Speaker newbie seeking advice

[achou]

Greetings everyone! I was recently browsing around a mall here in Taiwan (mistake #1) and accidentally walked into a Bang and Olufsen store (mistake #2). Naturally, I was attracted to the dedicated theater room which had the Beolab 5 on demo. The store representative demoed a CD which to put it into nominal terms, blew me away.

I obviously don't have $20,000+ to blow on the Beolab 5, however it is my hope to at least achieve a fraction of the Beolab 5's effect. I enjoyed the Beolab 5's crispness/sound stage effect.

I've been browsing around online and have been somewhat attracted to the following speakers:

B&W CM9
B&W 805 Diamond

If I do indeed make a purchase it'll be based in the US (I travel quite a bit). I also hope to not spend "too much," however am open to a little bit of flexibility. I am also open to the option of other speakers (brands).

Any opinions/suggestions? I guess it's time to replace the Bose Wave Music

Thanks!

 

[zieglj01]

Take a look at the Focal Electra series speakers.

 

[GranteedEV]

Bang and Olufson... aren't they a bit more of a luxury "lifestyle" oriented brand than a value-based performance company? I don't know much about them but I think it's safe to assume a likely decently big mark-up...

You're in taiwan? As in, the same country where the Usher store is and they're cheap there too?

http://www.usheraudio.com.tw/

That's what I'd look into. Maybe their "low end" S-520s, and if you desire it, with the matching add-on SW-520(preferably bi-amped) Just make sure your receiver or amp can drive them. Listen to them there and see if you like the price. They're sold in the USA too, but in Taiwan they're cheaper IIRC. Their higher end stuff is absolutely gorgeous and I have no doubt it sounds that way. Hell, those things seem like such a great deal, 6 of the bookshelves, 2 of the bass modules, plus the S525 center might be ideal for a 7.0 (er..7.2...ish) system

Even if you're not crazy about buying this stuff where you are (I don't know where your permanent residence is), I'd personally want to go hit up the Usher store simply because it's one-of-a-kind. English pages for the ones I suggested:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/usher-audio-s-520-bookshelf-speaker-review
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/SW-520

 

[KEW]

Greetings everyone! I was recently browsing around a mall here in Taiwan (mistake #1) and accidentally walked into a Bang and Olufsen store (mistake #2). Naturally, I was attracted to the dedicated theater room which had the Beolab 5 on demo. The store representative demoed a CD which to put it into nominal terms, blew me away.

I obviously don't have $20,000+ to blow on the Beolab 5, however it is my hope to at least achieve a fraction of the Beolab 5's effect. I enjoyed the Beolab 5's crispness/sound stage effect.

I've been browsing around online and have been somewhat attracted to the following speakers:

B&W CM9
B&W 805 Diamond

If I do indeed make a purchase it'll be based in the US (I travel quite a bit). I also hope to not spend "too much," however am open to a little bit of flexibility. I am also open to the option of other speakers (brands).

Any opinions/suggestions? I guess it's time to replace the Bose Wave Music

Thanks!

The S-520's are great budget speakers. However, if your budget includes the B&W 805 Diamonds, you should have a listen to the Usher Be-718's and the Mini-Dancers if you make the Usher store.
I suspect you'll find the kind of sound that blew you away via B&O for much less. B&O caters to the high end market for those willing to pay big bucks for "that look" and they perform well. "Value", however, is not in their vocabulary!