Which speakers should I get?

What will you be using it for? And I don't mean the amp ... I mean the room. Will you just be listening to music, is there also a computer, will you be watching movies or playing computer games, too? Will you eventually be making music? Those are all things you need to consider in advance if you don't want to find yourself upgrading your gear as you go along.

That's a good point,

I forgot to describe in detail what sound I'm looking for . Well, to start with, I've had Philips SHP8900 cans for a couple of years and I'm quite satisfied with them. But sometimes I want to let my friends hear what I'm listening or just walk around without being tied to the computer. So why not buy a decent set of computer speakers you might ask. The thing is, I think I've been spoiled by the crystal clear and yet powerful sound of SHP8900-s, so I do not want to lose in sound quality very much. I'd like my speakers also to be able to deliver music in great detail (even in low volumes) but still be powerful enough to rock the living-room when it is necessary. Actually studio monitors were the first thing to come to mind, but I'm not sure if they are exactly suitable for home use.

To answer your question, Mr Progfreak, I'm looking for a stereo setup for my living-room (quite small) and primarily for listening prog from my laptop Watching movies is more like their secondary purpose. I'm not a gamer and won't be making my living-room into a recording studio either (at least not in the foreseeable future). And to The T - the price should not be over 200 eur (270$) per speaker.

For the space conscious stereo listener I strongly suggest Definitive Technology BP6's. They have front and rear firing drivers and are ultra durable. I bought my pair in 1997, turned them sideways, dumped them out of a truck, had cats use them is a scratching post, blasted every type of music imaginable at high volume through a Carver TFM 15CB and they happily absorbed it all. They are now incorporated into my 7.1 home theater as front LR's powered by a Denon AVR2310 with Definitive Technology ProCinema60.6 as rears and center.  They still sound as crisp as the day I bought them. They run $400 each, but considering how many sets of $200-300 speakers I went through in the 5 years prior to buying them, I would say the totally earned their place.

The BP series also has upper end models with powered subs in the cab. Honestly, the smaller, less expensive versions have a much cleaner sound and plenty of low frequency response for small spaces.

For your amp choice, not versed on the PMA series, but I am never opposed to Denon. But if you can find an old Carver power and pre kit on ebay, you will be happy and your friends' prog hipster envy.

Thanks guys for all your recommendations!

Although I'm trying to avoid floor speakers (because they take a lot of room) and 5.1 systems (they take a lot of room and there is a lot of wires everywhere) this discussion has been helpful.

Mr ProgFreak wrote: I also have a hi-fi system in my room - actually a pretty decent one, consisting of a Harman Kardon HK-620 amp and a pair of Elac CL 82

That is actually pretty close to what I imagined I would need . How is your experience? Are computer speakers (like a decent set of Logitechs) more responsive than bookshelf speakers powered by external amp? I've read that bookshelf speakers deliver very good and detailed sound in higher registers but lack mid-range and bass... Also is it true that much of the detail in music is lost when played in relatively low volume because speakers need a lot of power from the amp and it is not getting it when played in low volume? Btw right now I'm thinking to buy Yamaha ns333-s.

Well, I've still never owned a better pair of speakers than the ones my friend made for me in high school.  He used to get really high and study all that sound crap, and said he could make speakers that sounded better than the stuff at the audio store.  I'm not claiming they are better than everything, but they were damn good even if they looked bad. 

I'm pretty happy with the Yamaha towers I have, though I wish the woofs were just a bit bigger. 

Oliverum wrote: Thanks guys for all your recommendations! Although I'm trying to avoid floor speakers (because they take a lot of room) and 5.1 systems (they take a lot of room and there is a lot of wires everywhere) this discussion has been helpful. Mr ProgFreak wrote: I also have a hi-fi system in my room - actually a pretty decent one, consisting of a Harman Kardon HK-620 amp and a pair of Elac CL 82 That is actually pretty close to what I imagined I would need . How is your experience? Are computer speakers (like a decent set of Logitechs) more responsive than bookshelf speakers powered by external amp? I've read that bookshelf speakers deliver very good and detailed sound in higher registers but lack mid-range and bass... Also is it true that much of the detail in music is lost when played in relatively low volume because speakers need a lot of power from the amp and it is not getting it when played in low volume? Btw right now I'm thinking to buy Yamaha ns333-s.

Trust your ears when it comes to speakers, especially if u are on a budget. Go listen to several in your price range and pick the ones that your ears like. I have heard several speakers in the past 6 months and in a lot of cases, a US$1000.00 set sounds no better than a US$400.00 set.

There are some speaker mfg I'd like to hear but the local stores do not carry this type of equipment anymore. I can't find any store that for example carry Klipsch RB 81 II, which I would like to hear. Higher end speakers I will not buy online without a listen.