Good Bookshelf Speakers for Around $500

Hello im new to this forum , I'm looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers around the price of $500, any suggestions? I know PSB image B6, Klipsch RB-61 II, and paradigm mini monitor are decent and fit within my budet.
Also, what else would I need to set up bookshelf speakers? speaker cables and a receiver? What type of receiver do i need? im quite new to this.. Thank you.

obento said:

Hello im new to this forum , I'm looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers around the price of $500, any suggestions? I know PSB image B6, Klipsch RB-61 II, and paradigm mini monitor are decent and fit within my budet.
Also, what else would I need to set up bookshelf speakers? speaker cables and a receiver? What type of receiver do i need? im quite new to this.. Thank you.

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You will need to provide more info. Are you looking for stereo alone or surround? What is your total budget? You shouldnt worry much about speaker cables and banana plugs as they are quite inexpensive and you can get for a few dollars. You should pick a good pair of speakers first then think of a stereo/surround receiver. More importantly fix your budget. Does your budget include a subwoofer too if you are looking to buy one?

I believe NHT makes some terrific BS's around this price range. PSB's are also good. I also heard that these HSU speakers are pretty good.

obento said:

Hello im new to this forum , I'm looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers around the price of $500, any suggestions? I know PSB image B6, Klipsch RB-61 II, and paradigm mini monitor are decent and fit within my budet.
Also, what else would I need to set up bookshelf speakers? speaker cables and a receiver? What type of receiver do i need? im quite new to this.. Thank you.

Click to expand...

The PSB Image B6 are an excellent choice; they get my vote but there are other fine bookshelf speakers in your price range.

A stereo receiver or an integrated amplifier would be the easiest and probably the best choice if you want to listen to music. Most stereo receivers will have no problem driving the speakers you mentioned but you want to exercise some care in matching the receiver to the speakers. The HK 3490 gets a lot of love on this site and it is a very capable stereo receiver, http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-HK-3490-Radio-ready/dp/B00198F89A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314012700&sr=8-1. If you are thinking of using (or adding one day) a computer based playback system, this Onkyo stereo receiver might be a good choice as well, http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1314013351&sr=1-2.

Were you thinking of using this for video/TV as well? How are you planning on listening to music? Were you thinking of using a CD player or using some form of computer audio playback? If you rip your CDs on your computer, it is fairly easy setting up a computer audio based playback system. How are you planning on setting up your bookshelf speakers? You may want to think about speaker stands as well.

I recommend the KEF Q300 for $400/pr (retail $600):

http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php?page=search&search_query=Kef+Q300

+1 for KEF - very good deal.

Also in your budget:
Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 - $399 at Ac4l.com [Also retails for $600, apply aviano20 coupon code]
Mirage OS3Sat - If you must have tiny speakers

or much better, but a bit above your budget CMT-340SE from Ascend

I like Wharfedale. Both the Diamond and Evo2 series are very good.


Monitor Bronze BX2's also a good bet.

There are quite a few choices for $500. Here is one to consider, straight from the manufacturer:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi7-CHERRY-Bookshelf-Speakers-Polk-Audio-40-OFF-/360372072585?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item53e7d97089#ht_5451wt_838

These, however, are 4 ohm speakers, and would require better amplification than some other choices.

Also, whether you would like them or would prefer something else is difficult to say. My advice is to go to your local stereo shops and listen to as many speakers as you can stand to listen to in your price range, with a CDR you make of things you like and are familiar with. Your taste in music is relevant to which virtues you may require and which vices you may tolerate.

Concerning speaker cables, don't fall for the hype. Go for Blue Jeans or Monoprice. Either way, you'll get quality cables at great prices.

obento said:

Hello im new to this forum , I'm looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers around the price of $500, any suggestions? I know PSB image B6, Klipsch RB-61 II, and paradigm mini monitor are decent and fit within my budet.
Also, what else would I need to set up bookshelf speakers? speaker cables and a receiver? What type of receiver do i need? im quite new to this.. Thank you.

Click to expand...

I should have said in my earlier post that the receiver (or integrated amplifier, or preamplifier and power amplifier) that you require will be determined by the speakers you select. If you pick speakers that are very efficient and an easy load, you can use almost any amplification you want, but some speakers are inefficient or a more difficult load than some others, and those speakers will require an amplifier of some ability. However, the sound quality is mostly determined by the speakers, so you want to make sure you get good ones, and if the ones you like happen to be a difficult load, it is a good idea to bite the bullet, as it were, and get a good amplifier to drive them.

So, the upshot is, you need to select your speakers first in order to know what you will need to drive them.

For information about speaker wire:

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Basically, just don't get too small of a gauge of wire and you will be fine; there is a chart on that page to guide you on that.