Beginner look for bookshelf speakers on a budget

[hfarrior3]

I have narrowed my search down to these 4 speakers. I know different speakers sound better in relation to different set ups, but all things being equal, which pair would you suggest. Thanks.

DALI - Zensor 1
Wharfedale Diamond 2.0
JBL Studio 230
ELAC B6 Debut

Thanks again

 

[speakerman39]

Good selection from what I can tell. However, highly recommend that you also consider these:

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

YOU will be hard pressed to do better than the AA monitors in that price range. Just thought that I would point that out to you. Best wishes on making your decision!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[afterlife2]

I 2nd. what 39 said.

 

[hfarrior3]

These?

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

and for only $195 a pair?

 

[shadyJ]

Can't lose with any of those, Dali, Wharefedale, JBL, etc. I would also throw in Ascend CBM-170s and Hsu HB-1s. Also look at JBL LSR studio monitors.

 

[j_garcia]

These?

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

and for only $195 a pair?

Yes. Don't let the price fool you, Dennis is a fantastic speaker designer. They're inexpensive because he's only modifying an existing design. The idea being performance well beyond their price.

 

[hfarrior3]

OR.... should I buy a pair of vintage Pioneer HPM-60s

 

[KEW]

These?

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

and for only $195 a pair?

FYI, I did a detailed comparison between the Philharmonic AA and the Elac Debut B5 here:
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/elac-b5-vs-philharmonic-affordable-accuracy-new-monitor.97171/

By all accounts, the B6 has very good bass so I would think it comes close to the AA's. However, the B6 has the same tweeter setup as the B5 and it is safe to assume that the B6 will sound like the B5 aside from the deeper bass.

Also, I am currently comparing the AA's with the $500 Elac Uni-Fi and I, personally, would prefer the AA's to the UniFi's (however, there are some things that the Uni-Fis do better than the AA's, and someone else might prefer the UniFis).
At their price point, the AA's are the best value you will find. The secret to their value is that Dennis Murphy is retired and selling these at close to his cost as a hobby (he has a gift for crossover designs and has designed almost all of the current Salk speaker crossovers).

 

[herbu]

OR.... should I buy a pair of vintage Pioneer HPM-60s

Nope. Go with the Philharmonic Audio AAs.

 

[zieglj01]

DALI - Zensor 1
Wharfedale Diamond 2.0
JBL Studio 230
ELAC B6 Debut

From your list the Studio 230

As recommended the Philharmonic AA speakers

Also from AC4L new in the box - real good price, (sold each)
The Boston M25
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosm25ba/boston-acoustics-m25-5.25-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-each-new/1.html