Help me choose small bookshelf speakers!

[damnspynovels]

First time poster...

After many years absent, I've decided to buy myself a stereo again. I don't care about home theater etc, preferring to concentrate on two channels.

I have many, many vinyl LPs that I've collected over the years and am looking forward to buying a new turntable to play them on again.

But what good is a turntable without an amp and speakers? An amp I have, an old Rotel from the 80s which is beautiful sounding.

I just need some advice on speakers, because there's some caveats.

I live in a tiny condo, which means that I won't be needing to rock the place considering my neighbours, and it also means that space is an absolute PREMIUM.

It's also short term. I'll be outta here inside two or three years.

I was looking at the PSB Alpha B1s - $200 here in Toronto - but I'm wondering if the LR1s will do (being smaller of course!).

Any other recommendations?

 

[Seth=L]

The Cambridge S30s come highly recommended in the $200 price range, I think you can find them for around $199 sometimes. They have better bass response than you'd expect from a bookshelf of this size, which would be a plus if you want something small, affordable, and don't require the use of a subwoofer.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAS30 BLK

What's the budget for the turntable?

 

[Davemcc]

I was extremely disappointed with with Cambridge S30 when I got the chance to listen to them. A pair of Epos ELS-3 can be had for about $350 Cdn and have an awesome sound quality/price ratio.

 

[damnspynovels]

The turntable I'm buying is a Rega P1.

The S30s? I will give them consideration. Thanks!

 

[njedpx3]

My favorites

I have a pair of these; Had them in my office at work

Cambridge Audio S-30s. They are $200/ pair USA. Very nice, small, quality build asthetically nice looking speakers with excellent sound.

Good Luck!

Forest Man


EDIT: When I started typing they hadn't been mentioned. Sorry Davemcc doesn't like them but I have a pair and think they sound excellent in a small space.

P.S. - another good bookshelf , not as asthetically nice looking is the Behringer Truth 2030P MONITOR about $150-$175 per pair

 

[fhlh]

PSB's are an excellent choice.
However... listen listen listen... after all, they are *your* ears.

 

[Knucklehead90]

Monitor Audio make some interesting bookshelfs. Here is a listing of whats available on Audiogon.

 

[DJ in TX]

I love my Paradigm Atoms v.6. Great full sound from a tiny enclosure. They were $299 for the pair here in the US (got them about 6-8 weeks ago. They area canadian company so maybe you can get a better deal there. Have a listen to them, I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[Seth=L]

I have a pair of JBL L20t bookshelf speakers with a beautiful walnut veneer. They sound absolutely fantastic. I personally found the sound to be more neutral than the Paradigm Studio/20v1 bookshelf speakers I got rid of. The Studio 20s are a highly regarded bookshelf speaker system, and I'm sure the newer versions are much improved over the ones I had. However, for a speaker from the 80's to have better cabinet build quality, finish, and overall sound compared to a late 90's speaker with cheap simulated wood vinyl and coming out on top (at least to my ears) is quite astounding. The L--t JBLs where considered to be excellent speakers in their day and the L100t is still a collector and avid listener's favorite among vintage speakers. The advantage of the L20t over the rest of the series is the use of rubber surrounds on the mid-bass, giving them a much longer life-span in terms of dry rot problems associated with foam surrounds on the rest of the series. You can often find the L20t bookshelf speakers for under $100 on eBay, and for the sound and build quality of these speakers it's a steal.

 

[hfw01]

I can't speak specifically to the Alpha B1's, but I have a pair of Alpha A/V's from about 10 years ago, and absolutely love them. I did just pick up the Alpha C1 center, and it is a great speaker for the price. I am a big PSB fan. Hope you find a pair of speakers you like.

The advice that I have been given friends, while it includes listening to PSBs, because I love them, boils down to 'listen to everything you can, and what you like will become readily apparent to you.'

good luck,
hal

 

[just listening]

From what I've heard and read, the Tweak City Audio WAF-1's may just fit your situation. They were designed by Danny Richie and the vocals are supposedly fantastic for $230. I believe you get a thirty day trial.

