Best Bookshelf for $250 (pr) or less.

[PrimalTrombone]

Hey guys!

The roommate is moving out and taking the speakers (Paradigm Mini-MK3) with him. Luckily, I'm keeping the amp and stands. I've found a few attractive models. I'd rather not go above $250. I have a smaller living room that towers would overwhelm. Emphasis on symphonic (Mahler, Bruckner, R. Strauss, Stravinsky..).

EMP E5Bi $225 (emptek.com)
Polk TSx 220b $224.98 (Amazon)
Sony SS-B3000 $148 (Amazon)
Fluance SX6 and XL7S (Amazon)


Any input or other suggestions are appreciated.

Power: Yamaha R-V98 80w/ch 8 ohm
Source: Dragonfly v1.2

 

[j_garcia]

Out of your list, the E5Bi. I'd scratch those Polks completely, and probably the Sonys as well.

Others:
Pioneer BS-22LR - For ~$130 average and under $100 on sale, they're a lot better than you'd expect. Not very pretty. Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics
Cambridge Audio S-30 - Older, but highly respected small speaker. CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Black | Accessories4less
Aperion Intimus 4B - $263 so slightly above, but 30 day in home trial too. Intimus 4B Satellite Speaker Pair - Intimus Family - Speakers By Family - Aperion Audio

 

[zieglj01]

From you list - only the Emp

Also look at Wave Crest Audio HVL-1
HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

My budget favorite - Cambridge Audio S30
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Dark Oak | Accessories4less

 

[agarwalro]

I'll also throw in,
Behringer Truth 2031P (and their previous version, 2030P seem to be out of stock pretty much everywhere)
HTD Level 2 Bookshelf

If you can DIY, this will be my #1 suggestion, TriTrix ML-TL.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

From you list - only the Emp

Also look at Wave Crest Audio HVL-1
HVL-1 Two-Way Loudspeaker | Wave Crest Audio

My budget favorite - Cambridge Audio S30
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO S30 4½" 2-way Bookshelf Speakers Pair Dark Oak | Accessories4less

^^^ This. Also these:
HTM-200 SE Home Theater Monitor
Great high and mids, but you would need a sub with them

 

[shadyJ]

I'd go for the Behringer 2031p, if you have room for them- they are big. However they haven't been in stock at any store in awhile.

 

[j_garcia]

I'll also throw in,
Behringer Truth 2031P (and their previous version, 2030P seem to be out of stock pretty much everywhere)
HTD Level 2 Bookshelf

If you can DIY, this will be my #1 suggestion, TriTrix ML-TL.

The 2031 did not replace the 2030, they are two different speakers in the same line, same generation.

 

[PrimalTrombone]

The more I find out about the Pioneers the more I'm interested in them. They seem nice and small and conservative styling would look good in my room. The price certainly is right. I'm going to drop in to Fry's today to give them a listen.

 

[j_garcia]

IMHO, they're a solid choice at the $100 price point. You won't get much better until you're spending at least twice that.

 

[afterlife2]

Yep Pioneer 22's, Cambridge or EMP. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[Leo Goveia]

Hi, I got the Pioneers BS22 and they are awesome, just broke in.. and sound so good... their midrange is mesmerizing... It really worth a listen...

 

[PrimalTrombone]

Went to Fry's. They were out of the Pioneers and proceeded to try to sell me some Bose wall speakers. Safe to say I won't be going there again. Not a great place to demo at least here in Dallas.

 

[Leo Goveia]

Did you try at Best Buy?

 

[PrimalTrombone]

Did you try at Best Buy?

They're my next stop. I was very impressed last time I was there.

 

[Leo Goveia]

If they have them, just get and start enjoying your weekend with them!!!

 

[zieglj01]

They're my next stop. I was very impressed last time I was there.

As was stated/recommended in post #4 - look at the HTD Level Two > They are in Plano, Tx
They are open Mon thru Fri > they are nice/good for the price
HTD Level TWO Bookshelf Speakers

http://www.htd.com/About-Us-HTD

 

[PrimalTrombone]

As was stated/recommended in post #4 - look at the HTD Level Two > They are in Plano, Tx
They are open Mon thru Fri > they are nice/good for the price
HTD Level TWO Bookshelf Speakers

About HTD

Didn't know they were nearby! I'll go check them out!

 

[PrimalTrombone]

The Cambridge SX-50 look attractive too. I'm into a warm/full sound with clarity without bloated bass. Too many speakers that I've listened to have metallic sound with erratic bass.

 

[zieglj01]

The Cambridge SX-50 look attractive too. I'm into a warm/full sound with clarity without bloated bass. Too many speakers that I've listened to have metallic sound with erratic bass.

Can not really speak for the SX50 - however, it looks like a diluted version of the S30 to me.
One thing for sure, it weighs less and the woofer is no bigger.

Your call.

 

[afterlife2]

I have these and they are small, Piano finish and amazing for the price: http://www.amazon.com/Nxg-Satellite-Speaker-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B0044UHVOK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400333921&sr=1-1&keywords=nxg+4.1