which stand-alone bookshelves?

[yupanic]

Moving into new house and have been planning on making great room HT but wife gave me go ahead to use den (once she heard about in wall wiring great room would require, etc) but now I have to put good music bookshelves in great room for "entertaining" and some tv. She really didn't like idea of sub and wall surrounds etc "cluttering up" the great room. Any suggestions for good bookshelves that can carry enough bass to do the job as only speakers? Would like to stay under $1000.

[abefroeman]

under 1000 for 5 or for 2 bookshelves?

[mazersteven]

Any suggestions for good bookshelves that can carry enough bass to do the job as only speakers? Would like to stay under $1000.

Polk LSi9's

Look at the used market to purchase these under $500 a pair.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/individual/bookshelf/lsi9/

[mazersteven]

Mackie HR824

http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-HR824-Studio-Monitor?sku=605250

[annunaki]

Pinnacle has some bookshelves good down to 32hz +/-3db. www.pinnnaclespeakers.com BD650's

[yupanic]

under 1000 for 5 or for 2 bookshelves?

just 2...and I might be able to get away with some kinda of center but that's it.

[no. 5]

Mackie HR824

http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-HR824-Studio-Monitor?sku=605250

That's what I was going to recommend! :D

There are good cheaper monitors too by the way, and it's fun to be able to say "my home theater system uses what recording studios use". :D

[Reorx]

I know quite a few people like the Ascend Sierra 1's.
My wife keeps blocking my attempt to get them.
Maybe after she gets her Xmas jewelry, I can get my toys.

I have heard them in 2 peoples homes, and they do sound great.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/ascend-acoustics-sierra-1

[gus6464]

How come no one has built bookshelves with built-in subs? You would think that since it is now very common on floorstanders the next evolution would be to incorporate them into bookshelves.

[ParadigmDawg]

By the time you added the volume you need for a powered built-in sub you would have a tower...How come no one has built bookshelves with built-in subs? You would think that since it is now very common on floorstanders the next evolution would be to incorporate them into bookshelves.

[Joe Schmoe]

How come no one has built bookshelves with built-in subs? You would think that since it is now very common on floorstanders the next evolution would be to incorporate them into bookshelves.

Def Tech makes bookshelves with built-in powered subs.

[mazersteven]

That's what I was going to recommend! :D



The Mackie's do go low, but are more known for their clarity, and detail.

The LSi9's I linked go surprisingly low for a small bookshelf. Lowest I have ever auditioned.

[yupanic]

Thanks for the info. the Mackie's get great reviews all around and the $$ tag is awesome but they do lack in looks a bit.

Also, and I will probably post this in another section as well but since you guys are familiar with the speaker thoughts I need a AVR for them. For these 2 bookshelves, Direct tv STB, toshiba A3 HDDVD, plus at least a second zone, preferrably 3. For my new HT everyone raves about the Onkyo 805 for Axiom epic grand master ep500, but do I need that much for this room or can I get away with something lower end?

[abefroeman]

How come no one has built bookshelves with built-in subs? You would think that since it is now very common on floorstanders the next evolution would be to incorporate them into bookshelves.

Bookshelfs with subs (http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/CANTKARAT703SLVA)

[yupanic]

If I have to incorporate aesthetics into my choice does anyone have experience with Usher Audio?

[mazersteven]

If I have to incorporate aesthetics into my choice does anyone have experience with Usher Audio?

I have auditioned the Usher S-520. IMO this is an excellent speaker, but needs to be combined with a subwoofer.

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

[3db]

Moving into new house and have been planning on making great room HT but wife gave me go ahead to use den (once she heard about in wall wiring great room would require, etc) but now I have to put good music bookshelves in great room for "entertaining" and some tv. She really didn't like idea of sub and wall surrounds etc "cluttering up" the great room. Any suggestions for good bookshelves that can carry enough bass to do the job as only speakers? Would like to stay under $1000.



These are worth an audition.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B25-Monitor


These will do the trick but maybe a bit pricey and difficult to drive as they are 4ohm and low sensitivity. But the bass response from these are quite solid easily besting the PSB. Not many bookshelves can go this low without an attached powered sub.

http://www.totemacoustic.com/us/products/compact/mani-2_signature/specifications/

[annunaki]

Check these out from Pinnacle:

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd750.html

+/-3db from 34hz-20khz

Real wood Veneers

True 3-way design

10 yr. Transferrable warranty


OR

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd650.html

Gloss black hand rubbed finish

True 3-way design

36hz-20khz +/-3db

10 yr. Transferrable warranty.

These would be my picks for a bookshelf that can run as "large" when a sub is not used.

[Alex2507]

Check these out from Pinnacle:

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd750.html

+/-3db from 34hz-20khz

Real wood Veneers

True 3-way design

10 yr. Transferrable warranty


OR

http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/bd650.html

Gloss black hand rubbed finish

True 3-way design

36hz-20khz +/-3db

10 yr. Transferrable warranty.

These would be my picks for a bookshelf that can run as "large" when a sub is not used.

Would these be in the $800/pr neighborhood?

[soloz2]

I just got a pair of Onix Reference 1 LE's and they are great speakers, fit within your budget since they are currently on sale. You could add a sub or center and still be within budget. I've got a Ref 100 center too, simply amazing for the price.

[annunaki]

Would these be in the $800/pr neighborhood?


From the right dealer ;) ;) :)

[yupanic]

From the right dealer ;) ;) :)

Can you eloborate?!? Definitely nicer looking than Mackie's.

[Seth=L]

I just got a pair of Onix Reference 1 LE's and they are great speakers, fit within your budget since they are currently on sale. You could add a sub or center and still be within budget. I've got a Ref 100 center too, simply amazing for the price.
I second this recommendation.:)

[Crackerballer]

Anyone said Paradigm yet? I wish I could find a set of lightly used Studio 40s. They would be around $1000, and I LOVED the way they sounded.

[mazersteven]

Anyone said Paradigm yet? I wish I could find a set of lightly used Studio 40s. They would be around $1000, and I LOVED the way they sounded.

Studio 40's are not even in the same league for bass out-put as some of the others mentioned.

[ParadigmDawg]

I got the v4, 40's for 1k new but Steven may be correct on the bass; they do like a sub.Anyone said Paradigm yet? I wish I could find a set of lightly used Studio 40s. They would be around $1000, and I LOVED the way they sounded.

[Crackerballer]

Greg back me up here though, they are one of the best all around speakers I have ever heard. Music, movies, and such, they just hit the middle and highs so accurately.

I agree on bass, but a decent sub can be had relatively cheap compared to the price of the speakers.

[mazersteven]

Greg back me up here though, they are one of the best all around speakers I have ever heard. Music, movies, and such, they just hit the middle and highs so accurately.

I agree on bass, but a decent sub can be had relatively cheap compared to the price of the speakers.

Crackerballer,

This is a quote from post #1 from the OP

"She really didn't like idea of sub and wall surrounds etc "cluttering up" the great room. Any suggestions for good bookshelves that can carry enough bass to do the job as only speakers? Would like to stay under $1000."

I did not say the Paradigm Studio 40's where not good speakers. I said they "aren't in the same league for bass out-put as some of the others mentioned."