My shortlist and bookshelf/floorstander considerations

[AbyssalLoris]

I'm creating a new thread as I believe my last few questions might have got buried in the old thread.

So, I created a shortlist of bookshelves I'd be willing to buy (I'm yet to hear these though) after eliminating others for various reasons. These are all in the $300-350/pair range.

1. Monitor Audio R90/BR1 (unsure about prices, but shouldn't be too far from my range)
2. Mordaunt Short Avant 902i ($350)
3. PSB Alpha B1 ($280)
4. AV123 Onix Reference 0.5 ($300)
5. Axiom Audio M3 v2 ($330)

I did get a chance to listen to the Polk RTi6 and thought it was ok.
What are your opinions? Is there anything peculiar about the above speakers I might not have noticed?

Then, I got thinking about it (duh!), and realized that a pair of these bookshelves + stands is going to cost me almost as much as some budget floorstanders. Can someone please give me pros/cons of getting a pair of floorstanders instead?

My initial thoughts were that floorstanders are too imposing for my living room, but then bookshelves on stands are hardly any more compact.

I'm aware that I'll get better frequency range coverage from floorstanders, but will they be also harder to drive? I'm considering an Onkyo SR605. That is the max I can afford, if at all, considering I just bought a Plasma TV today. Besides, will getting a floor'er allow me to ditch the subwoofer? The floor'ers I could afford are:

1. AV123 x-mtm (there's a great B-stock price, but A-stock is possible too)
2. Polk Rti8
3. Monitor Audio B4 (Doesn't show up on their site, I guess it is an older model. But I can get a good deal on these)

Again, I haven't looked into floor'ers much, so feel free to throw suggestions at me.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hmmmmmmmmmm. I just read what I believe was your first post here at Audioholics. You have a modest sized room, do not need hi volume, and want accuracy. My ramblings:

Your choice of center speaker will be the most important, and even more so for you imo. Stay away from the typical horizontal mtm speaker if at all possible. Accuracy in HT is not too difficult imo, EXCEPT for the human voice. Who is to say that an alien spaceship coming out of the ground in War of the Worlds sounds inaccurate on a system?

Floorstanders will require more power, because of the lower x-over point or just pure lack of. For 99.9% of the speakers out there, its the low frequencies that are harder to drive. Whats nice about the .1 subwoofer is that it usually comes with its own amp as well in the purchase.

That being said, a hi-quality pair of towers will provide better bass than a pair of hi-quality bookshelves + crappy sub. I know, I've experienced it first hand. Not even close (depending on units compared of course). Otoh, the lfe channel is its OWN channel, but I still strongly believe what I say in this paragraph.

The 605 might be fine if volumes are indeed low/moderate, in your modest space, with modest distances from speakers. Could be quite fine indeed. Does that unit have pre-amp outputs in the case that you ever did go crazy and/or moved to a much larger space?

for extra thoughts on bookshelves vs floorstanders, I offered my own opinion in post #25:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34792&page=3

Now, many people say they think they can get better performance from hi-quality bookshelves + hi-quality sub, lets say in a music rig. Because the best placement for bass rarely coincides with the speaker locations. Otoh, in a typical room, I find that there really isn't so many sub placement options either, if looks matter at all. For argument's sake, I think that the success of such a setup can matter very much at the x-over point chosen, and the ability to "dial" it in.

Honestly, for your needs, you probably will be happy either way, be it bkshelves or floors. Floors will have similar height and similar footprints, but maybe they just might look bulkier. Eye of the beholder... then again maybe they could be the best looking pieces of furniture in the room

The x towers look like they might be very good lookers. Another line to check out are the PSB towers, you should be able to find T45's for a very similar price.

 

[mazersteven]

So, I created a shortlist of bookshelves I'd be willing to buy (I'm yet to hear these though) after eliminating others for various reasons. These are all in the $300-350/pair range.

1. Monitor Audio R90/BR1 (unsure about prices, but shouldn't be too far from my range)
2. Mordaunt Short Avant 902i ($350)
3. PSB Alpha B1 ($280)
4. AV123 Onix Reference 0.5 ($300)
5. Axiom Audio M3 v2 ($330)


1. AV123 x-mtm (there's a great B-stock price, but A-stock is possible too)
2. Polk Rti8
3. Monitor Audio B4 (Doesn't show up on their site, I guess it is an older model. But I can get a good deal on these)

You might want to add these bookshelf speakers to your list. They can be purchased in your budget range.

