Best Bookshelf's under 1k For Contemporary and Classical?

[3db]

I just went to a local Hi-Fi dealer, I didn't have a chance to test the Paradigms, the sales guy wouldn't stop talking! "saying a budget of 1k will get you nothing, didn't stop talking utter crap! , he said the Paradigms are great but I should spend more, then went on to say the Yamaha Soavo2 are the worst speaker, and vaf are crap, and why just listen to classical what about hip hop etc He had nothing to audition even though the shop was massive and full of top of the line speakers., so I went to Vaf, and listened to their signature series small speaker! and WOW!!!!!! I could even hear the bow hitting the stings in Itzhak Perlmans Paganini Caprice op1 No 16. I was totally blown away with Sarasate Carmen Fantasy.

I then Jumped in the car and tested Krix and was not impressed at all they sounded like Sony, or Panasonic, very synthetic. I would love to test more but we are jumping on a plan overseas on Saturday perhaps I can test B&W and Paradigm in Thailand.

Look at PSB as well if you can and stay away from that loud mouthed shnook of a salesman.

 

[TLS Guy]

I just went to a local Hi-Fi dealer, I didn't have a chance to test the Paradigms, the sales guy wouldn't stop talking! "saying a budget of 1k will get you nothing, didn't stop talking utter crap! , he said the Paradigms are great but I should spend more, then went on to say the Yamaha Soavo2 are the worst speaker, and vaf are crap, and why just listen to classical what about hip hop etc He had nothing to audition even though the shop was massive and full of top of the line speakers., so I went to Vaf, and listened to their signature series small speaker! and WOW!!!!!! I could even hear the bow hitting the stings in Itzhak Perlmans Paganini Caprice op1 No 16. I was totally blown away with Sarasate Carmen Fantasy.

I then Jumped in the car and tested Krix and was not impressed at all they sounded like Sony, or Panasonic, very synthetic. I would love to test more but we are jumping on a plan overseas on Saturday perhaps I can test B&W and Paradigm in Thailand.

The audio scene in Australia does seem pretty bleak. I was surfing for dealers, and a lot of web sites don't work, suggesting a lot of recent business failures.

There must be protectionism going on as the list of imported speakers available is very small.

You seem to have a number of manufacturers, who are not known to us. The VAF speakers look interesting. Those small bookshelf speakers use a single concentric driver. Price is well beyond, your stated budget, those little i91s are going to run you around $3000 per pair and that does not include their delivery charge.

Here is the VAF price list.

I have to think that your best bet, is to purchase outside the country. I bet shipping will be cheaper, than buying from an Australian dealer.

I think you have a few socialists to execute down under.

 

[connieflyer]

Find a Dealer / Distributor - PSB Speakers

PSB Distributor for Australia:
Audio Products Group
61-67 O\'Riordan St. Unit #6
Alexandria NSW 2015 61 2 9669 3477
61 2 9578 0140 (fax)
Audio Products Group Home Page

I have been using PSB Image 4T, 8C,1B's and Subsonic 6 for10 years now and have had very good luck with them. I listen to all kinds of music, and movies. I have found their speakers to be more than a good bargain. Good luck, mate.

 

[cantonguy]

Build your own and have something that competes with speakers costing twice as much. It is actually really easy. I just built my first pair and you would be hard pressed to find anything better for $1500, let along the $750 they cost me to complete.

The Seas ER18DXT ported two way

 

[canelli]

I almost bought either the ATC11s or ATC17s. According the the US distributor, the ACT7 does not use the same driver technology as the more expensive models.

It has been suggested that due to it's measurements, the ATC11 would work better in the near field: ATC SCM 11 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com

I planned on being off vertical axis when listening at times, so I decided to go with a different speaker.

I am adding this just trying to share my knowledge gained during my ATC speaker hunting. I will be the first to admit that I do not have the experience to comment or argue these points.

 

[DD66000]

One set of bookshelf speakers I know can play classical well are the JBL Performance Series PT800. A 3-way sealed all Ti driver system. They are down -6db @ 80 htz. These speakers are not harsh at all, if that is what you may think of Ti drivers. Only need to add a sub.
The problem is finding them, as they are no longer produced. But do show up on ebay quite often, usually around $500/ea, sometimes less. The list was $1700/ea.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

In your budget and proposed usage, there is one clear winner and an easy recommendation.

It is the ATC SCM reference monitor. This studio has them for sale at $1000 per pair.

These speakers have phenomenal clarity and detail, without a trace of shrillness. They handle the fortissimo passages without distress.

When funds permit if you add a good sealed sub crossing over in the 60 to 80 Hz range, 60 is optimal as 60 Hz is the speakers 6 db point, then you will have an absolutely superb system.

These are the speakers Billy Woodman uses in his home and he does not use a sub.

The designer Billy Woodman is I think the best driver designer in the world.

All his drivers are carefully hand made at their factory at Stroud...

BTW, there is a pair of ATC SCM7 on a FedEx truck to my house (ETA Oct. 16) from a dealer on the East Coast.

 

[slipperybidness]

BTW, there is a pair of ATC SCM7 on a FedEx truck to my house (ETA Oct. 16) from a dealer on the East Coast.

Just build an add-on room to your house......out of all your speakers

 

[cpp]

BTW, there is a pair of ATC SCM7 on a FedEx truck to my house (ETA Oct. 16) from a dealer on the East Coast.

let me guess you got them in 'Cherry'

 

[j_garcia]

BTW, there is a pair of ATC SCM7 on a FedEx truck to my house (ETA Oct. 16) from a dealer on the East Coast.

What are you going to do when you run out of space for your signature image?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Oh, come on, this is the very last pair of speakers.

Scouts honor.

That's it. No more. You'll see. Man of my word.

 

[TLS Guy]

BTW, there is a pair of ATC SCM7 on a FedEx truck to my house (ETA Oct. 16) from a dealer on the East Coast.

Keep us posted after you have given them a good listen. You will be struck by how small they are. The tiny mid/bass driver, dare I say it, will put you in the mind of Bose, but there any similarity will end!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Keep us posted after you have given them a good listen. You will be struck by how small they are. The tiny mid/bass driver, dare I say it, will put you in the mind of Bose, but there any similarity will end!

I notice the SCM7 measures about 12" x 6" x 9" and weighs 15 lbs.

My KEF 201/2 is about 16" x 10" x 16" and weighs 27 lbs.