Pair of Bookshelf Speakers around $400

[tyreal78]

Looking to purchase a new pair of bookshelf speakers for around $400. Movies 60%, music 40%. Room dimensions about 12 x 15. I tend to like a brighter sounding speaker. Looking to eventually create a 5.1 surround system.

Just looking for some starting points so I can go listen to each one if possible. I've done quite a few searches and am having a tough time finding anything applicable or recent enough.

Thanks for your help.

 

[zumbo]

Best deal at that price-point I know of right know.
http://www.6ave.com/shop/Searchresults.aspx?kwd=paradigm titan v.5&mnm=&apr=&zpr=&cti=0109

 

[mazersteven]

Paradigm Titan Monitor series speakers bright???

From what I understand these are "bright".

Axiom M22 v2
http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22.html

 

[the grunt]

Tyreal78, I’m curious what you consider a bright speaker as a point of reference? For me it’s a speaker that can reproduce the airy quality of a live performance in a concert hall. As a general rule I think the speakers that do this best are the ones that have a frequency response +/- 3dB(Hz) that extends above 20kHz.

As such the Axiom M22 mentioned above by mazersteven fit this category at they go to +/- 3dB(Hz) to 22kHz. I think most B&W would also fit in this category. The Paradigms above are +/- 2dB(Hz) to 20kHz so they make it into this territory but maybe not as high.

If you want something that is capable of being really airy then demo some Focals the ones below are supposed to go to +/- 3dB(Hz) to 28kHz.

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/14478

One thing the M22s have going for them that other detailed speakers of this size and price may not is that they will play pretty loud w/o overemphasizing anything.

Obviously other things can contribute to what people consider bright which is why I ask what you consider bright to be.

Good hunting,
Dean

 

[Haoleb]

I think the Axiom m3 is also an excellent speaker in this price range, and a little bit more rounded than the M22 is you dont plan to use a subwoofer.

 

[tyreal78]

I think the Axiom m3 is also an excellent speaker in this price range, and a little bit more rounded than the M22 is you dont plan to use a subwoofer.

What about comparing the Usher S-520's, Paradigm Titan monitors, Axiom M22's, and the Axiom M3's?

Anybody hear any of these in person?

 

[zumbo]

What about comparing the Usher S-520's, Paradigm Titan monitors, Axiom M22's, and the Axiom M3's?

Anybody hear any of these in person?

I can comment on the Paradigm. They are certainly worth $400. I can't say I have heard another $400 pair of speakers that compare.

At their retail price, there would be more competition, and it would be more personal.

 

[mazersteven]

What about comparing the Usher S-520's, Paradigm Titan monitors, Axiom M22's, and the Axiom M3's?

Anybody hear any of these in person?

IMO the tweeter from the Usher is in another league over the Paradigm. Can't comment on the Axiom's.

 

[tyreal78]

IMO the tweeter from the Usher is in another league over the Paradigm. Can't comment on the Axiom's.

But I'm guessing the Paradigm's have a better low-end? Is that right?

So the Usher's are brighter and more accurate in the high and mid range, but don't quite have the punch in the low end?

 

[mazersteven]

But I'm guessing the Paradigm's have a better low-end? Is that right?

So the Usher's are brighter and more accurate in the high and mid range, but don't quite have the punch in the low end?

Not to many $400 bookshelf speakers have low-end.

IMO these would be an excellent choice. Polk LSi7's
I would look for deals on pre-owned or sales.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/bookshelf/individual/lsi7/

 

[skers_54]

What about comparing the Usher S-520's, Paradigm Titan monitors, Axiom M22's, and the Axiom M3's?

Anybody hear any of these in person?

I have the Paradigm Atoms, which are basically smaller versions of the Titans, and would not recommend them for $400. Extremely resonant cabinet that muddies the mid-range, along with a big peak around 200 Hz IIRC. I could hear the tweeter ring on some songs. They're not bad speakers, but IMO are overpriced for what you receive. I have a pair of Behringer 2030Ps that outperform the Paradigm in every regard.

 

[gene]

Tyreal78, I’m curious what you consider a bright speaker as a point of reference? For me it’s a speaker that can reproduce the airy quality of a live performance in a concert hall. As a general rule I think the speakers that do this best are the ones that have a frequency response +/- 3dB(Hz) that extends above 20kHz.

As such the Axiom M22 mentioned above by mazersteven fit this category at they go to +/- 3dB(Hz) to 22kHz. I think most B&W would also fit in this category. The Paradigms above are +/- 2dB(Hz) to 20kHz so they make it into this territory but maybe not as high

A "bright" sounding speaker has little to do with its ultimate extension as much as it has to do with proper crossover integration and the quality of the tweeter and xover components used. Most annoyingly bright speakers simply have the tweeter level set too high with respect to the woofer, or enter a breakup mode at high SPL levels, again way lower than 20kHz and usually in the 5-7kHz range.

The airy quality you describe has more to do with the power response, distortion profile, and polar response of the speaker system than ultimate extension since there is little musical content above 15kHz and most adult males can't hear much higher than that. Not to mention if you did have a speaker flat to say 22kHz, it can only do that at a very narrow point on axis which your ears will likely not be aligned with at the seated position.

 

[3db]

If you like bright, then maybe you should check out Kliptch speakers. They will appeal to you rifht away but if I were you, I would see if there is an in home trail being offered as many people find them fatiguing after extended listening sessions. You don't want to end up there and find out you can return them.

I would normally suggest PSBB-25 but they are more on the warmer side of your taste. Good luck

 

[mazersteven]

If you like bright, then maybe you should check out Kliptch speakers.

OMG he recommended something other then PSB.

 

[bandphan]

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

 

[3db]

Pay attention boy. I quite regularily mention speaker other than PSB..Mr SVS man.

OMG he recommended something other then PSB.