Need super sounding bookshelf speakers help!!

[sailfish]

well I just returned from the only audio place I have found in an area of more than 350000 people. There was a conference going on in the main sound room so the guy took me back to another room and I listened to a pair of B&W tower speakers. I think they were 803s. Sounded great. Maybe some of you know where I could get a deal on a set. This guy wanted 8 grand (I think a stripper must have been included). Just a little more than I have budgeted at this time. I'll go back later and listen to some bookshelves he had. I did find out one thing. I cant tolerate high levels of sound. I have a bad ear from nerve damage in my head and anything too noisy sounds muddled. I need something that sounds good at low levels.

 

[furrycute]

I think that price sounds about right for the 803. Maybe you can knock off 10% or so.

Were there a pair of 802D's for comparison? That is an AWESOME speaker! Well worth the price.

Also don't forget. To properly drive those monsters you need some high end amp/preamp. Those don't come cheap.

 

[furrycute]

What is your budget?

Saturday Audio (store is in Chicago, they also do internet sales, do a search on google) is having a sale on PSB speakers.

The PSB Image T65 might just be what you are looking for. These are full range speakers (well, not as full range as the B&W 803, that's for sure). And a pair of T65 will only set you back about $1200 or so. There aren't many speakers in this price range that can trump the T65's.

Go to audioreview.com and do a search on the T65's. Many people have had very good experiences with this particular model. Plus they are easy to drive. A midrange receiver should be more than sufficient.


Also, take a look at the Yamaha Savo speakers on sale at the Audioholics store (yes, right here on this site). I've read a couple of reviews on that big tower. This is the best speaker Yamaha has brought out in years. Before anyone slams Yamaha for just okay speakers, remember, Yamaha made the NS-1000M speaker with that beryllium tweeter back in the 70's. That NS-1000M redefined what hifi was back then. Some people say that even today, the NS-1000M is still one of the best speakers EVER made. Give that big Savo tower a try. Yamaha knows their stuff.

 

[Guangui]

www.upscaleaudio.com, an authorized PSB dealer has a clearance sale going. They have PSB Image T65 at $719.00/pr. New A-Stock. Excellent price.

Saturday Audio, www.saturdayaudio.com, has excellent customer service and might be able to match or get close to that price.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Why the heck would you listen to speakers that cost way more than you are willing to spend? Find all the speakers you can, in your price range and listen to those.

 

[Davemcc]

If you like the B&W, you probably would also like Focal.JMLabs. I've heard the Chorus 816v and it sounds pretty darn good for being a quarter the price.

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/13210

 

[Guangui]

Why the heck would you listen to speakers that cost way more than you are willing to spend? Find all the speakers you can, in your price range and listen to those.

Because, as you know, people here start with $400.00 budget, and end up paying $2K. All thanks to us...

 

[sailfish]

Greg.......You didnt read my post close enough...THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO AUDIO PLACES HERE......I live in a city of 300,000 or so and I'm telling you there isnt one good place. Most you the high end joint do upscale installs. This one plce where I heard the B&ws had a conference going on in there main show room so I couldnt demo the few speakers that they had. The had B&W, polk, and Klipch. I will go back later. This is a process for me. That is what you good people are here for, to speed this process up. I started off thinking that I needed Bookshelves with maybe a sub. Now I'm at least looking at towers. They have to have some visual appeal as well.

 

[sailfish]

Because, as you know, people here start with $400.00 budget, and end up paying $2K. All thanks to us...

You are sooo right

 

[mazersteven]

Why the heck would you listen to speakers that cost way more than you are willing to spend? Find all the speakers you can, in your price range and listen to those.

I disagree to a certain extent. The reason I disagree is if you audition some high end speakers you can get an audible idea what sounds good, and also what sound you like. Then when you audition speakers within your budget you can have a better idea on how well a speaker performs.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Oh, ok...make sure I have this straight.

You either want a F-150 or a Chevy Colbalt. You know the truck can haul more but the cobalt will get better gas mileage. There are more things you like and dislike about each model but they end up in a tie. You decide that the test drive will decide the final outcome so you go to the dealer and test drive a corvette. The test drive sums it up and you get the Colbalt...?

