bookshelf speakers for around $500

[bikemig]

I need to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers for around $500. I am interested in the PSB Image B6, the Axiom M22 v3, and the NHT classic three (which run around $750, so I guess I'm willing to go that high). Any suggestions? I have a decent sub and I will use the bookshelves for music (nothing too loud or I get complaints from the family but I have pretty wide tastes in music) and movies. I have a reasonably sized living room (15 by 20 by 12). It's hard for me to audition speakers where I live so any advice is appreciated.
____________
Macbook pro -> HRT musicstreamer II -> Audioengine N22 amplifier -> Audioengine p-4
Home theater is a work in progress . . . .

 

[zieglj01]

I need to buy a pair of bookshelf speakers for around $500. I am interested in the PSB Image B6, the Axiom M22 v3, and the NHT classic three (which run around $750, so I guess I'm willing to go that high). Any suggestions? I have a decent sub and I will use the bookshelves for music (nothing too loud or I get complaints from the family but I have pretty wide tastes in music) and movies. I have a reasonably sized living room (15 by 20 by 12). It's hard for me to audition speakers where I live so any advice is appreciated.
____________
Macbook pro -> HRT musicstreamer II -> Audioengine N22 amplifier -> Audioengine p-4
Home theater is a work in progress . . . .

I can not speak for Axiom.
NHT and PSB are good with music - your choice. I would look at
the PSB GB1 bookshelf, over the Image B6.
http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/all_psb_specials.htm

 

[j_garcia]

NHTs would be a solid choice. I'd also look at Ascend, probably the CMT340 if physical size isn't an issue. Will this be with a sub? What will be powering them? The N22? I would be cautious about using a current hungry speaker with that, and the NHTs are in that category.

 

[bikemig]

I will not use the N-22 for this (this is part of my office set up); I plan on buying a receiver as well (probably the NAD T-747). I do have a powered sub (a Klipsch KSW-10). The PSB GB1 look great (especially at the sale price) but they the sensitivity is lower than the Image B-6 and I want something a receiver can drive easily. Thanks for pointing out that the NHTs are also power hungry. By the way, should I be concerned whether the speakers are video shielded or not? The home theater is a work in progress and I appreciate the advice.

 

[zieglj01]

I will not use the N-22 for this (this is part of my office set up); I plan on buying a receiver as well (probably the NAD T-747). I do have a powered sub (a Klipsch KSW-10). The PSB GB1 look great (especially at the sale price) but they the sensitivity is lower than the Image B-6 and I want something a receiver can drive easily. Thanks for pointing out that the NHTs are also power hungry. By the way, should I be concerned whether the speakers are video shielded or not? The home theater is a work in progress and I appreciate the advice.

The decision is yours - however, the resolution from the GB1 and the
Classic Three is good. Here is another good musical speaker - Focal,
they have a good tweeter and the midrange is good - nice detail.
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/88946
http://www.musicdirect.com/products/images.php?i=-1&p=80138&h=88946

I can not speak for these - however, they look good.
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/90158

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I sticking with the NHT AbsoluteZero for $175 each for it's superb measurement on HTM:

The Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-absolute-zero-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

The NHT Classic Three may be bigger than the Absolute Zero, so the Classic Three may produce more volume, but is it significant?

Since HTM did not measure the Classic Three, we can't do a direct comparison, but I don't think we can make the automatic assumption that the Classic Three will measure just as superbly.

 

[its phillip]

The classic threes measure well:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/nht-classic-three-loudspeaker-measurements
http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-classic-four-speaker-system-controller-prepro-and-power5-amplifier-ht-labs-measures-nht-

 

[zieglj01]

The classic threes measure well:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/nht-classic-three-loudspeaker-measurements
http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-classic-four-speaker-system-controller-prepro-and-power5-amplifier-ht-labs-measures-nht-

The Three C measurement is very nice.

The Classic series in general - measures good.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The NHT Classic Four's listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.75/–2.67 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

The NHT Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

The Classic Three also measured nicely on Stereophile ~ +/- 3dB.

The flagship Classic Four tower and Classic Three measure very nicely, but still not as superbly as the much less expensive Absolute Zero model.

 

[its phillip]

Right, but having a nice flat FR isn't everything. The speakers could play deeper or fuller or fill a larger room better or look pretty or be more sensitive or any number of other possibilities

 

[dkane360]

I would check out the Bowers and Wilkins 685's as well. They've gotten pretty high praises from all over, and they're on my list of potential bookshelf speakers to buy.

 

[sholling]

+1 the Ascend CMT-340 SE. Excellent speakers for the money.

Review

 

[bikemig]

Both the Ascends and the B and W speakers look cool; thanks!

 

[Sylar]

+/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses

Dosent this mean the dispersion ain't that great??