Just getting started...Need some bookshelfs.

[sploofer]

I need some recommendations on bookshelf speakers.
Right now I own a cheap pair of Polk Audio T15s' that I got for free.
I'm slowing starting to upgrade my system and in a month or so I'm going to have enough money to buy a new set of speakers.

These will be for my bedroom, which is fairly small.

I have a budget of $500-$1000.

I went to my local Hi-Fi store and the guy showed me two different speakers from Monitor Audio, the Sliver RX1 and the RX2.

I really like the RX2, with a price tag around $700 it's within my budget.

I'm ready to settle on a pair of the RX2s but I was wondering if anyone here has any other recommendations for around that price range.

This is my first big investment in stereo equipment, currently using a late 70s Quasar receiver with a Rega Planar 2(RB 250 tone arm/Grado XC+).

If this adds anything to the equation, I am only playing vinyl with my stereo. Not sure if that is anything to consider when buying speakers.

 

[coonmanx]

Maybe take a look at some NHTs.

 

[ryuuoh]

These:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=250-656

 

[CLS500]

I agree with "ryuuoh" above; for a very small room you could use the Pioneers (or similar 6" two ways) with a single 8-10" powered sub and have a nice, small system.

 

[3kitty]

The RX2's are a very nice little speaker...did you see and listen to their little brother the
BX2's? It might be worth a comparison if you are set on purchasing Monitor Audio's.

They are a very well regarded and reviewed speaker and play beyond their price point. I have a pair in the family room hooked into a Denon CEOL Piccolo receiver running through my iMac and they sound very nice for the room.

Good luck with your selection!

3kitty

 

[frankbooth]

Those MA's are very nice speakers and could serve you well even after you move the sytem into a larger room. The RX2 has an ample amount of bass for a speaker that size, they are a little warmer because of the larger driver but also very detailed.

A speaker in that same range and style is the now discontinued Epos Epic 2. I've only heard them once but they are similar to the RX2 with a softer top end.
They are now on close out at Music Direct for half price, which is $400.

IMO. Those Pioneers are very nice sounding speakers for the money, but not in the same league as what you are looking at.

 

[poconoman]

Paradigm Studio 20

 

[89grand]

I not only find the Pioneer BS22's excellent for the money, I wouldn't feel ripped off they were 4 times what I paid for them. You budget is high enough to get more performance than the Pioneers, but I think too many are fooled by the low price (I paid $99 from BB), that $400-500 speakers must be better, and I wouldn't necessarily count on it.

 

[jmchrislip]

I would look for The Smaller Advent Loudspeaker. There are some available on eBay now for between $199.00 - $250.00 a pair, used, in great condition.

 

[usedto]

Don't be afraid to try a pair of Klipsch KG2 speakers. A lot of bang for the buck, if you can find a nice used pair.

 

[baco99]

in your budget, and new?

Emotiva

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/xrm61

The XRM6.1-Ref bookshelf has phenomenal sound for a small box. However, they are not very efficient and need some power behind them. I don't know what your Quasar is doing, but I'd venture a guess that it could be improved.

Also, the power monitors are incredible. The Airmotiv 6 blew me away, and it's powered so you can give the Quasar a break and use it as a pre-amp, or just run a nice phono pre direct from the Rega to the Airmotivs.

And Emotiva has a 30 day money back guarantee. I briefly talked with the owners when they were in Boston, they seem like quality people. And the products are first rate.

 

[matteos]

I need some recommendations on bookshelf speakers.
Right now I own a cheap pair of Polk Audio T15s' that I got for free.
I'm slowing starting to upgrade my system and in a month or so I'm going to have enough money to buy a new set of speakers.

These will be for my bedroom, which is fairly small.

I have a budget of $500-$1000.

I went to my local Hi-Fi store and the guy showed me two different speakers from Monitor Audio, the Sliver RX1 and the RX2.

I really like the RX2, with a price tag around $700 it's within my budget.

I'm ready to settle on a pair of the RX2s but I was wondering if anyone here has any other recommendations for around that price range.

This is my first big investment in stereo equipment, currently using a late 70s Quasar receiver with a Rega Planar 2(RB 250 tone arm/Grado XC+).

If this adds anything to the equation, I am only playing vinyl with my stereo. Not sure if that is anything to consider when buying speakers.

The RX2's look nice. If you've listened to them and like the sound that counts for more than anything else... What other speakers did you review? I assume you are looking only at bookshelves since you have a small room?

Although I've not heard them, the KEF LS50s have been garnering a lot of good press, you can probably find them for $1000 on offer, did they have a set at your Hifi store?

 

[sploofer]

in your budget, and new?

