Too many affordable bookshelf speakers to choose from

[Davidt1]

As I continue my search for affordable, great-sounding and good-looking mini monitors, I become exasperated because there are many choices. I was all set on the AV123 ELT525. Then I read about others made by companies such as:

EPOS
Whaferdale
PSB
KEF
USHER
DANA
Paradigm
Jamo

Some of them actually beat the ID stuff in look and price. I am still looking.

 

[fredk]

Then I read about...

You can find good reviews and positive opinions about tons of speakers. Once you start listening, you will probably find that there are a limited few that sound really good to you.

 

[mazersteven]

Once you get to auditioning speakers you'll fine how few speakers there really are.

 

[gene]

Some of them actually beat the ID stuff in look and price. I am still looking.

Don't ever fall for the fallacy that ID brands always offer better performance and value than brick & mortar brands. This is sometimes far from the truth.

Anyone can design a speaker and sell it direct and of course get a fan boy following on the forums. Don't limit your options, try everything you can, preferably in the same room and listening conditions if possible. Use reviews, even the ones here as a guideline to determine what may be worth auditioning but never treat reviews as a biblical source. Though you tend to get more/less mileage from reviews depending on who is conducting the review and for what publication.

 

[Davidt1]

Adding to the list:

Totem
Monitor Audio

 

[Steve.]

Don't ever fall for the fallacy that ID brands always offer better performance and value than brick & mortar brands. This is sometimes far from the truth.

Anyone can design a speaker and sell it direct and of course get a fan boy following on the forums. Don't limit your options, try everything you can, preferably in the same room and listening conditions if possible. Use reviews, even the ones here as a guideline to determine what may be worth auditioning but never treat reviews as a biblical source. Though you tend to get more/less mileage from reviews depending on who is conducting the review and for what publication.

Too many people get suckered by the perceived notion that I.D. brands are better than name brands that have been around for decades. Many use generic drivers that cost less than $30 a piece. I've been to a number of trade shows over the years and have yet to see an I.D. speaker that really impressed me. Most of these speakers have better cabinets than drivers.

You get exactly what you pay for, a budget speaker that sounds OK. I know of no I.D. companies that have the resources to design a speaker like B&W, PSB, KEF, and Paradigm. Axiom is the only direct brand that I know of that uses the NRC research facility. I'll stick with brands like B&W, PSB, and KEF that have turned out great sounding speakers for 30 years or more.

 

[bandphan]

I know of no I.D. companies that have the resources to design a speaker like B&W, PSB, KEF, and Paradigm. I'll stick with brands like B&W, PSB, and KEF that have turned out great sounding speakers for 30 years or more.

Lets not reverse bash, cause there are some great speakers that are not by way of B&M. The resources required to model a good speaker are similiar between the two, with dollars for driver specing being the main difference imo. Ive had owned mostly B&Ms, but before there was Internet, there were some nice regional speaker designers putting out some quality products. These products were BWOM and grew cult followings. Can you imagine B&W being kicked around in their inception by the ARs and JBLs back in the 60s

 

[emorphien]

Adding to the list:

Totem
Monitor Audio

Ascend
B&W
Focal

Definitely do audition. If you find one in stores that you really like the next step (if you can) would be to try it at home against the internet direct speakers. Just like speakers at the stores, you won't know if you'll like ID speakers until you've had a chance to listen to them.

Too many people get suckered by the perceived notion that I.D. brands are better than name brands that have been around for decades. Many use generic drivers that cost less than $30 a piece. I've been to a number of trade shows over the years and have yet to see an I.D. speaker that really impressed me. Most of these speakers have better cabinets than drivers.

You get exactly what you pay for, a budget speaker that sounds OK. I know of no I.D. companies that have the resources to design a speaker like B&W, PSB, KEF, and Paradigm. Axiom is the only direct brand that I know of that uses the NRC research facility. I'll stick with brands like B&W, PSB, and KEF that have turned out great sounding speakers for 30 years or more.

This seems a bit knee-jerk to me. It's perfectly possible to listen to all those store brands and not like any of them as much as an ID brand. For instance I'm not a huge fan of B&W or Paradigm from the models I've heard, and I'm on the fence about some of the various KEF models. PSB I generally like although not so much some of their lower end models (they're good value but I've heard other things I liked better).

