Need super sounding bookshelf speakers help!!

[sailfish]

Ive been following your threads for a couple of weeks. The wife says new music now! We havent had a decent sound system in years. Now I find out that there is more than just stereo. So I'm lost. Music is definatly our priority, But we recently bought a new samsung 42 inch LCD tv so we would probably want to hook that up as well. We have a smallish house so we dont want anything very big. I have been reading your posts about bookshelf speakers so I want to start here and then you can tell me what to drive them with. We listen to Jazz, Blues, some classical and some rock. No hip hop and no heavy metal. I would like a set up that sounds really good a low volume. I want to do this without breaking the bank ,but I want something that sounds really good. There arent any good audio stores near me so I will order from some of these independent companies on the net. I will have to depend on your many varied opinions about the sound of various speakers. Since I'm starting from scratch they will all sound good to me. ok....hear is a list of bookshelves that I have gleaned from your threads. I might include a sub woofer if necessary. list to follow

 

[mazersteven]

Don't know what budget your working with, but from your musical tastes I will recommend these

Ascend Acoustics
SIERRA-1
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html

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

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

Audio Insider
HiVi D2.1SE
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=69

SVS
MBS-01
http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

 

[sailfish]

The List: Aperion 632-Lr, Epos ELS-3, Acend CBM 170, AV1 Onix Ref 1(Ouch! may be more than Papas Bank will allow), AV123 X-LS, Swan Dana 630, axiom M22v2.......ok, this is my starting list. as you have probably noticed there is a huge divergence in price: Ref 1 $1200 pair and av123 X-ls $239 pair and so on. I want some really good sounding speakers but I want value. I dont want to spend a grand is I can get something comparable for $500.....you get the idea. So what do you like from the list? Feel free to add others ....thanks in advance

 

[sailfish]

wow Mazer steven!!!!! man that was fast!!

 

[j_garcia]

I haven't heard the Sierras, but I'd second the CMT-340SEs, which are also on sale I believe.

 

[Soundman]

Are looks important to you? I assume it would be if the WAF is involved, which it sounds like it is. I would reccomend the Sierra's over the 340's. They are a lot prettier. The 340's are also more like a mini tower. They are both nice sounding speakers though. Look, if you're going the Ascend route, just get the Sierra's.

 

[John Bailey]

I've not had a chance to audition any of the internet companies. Of the speakers I like, I usually suggest PSB Image B25, B&W 600 series and Monitor Audio Bronze 2RB. If you've got a little more money to spend, I would look at Focal JM Labs Chorus lines, both 700 and 800, the B&W 700 series and the Monitor Audio Silver. I think any of these, and the other suggestions, would give you excellent music. To my ears, the Focal JM Labs have the best sound. I couldn't hear much difference, if any, between the 700 and 800 series, but I love the looks of the 800's.

I would also suggest, if you are looking at mostly music, and you have a small room, that you stick to stereo for the time being. Although, when it comes time to pick and amp, if you think you're going to move to any type of surround sound, go with a decent 5.1 (at least) receiver. A decent one with 80-100 watts per channel will power any of the speakers that have been listed.

John

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No way you would be in the wrong with the Sierra's, they are sweet!

 

[Soundman]

No way you would be in the wrong with the Sierra's, they are sweet!

Agreed. And very pretty compared to the 340SE's.

 

[gus6464]

Monitor Audio GR10 ($999)
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/

Totem Rainmaker
http://www.totemacoustic.com/us/products/compact/rainmaker/

B&W CM1
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1065&sc=hf

Epos M-12.2
http://www.epos-acoustics.com/product_view.asp?name=m12.2

Since your budget is pretty healthy I would suggest you go out and listen to various speakers as you have quite a bit of options at your price range.

 

[gus6464]

I would also say something about these but Steven would be all over me.

They are bookselves though..http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd47/greggable/?action=view&current=IMG_0737.jpg

Paradigm Studio 40's! Another great addition to the list.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Glad you said it, I dont want to be a fanboy

Paradigm Studio 40's! Another great addition to the list.

 

[Guangui]

It's a long thread, so don't know if these were mentioned, if they were well here is another vote for them (all under $500.00):

PSB Image B25

Monitor Audio Silver Bronze Series

PSB Alpha B1

Monitor Audio Silver S2

Paradigm Titan Monitor

Usher S-520

Aperion 532-LR

Swan Diva 2.1

Triangle Titus ES

Triangle Stella ES

Triangle Comete 202

* Triangle is French speaker very highly rated, and very popular in Europe.

Some of these speakers are $500.00 or less, because they are on sale, so when they're gone the sale is over.

 

[sailfish]

Thanks guys.........I'm thinking that i might like to hold the main speaker cost down to $500 or so......is that too little? And If i go stereo instead of A/v, can I hook my tv up and will it sound good also?....sorry about my ignorance.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Give this a read.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/bookshelf-speaker-faceoff-2007

 

[Guangui]

Thanks guys.........I'm thinking that i might like to hold the main speaker cost down to $500 or so......is that too little? And If i go stereo instead of A/v, can I hook my tv up and will it sound good also?....sorry about my ignorance.

Only your pocket knows if $500.00 is sufficient or not. You can find good deals for $500.00 (I gave you a short list, and Greg gave you some reading material with more), but you have to look for them. Also, it would be nice if you go out and audition see what brands you liked. PSB for example tries hard to give all their speaker series SQ characteristics that define PSB as a brand. Monitor Audio does something similar, so does KEF, and others.

Yes, your TV will sound good in stereo, but not DVD movies or HD channels that broadcast 5.1. Start with a simple set up, look for good speakers on sale, as an example (I appologize for the constant mention):

PSB B25 $299.00/pr. (maple color only)
PSB C40 $219.00 (maple only)
PSB Alpha LR $129.00/pr. (any color)

For $647.00 you have an excellent start-up system, add $250.00 for a good sub, doesn't have to be great to start with. Or look for offerings from a company like Aperion that allows you to audition, and return in 30 days, if you don't like their speakers; and they pay freight both ways. Their Intimus 422 Harmony is $799.00 with sub. After you feel comfortable to upgrade, then do so, by then you will have acquired sufficient understanding as to know what you look for in speakers, and how much they are valued at.

I like PSB, because I feel you the most from your money. But, there are other brands out there that do the same.

 

[mazersteven]

Are we just recommending speakers we like, or speakers that will work well with the music the OP listens to?

 

[silversurfer]

Thanks guys.........I'm thinking that i might like to hold the main speaker cost down to $500 or so......is that too little? And If i go stereo instead of A/v, can I hook my tv up and will it sound good also?....sorry about my ignorance.

At $500/pr, that does narrow your choices, but I think you will still find something you like. There are a lot of great values in that segment. The key, as some are pointing out, is to have a listen to as many as you can.

 

[cbraver]

Super sounding..hm...

I'd recommend demoing Dynaudio Audience 42s:
http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/systems/lines/audience/audience42.php

Their review page:
http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/review/mreview.htm

They list higher than your budget, but once you talked to dealer down it would probably be pretty close.

They need some juice to come alive, which could cost more when I came to buying electronics, depending on the route you went (there are some inexpensive powerful amplifiers, they just don't have a high WAF).

Go demo them and see how you like 'em!

 

[Davemcc]

I need to suggest the Era D4 or the D5. I listened to the Epos, Triangle and Paradigm Studios before I bought the D5 and couldn't be happier. Even as I continue to audition speakers every chance I get, nothing has made me second guess the Era.