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Bookshelf Recommendations

Seating area (fabric covered couch) is about 8' from the A/V ctr. Room is rather sterile, has high ceilings and echoes. I advised him to get a few area rugs and maybe a few acoustic panels sometime down the line. Ceiling corners look like they could use some acoustical treatment as well, but I know he won't go that far. I tried to talk him into a large velvet Elvis painting, but I don't think he'll do that either.
 
I have the Sierra-1's from my brother with 10 plus years of daily use and they still work flawlessly at about 15 years old. Great natural, neutral, detailed sound with impressive bass and soundstage for their size. I came so close to buying Sierra-2ex floorstanders, but went a bit vintage instead. Other than price, I don't get why going bookshelf on a stand when floorstander is the same size, but I think the Sierra-2 bookshelf used would be hard to beat regardless of where comparison is manufactured. Great owner/company to work with if that matters.
 
yoder: Thanks for that info. I tend to agree with your assessment regarding bookshelves vs. floorstanders. I think you hit the nail on the head, though. Towers/floorstanders tend to be considerably more expensive.

In my case, other than helping my friend with his decision, I am also looking at purchasing a pair of smaller/bookshelves sized speakers for myself - for an application where space is limited and I already have furniture in place where I can place them so I wouldn't need speaker stands.

I've got my choice narrowed down to either the Dynaudio Focus 140/160 or the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2. A very difficult decision, but I am leaning towards the Dynaudio at the moment.
 
I could definitely vote for the Snell type K's ....
Always musical and excellent dispersion ..so placement is easy ..
 
rickb119: He has not made a decision and is now in S. Padre Island for Spring Break. He was leaning towards the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2, but I know he doesn't want to spend the money. I suspect he'll probably end up with a pair of Snell KII speakers if we can find a pair when he's ready to pull the trigger.
 
The Sierra 2 is an amazingly detailed speaker (I own a pair). However, they're not cheap, even used. They are for people that want to hear each and every note, nuance, etc. from the music. For simply listening, and enjoying the music, there are many other (less expensive) quality speakers out there.

I'd also put Canton and ADS on your short list.
Canton info: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/vintage-canton-speaker-pecking-order.942063/
ADS info: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-d-s-line-pecking-order.44406/

I owned a pair of ADS L-710's, and loved them They were only displaced with a much larger KEF. Probably larger than what he's wanting but one to consider though, if he has the room.

Another one to consider would be the NHT SuperOne (I have them also). I'm always amazed at the amount, and quality of sound that comes out of those little boxes. I prefer the original, made in USA version to the new, made in China version. The used is almost always available on ebay. Don't let the low price deter you. They're really good.

FYI: To flag someone, put the @ before their name. @High_Noon ;)
 
rickb119: Thanks. Yes, by all accounts that I've read, the Sierra 2 is a stellar speaker. I wonder how it compares to a Dynaudio Focus 140/160... or the Revel M22 for that matter - all speakers I am considering for my next system. Thanks for your recommendations, I will definitely look into the speakers you suggested.

Not sure what it means to flag someone using @. Do you mean quote?
 
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High_Noon said:
Not sure what it means to flag someone using @. Do you mean quote?
Click to expand...
To notify them, to bring them back to the thread. Otherwise, they don't know that you have replied to them. Using the quote option (lower right corner) does the same thing.
 
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I would recommend a pair of Paradigm bookshelf speakers, I have a pair of Mini Monitor v3 and I like them them a lot. I would look for some Paradigm Reference Signature S2 or JBL L20T. Both recommendations are vintage. If you are looking at new speakers then I would consider SVS Prime or Ultra bookshelf.
 
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Got a no chiner requirement? I'm pleasantly surprised by Triangle Borea3. 8.5" x15" x 12"d. 90 spl and rated to 46Hz. French company (design) made in Ch.
20230211_202953.jpg
 
cb5300 said:
If you have to get stands, why not look at the towers? Going to take up the same footprint and at your price point you will have a better sounding speaker (usually).
Click to expand...

Tower speakers usually have better bass.

Refer to Hoffman's law.
Hoffman’s Iron Laws of Speaker Building
1) Bass Extension

2) Efficiency

3) Small Enclosure

The law is that you can only have two of these three attributes in speaker building. Ideally we would want all three, we want speakers with good bass, can play really loud, and are small. Unfortunately we cannot have all these.
 
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For a 5.1 set up with a sub; which will enhance for action movies, that budget is cutting it close for a suitable A/V TV set up.

For that amount of money, a pretty good soundbar/sub could be obtained (Plan B). Maybe add a $100 or so for an upper brand.


If going the Polk route (biased here), you might get most of the speakers bought... if used ones. The sub can come later.

At some time in the future your bud may want to entertain the idea of upgrading his receiver with a better unit, so going from decent speakers and working backward is a route that many tend to follow.


Q
 
@cb5300: My Bud told me that he wanted bookshelves. When I viewed his new place, I realized that he had room for towers; however, I felt that with his limited budget, he could get a better set of bookshelves than towers. What tower speakers would you recommend close to that budget?

@JoeESP9: Yep. He won’t be able to crank the volume lest the neighbors complain in this condominium complex.

@Quadman2: He’s not there yet. Perhaps after we get his system up and running and he has a chance to hear the new system I’m putting together, he’ll be interested in upgrading his old Yamaha receiver. We shall see.

@tubelectron: Agreed.
 
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