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Bookshelf Speakers

J

JJS 45

New Member
Hey, first post and seeking some recommendations. I picked up an old Luxman LV-105 hybrid amp that I like, but am a bit underwhelmed by my Polk R150 speakers. Due to space constraints, I have to stick with small boxes. I'm probably wanting something used, but don't necessarily want cheap. The application is general rock and some electronic at medium volume, primarily through a Pioneer PL-10 turntable.
 
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JJS 45 said:
Hey, first post and seeking some recommendations. I picked up an old Luxman LV-105 hybrid amp that I like, but am a bit underwhelmed by my Polk R150 speakers. Due to space constraints, I have to stick with small boxes. I'm probably wanting something used, but don't necessarily want cheap. The application is general rock and some electronic at medium volume, primarily through a Pioneer PL-10 turntable.
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Used or vintage used? I prefer vintage speakers personally. For whatever reason, newer speakers just don't do it for me.
 
budget?

I had some R150's and they are ok ..but pretty underwhelming certainly.

can you go any bigger than the R150's or is that size about tops?

a small speaker I own that I am greatly pleased with i bought used on BT .. NHT SuperZero's about $99~ ea new or the SuperOne's if you have the room... however u might find you need a sub with the superzero's or ones
 
To me, for my ears you cannot beat a vintage pair of Dynaco A-25's. I think they are fabulous speakers and you can pick up a very clean pair for a couple hundred bucks.
 
JJS 45 said:
... I'm probably wanting something used, but don't necessarily want cheap. The application is general rock and some electronic ...
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I'm not sure just how much is 'not cheap' ... 500 .... 1500 ... 5000?
Hazarding a guess that given cost of the Luxman and Pioneer, something under 1000 for sure, maybe even under 500?

If going for newer speakers with small footprint used in the 500 range give or take, think you could get NHT Classic 3, Paradigm reference studio 20's, Polk LSi9's, PSB Imagine B or Image B6, Von Schweikert VR-1, the list goes on and on. If you have a smaller budget, and/or can live with bigger boxes, then you get more value from vintage. With an even longer list of candidates.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. I am fine with new or vintage. My prior experience is with ADS, Advent, and JBL. Under $500 would be preferable as this is a budget system. I had wanted an LV-105 for some time after hearing one. The PL-10 was inherited from my dad, and semi-refurbished a couple years ago (AT95E cartridge).

Some of the speakers I have looked at are Rega R1, Vienna Sound Haydn, and some older ADS boxes. I have heard the Haydn really shines with higher wattage so it's probably not ideal. It's been a while since I shopped for speakers. I got the Polks after blowing the surround in one of the 90's era JBLs I owned. For depth, I have about 14" on the shelf, so I can go deeper than the R150s.
 
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I find that my Baby Advent II's are great speakers, seem to take anything I throw at them and sound good and can get plenty loud.

Mark
 
All of those I mentioned can be had used at/around/under 500 and have very small footprints. Since you mentioned a "shelf" you'll want to avoid rear-ported speakers. One advantage of vintage, none I know are rear ported. The bigger Boston A series are made to back up to a wall, not familiar with the smaller ones but that could be a good match.
 
Another vote for A-25. ADS 520 would be my second choice. Of course, I have both. :)

Good luck with your search.
 
Infinity RS-325, great little speaker that will embarrass many more expensive speakers. Really look nice in the real wood veneer but not as easy to find as the black. The Sony SS-M3's are also great speakers, not as sensitive as the RS-325's but a little more refined. If listening to a lot of rock I would opt for the Infinitys.

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Kingshead said:
Infinity RS-325, great little speaker that will embarrass many more expensive speakers. Really look nice in the real wood veneer but not as easy to find as the black. The Sony SS-M3's are also great speakers, not as sensitive as the RS-325's but a little more refined. If listening to a lot of rock I would opt for the Infinitys.


828528-sony-ssm3-monitors-in-excellent-condition.jpg
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I dream
 
The JBL L20t is a great little speaker. I also recently found a set of DCM TimePieces that sound awesome. I'd highly recommend either of these speakers.
 
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