Yet another bookshelf recommendations thread

[dqniel]

I've done a lot of reading up on this forum and the AVS forum but I figured it was finally time to make a thread myself since the recommendations made in other threads don't quite apply to my situation. I'm looking for some decent budget bookshelf speakers. Where the situation changes, however, is that I have an accommodation with Polk Audio that gives me roughly 57% off of their RTi line along with free shipping and no tax. With that in mind, I'm wondering if there are better alternatives to the RTi A3 ($197.78) for around the same price? I've heard good things about the Aperion Intimus 5B, for example, and they're in roughly the same price range.

My preferences:

-I prefer "warm" sound over accuracy if one must be had over the other.
-I absolutely despise sibilance and overly bright sound.
-Bass is not too much of a consideration with these because I already have a (free) Velodyne sub.
-Must be $300 or less for the pair.

Setup info:

-Room is about 14' x 16'
-Will be put on my wooden computer desk with some sort of rubber feet
-Listen to mostly alternative rock and punk with a dash of electronica.
-Source is lossless audio -> Chaintech AV-710 optical -> Denon 3805

 

[gus6464]

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1231471753&/Quad-Lite-Satellite-Monitor

 

[dronezero]

You should be able to get a pair of refurbished LSi7s for under $300 off of the Polk ebay store. I just got a pair for $230 after shipping and tax.

 

[tom67]

Polks

For $197 delivered, I would get the A3s....good basic speaker....also one of the few with wood veneer in that price range...and would make good rears or speakers for 2nd den system if you upgrade someday...I have some old Polk RTI35s and my impression is that Polk's best values are in their lower cost units with the caveat to avoid the Box store basic models...

 

[Cpt.America]

Hard to beat SVS with affordable, quality book shelves:

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

 

[dqniel]

I won't order from SVS or AV123 due to some scary user experiences with both companies. Flat-out deceitful advertising/review tactics seem to be used by both companies from what I've seen...

Thanks for the used LSi7 tip. I'll look into that.

 

[Vaudiofan]

For your case you can have a look at the Polk Audio AM4025A Monitor 40 Bookshelf speaker, they are noramally priced around $200, but if you can find some good price you can get a pair with $300. That speaker is very good.

 

[Cpt.America]

I won't order from SVS or AV123 due to some scary user experiences with both companies. Flat-out deceitful advertising/review tactics seem to be used by both companies from what I've seen...

Thanks for the used LSi7 tip. I'll look into that.

Why dont you tell us how you REALLY feel?

 

[rnatalli]

The X-LS Encore or ELT525M from Av123 and the HTM-200SE or CBM-170SE from Ascend. Both Ascend and Av123 are having some sales right now.

Oops! Just saw your earlier post about AV123. I honestly think you'd love Ascends if you don't mind the ho-hum aesthetics.

 

[3db]

PSB are having a sale with the B15s going for $199 and the B25s going for $299. Both are very excellent speakers but for the room size you mention, I'd go with the bigger B25s.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B25-Monitor

Depsite being nominally 6 ohms, they are very easy to drive becuase of their relative good sensitivity.

 

[Midcow2]

Cambridge Audio S30 bookshelf speakers

I won't order from SVS or AV123 due to some scary user experiences with both companies. Flat-out deceitful advertising/review tactics seem to be used by both companies from what I've seen...

Thanks for the used LSi7 tip. I'll look into that.

I have had great experience with SVS. Just bought a subwoofer from them.

Anyway here is an excellent bookshelf speaker, Cambridge Audio S30 for $219 /pair delivered.
http://spearitsound.amazonwebstore.com/Cambridge-Audio-S30-Speakers-Natural-Oak/M/B00196SJOI.htm?utm_campaign=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

 

[mazersteven]

I won't order from SVS or AV123 due to some scary user experiences with both companies. Flat-out deceitful advertising/review tactics seem to be used by both companies from what I've seen...

SVS-scary user experiences/deceitful???

Show me where you've read this?

 

[dqniel]

I actually read that about SVS on these forums. I forget which thread it was in, but they mentioned 30+ page threads about AV123 and SVS having some less-than-stellar customer experiences and some of it was related to some fishy forum to forum "reviews" all coming from the same IP address range.

 

[dqniel]

For your case you can have a look at the Polk Audio AM4025A Monitor 40 Bookshelf speaker, they are noramally priced around $200, but if you can find some good price you can get a pair with $300. That speaker is very good.

Those are online for like $180 per pair and are below the RTi series are they not?

 

[dqniel]

PSB are having a sale with the B15s going for $199 and the B25s going for $299. Both are very excellent speakers but for the room size you mention, I'd go with the bigger B25s.

Depsite being nominally 6 ohms, they are very easy to drive becuase of their relative good sensitivity.

I don't see the sale. I don't see anything on how to order, actually. I think I'm blind or something.

 

[bandphan]

Other than the lsi series, imo there are many bookshelves under $500 pr that would fit the sound you want. I understand the price break your getting and for a little more $ imo you can get alot more sound ie usher, svs, av123, b stock,psb, dyna, behringer ect.

 

[dqniel]

The X-LS Encore or ELT525M from Av123 and the HTM-200SE or CBM-170SE from Ascend. Both Ascend and Av123 are having some sales right now.

Oops! Just saw your earlier post about AV123. I honestly think you'd love Ascends if you don't mind the ho-hum aesthetics.

I don't really care about the aesthetics too much as long as they're available in black, rosewood, or cherry. I read up a little on the 170SE that you mentioned and I've seen a few people describe them as bright in comparison to other similarly priced speakers.

Other than the lsi series, imo there are many bookshelves under $500 pr that would fit the sound you want. I understand the price break your getting and for a little more $ imo you can get alot more sound ie usher, svs, av123, b stock,psb, dyna, behringer ect.

Well, there's a big difference between $197 shipped and $500 before shipping. No offense, but I'm very much so trying to keep this at $300 or under before shipping.


After reading through these posts and looking around a bit more online, I'm still debating between:

Polk RTi A3 ~$197
Aperion Intimus 4B ~$260
Ascend CBM-170SE ~$348?
PSB B25 (If I can find them for $300 like an above poster said)

Keep in mind I will be using these primarily for listening to music, not analyzing it. They will be used for enjoyment, not to master recordings. I don't like bright or harsh highs even if the speakers are more accurate than a less accurate, but smoother speaker.

Thanks for all the input so far guys!

 

[bandphan]

The behringer 2030p paird with a sub represent a great Value at 140 a pair.

 

[dqniel]

I just found out I will not have access to the Velodyne sub I originally thought I'd be able to use. So now bass response does matter. It's still not a big deal, but I'm guessing the Behringer 2030p is out of the picture now.

 

[mazersteven]

I actually read that about SVS on these forums. I forget which thread it was in, but they mentioned 30+ page threads about AV123 and SVS having some less-than-stellar customer experiences and some of it was related to some fishy forum to forum "reviews" all coming from the same IP address range.

Something fishy (furrycute) going on here.

I'd be checking this IP address.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?u=6466