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

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

And right now Ascend is having a sale on b-stock (with new drivers and tweeters) for $458 a pair. Just giving information on some great deals out there.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

And you might want to add these budget towers to your list. They have been getting a lot of attention along with the bookshelfs in this series. I have not auditioned them. But hope to very soon.

Acculine A3 tower loudspeaker
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=67

And something else you might want to consider. They would stretch your budget a little. Excellent reviews. It not, no harm done. Great opportunity to get an excellent quality tower speaker at budget prices.

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=47

 

[mike c]

I think the Monitor Audio BR2 is within your 300-350 budget (i think it's 200+ net)

personally, I'd skip the radius series unless you had some size restriction

 

[howaboutthat41]

Lots of good stuff listed in your post and the various replies. Those Swan 5.1's that mazersteven linked at the bottom of his post look mighty sweet, even at full retail (which they most certainly are not). The Dana 630 and Acculines from the same site seem like winners, as well. Might want to consider the JBL Studio-L series bookshelves, also.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

What is a good place (store/web-store) to check prices on Monitor Audio speakers and how would I go about listening to them? I know there is a local store that has lots of MA products, but they all seem to be the older range.

 

[mazersteven]

What is a good place (store/web-store) to check prices on Monitor Audio speakers and how would I go about listening to them? I know there is a local store that has lots of MA products, but they all seem to be the older range.

Use the "Dealer Locater" on the Monitor Audio web-site and call around to find the speakers you want to audition. Or ask your local dealer to get them for you to audition.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

I am definitely kicking the Monitor Audio Radius series out.

That Dana looks like a good option too, but isn't it 4 ohm? I have been looking at some 4 ohm speakers and my AVR budget might not allow something good enough to power 4 ohms well.

By the way, I was able to audition a couple of speakers (that were not on my list) last weekend. I heard the Polk Rti6 and the B&W 600 series (old and new versions - don't remember the model numbers). Liked both somewhat, but it's not like I was blown away or anything.

Unfortunately I don't know too many other stores in my area, so I'm not counting on auditioning many others. I will be able to check out some Monitor Audio speakers though. There are a few sources around here. That is for next weekend.

 

[3db]

My recommendation to you is PSB but

I would upgrade to the Image B1. Although the speaker sizes and even cabinets are approximatley the same, the Image B1 is a mucg better speaker. Not that the Alpha is bad. The Image is just better. I use mine as surrounds.
Good luck and have fun

I'm creating a new thread as I believe my last few questions might have got buried in the old thread.

So, I created a shortlist of bookshelves I'd be willing to buy (I'm yet to hear these though) after eliminating others for various reasons. These are all in the $300-350/pair range.

1. Monitor Audio R90/BR1 (unsure about prices, but shouldn't be too far from my range)
2. Mordaunt Short Avant 902i ($350)
3. PSB Alpha B1 ($280)
4. AV123 Onix Reference 0.5 ($300)
5. Axiom Audio M3 v2 ($330)

I did get a chance to listen to the Polk RTi6 and thought it was ok.
What are your opinions? Is there anything peculiar about the above speakers I might not have noticed?

Then, I got thinking about it (duh!), and realized that a pair of these bookshelves + stands is going to cost me almost as much as some budget floorstanders. Can someone please give me pros/cons of getting a pair of floorstanders instead?

My initial thoughts were that floorstanders are too imposing for my living room, but then bookshelves on stands are hardly any more compact.

I'm aware that I'll get better frequency range coverage from floorstanders, but will they be also harder to drive? I'm considering an Onkyo SR605. That is the max I can afford, if at all, considering I just bought a Plasma TV today. Besides, will getting a floor'er allow me to ditch the subwoofer? The floor'ers I could afford are:

1. AV123 x-mtm (there's a great B-stock price, but A-stock is possible too)
2. Polk Rti8
3. Monitor Audio B4 (Doesn't show up on their site, I guess it is an older model. But I can get a good deal on these)

Again, I haven't looked into floor'ers much, so feel free to throw suggestions at me.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

I might look into that once I know the price.

But it depends on being able to find someone who carries PSB in my area. From what I have read, the Alpha has poorer construction and cabinetry than some other options at the same price point. To me that means two things: either PSB usually sells at a higher price point (indicative of subjective quality/ brand name matters as is probably the case with B&W), or they have maximized driver quality at the cost of building materials. The latter is ok, but I have no way of knowing unless I can listen to the speakers.