Emotiva

http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/speakers/products/xrm61

The XRM6.1-Ref bookshelf has phenomenal sound for a small box. However, they are not very efficient and need some power behind them. I don't know what your Quasar is doing, but I'd venture a guess that it could be improved.

Also, the power monitors are incredible. The Airmotiv 6 blew me away, and it's powered so you can give the Quasar a break and use it as a pre-amp, or just run a nice phono pre direct from the Rega to the Airmotivs.

And Emotiva has a 30 day money back guarantee. I briefly talked with the owners when they were in Boston, they seem like quality people. And the products are first rate.

Thank you to everyone for your recommendations so far!

On the back of my Quasar it says:

AC 120V 60hz 150w

Can someone explain these specs to me and how I should take them in consideration in buying new speakers.

 

[mace]

I highly recommend the NHT Classic 3's.
Would work great as a BR speaker.
Fantastic tight bass, although you will need a sub for the lower octave.

:thmbsp:

 

[sploofer]

The RX2's are a very nice little speaker...did you see and listen to their little brother the
BX2's? It might be worth a comparison if you are set on purchasing Monitor Audio's.

They are a very well regarded and reviewed speaker and play beyond their price point. I have a pair in the family room hooked into a Denon CEOL Piccolo receiver running through my iMac and they sound very nice for the room.

Good luck with your selection!

3kitty

I only compared/contrasted the RX1 and RX2 models. I'll see if they have a pair of BX2s when I go back.

Thanks for the info!

 

[crazy-in-az]

Thank you to everyone for your recommendations so far!

On the back of my Quasar it says:

AC 120V 60hz 150w

Can someone explain these specs to me and how I should take them in consideration in buying new speakers.

That is just a power rating that shows how much power the amp draws from the wall socket. Generally (this isn't 100% accurate, but it gives you a fairly good idea), take the power in watts, divide by four and that gives you approximate power per channel. 150/4= 37.5 watts.

 

[baco99]

Thank you to everyone for your recommendations so far!

On the back of my Quasar it says:

AC 120V 60hz 150w

Can someone explain these specs to me and how I should take them in consideration in buying new speakers.

150 watts is how much power it draws, not how much it sends out as music power.

what's the model number?

i'm a little familiar with some older very powerful Quasar amps, but they would probably be eating 300-400 watts of AC power, not 150.

Again, you may want some powered monitors if you're just using a TT and don't need a "receiver". Most monitors like the Emotivas, have multiple source inputs, but you will need a phono pre-amp with your turntable.

 

[alandro]

Here are some vintage favorites of mine, in order of increasing size:

Paradigm 3SE Mini
EPI Model 70 Series 3
KLH 900B (a 3-way bookshelf)
Energy ESM-3

All produce decent and sometimes surprising low frequencies. All image nicely, which is what you typically get with speakers of this size. The KLH is the one really good speaker from the 90's production of KLH. If it were me and I was just getting started, I'd scour the Goodwills for a while to see what pops up. I've owned all of the above at one time or another the latter three all from the Goodwill, all under 25 bucks for the pair. The Paradigms were 5 bucks at an estate sale. All required a refoam, as do most of the speakers you'll find at thrift shops. I've run all of them with a little Onkyo A-7070 70W integrated and they all sounded really good.

I'm not a Bose fan but I picked up a pair of Bose 301 V's last month at the GW, and they are cherry (both the wood and the condition). $14.99 the pair. Certainly bookshelf size and don't sound bad.

If you don't want to spend the time tramping around thrift shops, all of these show up on eBay from time to time as well. If you can wait. But the Bose are still on the shelf at Bose for 350 bucks, I think.

Now...my long time bookshelf speakers are, the Totem Mani-2's. IMHO the greatest sounding bookshelf size speakers ever made. They are a different animal and in a different price range. I picked up mine on eBay about 15 years ago for a bit less than half of list at the time and they cost me around 1,600 bucks, to the best of my recollection. I will keep them forever.

Good luck.

 

[baco99]

Also, for what it's worth, I have a pair of Jamo Cornet 65 II speakers that blow my mind every time I listen to them. Great, underrated bookshelf.

 

[sploofer]

150 watts is how much power it draws, not how much it sends out as music power.

what's the model number?

i'm a little familiar with some older very powerful Quasar amps, but they would probably be eating 300-400 watts of AC power, not 150.

Again, you may want some powered monitors if you're just using a TT and don't need a "receiver". Most monitors like the Emotivas, have multiple source inputs, but you will need a phono pre-amp with your turntable.

Model CR7611

Why would I need a phono pre-amp? There's already one in the receiver.