Best bookshelf speakers I can get for $250?

[rekced]

This for listening to iTunes on my computer. I want them to be loud and full. Not looking for accuracy here.

They must be flat black or dark wood finish. If they are not powered they will need to work with my Teac MD-X220 receiver. I would kind of prefer something powered and will pay more if I have to so I can use the Teac for something else.



Used is OK. I have NO idea what to get.

 

[billy p]

This for listening to iTunes on my computer. I want them to be loud and full. Not looking for accuracy here.

They must be flat black or dark wood finish. If they are not powered they will need to work with my Teac MD-X220 receiver. I would kind of prefer something powered and will pay more if I have to so I can use the Teac for something else.



Used is OK. I have NO idea what to get.

Try these little guys out! http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC50.

Energy is phasing out the C's & Rc's and some excellent deals are being offered.

 

[Seth=L]

You won't likely find loud active speakers at that price. The CD/receiver you have is pretty good and should power most speaker arrays to very respectable levels in a nearfield environment. I personally am using Infinity IL10s on my CR-H220 (the same cd/receiver as yours, the MD-X220 is the model for the system w/speakers). The CD/receiver doesn't get over exerted. I might recommend something in your price range from Polk Audio or Klipsch possibly. You may want more efficient and easier to drive speakers (something rated 90db@1w/1m and 8 ohms nominal).

Those Engergys are small, but a subwoofer would fill those out nicely. I was using a small pair of Boston Acoustics CR57s paired with a subwoofer with the CR-H220 and the results where possibly all around better than the Infinitys. I just use the Infinitys because I don't know where else to put them at the moment.

Dayton makes some very cost effective 10" and 12" subwoofers you might look into one of those to pair with the Energys.

Also, see my review of the CR-H220 below if you want to get someone else's impressions of the unit.

 

[rekced]

You won't likely find loud active speakers at that price. The CD/receiver you have is pretty good and should power most speaker arrays to very respectable levels in a nearfield environment. I personally am using Infinity IL10s on my CR-H220 (the same cd/receiver as yours, the MD-X220 is the model for the system w/speakers). The CD/receiver doesn't get over exerted. I might recommend something in your price range from Polk Audio or Klipsch possibly. You may want more efficient and easier to drive speakers (something rated 90db@1w/1m and 8 ohms nominal).

Those Engergys are small, but a subwoofer would fill those out nicely. I was using a small pair of Boston Acoustics CR57s paired with a subwoofer with the CR-H220 and the results where possibly all around better than the Infinitys. I just use the Infinitys because I don't know where else to put them at the moment.

Dayton makes some very cost effective 10" and 12" subwoofers you might look into one of those to pair with the Energys.

Also, see my review of the CR-H220 below if you want to get someone else's impressions of the unit.

Yeah, I actually read your review shortly after purchasing it and was very pleased with the quality of that unit. Like you said though, those speakers are boring to listen to. Probably some of the most boring I've ever heard.

It's pretty exciting to see such inexpensive speakers that seem to be nice quality. I tempted to buy the Boston Acoustics CR57. What kind of difference in quality can I expect from those alone? Which sub would you put with it?

Thanks so much for the responses guys.

 

[Seth=L]

Yeah, I actually read your review shortly after purchasing it and was very pleased with the quality of that unit. Like you said though, those speakers are boring to listen to. Probably some of the most boring I've ever heard.

It's pretty exciting to see such inexpensive speakers that seem to be nice quality. I tempted to buy the Boston Acoustics CR57. What kind of difference in quality can I expect from those alone? Which sub would you put with it?

Thanks so much for the responses guys.

The Bostons would be a huge upgrade, however the low end is pretty sparse on those. However, those Teacs are probably one of the most horrible speakers I have ever heard that feature binding posts. I am personally using a Magnavox 6.5" 100watt subwoofer that seems to work very well. I am more pleased with the Magnavox than the 12" 120watt Sony subwoofer I had. Having this subwoofer paired with the Bostons gives me a nice rounded sound (I plugged the ports on the Bostons because they have dunky midbass, Once the ports where plugged they seem to blend very well with a subwoofer that is x-over'd around 100hz).

I would have to suggest the Daytons again, they should outperform both the Sony and Magnavox. The Magnavox just has the right form factor and is front ported (which allows corner and near wall placement) so it doesn't get boomy when close to walls or in my case in the corner where my workstation is.

 

[dorokusai]

We're talking near-field right? Bass response never really bothered me in that respect, even with multi-media. The bookends that I've had over the years were just modest low end performers with my favorite being a forgetable KEF C15.

I'm actually afraid of anything more than 2.0 on my computer.

The BA's would be great, as mentioned previously. I would augment it with a small subwoofer and it doean't have to hit deep, just the right spot.

Mark

 

[Seth=L]

I was listening to the Bostons earlier today. They, in conjunction with the Teac, can go louder than I need. I found myself uncomfortably listening for more than a minute or two. My ears needed a little less SPL.

 

[rekced]

Thanks a lot for the answers guys.

I went to the local Fry's today and looked at everything they had. My favorites for the money were the Polk RTI A1. They were asking $339.99, but the lowest price I found online was $243.00 after shipping. That is within my budget. I laughed at the Polk TSi100 after listening to the RTI A1. I don't know if these RTI A1s are made for home theater or what, but they really seemed to sound good for music. Plus I LOVE the cherry finish.

I wonder if my receiver has enough power for the RTI A1.

 

[Rickster71]

Maybe something like these? I have the A5's
http://www.audioengineusa.com/