Canuck Audio Mart

Hey there, I've got a fairly decent Polk audio setup for my TV just two towers and a center; but lately I've been having a lot of friends over who like to dance and crank the music up. Now my setup isn't really designed to crank out party tunes all night, they are only rated 89db sensitivity and distort before they get that loud. So I was wondering if you could recommend to me a set of speakers that I would really only use for loud music that can go really loud without distorting. I'm looking to spend 400-500 bucks and I've got an old Kenwood basic m2 stereo amplifier that puts out I think 200-220 watts per channel that I could dedicate to them.

Thanks!

If sound quality is important to you, you should check out a set of vintage Klipsch KG-2, KG-2, Chorus or Fortes or some JBL L-100s or studio monitors. If all you want is loud and punchy then just about any set of vintage Cerwin Vegas will do the trick within your budget.

Klipsch Heresy II.

Yes, Hereseys would be even better if you can find them at an affordable price.

If you want new

If its not too late you may find a London Drugs still selling the Klipsch RF 62 for $299 each. $600. But these are floorstanders and you don't need stands which these days will run you $100.

One of the big box chains - maybe both BB or Future Shop is selling Klipsch - they may have them for less money so...

These sound pretty darn good - and very good for the price. They are very easy to drive 97db sensitive reach a claimed 40hz which is solid and not too bad in the box noise department - high efficiency tends to get away with some frequency foibles. They will play to pain volume levels. A lot will depend on your perception of the horn - some love it some don't but Klipsch is usually better than they credit for being.

http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/rf-62-overview/

Hey RGA why don't you sell him your old speakers? aren't these yours?

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/e ... 94527.html


Here are a pair of fortes

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/e ... 16052.html

I have no idea if these ads are legit and you may be safer buying from the CAM classifieds

Welcome to CAM!

A better bet would be to add a subwoofer - you'll be able to play the system louder before distortion starts. And, you'll be able to do it within your budget.

When you have lots of people over and are dancing a lot of the mids and high end get sucked up by the peoples bodies. You need a larger more effecient speaker to get the dancing job done. The klipsh idea is ok but their horns can start to get pretty harsh over 95 DB.

If you want people to be able to boogie a pair of 3 way vintage Cerwin Vega or HED speakers.
They have a 15" mid and horn surround tweet. If your partying and are not looking to hear the third oboe in the second section they will work great. You'll never be worried again about SPL's and they will kick A&& forever. Most of all of us have very few people that are into their audio like we are. The Cerwin Vegas they will probably like more for dancing and partying at low up to high levels. You just change them out when you have a party and put your other ones back for the use most of the time.


All the best Les

Are you sure your amp is up to the task?
Perhaps it is being driven into clipping as well.

Trying to drive small Polks to party volumes will definitely be close to pushing a 200+ WPC amp into clipping, but with high efficiency speakers like the Klipsch not much chance of that happening unless you are trying to fill a gymnasium sized room filled with 100 people, not much chance of that happening (speaking from 20+ years of personal experience doing exactly this type of thing).

Im interested in these two, kindof leaning toward the first one because they are cheaper.. what do you guys think? I havent been able to find any cerwin vega's used.. would the Cerwin Vega ve-12fs be decent.. I could pick up a pair brand new

You seem to be in a real hurry.
Go used with the 3 way 15" as the 12" won't pull it off as well.
The key is to get a very punchy full sound before you get to high volume levels.
Only a 15' will pull that off.
A 12" will do the trick but won't get that real dance bottom end that EVERY guy knows the women love to groove to. Key is to get that kick before people can no longer talk.
As one gentleman previously said I've been doing this for a long time.
I no longer do it but for small clubs and house situations you've got to hit that dance sweet spot before people can't converse. You'll have people dancing and when they take a break they will have to leave the area to talk and in the end your dance area will end up empty.

Hold out for a used pair of 15" 3 ways.


All the best Les

JohnUppercut,

I second the Klipsch idea....and I don't find they get any more harsh than any other speaker at volume. THe forte's in the ad link are a fairly decent deal....the e70's not so much IMO, i'd look to get them at closer to $200. If you don't like the Klipsch after you buy them you could also sell them and recoup most if not all your money.

Mike

The CV VE-12s are 93db/M/W versus the Klipsch Fortés which are 98db/M/W which means that in terms of sound volume, the Klipschs will be like having an amplifier 3 to 4 times as powerful as the CVs. In other words, for the CVs to play as loud as the Fortés at 100W you would need a 300 to 400W amplifier. Or, to put things in context, your Polks would need an amplifier 10 times as powerful as you would need with the Fortés for the same volume and the Fortés would still have much more bass. The CVs would be nice enough but if you could track down a vintage set of more efficient CVs with 15" woofers as lesjames has suggested, they would be cheaper, more punchy and a much better buy.

I have no idea about the Wharfedale Vanguards in terms of efficiency, bass impact or power handling but RGA on here does have a pair so he can probably tell you if they are stout enough for party use.

The e70 warfdales won't cut it for a room full of friends dancing. They will cut it for 3 or 4 friends throwing on some old OZZY and air guitaring it. Used to sell them when they were new.


Fortunatly your needs are VERY simple. You already have a pair of ok speakers that fall down on the job ONLY WHEN YOUR PARYTING.

ANSWER: Get the BEST party speaker you can in your price range or cheaper.

Sub that speaker when you want to throw on the WHO, RUSH or whatever.


All the best Les