Bookshelf speakers in the 300-450 $/pair range

[KeepItSimple]

Hello, new poster here.

I want to start building a quality HT/sound system. Right now I don't have too much budget, but I plan to spend up to $3,000 for a system that will last me a long time.

I'm going to start with a pair of bookshelfs, which I will send to the rear in 8-12 months. These are the characteristics I'm looking for:

- Good/excellent build quality
- Good/great value
- Nice looking
- Dimensions: Height 15" tops, Depth 10" tops
- Matching towers and center (for updating later)
- And of course great sound for the buck

Right now I have the B&W 601 S3 on my list.

I will audition the choices you give me in NYC, so there have to be dealers there (not hard I guess) ;)

Thanks a lot.

[mazersteven]

Sounds like these are just what the doctor ordered. :D

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

[Nick250]

Hello, new poster here.

I want to start building a quality HT/sound system. Right now I don't have too much budget, but I plan to spend up to $3,000 for a system that will last me a long time.

I'm going to start with a pair of bookshelfs, which I will send to the rear in 8-12 months. These are the characteristics I'm looking for:

- Good/excellent build quality
- Good/great value
- Nice looking
- Dimensions: Height 15" tops, Depth 10" tops
- Matching towers and center (for updating later)
- And of course great sound for the buck

Right now I have the B&W 601 S3 on my list.

I will audition the choices you give me in NYC, so there have to be dealers there (not hard I guess) ;)

Thanks a lot.

To my ears the 602s sounds so much better than the 601s that I would stretch my budget to get them. The 602.5 is really just a 601 in a bigger box and sounds so-so to me. The 602's are the pick of the litter when I auditioned all of them. It had a fuller, richer, more dynamic presentation than the others. It's the larger driver in the 602 that is most likely the reason for this I suspect.

Nick

[j_garcia]

I like the 602s much better than the 601s also.

My vote would go to either the Ascend 170SEs or Onyx X-LS (http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1). Unfortunately, the X-LSs are on backorder right now... The Ascends lack in only one category IMO, and that is appearance, especially when compared to something like the gorgeous cabinets of the X-LS.

[speakerman39]

To my ears the 602s sounds so much better than the 601s that I would stretch my budget to get them. The 602.5 is really just a 601 in a bigger box and sounds so-so to me. The 602's are the pick of the litter when I auditioned all of them. It had a fuller, richer, more dynamic presentation than the others. It's the larger driver in the 602 that is most likely the reason for this I suspect.

Nick

Yeah the B&W 602S3 is amazing. Also thought I would mention the PSB B25 as many seem like it as well.:) :)

[mike c]

you should also demo the Monitor Audio RS1. (same or cheaper than the 602)

I like the 602's myself but I hear a lot of opinions that the MA RS1 is a B&W 6 series beater, but then again, we all have totally different tastes, so you should A/B them in your home if possible.

KEF iQ series shouldn't be bad as well.

[corey]

The Klipsch RB-61 comes close to your specs. It's just a bit big at 15.4" tall & 12.25" deep, but it is front ported so can be wall mounted. It's the one I plunked down my hard earned cash on.

Edit: I just looked up the B&W 601. Note the differences in crossover, sensitivity & frequency response.

[jcPanny]

You could get a pair of the Onix X-CS speakers from AV123 for about $300 and the mains and center for about $450. They will also have a floorstander X-sls model out soon for just over $300 per pair.

[zumbo]

Saturday Audio has the Monitor Audio S2's for $449.00 a pair. IMO, there is not a better bookshelf for the money.

http://saturdayaudio.com/

[no. 5]

NHT Absolute Zero (http://nhthifi.com/2006/products/s/ab0.html) ($400), KEF iQ1 or iQ3 (http://www.kef.com/qseries/index.htm) ($300-$450).

hay zumbo;
can you order online from saturday audio?

[zumbo]

NHT Absolute Zero (http://nhthifi.com/2006/products/s/ab0.html) ($400), KEF iQ1 or iQ3 (http://www.kef.com/qseries/index.htm) ($300-$450).

hay zumbo;
can you order online from saturday audio?

Just got off the phone with them. They can on the S1 and S2, and others. They can't on the new models.

[zumbo]

Click on new gear on the left, then speakers in the center. Scroll down to Monitor Audio S2.

[no. 5]

Just got off the phone with them. They can on the S1 and S2, and others. They can't on the new models.

cool, thanks for the prompt response. :)

[KC23]

Check out axiomaudio.com

M3's are very nice, M22 really nice, but might be a bit big.