Bookshelf [shudder] Speakers for existing setup?

[C. Ball]

My late father was an audiophile and had a set-up that includes:

• McIntosh MX117 tuner preamp
• Sony CDP-297 CD player
• Adcom GFA 5500 amp
• Technics SL-1500 turntable

My mother is not an audiophile and tossed the speakers (one did not work). She wants -- please forgive me -- bookshelf speakers for this equipment (she just wants to play CDs and the radio).

I've never had the $ or the space for a good hifi set up so I'm working out of ignorance here.

My questions are:

• Any recommendations on the speakers?
• Should I bypass the amp w/ powered speakers or must the McIntosh go through the Adcom amp?

Any general advice on how to rig this up with bookshelf speakers would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Dswankey]

My mother ... wants -- please forgive me -- bookshelf speakers for this equipment

You've used "shudder" & "please forgive me" when referencing bookshelf speakers.

There are TONS of great bookshelf speakers out there.

My questions are:

• Any recommendations on the speakers?

As for recommendations I would suggest

How much do you want to spend?

Are you looking for used or new?

Where do you plan on purchasing locally? online?

Should I bypass the amp w/ powered speakers

Not that familiar with powered speakers and how or how not to connect them

Any general advice on how to rig this up with bookshelf speakers would be appreciated.

In order to use The Mc it needs to connect to a Power amp, connect the speakers to the power amp (Adcom)

 

[swechsler]

I would also add: what do you consider "bookshelf speakers"? In the earlier days (indeed, probably when this system was sold), bookshelf speakers could be up to about 25" tall and maybe 14" wide. If you are intending on actually putting them on a bookshelf, you'll probably want something on the smaller side of that. What is the maximum width, height and depth that you have to work with?

 

[C. Ball]

Thank you both for the replies.

The height and depth restriction is 15", the width is 18".

Happy to go used. Budget is probably $400 total -- I'll get some squawking even at that.

Could order on-line or local. A semi-local shop has used Monitor Audio Bronze 100 speakers for $350, and they seem to be good size-wise. Don't know if that's a fair price or not.

 

[Bill S]

Triangle Borea BR03 fits the bill. Low end to 46 Hz so you don't need a sub. 90 spl efficiency which is a lot better than most bookshelves. Front ported so a book shelf location will work.

 

[swechsler]

Would you consider smaller speakers with a subwoofer? Something like a Polk PSW-10 (or similar from JBL, Klipsch, etc) and a pair of NHT SuperZeroes would probably do the trick.

 

[rickb119]

a pair of NHT SuperZeroes would probably do the trick.

Or, a pair of the SuperOnes without the need (necessarily) for a sub. Either would be a good choice, at a very reasonable price (especially used).

 

[ng0k]

Thank you both for the replies.

The height and depth restriction is 15", the width is 18".

Happy to go used. Budget is probably $400 total -- I'll get some squawking even at that.

Could order on-line or local. A semi-local shop has used Monitor Audio Bronze 100 speakers for $350, and they seem to be good size-wise. Don't know if that's a fair price or not.

They still go for $750 new. I sold mine because of a move. I'm looking to repurchase now. The 8 inch mid bass is a shorter throw so the bass will be a little tighter, faster, and defined as opposed to deeper with sustain and warmth. They sound bigger than many bookshelf speakers I've owned.

 

[GD70]

Mom isn’t an audiophile. Has she said what she may want sonically, or not really care? If the latter, then look on FB market place local listings for not a lot of money. There tons of good speaker listings. See if you can audition them, and bring mom with you.

 

[loudnoises]

What type of music does she listen to?

 

[hopeless]

Wow, I've owned nothing but bookshelf speakers since about 1991. Sold my Maggies and never looked back.

 

[sanford12]

I don't think your mom is on her search for audio nirvana. I wouldn't be looking at spending a bunch of money. 2-400 will get you some very nice BS speakers that I'm sure she'll be pleased with unless they're butt ugly. Bookshelf moniker covers a lot of ground. I've had both Altec Boleros and Klipsch Heresy's that fall into the BS category and are quite large.