I disagree to a certain extent. The reason I disagree is if you audition some high end speakers you can get an audible idea what sounds good, and also what sound you like. Then when you audition speakers within your budget you can have a better idea on how well a speaker performs.

 

[sailfish]

Jazz like you've never heard it before.

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

how many of you have heard these speakers????.....I'm trying to get over the unusual look(for me, anyway).

 

[mazersteven]

Oh, ok...make sure I have this straight.

You either want a F-150 or a Chevy Colbalt. You know the truck can haul more but the cobalt will get better gas mileage. There are more things you like and dislike about each model but they end up in a tie. You decide that the test drive will decide the final outcome so you go to the dealer and test drive a corvette. The test drive sums it up and you get the Colbalt...?

Terrible Analogy

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It kind of gave me a laugh...

Terrible Analogy

 

[Guangui]

Sailfish, read this thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39934

As you can see you can do very good with $299.00/pr. PSB B25 (If you want black it will cost around $325.00/pr.)

 

[sailfish]

Sailfish, read this thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39934

As you can see you can do very good with $299.00/pr. PSB B25 (If you want black it will cost around $325.00/pr.)

read it thanks

 

[oldgringo]

how many of you have heard these speakers????.....I'm trying to get over the unusual look(for me, anyway):

AV123 Strata Mini's
http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=78.1

. . . why sailfish? Do YOU like 'em? Does your favorite Rocker like 'em?

If it's "YES" maybe you should build your system around them???

Maybe you could pick the guy who's made the most sense to you, up to now; get on the old "PM" facility and co-design a system! Or even identify a trustworthy 'retail' adviser to help with that, now you have all that invaluable input.

og.

 

[vausa99]

B&w

Sail...I auditioned both the B&W CM1 and the 685. I much preferred the 685s. I am fortunate to have a high end store locally and could listen to them before hand. The 685s run around $650/pair which seems to be close to your $500/pair target. I definitely think they are worthy of consideration. They are quite lovely as well with the yellow kevlar cone and in the rich cherry finish. FYI, they are quite deep for a bookshelf.

Rob

 

[Guangui]

Sail...I auditioned both the B&W CM1 and the 685. I much preferred the 685s. I am fortunate to have a high end store locally and could listen to them before hand. The 685s run around $650/pair which seems to be close to your $500/pair target. I definitely think they are worthy of consideration. They are quite lovely as well with the yellow kevlar cone and in the rich cherry finish. FYI, they are quite deep for a bookshelf.

Rob

Close as in 23.1% ($150.00) higher than his budget, or part of his monthly electric bill, or two or three water bills higher, or two weeks of groceries??? 23.1% above his budget is a big deviation from it. Let's say you want to buy a 2008 Audi A4 1.8T, and it is $35,000.00, well if you upped your budget 23.1% you could buy a $45,513.00 2008 Audi A6. Only $10,513.00 more, what a bargain!!!

Why is it so difficult to give advise within the OP's budget? There are great alternatives for $500.00 or less.

 

[nordhaven]

SR71 Kit – Complete with cabinets = $583.58

The ZA-SR71 kit includes everything you need for one pair of speakers, included assembled crossovers. A soldering iron/pen and screwdriver/drill are the only tools needed for assembly. As always, kit price as shown is the sum of the parts price with a 10% discount applied.

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35_40_402_408&products_id=8306

http://www.zaphaudio.com/SR71.html

You can get these in black ash, cherry or maple. Do not be worry about assembly they are very simple you just screw parts on and hook up the wires. It is just that simple. You can do it on your kitchen table in an hour!

Nothing in the commercial market in the sub $1,000 range is gonna come close to these in performance!! These are the brand of speakers that are used in the ultra high end boutique style equipment with outrageous price tags!

If you are not familiar with Seas speakers here is a link. They are top of the line! They are made in Norway and imported by only a few companies in the US. http://www.seas.no/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1