. Prob7my most fun speaker.
The 3020 were on sale for 250 but I opted for the t-zero+. I also have a sub.
I have the POLK T15 speakers. They do require some careful placement. But, that said, they do the job at my end.
What about studio monitors as a choice from a value perspective?
I have seen them maintain the same price as last year and Black Friday should add some extra discounts..
I have the Adam Audio T5V's with a DAC and it has work well for me.. A friend of mine got Yamaha's HS8 instead of a sound bar replacement (in white) and he could not be happier. (Black Friday discount too).
Would you ever do a review series to try and compare normal vs studio monitors?
Great content!! I’m just researching building a budget “bedroom” studio set up.
This is why Ive always praised the virtues of DIY speaker kits.
You can head over to Parts Express and but several kits for well under $200. INCLUDING NOCKDOWN CABINETS. C-Note, Classic II, Samba, or for a little more. TriTix.
The end results are speakers that will sound better than any commercial speaker at about $500. With better enclosures, crossover parts, etc.
Insightful as always. As the owner of JBL L82’s and B&W CM Center, 5 and 10, not really in the market. I believe i have read that Massey envisions a bridge to automated home health care via their consumer audio brands. This could be distribution and manufacturing capacity as well. I think the trend to wireless, powered and smart speakers is eroding the market for inexpensive passive speakers. Great analysis on ownership of these brands.
I suppose the "money talks" principle applies to cheap/inexpensive lines of speakers as well, especially coming from large corporations and, most likely, following changes in consumers preferences. Fortunately such speakers are/were produced in huge numbers and are readily available in the used market. Talking about Sony, just a couple of weeks ago I picked up a pair of SS H3500 in excellent conditions in a thrift shop for $14.00. Small, but sound really good.
I bought a bunch of JBL Studio/Towers/Monitor speakers (The studio monitors have the golden colored spears and sound fantastic with a 200 watt per channel capacity) for a steal when J&R closed their brick and Mortar here in NYC and Best Buy was having a major sale (Back in the day for about the price you're talking about now, the sound stage is absolutely incredible) for what I bought at the price I paid they are worth 5 times the price today. Right place at the right time.
I've just finished upgrading my apartment audio from an inexpensive Fosi Audio headphone amp and a pair of cheap headphones to an SMSL AO300, a pair of Hifiman HE400SE headphones, and a pair of the Polk EX15 bookshelf speakers.
I generally listen to all audio through headphones; but on the occasion(s) I want to listen to music, I like the option to (effortlessly) switch from headphones to speakers.
I'm looking forward to listening to the Polk ES15's in the next few days (ordered the speakers from Crutchfield here in Canada).
I think this may be an area where the Chinese brands really start to push their way into the overall market. They've already taken over the IEM market, and a few brands are starting to make inroads into the full size headphone market. I can see them recognizing an opening here, as they really don't seem to like to rest on their laurels.
Have the Sony SSCS5, which I liked, but finally pulled the trigger on Emotiva B2+ (both on your recommendation) and really enjoying both. Well, not playing through the SSCS5s as much, as the Emotiva pair are a big step up.
Personally, I think the Sony’s suck, but to Randy’s point, they’re a good value at their (on sale) price for people who prefer that type of sonic signature and can’t spend more; that’s really what it comes down to. When you’re down into the budget lines, my advice is it’s always good to save a little bit more money and buy some thing a bit better after you’ve reviewed all the available choices at and above your price range. Having done that, you could’ve saved the money that you wasted on the Sony’s and you would’ve just bought the Emotiva’s in the first place. The good news is, although the money is already gone, you still have the Sony’s, so you can basically justify the purchase as spending a few bucks to gain experience.😉
bro i have a pair of elac unifi reference speakers for my desktop and i understand they're on the neutral side. What do you recommend that are bright speakers? I'm looking for basically better airy imaging, and detail retrieval plus soundstage but can still listen to everything even bad recordings. Price is not an issue.
Nowadays you really have to track prices to get what’s considered a good deal
Great overview as always. But, at the risk of sounding pedantic, the higher retail price for the klipsch R-51m is the powdered version not the passive.
I'm so glad I got the SSCS-5 for $70 two years ago when you first put me onto them.
I bought the klipsch black series from Amazon several years ago. I feel they are veiled. They are now doing duty as computer speakers on my son's computer powered by the fosi v3.
Well, patience and diligence can get you what you want if you are willing to wait. I have typically bought my speakers from 35 to 50% off retail. These wouldn't fit the cheap category at full retail but alot cheaper on discount/closeout/etc..
