Towers or Bookshelves: The debate

[gixxerific]

At least it's not a political debate.

I'm in the market for new speaks. I am basically starting fresh the 2 sets of speakers I have now are such that I would rather not mention them due to embarrassment.

I was planning on getting a good to great set of towers. Leaning more towards great, I am an audiophile with a limited budget. Meaning I love the sound of $30,000 a piece speakers but I will never be able to afford them. I have been going hog wild in car audio for a longgggg time now it's home time.

My plan: Getting good towers, than a sub. If possible those 2 together, we will see. Than purchasing a voice matching center, followed by voice matching surrounds.

I am 95% music, I very rarely watch TV and movies even less. Though a great HT system might change that up a bit.

Why should I stay on track with getting towers, or should I look at bookshelves and a sub. Remember most of my listening will be stereo music. I have yet to go audition yet, well at least this year.

Thanks Dono

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

Hey Dono, did you get a PM from me? I'm just right up the street in Ballwin, but I'd love to chat with you about what you're looking for. There's actually a STL meet this weekend if you want to come. I'll send details if interested.

 

[jliedeka]

There are pros and cons each way. I lean towards good monitors with a sub but I use my system about 50/50 music/HT. It's hard to find good floorstanders for less than $2k/pair (some would say $5k) that don't have too many compromises. A monitor in that price range will probably have fewer drivers and less lumber leaving more money for a good crossover. You'll probably want a decent sub for the low end, however.

Speakers bought through a brick and mortar store probably have 10-15% of the MSRP in materials. Internet direct brands can be more like 40%. As a matter of economics, it's hard to produce a really good speaker for not a lot of money. Some designers are able to deliver a lot within their budget constraints. The Infinity Primus series, the JBL Studio L series and speakers from Axiom and Ascend come to mind.

Jim

 

[gixxerific]

OH yeah Budget is around $2,000 for front speakers.

 

[bandphan]

OH yeah Budget is around $2,000 for front speakers.

The Strata Mini

would be a nice demo but in the end up to your ears

BG Corp
AV123
Focal(if you can find a tweeter owned store they 50-60% off untill their gone)
B&W
Martin Logan (tweeter again)
SVS

are just a few to consider and demo

 

[3db]

There are pros and cons each way. I lean towards good monitors with a sub but I use my system about 50/50 music/HT. It's hard to find good floorstanders for less than $2k/pair (some would say $5k) that don't have too many compromises. A monitor in that price range will probably have fewer drivers and less lumber leaving more money for a good crossover. You'll probably want a decent sub for the low end, however.

Speakers bought through a brick and mortar store probably have 10-15% of the MSRP in materials. Internet direct brands can be more like 40%. As a matter of economics, it's hard to produce a really good speaker for not a lot of money. Some designers are able to deliver a lot within their budget constraints. The Infinity Primus series, the JBL Studio L series and speakers from Axiom and Ascend come to mind.

Jim

Have you heard the PSB T45's? MSRP is $800.00 and I'm not hearing much compromise coming from them. They also disappear into the room as well as any of its bokshelf siblings.

 

[3db]

OH yeah Budget is around $2,000 for front speakers.

PSB Synchronys have garnered nothing but glowing reviews from anyone that has reviewed them in audio circles. They are a 4ohm lowish sensitivity speaker and require a stout amplifier to drive them. Its worth your time to audition these. You may or may not like them but at least put them on your audition list.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-One

 

[deedubb]

Any interest in buying used? If so, look for a used pair of PSB Stratus Golds. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed. They need an amp will a lot of current to run them though.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I think a good set of Books and a sub can be as good or very close to as good as towers and a sub. I used 40's and a sub before I got the 100's and for the most part, they sounded about the same. Maybe a tad less midrange with the 40's but really close.

 

[Midcow2]

AUDITION and Some clarification questions

OH yeah Budget is around $2,000 for front speakers.

For that price you need to go audition. There are many, many good speakers in that price range and you need to find speakers that sound good too YOU.

Also, you need to decided how important low notes are too you and whether or not you need a sub.

Also, room size is another consideration. You should conectrate on speakers first what what AVR or pre=pro amp will you be driving the speakers with. Do you already have or is that another purchase item in another budget ?

 

[calnbs]

If you get a chance, read a little on the Salk SongTowers. There are a couple of reviews in this forum. I never had the chance to audition them but from what I read, they are an amazing speaker.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think great sounding speakers are great sounding regardless of size.

