Suppose I wanted you guys to help me pick some speakers..

This is Argentina (pronounced "Arhentina," Mr. Lloyd Weber) we're talking about.

When my future seemed much brighter, I had plans to spend a week in NYC auditioning speakers to make a purchase.

But if you can't travel and afford the expense and the hassles of importing speakers into Argentina, your best bet is to follow other's reviews of DIY speakers and build some yourself.

It is likely that raw drivers have less duty than finished units. And there's plenty wood and craftmen in Argentina, right?

Check this:

http://teresaudio.com/haven/ariel/ariel.html

which is a part of this:

http://teresaudio.com/haven/

Saludos.

 

When at the hi-fi stores, let your ears do the testing more than what the salesman says. The sales guys are usually on commission and will tend to push the "Big Profit" speakers so they make more $$.
Also some mfg. will add spiffs to products and the sales guys will push those.
Also note that the worst speakers can sound better than the best speakers if they are just a bit louder when doing the AB comparison.
Not that I did any of these things when I sold stereos in the 70's...

I think you would be amazed how great a pair of EPI 100's would sound in the corners of the room. 2 way 8" woofer - flat response, tight bass can handle high power. We used to run these with a 500w amp and any customer would be amazed that it was those little speakers in the corners (by the ceiling) putting out all that sound. They are a bit inefficient so the 50w amp will not get the windows rattling. With the inefficiencies also comes tighter bass. Also comes with a cool inverted dome fluid filled tweeter. You can buy the parts at humanspeakers.com $200 for 2 woofers and 2 tweeters (EPI 100 parts) yet need a core for the tweeter.
Cheaper at Ebay for $60 -$100 a pair. The EPI 110 are the same in a bigger box that go down to 40Hz easy.

If you can afford the shipping get the ESS towers on ebay. You will think you are at a concert with these in your room. ~$500 plus shipping. Go to 30hz and will rattle the windows. efficient yet can handle up to 400watts each. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3038118399&category=14993
Or for efficient incredible tweeters get these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039300123&category=3276

FUN FUN FUN!!!

 

What else does the Mac guy cell, only Mac! An hour drive is not that bad.

 

No, he sells other stuff too: B&O, Yamaha, Velodyne, Sonance, Pioneer Elite, B&W, Adcom, and others. I haven't been in yet, but I'm planning a trip soon to check it out (if my wife will let me ). Maybe they will have speakers I'll like better than the Paradigms. (Are Mac speakers within my budget? I haven't heard any in 25 years, but I remember the old ones as having a very pleasant sound.)

 

I have no idea on Mac speakers, it has been ages since I have seen them.