I used to wait for the yearly Black Friday Blu Ray movie sales, now that's pretty much gone away
JBL LS305 Powered speakers from their pro line go on sale at Guitar Center regularly for $119 to %129 each, falling into the upper limit of ;your price range. Despite the internal class D amps the speakers do sound very good.
I have the B6.2 ELACs w/ their 10" sub and it's a phenomenal 2.1 setup for under $500.
So glad I picked up 2 pair of the Sony SSCS5 (~135/pr). They live as the rear channels in my 7.1 surround.
No mention of FLUANCE. This company makes killer turntables and some very nice speakers too. They are posed to grow and do great things. I can see them coming out with better products very soon especially in the speaker business. They have found a happy, profitable place with turntables.
I bought the Signature line bookshelf speakers from Fluance, based on Randy’s old review, and think they are fine. Good value for the money. I got them o sale for $160.
I’ve noticed he never mentions them anymore on the Channel.
He has a few times recently and doesn’t recommend them anymore after hearing others speakers. I own and love the XL8S bookshelf speakers.
Fluance audio components are low to mid-fi at best! 😅
@@viggozing598 absolutely… for the price. Not intended to be hi-fi. Still love them!
@@viggozing598 Thanks Viggo. My brother really needed a new turntable about a year ago and he only had a small amount of money. I told him about FLUANCE and he decided on the 85 with the Ortofon 2M Blue. When he got it and we opened it up it was absolutely beautiful! We hooked it up and the sound blew us away. We couldn’t believe how great it sounded on some of his better albums. A full, rich sound and for the money very quiet. I’m not saying that it’s a Linn, Feichert or any other high end table but it is an awesome deal. Some of us can’t pump out thousands for a turntable so this is the answer for us.
I have been an audiophile since 1972 and consider the FLUANCE to be a budget leader. It looks and sounds great and it made my brother very happy and that’s a win in our book.
Hey the black series I believe is called symmetry now I picked up a pair of the B2 hundred I believe they were. They were $200 and I’m very happy with them. I’m going to pick up a larger set for my front and keep those for my rears.
Love the vid. Thanks for the deals!
Hey Randy, I know you've hit on this multiple times on the channel, but keeping speakers cheap now means you have to buy used. I've had extremely good luck with used audio equipment, and if there was "Used speaker/amp/turntable showcase" once in a while, I would definitely watch it!
Thanks for the awesome vids!! Are the ELAC Debut Reference 6-1/2 worth more than double $$ that of FLUANCE Signature?? Thinking of pairing the Fluance with a traditional Yamaha or Sony 2ch Amp/Receiver with built in DAC... Not sure??
Getting into hifi a few years ago as a broke college student, I picked up a cheap Panasonic boombox from the '80s at a thrift store. It had a phono and aux input, so I used it as an amplifier before I could get a better one. It was only $10 or so, and once I got it set up, I was pretty much blown away by those little speakers it had. I had never heard such a clear stereo image before, having only listened to low tier home theater speakers and inexpensive headphones all my life.
Now I have two pairs of bookshelf speakers, JBL and Sony, that I got at thrift stores for $20 or less, and I fear that I wouldn't be able to get a better experience without paying 20 times or more what my used speakers cost me. At that point, I just don't think it's worth buying new speakers. I would have gladly tried out those Sony bookshelf speakers (I can't remember the model right now, but I'm sure this channel's audience knows which ones), if only they still went for sale under $100 like they did a few years ago.
You’re right. Adam Audio T5Vs are that price range. Best Bet is looking into DIY, same price range but way better quality. I was fortunate enough to buy a pair for the kit price itself, still dropped 2.5k on them. So be aware don’t do this if you have some money laying around, your ears will fell in love with it.
The midrange dip on the 801 Jamo is probably a good thing for surround use. The voice needs to come from the center. The dip may have been put there for that reason
Just bought the wharfedale evo 4.1 off an old recommendation. Not as cheap as they used to be, but they're great
From UK, Mission LX range is cheap as chips and sound great. Dali Spektor range is fairly affordable (over here at least) and well regarded.
The Future may be at this point or coming could very well be DIY Kits which while a bit higher is some cases they usually if not always out perform the standard Cheap speakers. But this again applies to that small segment of HiFi Enthusiasts. This however could also drive those who looking to get into HiFi might cause the purchase of costlier speakers and then spend less is more on the likes of Topping and other good small powerful inexpensive Amps, etc. And as someone pointed out Active Speakers and that route to HiFi Nervana.
Hsu Research makes two lines of relatively affordable speakers. I'd like to see you review their CCB-8s for LCR.
4:14 I just picked up a pair of the Klipsch Synergy Black Label B-100 for $150.
I had a very specific set of requirements that needed to be met (size - under 10" , price under $200) so i figured id try them out. making a 5.1 system for my PC running through a receiver.
they arent terrible speakers. not al all.