There are other factors that will determine the ones you want. These factors may not have anything to do with Sound Quality.

For example, some people feel that they Must use Pure Direct Mode and Source Direct Mode. Pure Direct Mode Bypasses the use of a Subwoofer for that 2.0 Stereo. Source Direct Mode will set All speakers to Full-Range 20 Hz - 20 kHz.

Some people also feel that they Must use DSD-Direct on their SACDs. After all, they probably spent $400-$3,800 on a DSD-Direct SACD player. However, the ONLY way to get DSD-Direct is to use a Source Direct Mode, which again sets all speakers to full range and bypasses bass management.

If you are one of these people, then you want full-range Tower Speakers.

As ParadigmDawg can tell you, it is NOT recommended to use PURE DIRECT MODE on bookshelf speakers.

 

[DD66000]

As you want them mostly for music I would say get either full range towers or "bookshelf" speakers that can be stacked or docked to a pair of subs, which would really give you full range bi-amped towers.

For $2K there are many good choices, Depending on where you live and how many B&M stores you have near you, maybe you have a lot of places and brands to audition, maybe not. But that $2K will only get the main speakers, not the subs.

Of coarse, you can order off the net, pay first, audition in your home, and if you don't like them, send them back. Kind of a hassle, but you would "know" how they sound in "your" room.
But do try to do a few local auditions first. To at least get an idea of the kind of sound you prefer. Then if you do buy off the net you'll have a base line to compare.

 

[fredk]

For that price you need to go audition.

Yep.
If you are looking for a pair of fronts with a flat freqency response that play neautral the link below is the best collection of anechoic measurements I have come across. It might help you create a short list of speakers.
http://www.soundstageav.com/audiovideoreviews.html

 

[j_garcia]

For me: Music only - no sub, towers (GOOD towers). For any kind of HT application though a sub is a must and at which point the need for a good full range tower is lessened and a good bookshelf that covers low enough to blend properly with a good sub is like having the best of both worlds.

 

[deedubb]

For me: Music only - no sub, towers (GOOD towers). For any kind of HT application though a sub is a must and at which point the need for a good full range tower is lessened and a good bookshelf that covers low enough to blend properly with a good sub is like having the best of both worlds.

I agree 100%. Go for towers if you primarily listen to music, especially with a budget of $2K.

 

[Swerd]

If you get a chance, read a little on the Salk SongTowers. There are a couple of reviews in this forum. I never had the chance to audition them but from what I read, they are an amazing speaker.

I can certainly agree with that opinion. Read these:

My SongTower Impressions

Boybee's SongTower Impressions

Enjoy The Music Review

Audioholics Review

Nuance's Review of ribbon tweeter SongTowers

and, of course, the manufacturer's site Salk Sound

These speakers are in your price range and, in my clearly unbiased opinion , they might be just what you are looking for.

 

[haraldo]

I end up switching all the time between "bookshelf's" and towers, don't think it's right to say you need tower's or bookshelf speakers, don't think it's that simple.

I think many of the smaller speakers do have something with them that you just don't find in larger speakers, especially if music is your main priority.

Personally, I wouldn't buy new pair of speakers without auditioning some of the bookshelf models in the Dynaudio ranges.... They have so many different speakers that it's hard to even begin to mention models.... However, I have yet to hear a Dynaudio model that I dislike.... they're just good

My advice is to check out Dynaudio speakers in the price range you can afford

And.... DON'T TRUST REVIEWS, trust your own ears

-H

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I too, am a big fan of the Dynaudios.

I end up switching all the time between "bookshelf's" and towers, don't think it's right to say you need tower's or bookshelf speakers, don't think it's that simple.

I think many of the smaller speakers do have something with them that you just don't find in larger speakers, especially if music is your main priority.

Personally, I wouldn't buy new pair of speakers without auditioning some of the bookshelf models in the Dynaudio ranges.... They have so many different speakers that it's hard to even begin to mention models.... However, I have yet to hear a Dynaudio model that I dislike.... they're just good

My advice is to check out Dynaudio speakers in the price range you can afford

And.... DON'T TRUST REVIEWS, trust your own ears

-H

 

[haraldo]

Well.....

These certainly break your budget, way way much, but........
If I were buying new speakers, it would probably be Dynaudio Contour S 3.4

These are the kind of speakers you can buy, and never ever have to look back, because they are so good......

But stay warned, listen to them once..... and you will want to buy them