Selecting Speakers
Get the best speakers based on your setup, and not based on money!!!
I know this sounds paradoxical, but, think about it. There are multiple things at play to give you an awesome Home Theater experience. Speakers are the final link. They are the connection between all these electronics and your ears.
Unlike your Pre-pro, Receiver, BR Player, Amplifier etc. which might need upgrading if you want to keep up, the speaker technology is pretty mature. There haven’t been any revolutionary changes or products in the past “many” years. You can thus feel confident investing in good speakers as you don’t have to worry about upgrading them.
Some important spec’s to look at, are:
- Frequency response,
- Recommended amp power
- Impedence
- Sensitivity
Check out the chart below for some examples, and also try and look up detailed explanations, if you feel the need.
Some additional thoughts:
- Speakers can last for ever, really, unless someone has abused them. There have been several good speakers produced over the past 20 years. These can be obtained for pretty cheap prices if you look around. You could be surprised with what you find…
My Speaker Family:
SVS Prime Satellite 5.1
Since I was building my HT in a smallish room (12’x12′), I decided to go with compact speakers and not floor standing speakers (which are my personal favorite). I was told that the SVS brand makes some of the best sub-woofers.
I was pleasantly surprised when these speakers came in. While small in size, these speakers are heavy at around 6.5lbs each. I played them by themselves, and they sound nice an loud. When you plug in the sub, now you have a whole new level of sound going for you. I am definitely pleased with these speakers for my Home Theater room.
Klipsch KG 4.5, KLF
I picked these up from a friend of mine, who was “clearing inventory”. He wanted me to “check these out” so I have an idea of what the Klipsch speakers sound like. Having owned these speakers for a few years now, I should say, I love them. They have tremendous bass response, and using them for movies or music is a pleasure. Definitely a good decision.
Klipsch KG 3.2
Bought these from the same friend. I’m currently using these as the speakers (for music) in the play room. I have them connected to my receiver and have them set up for room 2.
Boston Acoustics VR speakers
These were my first “good speakers”. When I was building my HT, I was taking lot’s advice from a friend of mine, who was more knowledgable in this field. The first speakers I purchased were the VR2’s. He saw these at AudioAdvisor at a really nice price. Guess they were clearing out inventory. I had previously owned Boston desktop speakers, and liked them. So, when I saw these (and they looked really nice), I went ahead and picked them up. I can definitely say they are fine speakers.
Initially I used a CS225C as my center, but eventually I picked up a VRC on ebay, to complete my VR set.
I wanted to match the rear’s to the front speakers, and was thus looking for Boston VR series speakers. Being that the first two were cherry, made it more difficult to find. Most speakers are black in color.
The same friend who previously helped find the VR2’s, spotted a pair of VR1’s on ebay. I basically had to outbid him to get my hands on these speakers. LOL.
Boston Acoustics VR2 and VRC
But with all first loves, you have to eventually let them go …such was my story with these speakers too. When I moved, I sold these speakers to a colleague. I know they are in good hands and at a good home at present.
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