I went with those Wharefdale D320s you recommended to start off my system. They worked, but I just got my Tekton Lores in.
Hey great channel, love it…..just one input…Wharfedale has a silent “e” named after an area in Yorkshire, England. PPS nowhere near London
Let’s go for great sounding speakers where the sum of the parts do really add up regardless of price. I think the sweet spot is around $2.5K.
I still have my sonys and like them. I managed to snag two sets of open box RP-160M speakers for $150 each last Christmas from Newegg. I also got a set of open box RP-280F for $550. Best speaker purchases I'll probably ever make. Although all of them were open box, it looks like they were never actually opened, the boxes just had damage. But yeah...money printer went BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR and everything costs more now. The gov says inflation is 12% since Dec 2019, LOL it's at least 50%, and over 100% on certain things.
We need a new hope, maybe a cheap sith audio speaker ?
No chance, all Sith Audio stuff is way overpriced!!!
You should DEFINITELY check out the Dayton audio AMT tweet bookshelf speakers. They're under $80 usually, and perform better then some of the speakers you've mentioned here. They make a couple incredible for the price floor standing speakers under $200 as well that out perform some of the $500-800 floor standers available. And monoprice makes a floor standing tower that out performs the dayton towers under $300 as well.
You have this thing correct...this hobby is about being dissatisfied...not price to value. Nicely explained.
If you are looking at inexpensive monitors/ speakers. You need to look at Studio Monitors Powered. Food for thought!😊
I finally upgraded a from a old boombox to a stereo amplifier and I’m using the boombox speakers until I can get better speakers
IMO entry level Magnepans are very good at what they do for the money. However, I don't believe they fit your music choices and they throw the amp to speaker cost formula out the window as they thrive on power. They're still $1k or 1,200 I'd have to look up current pricing and you really need a what is now $2k amp or find a used amp with a big transfomer.
I just hope Sony and some of the others keep producing what they are producing. R&D cost to profit margin isn't there for new models at this time and really how much better will it get? If it is better then the mid-fi is in more danger which is where the profit margin is a bit better. Further budget fi is moving to powered bluetooth speakers and ear buds. Sady, hifi isn't the priority it was for most. Also, those of us that do enjoy are willing to spend more. Catch is the more is getting to be much more . I am a mid fi guy which is moving to used mid-fi guy.
Thanks for your help on “answering” my question about an upgrade to my Aiyima A08 Pro……….
Glad I could help!
@@cheapaudioman
Actually you never answered. Comment was in your clip about the Fosi V3 and looking for an upgrade to my Aiyima A08 Pro.
I get amazingly good sound out of a pair of RCA RS-2654 speakers from an RCA combo unit that I got at a pawn shop years ago for something like $50, combined with a pair of RCA 40-5022 speakers that I think I got at Radio Shack years ago - they cover different parts of the mid & high frequencies, the RS-2654s have surprisingly robust bass. All run through a Sony STR-DH130 which is a basic 200W Receiver/Tuner/Amp from Best Buy. One pair on the A channel, one pair on the B channel. Generally have the bass control at +2, the treble at +1. I probably have less than $250 in the whole rig and it sounds fantastic.
My RP600m’s are lost in transit right now. I ordered the first version because I wanted them in piano black. $399.00
Ordering the Magnepan LRS+ today for my other room. Also got the Dayton Audio HTA200 yesterday, haven’t set it up yet. Do you think the HTA200 will pump the LRS+? The HTA100 wouldn’t do it very well from what I’ve heard.
Love the channel! ☕️
Years ago, you inspired me to tackle the CSS Critons and I loved that project; the speakers are EXCELLENT! En lieu of inflation, I think you should consider pivoting this channel more into the DIY market and what's possible. Maybe show the softwares people can use to design their own speakers. Show us new driver pairings that are fun, how to design funky enclosures, etc.
Food for thought. I suspect alot of your audience are DIYers already, and everyone loves saving money.
except there's already DIY audio channels on youtube but there's only one cheap audio man
Klipsch RP-160M for 225-250 bucks was an amazing deal couple of years ago. Still happy with them.
Maersk is laying off thousands due to the drop of international shipping trade! With less volumes the price of shipping sill increase. In fact, it’s not manufacturing that will cause issues but raw material and transport.correct me if I’m wrong
HECO needs to dip their toe deeper in the pond. Nice build, great sound, reasonable price. And, all things come back around.
One could argue that a lot of these speakers are still considered “affordable“ when compared to some of the higher in brands like Peristen, Ascendo, Arendal and JTR.
Monolith still has incredible sales on the bookshelf speakers that put them in the under 200 category