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Bookshelf speaker recommendation

Jbmorrey

Jbmorrey

Active Member
i am looking at two pair of bookshelf speakers that appear to be reviewed equally, so I am trying to get a "tie breaker" or opinion based on ownership. I am comparing the Pioneer SP BS22 LR, to the Micca MB42X, I currently own a vintage pair of Bose 201, so also I assume these both would be an upgrade to the Bose. I prefer details, clarity and listen to vocals often. Can someone recommend one over the other or is there another choice? These both are $99 on Amazon, so that is where I would like to keep my budget

Thanks,
James
 
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Connect the sub to the receiver by using the speaker level outputs. Connect the sub in parallel with the mains. The sub is a very high impedance load and takes no power. I suggest setting the crossover on the sub to ~80Hz or lower and adjusting the level to suit. Once they are set just use the volume control on the amplifier.

Here's a link to the matching sub.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SW-8M...=1455721788&sr=1-3&keywords=pioneer+subwoofer

BTW: My bedroom system has a pair of the BS21's paired with a Monoprice 8" powered sub.
 
$100 in new market is not much. I think you are better off looking for an used pair of speakers. I have heard that the Pioneers are good but you are still limited by the small woofer (in Pioneers and Miccas). $100 in an used market should get you pair of EPI 100s. The 8" woofers should be good enough without subwoofer until you get an upgrade bug.
 
drabina said:
$100 in new market is not much. I think you are better off looking for an used pair of speakers. I have heard that the Pioneers are good but you are still limited by the small woofer (in Pioneers and Miccas). $100 in an used market should get you pair of EPI 100s. The 8" woofers should be good enough without subwoofer until you get an upgrade bug.
Click to expand...

I will look at the EPI 100, I noticed on Ebay they have some that are TE 100 and also Series II. Just want to be sure I am looking at the same model you are referencing. also, with a woofer twice the size, how big are they, I need them to be not much taller than the 12" of the pioneers and such. They are going on a bookshelf.
 
Also, Mids for acoustic and Highs are very important to me, I'm not too concerned with Bass, so I hope the EPI 100 can perform well with acoustic and treble.
 
I had pair of 201's many years ago, I don't blame you for wanting to upgrade, as I always thought the tweeter in the 201 was its weak spot.

Paradigm Titans can usually be found for less than your budget, nice sounding Vifa tweets as well.
 
Jbmorrey said:
I will look at the EPI 100, I noticed on Ebay they have some that are TE 100 and also Series II. Just want to be sure I am looking at the same model you are referencing. also, with a woofer twice the size, how big are they, I need them to be not much taller than the 12" of the pioneers and such. They are going on a bookshelf.
Click to expand...
If you go with EPIs, you want the original series with gold ring tweeters. The T/E (time energy) are later models (red ring tweeters). They are bookshelf speakers but 70s style so pretty big (21" tall). Acoustic suspension so no back ports to deal with. You can have them put against the wall. Here is more info: http://www.humanspeakers.com/e/epi100.htm
 
The Pioneer BS22's have been getting rave reviews for years. Keeping in line with your budget is important... and these speakers do very well.

Polk Monitor 40's can also be had for about $100 shipped if you look around. I have these and they do a remarkably good job with highs and lows.

Good luck.
 
What I like doing is going to thrift stores with about $100... the speakers at thrift stores (even the huge ones) are mostly under $100. Just do these things: check if they have foam rot (you can look up "foam rot" on google), knock on the boxes to see if they have a echo-like sound (if they do, that's bad), and check for blown drivers (put your fingers around the dustcap and lightly push, try to keep your fingers on the center of the cone of the woofer(s) and if they make a scratching noise they are most likely almost blown). Also, most thrift stores will test them for you (but trust me, ALL of the stuff I got/get works). The vintage stuff is the better stuff, so look for vintage speakers. One time I got a GREAT pair of DB Plus 440's from the thrift store for $15... a steal of a deal. The thrift store is my main supplier of audio equipment along with Craigslist and Amazon, but mostly thrift stores. Now one more thing (maybe): try NOT to get addicted to this and try not to go the thrift store every Saturday and lug home a big pair of speakers... but it is a pretty fun community, and if you get into speaker collecting, just remember your part of a pretty small community and you have to get everything before anyone else does ;) hope this helps...
 
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JoeESP9 said:
Connect the sub to the receiver by using the speaker level outputs. Connect the sub in parallel with the mains. The sub is a very high impedance load and takes no power. I suggest setting the crossover on the sub to ~80Hz or lower and adjusting the level to suit. Once they are set just use the volume control on the amplifier.

Here's a link to the matching sub.

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SW-8M...=1455721788&sr=1-3&keywords=pioneer+subwoofer

BTW: My bedroom system has a pair of the BS21's paired with a Monoprice 8" powered sub.
Click to expand...

Yes. I have a vintage receiver, too, and I use the speaker level input/outputs on the sub to connect the amp/receiver to the sub.
 
