Ok guys... how about a list of Bookshelf $500 or less

[Warpdrv]

Looking to find some good quality bookshelf speakers for a 2.1 system for my son... As stated $500.00 or less..

Need to know whats out there... :)

As always....

Thanks

Warp Out !!

[mazersteven]

Acculine A1
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=65

Swan Diva 2.1
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=45

Dana 630
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=32

x-ls Bookshelf
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=82.1

x-cs
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

Rocket RS250 MKII
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=2.1

[gus6464]

Best that I have heard are the following: No particular order

B&W 686
Era D4

I think the Era's are better than the B&W but that's because I find the 68x series a bit too bright. I have heard other bookshelves but IMO these 2 of the best for your price range.

[mazersteven]

CMT-340 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

Holiday Special 2: $100 off 1 pair of our award-winning CMT-340 SE.*

This is the lowest price we have ever offered on our acclaimed 340 SE and this discount still qualifies for our package price discounting. *Note: Discount valid on 1 pair of 340 SE per customer. Not valid with any other discounts or specials.


Holiday Special 1: Re-certified CBM-170 SE for only $258 /pr + shipping!*

There has never been a better time to experience what is arguably the most popular ID loudspeaker ever introduced! The loudspeaker that set the performance standards for all others…


CBM-170 SE
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html

Due to Sierra-1 upgrades, we have a limited supply of CBM-170 SE trade-ins. These speakers have been completely reconditioned with brand new woofers and tweeters. The only parts that haven’t been replaced with new components are the cabinets and crossovers. While some of these units might have minor cosmetic defects, the majority of these are in like-new shape (thank the many customers who took such good care of their speakers). These units still come with our 30-day satisfaction guarantee and 5-year parts and labor warranty.

The only stipulations are that we are allowing only 1 pair per customer at this price and supplies are limited.

Please note: Due to the reduced pricing, these units do not qualify for our package price discounting.

Please use this link to order a pair: http://www.ascendacoustics.com/Merch...s&Quantit y=1

[Guangui]

PSB Image B25 $479.00/pr. On Sale $299.00/pr.

Monitor Audio S1 $600.00/pr. Clearance $399.00/pr.

Monitor Audio S2 $750.00/pr. Clearance $449.00/pr.

Swan Diva 2.1 $499.00/pr.

KEF iQ3 - $400.00/pr.

[avaserfi]

I'm not sure how old your son is and how far from the speakers he will be sitting, but I would suggest you look into the Audioengine A2s. Stereophile recently did a review on these speakers and their measurements are great, especially considering the price. They are very linear, low distortion and have little cabinet resonance. They cost about $200 a pair and are self powered so with the left over money you can pick up a Dayton sub from parts express and a DCX2496 and teach him to integrated the sub and speakers as well as tailor the sound to his liking*. The other nice thing about this is when he finally upgrades the A2s will make amazing computer speakers.

*Using a DCX/EQ does require a bit of work and learning, but its a good time.

[Warpdrv]

PSB Image B25 $479.00/pr. On Sale $299.00/pr.

Monitor Audio S1 $600.00/pr. Clearance $399.00/pr.

Monitor Audio S2 $750.00/pr. Clearance $449.00/pr.

Swan Diva 2.1 $499.00/pr.

KEF iQ3 - $400.00/pr.



Thanks guys for all the idea's..... thats a really good start...

Guangui, where are you seeing these clearance prices...

[Seth=L]

Best that I have heard are the following: No particular order

B&W 686
Era D4

I think the Era's are better than the B&W but that's because I find the 68x series a bit too bright. I have heard other bookshelves but IMO these 2 of the best for your price range.
I found the D4s to sound very cloaked in comparison to the 686, the B&W have the ability to convey much more detail without being harsh, though they more forward than the Eras. The B&W 686s also have much better bass responce.:)

[mazersteven]

I know they are more then $500. :eek: :D But how could you not mention them.

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

[Guangui]

Thanks guys for all the idea's..... thats a really good start...

Guangui, where are you seeing these clearance prices...

