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Recommendations on a $100 pair of speakers?

synclavier82

synclavier82

Well-Known Member
Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to get some guidance on a $100(roughly) pair of bookshelf speakers for my apartment. It's a small apartment, so I don't need anything huge. I was thinking about giving these a try:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&type=product&id=1138085354138
Insignia® - 6-1/2" Bass-Reflex Bookshelf Speakers

For about $100, is there anything else I should be considering?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8289167&type=product&id=1172277277943
Sony - 5-1/4" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8289229&type=product&id=1172277278011
Sony - 8" Bookshelf Speakers

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8828012&type=product&id=1207956903491
Polk Audio - 5-1/4" Bookshelf Speakers

Thanks.
 
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The bay has a set of JBL 2600's for the same price as your Insignia speakers. There are lots of brands out there. I don't know what your size limitations are (if any).
 
i would go with a pair of the older small advents with the spit ball woofers, a pair of baby advents or some infinity rs 3000. insignia is junk,,,as well as sony.
 
synclavier82 said:
Thanks for the tip. I was looking at those too. Just out of curiosity, when you say these sound much better, what specifically are you talking about? Better sound stage, more detailed?
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Sound is more full. Bigger bottom. More realistic. Suprising for their size. I use a set for my bedroom rig, and a set on my restoration bench.

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
pustelniakr said:
Sound is more full. Bigger bottom. More realistic. Suprising for their size. I use a set for my bedroom rig, and a set on my restoration bench.

Enjoy,
Rich P
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Cool, well, I bought a pair and am listening to them now... Sound good so far.

I know $100 could have gotten me more old speaker, but in this case, that's not really a good thing. Honestly, these little Polks are almost too much for my space.
 
I have that model Polks that I use in my 10ftx10ft shop and they put out a suprizingly amount of bass. Still, I would go give a listem because everyone taste is different:thmbsp:
 
AudioSoul said:
I have that model Polks that I use in my 10ftx10ft shop and they put out a suprizingly amount of bass. Still, I would go give a listem because everyone taste is different:thmbsp:
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Indeed. Of course my Best Buy had NONE of the bookshelf speakers hooked up, unfortunately.
 
If you're a patient and disciplined bidder, you can get some good Infinity and JBL speakers from Harman Audio's eBay site. They're refurbs, but I've never heard any complaints (and have none myself). I got two Infinity Beta 20s for $92 (shipped) and a Beta C250 center for $53 (also shipped price). Their auctions are kind of thin right now, but I've seen days when they had more than a dozen each Infinity and JBL bookshelf speakers up for bid.
 
Wait for a pair of Definitive Technology DR-7 bookshelves to show up on ebay and grab them. They are a steal under $250.00. Read the reviews. I've owned 2 pairs and only parted with them to give gifts to family.
 
synclavier82 said:
Hi Everyone,

I was hoping to get some guidance on a $100(roughly) pair of bookshelf speakers for my apartment. It's a small apartment, so I don't need anything huge. I was thinking about giving these a try:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7705307&type=product&id=1138085354138
Insignia® - 6-1/2" Bass-Reflex Bookshelf Speakers

For about $100, is there anything else I should be considering?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Just yesterday I had a pair of those BB Insignia's (paid $35.00 for the pair new) and a pair of Boston A40's hooked up side by side to a Pioneer SX 650 and playing CD's on a Onkyo Integra DX6800 cdp.

The A40's were so much clearer and nicer sounding than the Insignia's it blew my mind.

If you want itty-bitty speakers like the Insig's, get yourself a pair of used Boston A40's, JBL L19, Baby Advent, for half of what your talking about spending. Want something that will handle a little more power? JBL Northridge E50 @ 175 watts and bi-ampable. You maybe could find a leftover pair of those somewheres for less than what you're talking about. IMO of course.

R
 
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It's done, apparently, an "I wanna go to Best Buy and get something TODAY, what shall it be?" thread. Hopefully the responses will lead to exploration of other options in the future.... :thmbsp:
 
I agree with Earholes. I picked up a DR-7 for $13 at Goodwill. Re-glued the surrounds
& they sound great. I am still looking for speakers that sound better.
 
Dynaco A25'S 1969 models are hard to beat.One of the best bookshelf systems ever built! Lots of pairs for sale around Canada for $100 or less..............
 
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