Wait I just remembered one of the stores who carries MA also carries PSB. Worth a try.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Towers will let you ditch the sub for music, but not for HT unless they are unusually bass capable (not likely in your price range.) They will definitely let you set the crossover lower, though, which helps with blending and preventing the sub from being localizable.

 

[3db]

where did you read that?

I'm kinda curious. I know PSB Aphas didn't fare that well on this site because the reviewer compared the Alpha Towers to speakers costing almost 10 times the price. Hardly a fair comparison.

I might look into that once I know the price.

But it depends on being able to find someone who carries PSB in my area. From what I have read, the Alpha has poorer construction and cabinetry than some other options at the same price point. To me that means two things: either PSB usually sells at a higher price point (indicative of subjective quality/ brand name matters as is probably the case with B&W), or they have maximized driver quality at the cost of building materials. The latter is ok, but I have no way of knowing unless I can listen to the speakers.

Wait I just remembered one of the stores who carries MA also carries PSB. Worth a try.

 

[AbyssalLoris]

I'm kinda curious. I know PSB Aphas didn't fare that well on this site because the reviewer compared the Alpha Towers to speakers costing almost 10 times the price. Hardly a fair comparison.

Sorry my friend, I can't remember or locate where I read that. But I do recall that it was compared unfavorably to comparatively priced speakers in terms of build quality.

Now that does not mean that they don't sound good or better even, but I don't know that. I will have to listen to them and find them sounding significantly better than others at the same price for me to overlook the negative.

 

[3db]

how goes the battle?

Sorry my friend, I can't remember or locate where I read that. But I do recall that it was compared unfavorably to comparatively priced speakers in terms of build quality.

Now that does not mean that they don't sound good or better even, but I don't know that. I will have to listen to them and find them sounding significantly better than others at the same price for me to overlook the negative.

any luck with the auditioning?

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Not yet. I've only been able to listen to some Polks (Rti6, Rti8) and B&Ws (old and new 600 series bookshelf) - courtesy of easily locatable dealers.

I'm hoping to go around to one store this weekend and I'll definitely be able to check out some Monitor Audios and PSBs. Beyond that I'm drawing a blank. I need to locate some more dealers in my area. But I expect to get busy after this weekend and might put this whole thing off a few weeks.

 

[rnatalli]

These are all fine choices and it really comes down to which sounds best to your ears. I personally have Mordaunt speakers and I really like the refined sound. Many Mordaunts are 4 Ohm and very inefficient speakers which means you need good power to make them sing. I really liked the PSB and Axiom speakers I've heard. AV123 and MA also make good speakers. You could always order a single pair of each and try them out if you don't have all of these locally to audition. Then buy the whole package once you decide. AC4L has lots of deals on Mordaunts and DMC Electronics for PSB. AV123 and Axiom sell direct so what you see is what you get. Soundcity has MA speakers. I think one speaker brand you shouldn't overlook is Ascend Acoustics. They're making some fine speakers. Good Luck!

 

[applemnet]

I ordered the Dana 630's. They are on sale for 349.00 shipped,until the end of month. Check out the latest review at avs forum. A forum member used a panny 55 and was plenty of power for them. They will be in Craigsub's blind speaker testing on the 21st. They are Craigsub's favorite speakers. I can not wait to try these out!!! Good luck! two dozen pairs left!!!!!!!Hurry you have 30 days to try them out.

 

[applemnet]

Dana 630 speakers

I ordered the Dana 630's. They are on sale for 349.00 shipped,until the end of month. Check out the latest review at avs forum. A forum member used a panny 55 and was plenty of power for them. They will be in Craigsub's blind speaker testing on the 21st. They are Craigsub's favorite speakers. I can not wait to try these out!!! Good luck! two dozen pairs left!!!!!!!Hurry you have 30 days to try them out.

The reviewer set them up in room with hardwood floor and no curtains on windows and they sounded very good!

 

[mazersteven]

They will be in Craigsub's blind speaker testing on the 21st. They are Craigsub's favorite speakers.

Didn't you know that Craigsub is deaf in one ear?

 

[AbyssalLoris]

Ok what's all this about blind testing by Craigsub? Who is Craigsub? What kind of operation does he run? Info please...