So, you have been recommended the Pioneers, which are not my cup of tea, but good for a $100.00 speaker. Then a suggestion was made to add the matching sub, which apparently you are considering as you are asking how would you connect to your vintage receiver; that adds $159.00. So, now you are in the $259.00 range. So, you have two alternatives, go with the sub or don't go with the sub. If you are deciding on going with the sub option, then consider getting a pair of used or new speakers at around $250.00/pair, you will do so much better than with the Pioneers; many options for bookshelfs at that price. But, if you decide to stick to your $100.00 budget, then you may want to consider an alternative that will even save you some $40.00. My choice would be a pair of Baby Advent or Paradigm Titan bookshelf speakers. Here is a comparison that can help, but you will find lots of info about both.
 
Thrift shop speaker hunting can be fun... there's usually lots of interesting stuff out there..
I've picked up Szabo, Tangent, Mystere for $5 or less.
The Szabo 525 needed surround refoamed, but they were only $3. Refoaming only cost about $8.
The Tangent TM3's were $5.
Got Boston Acoustic A70 for $7.
The nice thing is that because I'm not paying that much for them if they don't work out I'm not out a lot of money.
Meanwhile my Pioneer BS22's sit idle, and I paid full price for them. I find them a touch harsh and they definitely need a subwoofer .
 
I had a pair of bs22s around 6 months on many different rigs and while I'll still admit for the cost new they're a great speaker, $100 can potentially get you pretty far used.
I got my AR M2s for around a third of that and they are still one of my fave bookshelves, used daily.

The epi 100, what can I say. There's a reason they're so popular. Talk about a less is more design, and those tweeters.

However something I've noticed missing in the OPs replys is any mention of amplification. That can be a total game changer in this whole scenario.
 
I had these Pioneer bs22's for awhile but replaced them with Dayton Airs ( AMT tweeter ) which sound better IMO.

If you follow the hype the Overnight Sensation kit from Parts Express may be the best of the

budget bookshelf speakers. Owners of both say they beat the Micca's.

P8260002_2_1.jpg
 
While the EPI 100's are excellent speakers finding them in decent condition at a thrift store is like finding a needle in a haystack. If you're lucky enough to find a pair factor in the cost of a reform and crossover recap. Prices for these on eBay plus shipping also take them out of the OP's budget. The same scenario would probably exist for any sought after vintage bookshelf speaker recommendation.
 
Poultrygeist said:
While the EPI 100's are excellent speakers finding them in decent condition at a thrift store is like finding a needle in a haystack. If you're lucky enough to find a pair factor in the cost of a reform and crossover recap. Prices for these on eBay plus shipping also take them out of the OP's budget. The same scenario would probably exist for any sought after vintage bookshelf speaker recommendation.
Click to expand...
IIRC the surrounds are rubber not foam so no rotting to deal with. The crossover has only one capacitor so it is very easy to replace. I would assume that any vintage speaker would need some work sooner or later but you usually get more for your money.
 
PR Audio said:
So, you have been recommended the Pioneers, which are not my cup of tea, but good for a $100.00 speaker. Then a suggestion was made to add the matching sub, which apparently you are considering as you are asking how would you connect to your vintage receiver; that adds $159.00. So, now you are in the $259.00 range. So, you have two alternatives, go with the sub or don't go with the sub. If you are deciding on going with the sub option, then consider getting a pair of used or new speakers at around $250.00/pair, you will do so much better than with the Pioneers; many options for bookshelfs at that price. But, if you decide to stick to your $100.00 budget, then you may want to consider an alternative that will even save you some $40.00. My choice would be a pair of Baby Advent or Paradigm Titan bookshelf speakers. Here is a comparison that can help, but you will find lots of info about both.
Click to expand...

Yea, that sounded interesting until I realized that the sub would add $150 to the setup, my thoughts were might as well get something that would not require a sub. My office space is next door to my 5yr olds room, so I doubt having a thumping subwoofer would be a great idea, I am thinking of just sticking to my budget and getting the best I can. Besides, Bass is not too important to me with my listening needs.

JarredCrowe said:
I had a pair of bs22s around 6 months on many different rigs and while I'll still admit for the cost new they're a great speaker, $100 can potentially get you pretty far used.
I got my AR M2s for around a third of that and they are still one of my fave bookshelves, used daily.

The epi 100, what can I say. There's a reason they're so popular. Talk about a less is more design, and those tweeters.

However something I've noticed missing in the OPs replys is any mention of amplification. That can be a total game changer in this whole scenario.
Click to expand...

I apologize, I have a Technics SU-V4 amp, I think it's something like 50W per channel, I am then using a Pioneer PL-41 turntable as my source.
 
The problem with any "vintage" speaker is availability. Recommendations for vintage anything rarely take into account that what they're touting is usually not available right now. This is fine if you have a working system because you can wait for what you want to become available. It's useless if you are trying to acquire your first system and want it now. I should mention that I would never buy speakers from/through epray. I need to listen to them first. You can expect new anything to work properly. This is not necessarily true with anything used.
 
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