jackfish wrote:

Listen to as many loudspeakers within your price range as you can.  Check used prices for used speakers within your price range and listen to as many of those loudspeakers as you can before buying used.  You might have to make a trip to the LA area, it will be worth it.

Audio Video City - San Luis Obispo

Audio Ecstacy - San Luis Obispo

If you are really developing a two-channel system and have no desire for a multi-channel home theater (two-channel works just fine for watching movies) then I'd also consider the 60-day money-back trial of the Magnepan MMG for $600.  This way you can listen to them in your own room with your own gear.  If you eventually get a Rythmik F12 subwoofer you will have a loudspeaker system rivaling those which cost thousands.

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/magnepan_mmg.htm

http://www.soundadviceblog.com/reviews/review-magnepan-mmg-speakers/

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html

My main issue for not being able to go out and listen to multiple systems is my temporary disability. ( I just broke both my legs in a work accident) It's very hard for me to go out, I have to have somebody drive me etc. An LA trip is pretty much out of the question unless I go to a doctor or something down there.  I'll be spending a lot of time in my house just chilling. so I'm trying to figure out ways to get the best bang for my buck so I don't go nuts while I heal

The Onkyo receiver I have comming is an 8ohm system, will it power the magnapens? It's only 45 watts and I do intend to upgrade at some point. I would just rather wait to upgrade that if I could help it. My total budget is $800, I already have this amp and my player. If I have to pick up a new amp to run the speakers right off the bat it kind of ruins the plant and the budget.

I'm looking into the Klipsch RF-62's and RF-82's. Audio ecstasy doesn'tg really have a showroom. They are more service oriented. I actually rode to their warehouse and they were closed during business hours. :/ My buddy was pissed too because he wanted to check out some of the stuff they carry. I'll be looking into the brands you mentioned, thanks for the advice.

jackfish wrote:

So, that unit, while not optimal, will suffice with the MMGs until you upgrade.

The Klipsch RF-82 are $1100 a pair, and the Klipsch RF-62 are around $880 a pair.  Isn't this is over your budget?  The Klipsch KF-26 is available at Best Buy and is within your budget.  Perhaps you and a friend can hobble over to 255 Madonna Road and listen to some Klipsch there.  Klipsch are efficient speakers, easily driven by that Onkyo, but some people find them bright, forward and harsh.

I've been able to reliably find the RF-82's for around $800 and the RF-62's for around 650-750. I've listened to the one's at Best Buy and they are definitely Harsh. It didn't help that how they have them set up is probably the worst way to demo speakers imaginable.

If you think the Magnepan's will do well with my amp I may go ahead and give them a shot since I can return them if I'm not happy.

Are Martin Logan's worth looking into? Most of their stuff seems pretty pricey. Is their low end any good?

I'm going to give the Magnepan's a shot. I did some more research on my amp and found that it's capable of driving a set of 4 ohm speakers at around 80 watts. The nice thing is, if I'm not impressed I can return them. I will mostly be listening to Vinyl on the system, but I'm pretty sure it will end up hooked up to the TV at some point. The only complaints I've read about the MMG's are a slight lack of bass. I assume I can augment that with a good subwoofer to make up the difference. Am I right about that?

I'll probably place my order first thing Thursday morning when I get my check next week. I'm really excited to get my listen on :)

I'm a little concerned, my room will not give me adequate space for the MMG's. The interwebz seem to suggest they be spaced 3' from the rear wall. I don't have the room to do that. I can only bring them about 16" out from the wall. Will this completely ruin the speakers for me? I'm not currently in a position where I can easily move speakers around, although the MMG's being really light will help that a lot. The web also mentions needing to do room prep to really make them shine, is this a "must do"?

Optionally, I have the ability to pick up a legit new set of ML Motion 12's for about $600 shipped. How would these stack up against the MMG's? I've heard their high end may not be as clean and clear, but their bass is better. They also have better sensitivity at 92 dB/2.83 vs. the MMG's at 86dB / 2.83v and are 4, 6 or 8ohm compatible.

Are the MMG's still my better option?