Open Box Factory Certified and A-Stock Brand New Canton (not mentioned), KEF, and Mordaunt (not mentioned) www.accessories4less.com

A-Stock Brand New PSB and Monitor Audio www.saturdayaudio.com

A-Stock Brand New Diva www.theaudioinsider.com

[mazersteven]

the B&W have the ability to convey much more detail without being harsh, though they more forward than the Eras. The B&W 686s also have much better bass responce.:)

Forget the 686's. You could get the 685's


http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2301&sc=ht

[gus6464]

Forget the 686's. You could get the 685's


http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2301&sc=ht

If he is getting a sub there is no need for the 685. Also prices just went up on all B&W's so they are $650/pair. The 686 on the other hand are $420/pair. I found their imaging to be exactly the same and the 685 just has the better bass response.

[mazersteven]

If he is getting a sub there is no need for the 685. Also prices just went up on all B&W's so they are $650/pair. The 686 on the other hand are $420/pair. I found their imaging to be exactly the same and the 685 just has the better bass response.

And you can purchase the 685's for under $500. :eek:

[gus6464]

And you can purchase the 685's for under $500. :eek:

huh? Where?

[mazersteven]

huh? Where?

An audio boutique store. Negotiate :eek: :D

And the 685 -- $600/pair 20% off = $480

Even at 10% off = $540

[Seth=L]

I don't know about you guys, but I actually liked the sound of the 686s better than the 685s. The extra bass is definitely not needed, the 686s are pretty punchy considering how small they are, and I enjoyed vocals more on the 686s for some reason.

[Seth=L]

An audio boutique store. Negotiate :eek: :D

And the 685 -- $600/pair 20% off = $480

Even at 10% off = $540
Under that mentality you could negotiate on the 686s and get them for near $300.:rolleyes:

[mike c]

the previous 602 s3 (bigger than the 685) is 500 over here ... and that's without negotiation yet. standard 15% discount

[Warpdrv]

That is a pretty good list of speakers... thanks guys...
I don't want to break the bank here, but I hate for him to listen to speakers that sound absolutely like cr@p....

Right now he's got a Klipsch "1 note" 10" sub that is just a piece of dog doo...

I will certainly be replacing that sub with something nicer.. Maybe a SVS SB12.

There are a ton of subs on the SVS B-stock Page (https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12)

[Joe Schmoe]

I am blown away by the sound quality of my Mirage Omni 150s, and they were only $140 (half-price) at Vanns. A bit bass-shy, but awesome with a sub.

[Davemcc]

I'll throw another vote in for the Era D4. It's a wonderful little speaker. On that note, I haven't heard the B&W under discussion here, nor have i heard the Usher S-520 for $400.

[gus6464]

I am blown away by the sound quality of my Mirage Omni 150s, and they were only $140 (half-price) at Vanns. A bit bass-shy, but awesome with a sub.

I have a pair of those doing surround duties. Although I haven't heard them as mains but now I will have to try them out.

[Warpdrv]

Just a heads up for Mazer... I emailed SVS about the MBS-01's and them having possibly a demo set of them... here is what I got back.


Not yet. The SB12-Plus and a pair of those bookshelf speakers would be amazing, though the speakers will hang with a much more powerful sub too.

We don’t have a demo set but we expect to be building the first few sets very soon with the imminent arrival of our raw cabinets. Orders are racking up so we’re recommending folks that want to see them before the end of January need to order soon (and the preorder price ends end of Dec unless we haven’t shipped any, which is unlikely.)

So they are still on pre-order until the end of Dec, as the are still awaiting cabinets.

[mazersteven]

Did you happen to pm that guy to see if SVS sent him a demo set?

Tom told me when they first where announced that I could get the bookshelf's to demo. I haven't followed up with that. That was back when I had the SB12 subwoofer for audition.

[Warpdrv]

I did PM him, but he didn't reply back to me...

[Joe Schmoe]

I have a pair of those doing surround duties. Although I haven't heard them as mains but now I will have to try them out.

Let us know what you think.