Best new pair of bookshelfs $250 shipped can buy

[jamie2112]

my choices on that list in order
Ascend
SVS
Kef
362
162
I would go with the Ascend or the SVS myself.....

 

[voltainthesky]

Do you have any experience with the SVS speakers? I really don't dig the way the acoustics look, but again, it's only the sound I'm really lookin to dig.

I also found a pair of Energy RC-10's on audiogon for $300... how would those compare to everything that has been mentioned?

 

[mike c]

103rd post: any of the speakers on your top 5 would be great. but you need to buy something already

 

[voltainthesky]

I know mike c, it's just that this is a really big purchase to me and I just want to make sure it will be perfect lol

jamie- any reason why you didn't rank the axioms on your list?

 

[poutanen]

I know mike c, it's just that this is a really big purchase to me and I just want to make sure it will be perfect lol

Take it from me, this won't be the last pair of speakers you ever buy. I'm probably a lightweight compared to most people here, and I can quickly count over $5000 I've spent in my early 20's on stereo stuff (let alone my projector, etc.). I'm actually scaling back to 5 bookshelf speakers and a sub, and believe it or not I'm looking forward to getting out of the dB race...

Eventually you're just going to have to pick a pair and go for it, unless some of the places allow risk free trials!?!

 

[jamie2112]

I know mike c, it's just that this is a really big purchase to me and I just want to make sure it will be perfect lol

jamie- any reason why you didn't rank the axioms on your list?

I am not a fan of the Axioms. I have heard the 80s and 60's and the mv22 and I thought that they were very bright in the hi end and I did not like the midrange in any of them. That is just my opinion of course. Lots of people on here love them Axioms so I may be in a small percentage of folks who do not like their sound. Heck I don't know I might be the only one who doesn't like them... I just got to hear the SVS at a friends place yesterday and after seeing them recommended quite often here I was really impressed. Plus with the package you get a great sub to boot....

 

[soundhound]

I am not a fan of the Axioms. I have heard the 80s and 60's and the mv22 and I thought that they were very bright in the hi end and I did not like the midrange in any of them. That is just my opinion of course. Lots of people on here love them Axioms so I may be in a small percentage of folks who do not like their sound. Heck I don't know I might be the only one who doesn't like them...

Nope, I felt the same way when I auditioned the mv3s. They almost sounded "hissy" and didn't do anything for me. Some people really like them, though.

That's a great price for the rc-10s. I would be very tempted. I would lean toward those or the Ascends. Have never heard the svs, so can't really comment on those, but I've heard good things about them.

 

[voltainthesky]

jamie- Which SVS speakers did he have, was it the SBS-01 or the newer SCS-01? And also, did he get the 5.1 package? I don't see any 2.1 package deals, although they mentioned that you could email them concerning getting a discount, which I just did.

I have very mixed feelings for the Axioms, think I might stay away from them for now

 

[bandphan]

they are your ears

 

[jamie2112]

jamie- Which SVS speakers did he have, was it the SBS-01 or the newer SCS-01? And also, did he get the 5.1 package? I don't see any 2.1 package deals, although they mentioned that you could email them concerning getting a discount, which I just did.

I have very mixed feelings for the Axioms, think I might stay away from them for now

He had the SBS series. I have not heard the SCS, but from what I heard with my friends SBS speakers I am sure they sound great!...He has a 5.1 system

 

[Ralls]

I can't vouch for any of the other speakers on your list, but I just got my CBM-170 SE's yesterday and listened to them as much as I could and they sounded absolutely amazing! These replaced some PSB Image 2B's (nearly identical to the B25's) and, to me, there is no comparison. I believe there is definitely something to be said for a neutral frequency response with good off-axis performance. Granted, I'm not through critiquing my new speakers, but based on what I've heard so far, I think they will definitely be keepers in the end. I threw all different genres of music at them last night and they performed exceptionally well with all of it and they go LOUD with ease. I have them in my bedroom and bass response is good, but I will eventually get a sub; I could hear the lower, sub 50 Hz frequencies, but they lacked oomph! Ascend even has some B-stock 170's right now for $306.24 + $20 shipping. Mine were B-stock and all I found was a scuff on the bottom of one and a light scratch on the side of the other. Good luck in your search.

 

[voltainthesky]

Hey guys... still haven't decided but maybe thats a good thing because vanns.com has a sale on KEF iQ3 right now and I could get either an iQ5 or iQ7 that would fit in my budget. Would these two models be better than the previously discussed speakers and better than the Infinity P362?

 

[gus6464]

I just came across a post on AVS about a pair of Quad L-ite in piano being available in the classifieds for $250. He even put them up on ebay so you can use the microsoft cash back thing and get even more money off.

Here is a link to the classified
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=7260

And the ebay posting
http://cgi.ebay.com/Quad-Lite-L-ite...oryZ3276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

IMO this is a very good deal on some very good small monitors. The Quad 11L which are their bigger brother IMO sound better than the comparable speaker in the KEF IQ line.

 

[mike c]

Hey guys... still haven't decided but maybe thats a good thing because vanns.com has a sale on KEF iQ3 right now and I could get either an iQ5 or iQ7 that would fit in my budget. Would these two models be better than the previously discussed speakers and better than the Infinity P362?

yes, buy the most expensive model that fits your budget

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Hey guys... still haven't decided but maybe thats a good thing because vanns.com has a sale on KEF iQ3 right now and I could get either an iQ5 or iQ7 that would fit in my budget. Would these two models be better than the previously discussed speakers and better than the Infinity P362?

The deal on the iQ3s is just insane! They were $900/pr when they were released in 2006, and now they are down to $280. I have considered a pair for myself, just because it is such a rare opportunity (I already have fantastic speakers, though.)

 

[bandphan]

DECEIDE for petes sake or flip a quater, maybe paper, rocks, scissors

 

[Seth=L]

Hey guys... still haven't decided but maybe thats a good thing because vanns.com has a sale on KEF iQ3 right now and I could get either an iQ5 or iQ7 that would fit in my budget. Would these two models be better than the previously discussed speakers and better than the Infinity P362?

If you are going to get into the Primus series, go with the 360s, not the 362s. The build quality and parts in the 360s are much better. The 360s are one of the best bargains in speakers period. They far exceed their value.

 

[Matt34]

If you are going to get into the Primus series, go with the 360s, not the 362s. The build quality and parts in the 360s are much better. The 360s are one of the best bargains in speakers period. They far exceed their value.

The Harmon/Infinity website makes no mention of hardware upgrades and the specs look like they haven't changed. I would imagine they would measure quite similar to one another.

Besides, I think your going to have a hard time finding a set of 360s.

 

[avaserfi]

Funny fact: Some of the primus 362 speakers have primus 360 crossovers in them the circuit board even has 360 printed on it!

 

[Alex2507]

DECEIDE

Spell Check !!!