 

[Transmaniacon]

The Energy RC-Mini are also another good choice. They are small, but sound wonderful and can be had for $99 @ Vanns.

 

[3db]

The turntable I'm buying is a Rega P1.

The S30s? I will give them consideration. Thanks!

Welcome aboard

I'm up the road from you in Ottawa .

PSB revamped their Image series sooooooo if you can find some Image B15s or B25s (previous generation Image series) for about the same price as the Alphas, you would be way ahead. The Alphas are a good speaker but the Image B15 or B25 are just that much better.

If you can afford it, aim for the Rega P2 or a ProJect Xpression III (Xpression III replaced the Xpression II) . I have the Xpression II and its miles better than the entry level ProJect Debut or Rega P1. The Rega P2 would be on par with the Xpression II .

 

[damnspynovels]

I ended up getting some Paradigm Cinema Micro v3s - which I know are budget fronts for a 5.1 system specifically designed for movies and video gaming - but i liked their brightness. And now I've got them at home they have an enormous sweet spot - but considering how bright they are, is no surprise.

For music I think they may be too bright for some people, and I am keeping the grills on to keep it in check a little. I was comparing them against some Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 fronts which seemed dull and flat to me - but it's most likely my clinically terrible hearing - because I doubt they really are dull and flat. I should've compared them to a third model, but the price point was perfect ($139 down from $249) because I'm cheap

I wanted to audition the s30s but the store didn't sell them separately, only as part of a bundle with the Cambridge Audio mini separates system.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

[njedpx3]

I ended up getting some Paradigm Cinema Micro v3s - which I know are budget fronts for a 5.1 system specifically designed for movies and video gaming - but i liked their brightness. And now I've got them at home they have an enormous sweet spot - but considering how bright they are, is no surprise.

For music I think they may be too bright for some people, and I am keeping the grills on to keep it in check a little. I was comparing them against some Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 fronts which seemed dull and flat to me - but it's most likely my clinically terrible hearing - because I doubt they really are dull and flat. I should've compared them to a third model, but the price point was perfect ($139 down from $249) because I'm cheap

I wanted to audition the s30s but the store didn't sell them separately, only as part of a bundle with the Cambridge Audio mini separates system.

Thanks for your help guys.

Nice review, enjoy your new speakers!

Peace,

Forest Man

P.S. - I like Spy and Mystery Novels

 

[TLS Guy]

First time poster...

After many years absent, I've decided to buy myself a stereo again. I don't care about home theater etc, preferring to concentrate on two channels.

I have many, many vinyl LPs that I've collected over the years and am looking forward to buying a new turntable to play them on again.

But what good is a turntable without an amp and speakers? An amp I have, an old Rotel from the 80s which is beautiful sounding.

I just need some advice on speakers, because there's some caveats.

I live in a tiny condo, which means that I won't be needing to rock the place considering my neighbours, and it also means that space is an absolute PREMIUM.

It's also short term. I'll be outta here inside two or three years.

I was looking at the PSB Alpha B1s - $200 here in Toronto - but I'm wondering if the LR1s will do (being smaller of course!).

Any other recommendations?

Canadian Hi-Fi has the ATC SCM-7 available.

These speakers are only 7 liters but don't sound it. They produce a nice sound stage, and beautiful balance.

I heard my brother in law's recently in the UK, driven by a Rotel amp of your vintage.

They are the best small bookshelf speakers I have ever heard by a wide margin.

They are priced above what you listed, but you won't want to get rid of them when you move.

Dealers are having a hard time keeping them is stock in the UK. I'm told once people hear them they up their budget right away. My brother in law was planning to spend about a third of the cost of those until he heard them.

Here is a picture of the SCM7

And link to Flat Earth Audio ATC page.