Maybe an upgrade?

[StephenWVU]

Ok guys, I will be the first to admit I am fairly new to speakers.  I do, however, love great sound quality and typically can recognize it.  I am currently sporting a fairly entry level system in my bedroom: Pioneer Elite VSX 91 TXH reciever, Definitive Technology Celsius DR book shelves (x2), Definitive Technology C1, Polk Audio Monitor 50 (x2), and a HSU STF-1 subwoofer.  I have seen how much a difference a high quality subwoofer can make as I bought the Def Tech Supercube II from king for my father's speaker system.  I fully plan to upgrade to either a supercube myself, an HSU VTF3 MK 3, a sunfire of some sort, or an SVS of some sort (I am fully open to suggestions).  There is a deal I found for 2 Def Tech Pro Cinema 100 book shelves, 2 Pro Cinema 80s book shelves, a Def Tech C2 center channel, and a Marantz SR 7200 receiver.  I am fairly certain that my receiver is nicer, but I am not sure about the speakers.  The speakers also come with monster cable and are priced at $200.  The issue is I would drive 4 hours to see them and audition them.  Are these speakers better than what I am currently using?  Is this $200 deal something I should utilize?  I am a college student and do not have a ton of cash... =(

[SunnyDaze]

This may or may not be up your alley, but...

...have you considered purchasing a good set of headphones? For under $100, you can obtain sound that is simply mind blowing. If you're interested in taking this route, my parents live near Uniontown. When I'm out that way, I can meet you if you'd like to hear what I've got in terms of headphones.

[thuffman03]

Go and buy them.

The 100's will fetch $200 on ebay
The 80's will fetch $150
The C2 center will fetch about $100

Not sure what the receiver is worth, but you can sell some and have free speakers for a few hour drive.  Driving to get audio equipment is nothing new for some of us.  I have gone to Chicago to pick up a system.

[StephenWVU]

OK, will do, thanks for the recommendation.

[StephenWVU]

Also I would love to see a nice pair of headphones.  I had a pair of BOSE ear buds that I got from Circuit City when they went under for like $20 but the cable to them is piss poor.  Tell me when you head into Uniontown or I can tell you the next I head into Pittsburgh; I go up a fair amount. 

[SunnyDaze]

BOSE = Buy Other Sound Equipment

You can spend $25 on a set of Koss Porta Pros and get exponentially better sound than you would with any of the BOSE cans.

If you'll be going to any upcoming meetings at the shop, that may be the best time / place to do it. There's plenty of proper amplification there for most headphones.

[StephenWVU]

Yeah, my experience with Bose = they are not very good at all.  Where does it list when the meetings are held?

[thuffman03]

Yeah, my experience with Bose = they are not very good at all.  Where does it list when the meetings are held?

The dates are usually posted here:  http://vintagehifipgh.com/forum/index.php?board=14.0

[StephenWVU]

Awesome, thanks! 

[MasterBlaster]

Tom never updates that anymore

[StephenWVU]

Well, I think I am going to drop about $400 tomorrow in Annapolis.  $200 on an SVS 16-46 PC-Plus and $200 on the Marantz Sr 7200, 2 def tech pro monitor 80, and 2 def tech pro monitor 100.  Time to sell my HSU STF-1, my polk montiro 50s, that marantz as soon as I get it and which ever def techs I decide to sell. 

[MasterBlaster]

+1 on SVS. I bought a PB-12 from Carl here in the burgh a while ago and it is one hell of a sub.
http://vintagehifipgh.com/forum/index.php?topic=554.0

If you decide that don't want it, please post the offer here. 

[StephenWVU]

Haha, will do!  I am actually kind of low on cash so the fact that I can resell it here if I can't keep it is pretty nice.  Hopefully people will buy my other stuff and I won't be as poor afterwards! 

[OldiesButGoodies]

Sunny - remind me again - what is your headphone recommendation for under $100?  I am on standby waiting for the right set of Stax to show up on the web used (not electret,  per you),  as Tom (and you) have said those are the creme de la creme.

Steve - Get a Sunfire Truesub - the last sub you will need.

[SunnyDaze]

You don't have to take my word for it Pepe. I'll bring the Stax to the next meeting that I attend. We'll hook them up to the Bob Amps and you can melt away for an hour or so. No, I won't sell them afterward.   

Electrets are a no no.

Overall, I'd say the best bang for your buck under $100 are the Grado SR60's at $80. Scott and I spent one Sunday listening to cans (I need to write a review of this). We listened to his Audeze LCD 2's, my Stax SR 5's, Beyerdynamic 880's and 990's, Grado SR325is's, and I'm sure a few more. At the end of the day, the SR60's on vintage Akai tube gear really shined. For $80, you get a set of headphones that are directly comparable to some of the world's finest.