Pioneer SP-FS52-LR Andrew Jones Designed Floor standing Loudspeakers ($99.99 ea)

Quote from bhazard : New model. They sound even better than the FS-51, and those were awesome.

don't say that, it will make me want to upgrade my older models!

Quote from johnaero : When I say big room, I say it's a approximately a 20x20 room (it's enclosed, so no openings to hallways, etc.). So I would guess its abut 400sqft. Lol, maybe coming from an apartment, my idea of a big room is skewed. The thing with this room is that the ceilings are a bit higher than standard. I'll send you a PM if you don't mind. I'm curious how you're powering these.

Currently I'm using an HK3390 w/ some DIY work added on I also use an HK3600 as a DAC & HDMI upscaler so I can use a 42" monitor for a TV. I used to run a series of much larger setups, but I downsized b/c I was blowing out the rooms in our townhome. Our bedroom is 300 ft^2 or so, and I feel this is still a bit overpowered.

My K Horns will likely get left with my in laws when we move next so these will be in the living room. The next few years will probably be in a condo on the East coast and I try not to piss off the neighbors every single time I listen to a record...

Long story short, get something with 75w to 100w per channel RMS and make sure it can drive the 6ohms well. I'll put in a plug for an HK3490 if you want a DAC or an HK3390 if you don't. Great stereo sources, and TBH if your room isn't more than 400 ft^2 you'll likely overpower it with 5.1 <= --2.2 will be excellent for 400 ft^2 and a stereo setup will get you roughly 90% of the directional audio for films. You only have two ears, and so surround in a small room is quite analogous to peripheral vision. Great to have, but if the display is good enough --unnecessary. If the space is small enough you'll have to turn everything down to the point of sounding muddy.

I don't mind PMs. Send me one if you're still curious.

Quote from TinCanFury : don't say that, it will make me want to upgrade my older models!

The older Pios are sturdier. The new grills aren't something I would leave in a living room with our munchkins...

I had last year's version of these towers by Pioneer. They are decent, but even the Polk Monitor 50's smoke them by a mile. It would also be hard to stomach paying 100 bucks EACH for these when the old model, which looks a lot better IMO, was as low as $100/pair and often on sale for $119/pair. The new model center channel in this line is also inferior to the old center, with just 4" woofers instead of the 5 1/4" from the old center. Have to thumb down this new line of "cheapened" down speakers.

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : I had last year's version of these towers by Pioneer. They are decent, but even the Polk Monitor 50's smoke them by a mile. It would also be hard to stomach paying 100 bucks EACH for these when the old model, which looks a lot better IMO, was as low as $100/pair and often on sale for $119/pair. The new model center channel in this line is also inferior to the old center, with just 4" woofers instead of the 5 1/4" from the old center. Have to thumb down this new line of "cheapened" down speakers.

^ guy is a known Polk troll. He also thumbed down the older model BS-41s, which were an unreal value for $80 a pair, and also sound outstanding for the price.

He is right on the 4" woofers though in the center and surrounds. The FS52's have stepped up in sound quality over the FS-51, but there is no equivalent to the BS-41 this year.

If you need towers asap, it is still an excellent buy for the price, despite the better price of the older model. They are more accurate than a Polk Monitor 50, 60, and 70 anyday, but cannot handle as much power.

Quote from bhazard : ^ guy is a known Polk troll. He also thumbed down the older model BS-41s, which were an unreal value for $80 a pair, and also sound outstanding for the price. He is right on the 4" woofers though in the center and surrounds. The FS52's have stepped up in sound quality over the FS-51, but there is no equivalent to the BS-41 this year. If you need towers asap, it is still an excellent buy for the price, despite the better price of the older model. They are more accurate than a Polk Monitor 50, 60, and 70 anyday, but cannot handle as much power.

So owning most of this previous line of speakers and saying similar speakers from Polk are better makes me a troll? I've actually praised the SW-8 sub from this line and even recently ordered another one despite not really needing it. More accurate than Polk??? And you even go a step further and say more accurate than M70's? Give me some of what you are smokin', dude.

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : So owning most of this previous line of speakers and saying similar speakers from Polk are better makes me a troll? I've actually praised the SW-8 sub from this line and even recently ordered another one despite not really needing it. More accurate than Polk??? And you even go a step further and say more accurate than M70's? Give me some of what you are smokin', dude.

You've got your own personal taste as do most of the people raving about these Pioneers. I've owned the M60s and M70s and I've even owned a car which I had an entire Polk MoMo setup installed into. I'm still using a pair of Polk PSWs with my Pioneers.

Sonically accurate isn't something I would ever use to describe Polk, but it's not about accuracy --it's about finding your personal preference. You dislike Pioneer, and that's fine. I think Onkyo sounds like ass, but most people here on slickdeals disagree with me there so I keep it to myself most of the time.

BTW I have asthma, so I don't smoke.

Quote from MIX MASTER ICE : So owning most of this previous line of speakers and saying similar speakers from Polk are better makes me a troll? I've actually praised the SW-8 sub from this line and even recently ordered another one despite not really needing it. More accurate than Polk??? And you even go a step further and say more accurate than M70's? Give me some of what you are smokin', dude.

No need. You're not even using an XT32 receiver to get the best out of your Polks, so you wouldn't even know how good either setup can actually sound. XT32 makes a huge difference. The Polk can handle a powerful amp and play louder, but it distorts and bloats midrange very noticeably, even after correction.

The SW-8 is also extremely mediocre, even for its price. It's the one piece of the Pioneer system that is lacking. It measured extremely poor on several tests.

I don't see how accurate information is a bad thing. The Polk Monitors were great 6 years ago when they first came out, but not as much now.

My main system has a $2,500 custom sub alone that was worth every penny. If you're serious about audio, the Polks and Pioneers aren't in your main system. They are outstanding values as a second system, or a main system for someone on a budget.

Quote from bhazard : No need. You're not even using an XT32 receiver to get the best out of your Polks, so you wouldn't even know how good either setup can actually sound. XT32 makes a huge difference. The Polk can handle a powerful amp and play louder, but it distorts and bloats midrange very noticeably, even after correction. The SW-8 is also extremely mediocre, even for its price. It's the one piece of the Pioneer system that is lacking. It measured extremely poor on several tests. I don't see how accurate information is a bad thing. The Polk Monitors were great 6 years ago when they first came out, but not as much now. My main system has a $2,500 custom sub alone that was worth every penny. If you're serious about audio, the Polks and Pioneers aren't in your main system. They are outstanding values as a second system, or a main system for someone on a budget.

lol...whatever, dude. I'm serious about not spending a fortune on audio equipment. This went from a pioneer vs. polk speaker discussion from you trying to show off/brag about your high dollar stuff. Pat yourself on the back and we all appreciate how cool you are for what audio equipment you own.

okay, guys, please stay on topic. thanks.