Too many affordable bookshelf speakers to choose from

[mike c]

http://store.audioholics.com/product/1173/19/yamaha-ns-333-two-way-bass-reflex-bookshelf-speaker-system--pair-

You didn't sepcify any price range??

I try to keep it around $400 a pair.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

If it is specifically minimonitors you are looking for (not just bookshelves in general), then the Cambridge Audio S30s are tough to beat. You can get them for just $230/pr, and IMO they sound as good as any minimonitors on the market, including the $1000/pr B&Ws.

 

[Midcow2]

three bears porridge

http://store.audioholics.com/product/1173/19/yamaha-ns-333-two-way-bass-reflex-bookshelf-speaker-system--pair-

Thanks Mike_C I guess I missed the price range when I was scanning through the thread last night.

My favorite choice a little over priced bu i added sub:

Cambridge Audio S30 $219 too little, 3 bear porridge too cold
SVS PB10-NSD subwoofer $429
======
$648 (too high sorry)


Or speakers by themself:

Mordaunt Short Mezzo 1 = $594 ( arg still too high sorry) too big, 3 bear porridge too hot


Mordaunt Short Avant 903i, 2-way Bipole Surround Speakers, What Home Cinema? "Best Buy" Award Winner (PAIR) just right! porridge just right
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/mordaunt-short-903i-bipole.html
$350.

What do you think ?

 

[Midcow2]

agree Cambridge Audio S30 is a good choice

If it is specifically minimonitors you are looking for (not just bookshelves in general), then the Cambridge Audio S30s are tough to beat. You can get them for just $230/pr, and IMO they sound as good as any minimonitors on the market, including the $1000/pr B&Ws.

I agree with Joe on this one; very good speakers for the price. You can order or $219 for here:
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/mordaunt-short-903i-bipole.html

 

[speakerman39]

One brand I would like to mention is Polk Audio. Right now, Crutchfield has some really good deals on the "Monitor" series. The Monitor 30's are only $129.99 a set. Here is a link for you.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RjTPAMa5VPN/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=37900&i=107MON30B&tp=186

The Monitor 40's are even better but go for $229.99 a set. Once again here is a link for you.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RjTPAMa5VPN/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=37900&i=107MON40B&tp=186

Personally, I really like the 40's myself. The RTi or the newer TRiA series is much better, but if money is tight the "Monitor" series is decent. Polk usually sounds very crisp and detailed to me and can be a bit forward sounding. Others say it is bright. Of course, many say that about Axiom as well, but yet I did not find Axiom to sound bright at all. Just try to listen to as many speakers as you can and sooner or later YOU will find the one brand that works for YOU. Who really cares what others think-it is more about what YOU prefer right? Who knows better than YOU what YOU like? As always, the speakers also have to fit into your budget as we all only have so much money to work with. Good luck and happy hunting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[bandphan]

One brand I would like to mention is Polk Audio. Right now, Crutchfield has some really good deals on the "Monitor"

Cheers,

Phil

just a note and not bookshelves... tweeter has the monitor 50's for 225 for the pair

http://tweeter.com/2008AUG/default.asp?pge=3

 

[j_garcia]

Going to go out on a limb here and say that nothing in Polk's Monitor line will come anywhere near the quality of some of the other speakers mentioned here, such as the S30s.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Going to go out on a limb here and say that nothing in Polk's Monitor line will come anywhere near the quality of some of the other speakers mentioned here, such as the S30s.

I would not call that going out on a limb at all.

 

[Davidt1]

I kept thinking the S30 were Pulliam's favorite of the month, but it seems that others have good things to say about them too. My current Polk RM7600 speakers have 5.25'' drivers. Isn't going from 5.25'' to 4'' a downgrade? My goal is to get 3 identical front speakers. My maximum budget for 3 speakers is $600. I won't buy cheaper simply because some speakers are cheaper....unless there are glowing reviews and testimony. I know there are people who might be searching for budget speakers like I am, so I put together a list speakers with the same driver size 5.25'' and price range. Prices are per pair.

ID speakers:

AV123 525M $300 + Shipping (love the look and the relatively small size; good return policy)

Axiom M2 V2 $280 Shipped (love the finish choices with matching grill; 30 day return)

Aperion Intimus 5B $450 Shipped (the most expensive here but solidly built; good return policy)

SVS SBS-01 $225 + Shipping (only come in black; 45 day return)

Retail Speakers:

KEF IQ1 $250 Shipped

Cambridge Audio S30 $219 Shipped

Paradigm Atom V.5 $250 + Shipping

PSB Alpha B1 $280 + Shipping

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I kept thinking the S30 were Pulliam's favorite of the month, but it seems that others have good to say about them too. My current Polk RM7600 speakers have 5.25'' drivers. Isn't going from 5.25'' to 4'' a downgrade?

I searched the Audioholics member list for "Pulliam", and there isn't one.

Driver size has nothing to do with speaker quality. As it happens, however, the drivers on the S30s measure 5.25", not 4".

 

[speakerman39]

just a note and not bookshelves... tweeter has the monitor 50's for 225 for the pair

http://tweeter.com/2008AUG/default.asp?pge=3

Awesome deal. Thanks for the info. The op mentioned only bookshelfs. But, the deal on the 50's would tempt me because I do like the 40's.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[j_garcia]

I would not call that going out on a limb at all.

I was being facetious

 

[speakerman39]

Going to go out on a limb here and say that nothing in Polk's Monitor line will come anywhere near the quality of some of the other speakers mentioned here, such as the S30s.

Hey John, I am not too familiar with the S30's. My older bro had some Cambridge speakers 15 years ago or so and I thought they were quite good. Would not be surprised if the S30's are that good. I just was trying to give the op some other choices. The Monitor 40's are pretty good imho. Not as good as my RTi6's, but still pretty good. Given the price on the 50's as bandphan pointed out, the 50's are an incredible buy right now.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

I was being facetious

No way John NOT you...........LOL!!!!!! BTW, my older bro has been thinking about getting him some new speakers. As such, i will mention the s30's to him. Thanks for the info.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Matt34]

Ascend SE-170

Infinity Primus 162

 

[j_garcia]

If you keep an eye on Frys, you might be able to grab a pair of P362s for $200 ($99 ea on sale). That is about the best deal going these days IMO. Not a bookshelf though, but it is a great deal www.frys.com

 

[bandphan]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/bg-z-1

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Ascend SE-170

Infinity Primus 162

The OP specified that he was looking for minimonitors. Not sure about the Ascends, but the 162s are much too big to qualify. (In fact, this observation applies to a lot of the suggestions I have seen here.)

 

[j_garcia]

The 170s are fairly small in size for the amount of sound they yeild. Not sure if I would call it a "mini"-monitor though, but it fits in with the brands mentioned.

Also, I will have to add in the Mordaunt Short Avant 902i. Rather small bookshelf with good bass for the size and very clean sound overall. $350 right now, but have been on sale for much less here.

 

[speakerman39]

Hey Guys, what about these? Many have found these to be quite amazing given their size and price point. Here is a link for the OP:

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/acculine-a1/products_id/65

To be honest, I have never heard these. Perhaps some other members have and can chime in so to speak. Just thought I would mention them. This entire series may be just what the OP is looking for.

Cheers,

Phil