 

[j_garcia]

Too many people get suckered by the perceived notion that I.D. brands are better than name brands that have been around for decades. Many use generic drivers that cost less than $30 a piece. I've been to a number of trade shows over the years and have yet to see an I.D. speaker that really impressed me. Most of these speakers have better cabinets than drivers.

Then you haven't listened to enough. The midbass drivers in my speakers are $24 each. Cabinets are where the big names try to save money and it shows in the lower lines quite readily.

You get exactly what you pay for, a budget speaker that sounds OK. I know of no I.D. companies that have the resources to design a speaker like B&W, PSB, KEF, and Paradigm. Axiom is the only direct brand that I know of that uses the NRC research facility. I'll stick with brands like B&W, PSB, and KEF that have turned out great sounding speakers for 30 years or more.

All the resources in the world don't make a great speaker. You need an engineer that knows what they are doing... I'm not saying the big names don't produce great speakers, because they do, but don't try to lump all ID companies into your opinion.

 

[fredk]

Axiom is the only direct brand that I know of that uses the NRC research facility.

They have built their own onsite facilities including an anechoic chamber. That alone should suggest to you that they are quite serious about producing a good product.

You do get what you pay for. In the case of companies like B&W and Paradigm you pay for their marketing AND their brand recognition. Some B&M companies like PSB don't seem to charge a premium for brand recognition.

A good ID product can offer you a better value than a good B&M distributed product. As with any product, you just need to do your research to find the better companies.

 

[urlwolf]

I just listened to the Whaferdale 9.2 after reading a lot of good reviews. It was dissapointing. They have this 'UK' sound with no highs.

 

[gene]

Axiom is the only direct brand that I know of that uses the NRC research facility.

It's great when companies have this resource at their disposal but its NOT a requirement in making an excellent loudspeaker system.

 

[blued888]

I just listened to the Whaferdale 9.2 after reading a lot of good reviews. It was dissapointing. They have this 'UK' sound with no highs.

Did you notice that they also sound "laid back" compared to other speaker brands? I mean when I listened to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.6, they sounded like they were hiding their sound from me. Highs were exisent but not very well-pronounced. Totally different from the Infinity Primus line which I also auditioned.

 

[Davidt1]

Did you notice that they also sound "laid back" compared to other speaker brands? I mean when I listened to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.6, they sounded like they were hiding their sound from me. Highs were exisent but not very well-pronounced. Totally different from the Infinity Primus line which I also auditioned.

Sound like my kind of speakers, if "laid back" means the same thing to us. I like speakers that are non-fatiguing, smooth and pleasant to listen to for hours.

 

[mazersteven]

I like speakers that are non-fatiguing, smooth and pleasant to listen to for hours.

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

 

[jostenmeat]

Sound like my kind of speakers, if "laid back" means the same thing to us. I like speakers that are non-fatiguing, smooth and pleasant to listen to for hours.

I would consider giving Dynaudio a listen. However, the price tags can push the definition of what you might consider to be affordable. Very phase coherent. Smooth. Pleasant.

However, a bad room can make ANY speaker sound unsmooth, unpleasant, and fatiguing. It's just something to note. Find the best room, if you possibly have a choice in the matter.

For ID brands, and I'm sure its been mentioned already, I would heartily recommend Ascend as well. Pick whatever model fits your price point.

 

[Davidt1]

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

It's too bad they don't have silver or white anymore, as I am looking for finishes other than black. Thanks anyway.

 

[mazersteven]

It's too bad they don't have silver or white anymore, as I am looking for finishes other than black. Thanks anyway.

Piano Gloss Black
Rosenut
Natural Oak

 

[Davidt1]

Piano Gloss Black
Rosenut
Natural Oak

I didn't click on the link earlier, thinking it's their budget speakers you were referring too. Their new speakers are more than I want to spend. I try to keep it around $400 a pair.

 

[Midcow2]

Price range for Bookshelf ?

You didn't sepcify any price range??

I you want to spend less than $100 shipped then the Sony SS-B3000s are pretty good. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/493591-REG/Sony_SS_B3000_SS_B3000_3_Way_Bookshelf_Speakers.html

If you want some really good speakers try the Wison Audio brand. Their Duette sells for $10,950 and is an excellent bookshelf speaker.
http://www.avguide.com/products/product-4055/