Need super sounding bookshelf speakers help!!

[sailfish]

Ok.....over the last 24 hours have have done some serious reading. Here is where I am now. I want some good power. I seem to come back to the Onkyo TX-rs805. would this be a good choice or should I try to piece together a component system? Obviously my original budget has gone out the window. For speakers I like the ascend seirra 1. I know there are many others. I might even go higher on the speakers. I want something small that sounds really good. Good aesthetics are a plus too. since i like jazz, a good low end would probably mean a sub. I now realize this thing will require some serious fun tickets......Now that Im in the upgrade mode what do you think? My living room is full of furniture so I dont want huge towers and such.....thanks

 

[mazersteven]

I might even go higher on the speakers. I want something small that sounds really good. Good aesthetics are a plus too. since i like jazz, a good low end would probably mean a sub. I now realize this thing will require some serious fun tickets......Now that Im in the upgrade mode what do you think?

Jazz like you've never heard it before.

AV123 Strata Mini's
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=78.1

 

[sailfish]

Man.....Steve.....I have the bucks.....I just dont have the room!!!! any other ideas?? I like where this is going.

 

[mazersteven]

Man.....Steve.....I have the bucks.....I just dont have the room!!!! any other ideas?? I like where this is going.

You have the room. Make room. You'll save on having to purchase a sub. Don't be a wuss. Do it.

I can't express how good I think these speakers are. Here they are in my house.

 

[majorloser]

Salk Sound

Not only sound good, but with looks that will knock your socks off.

http://www.salksound.com/home.shtml

http://www.salksound.com/gallery.shtml

(Sorry Mazer, I wasn't that inmpressed with the Mini Stratas)

 

[mazersteven]

(Sorry Mazer, I wasn't that impressed with the Mini Stratas)

And knowing your taste in sound I'm surprised. I was really impressed with the clarity, and detail of the highs and mids.

Sade sounded like she was singing to me.

 

[sailfish]

Steve........I really dont have the room. I have a couple of really small houses. Ive got to fit em in someway. I really love your passion.......feed me something smaller.

 

[gus6464]

Following majorloser's recommendation:

Veracity HT1
http://www.salksound.com/ht1.shtml

These are some other ID speakers that are very popular with 2ch applications.

NSM Model 10S
http://www.nsmaudio.com/brochures/10sbroc.html

 

[cbraver]

Man.....Steve.....I have the bucks.....I just dont have the room!!!! any other ideas?? I like where this is going.

Post a picture of your to-be listening space/room with all the clutter, and we'll tell you what to get rid of to make room for your speakers.

In all seriousness, a satelite-sub system will be great.

As far as you wanting big power: If the Onkyo isn't enough power, you can always use the pre-outs in the future to add amplifiers.

 

[stratman]

You guys are really great! The wife is a rocker.....I'm the one that wants a nice looking unit. I live in a fairly small metropolitan area but I cant find many audio stores. We have all the large box stores but I've found it virtually impossible to listen in these. As soon as you start to audition something, some 15 year old kid cranks up something near by. Most of the independent dealers around here don't even have show rooms. They just go out and wire all the new big ticket houses who's owners probably don't know anything about audio. Back in the day I remember listening to many speakers. I much prefered JBL to Advent. After years without quality audio we finally decided to treat ourselves. The idea was to give each other audio for Christmas. Here it is at the end of January. I think the wife might believe that this was just a ruse the get out of buying her a Christmas present!!!! I am headed to the "bookshelf speaker face off" right now...thanks

Another brand wich you might try is Gallo, they're round bookshelf speakers that provide great perfromance for the money, or Orb speakers which are similar in performance and cost a bit less. I happen to own the Gallos and I'm very happy with their performance, remember these are designed for smalish spaces. Check out: www.roundsound.com

 

[sailfish]

cbraver........maybe I could get rid of the wife and the dog!.....gee why didnt I think of that before!........are the orbs that good for music?.......kewl

 

[mazersteven]

cbraver........maybe I could get rid of the wife and the dog!.....gee why didnt I think of that before!........are the orbs that good for music?.......kewl

OMG we go from Ascend Sierra-1's to talking about Orbs.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Might as well go back to the Bose

OMG we go from Ascend Sierra-1's to talking about Orbs.

 

[majorloser]

There's always the MB Quartz ALEXXA B-Ones:

http://store.audioholics.com/product/785/19/mb-quart-alexxa-b-one-cherry-w-black

And I believe they are on sale

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=361320#post361320

 

[adwilk]

I personally havent had the opportunity to listen to many of the speakers listed in this thread, i have listened to some. My parents were in a similar situation with their main living room where entertaining and whatnot takes place. They share similar musical tastes as the OP. One thing i noticed in the post was for a good sounding speaker at low volumes. The Klipsch RB61 was a perfect fit. VERY Dynamic at low levels. The new line of reference speakers are significantly less "bright" than the previous models. Very detailed and impress most that hear them...

 

[gus6464]

There's always the MB Quartz ALEXXA B-Ones:

http://store.audioholics.com/product/785/19/mb-quart-alexxa-b-one-cherry-w-black

And I believe they are on sale

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?p=361320#post361320

Is that per pair or each?

 

[3db]

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

I've read thru this thread and I have a couple of questions; of all the NON internet brands mentioned here, how many are carried in your area by the audio dealers that you have? Have you tried to audtition them? If so, did you bring material you are very familiar with? Could you provide us a list of the speaker brands that you can get thru local dealers?

The other option you have is thru the internet as many here have mentioned. If you don't mind repacking and paying shipping in alot of cases if something doesn't turn out, then thats a viable option.

 

[Davemcc]

I now realize this thing will require some serious fun tickets......Now that Im in the upgrade mode what do you think?

It will be a lot cheaper to upgrade now, before you've bought anything, than to buy something and replace it because you're unhappy with it. The upfront cost may be higher but if you choose wisely, it's a one time deal.

 

[mazersteven]

The problem now is, Sailfish is totally confused. He has read, and been recommended to many options. That his head is in a tail-spin.

 

[sailfish]

3db......I have found one audio dealer in my area. I'm headed over there now. I believe the have totem and I'm not sure what else. I might also try to brave the box stores again. after today I should have a list....

Mazer........couldnt I just dangle ten or twelve of those little orbs everywhere?...or maybe make a mobile out of em?.....just kidding..