by Matt Larson

Created on: February 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Choosing the "right" speakers is already an elusive process; when one tosses in the clause "inexpensive" things only grow worse.

First, you must deal with the subjective definition of "inexpensive." One man's cheap is another's excessive, so before you take on the daunting task of finding "good" speakers, determine beforehand exactly how much money you're willing to spend, and conversely, what sorts of prices would break the bank.

Coincidentally, if you want to get an idea of what a particular set of speakers might sound like (and how much people are paying for them), a good place to start is on the internet. There is a large number of websites dedicated exclusively to user-reviews (as well as professional ones) of consumer audio products. These reviews can help you visualize a "ball-park" figure in terms of how much bang you can get for your buck before you ever set foot inside an electronics store. You should also know that there are written publications that serve this purpose as well.

If you're willing to play the speaker-hunting game a little more riskily, then it might be worth your while to consider looking for speakers at retail surplus stores and pawnshops. If you've done your homework beforehand, then you should have a pretty clear idea as far as what types and makes of speakers you wish to avoid.

In reality, you are the ultimate deal-breaker. Ask yourself, "Do these speakers sound good?" "Will I be happy with these in the long term?" If the answer is yes, and the price seems right, then you've found your speakers.

TIPS:
-If you find a set of speakers that you like in a retail outlet, take some time to see if you can find them somewhere else. Different stores often carry the same brands and at different prices!
-Take some time to find older models of speakers you like. Some manufacturers create "updated" versions that only look different, and don't sound distinctly altered than the older versions.
-A lot of stores (even some pawnshops) will let you listen to a set of speakers if you just ASK. Some of the nicer audio places even have sound proof listening rooms for your convenience.
-A speaker is only as good as the amplifier that's driving it. The same set of speakers can sound dramatically different when transferred to a different stereo system.

Enjoy yourself, hunting is half of the fun!

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