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Bookshelf speaker recommendations

C

Cambarr

New Member
Hey guys,

I am looking for a decent pair of bookshelf speakers for my new system I am building. I am spending about $250 on my amp and have about another $250 to spend on speakers.

Is there anything out there that is nice looking with reasonably good performance that won't break the bank?! I'm not approved to vintage as well?!

Thanks for your help!
 
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I suggest you visit a couple of audio stores that carry affordable gear, like Paradigm, Monitor Audio, etc. Nothing like listening in person if you're able to. Some stores even carry lightly used trade-ins that can be great buys and will satisfy the BOSS, err wife.
 
michiganpat said:
used/vintage

AR6,7,17,18,25,18S,18B

Smaller Advents

KLH17,20

Polk monitor5, monitor5jr, S6, S8
Click to expand...

agreed
AR 18s are sweet
Polk Monitor5jr are as well-they make up my HT system-though kind of large for a bookshelf
Baby Advents have high WAF
Would add Boston Acoustics a40 or a60
 
Book shelf speakers

from the used market: Infinity Reference 2000.3 or the later version was
RS-3. Real nice sound, rather plain looks so WAF should be good.
There are three in the bookshelf class, the 2000.3's are the largest, but also have the sweetest sound.

my 2 cents.. Stu
 
Energy esm4 are extremely cheap resale <$80 and sound really good especially for the price. Are vintage though but look good too.
 
AR4x said:
Better go vintage :)
Click to expand...

Again, he has a wife...Looks like many don't understand WAF. Coming from a household where the home project manager (wife) and her staff (decorator and contractor and handyman) are a pain in the neck when it comes to how things look I can relate.

Yes, Audio Engine PS4 are very nice speakers, but you can go used (not the same as vintage), or new. With used you will probably get more value per dollar. Some common recommendations for around $250.00 are:

PSB Alpha B
PSB Image B15
Paradigm Atom
Monitor Audio Bronze Bookshelf
Monitor Audio Radius 90
Epos ELS-3 (good luck at finding a pair)
KEF Q Series
Mordaunt-Short Carnival
Klipsch RB Series
DIY PE Overnight Sensations

I usually give a very long list, and your price point ($200 to $300) has been very popular lately; this past two weeks yours is like the 10th thread asking the same thing. The best thing is for you to read other threads, with similar titles to yours, you will find more suggestions, all very good. The best will be to check your local CL, Audiogon, and other classifieds. See what you like within your budget, and feel free to ask here. BUT, WHATEVER YOU DO, ALWAYS TRY TO AUDITION, you will find a particular brand or sound that you prefer, and can always ask us for speakers with similar characteristics.

I don't like to "shoot" anyone here, because they have very good suggestions. Having said that, some people tend to completely ignore the OP needs and specifications.

So, when someone says: "Better go vintage". IMHO, is not helping anyone and just shows lack of information. Why not go modern? Why not go with Open Baffle? Why not go with console speakers? Why not go DIY? There is a speaker out there for everyone, hence why so many manufacturers, and why such a booming used/vintage market. So, when suggesting something and you think that though your suggestion is not what the OP is looking for it might be the right speaker, give an intelligent reason.

So, you say "better go vintage". Well, explain WHY?
 
Last edited:
Windwalker said:
agreed
AR 18s are sweet
Polk Monitor5jr are as well-they make up my HT system-though kind of large for a bookshelf
Baby Advents have high WAF
Would add Boston Acoustics a40 or a60
Click to expand...

Someone with good vintage and used suggestions that fits the OP request....:thmbsp:
 
I myself would be first looking at For sure a pair of JBL L20t3 they have the 035tia tweets and Handel 200 watts rms. And you can usually find a nice pair for between $100.00 to $200.00. Nice book shelve speakers. Then if I wanted something that was a little bigger size book shelves I look at the Ar 78ls or 78lsi, with 12" woofers and very nice dual dome mid/tweeter combo. They can be had cheap most people under estimate there value or worth. There very nice sounding 12" 3 ways and made by Ar. Very accurate speaker.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'll counter the advice to go vintage when it comes to speakers. There is probably no other area of this hobby that has benefited from continued advances in design and materials than speaker drivers.

Ideally, you want a speaker cone movements to be fast, articulate and precise. This requires materials that are rigid and lightweight while still providing good sonic characteristics.

The paper drivers of yore are too heavy and wonky to reproduce a signal with a high level of accuracy.

Think of how quickly a cone needs to change direction. If it is low-mass, it will can stop and reverse direction quite abruptly. And if it is stiff, it will do this with a minimum of physical distortion in the cone. Imagine how a huge pulp driver like the ones on my KLH 23s work. Kinda' tubby by comparison (and sound it too)

Technology has brought performance and materials advantages to tweeters as well.

With your stated budget, you could buy quite a capable pair of modern speakers that would sound clearer, and be more reliable for langer than going with something that's already 40 years old.

Now if you like the sound of 40 year old speakers, that's entirely valid (as if I need to validate anyone's preferences). But don't believe anyone that tells you that a vintage speaker will outperform a modern one in any objective sense, that's just crazy talk.
 
PR Audio said:
Again, he has a wife...Looks like many don't understand WAF. Coming from a household where the home project manager (wife) and her staff (decorator and contractor and handyman) are a pain in the neck when it comes to how things look I can relate.

Yes, Audio Engine PS4 are very nice speakers, but you can go used (not the same as vintage), or new. With used you will probably get more value per dollar. Some common recommendations for around $250.00 are:

PSB Alpha B
PSB Image B15
Paradigm Atom
Monitor Audio Bronze Bookshelf
Monitor Audio Radius 90
Epos ELS-3 (good luck at finding a pair)
KEF Q Series
Mordaunt-Short Carnival
Klipsch RB Series
DIY PE Overnight Sensations

I usually give a very long list, and your price point ($200 to $300) has been very popular lately; this past two weeks yours is like the 10th thread asking the same thing. The best thing is for you to read other threads, with similar titles to yours, you will find more suggestions, all very good. The best will be to check your local CL, Audiogon, and other classifieds. See what you like within your budget, and feel free to ask here. BUT, WHATEVER YOU DO, ALWAYS TRY TO AUDITION, you will find a particular brand or sound that you prefer, and can always ask us for speakers with similar characteristics.

I don't like to "shoot" anyone here, because they have very good suggestions. Having said that, some people tend to completely ignore the OP needs and specifications.

So, when someone says: "Better go vintage". IMHO, is not helping anyone and just shows lack of information. Why not go modern? Why not go with Open Baffle? Why not go with console speakers? Why not go DIY? There is a speaker out there for everyone, hence why so many manufacturers, and why such a booming used/vintage market. So, when suggesting something and you think that though your suggestion is not what the OP is looking for it might be the right speaker, give an intelligent reason.

So, you say "better go vintage". Well, explain WHY?
Click to expand...

Exactly what I needed. Just got married and the WAF is key :thmbsp: these are some great options thanks for your help!!
 
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