Bookeshelf Speakers for large Room

[nifter53]

hi there,

here's are my requirements:

room: 20x30
budget: $250
speaker type: wall mount/in wall

The wife doesn't want anything that is "huge and ugly". I can't spend more than $250. The room is failrly large with a cathedral ceiling.

I am however open to buying older used speakers.

So far I've been looking at...

Yamaha NS-333
Paradigm Monitor v3 (ebay used)
Yamaha NS-6490

My amp is an Onyko TX-SR600

We mostly listen top 40 at easy listening volumes, but I would like to once and a while turn it up an get decent sound at higher volumes.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[T2T]

Any plans to use a subwoofer at all? Or, would the speakers be responsible for handling all the frequencies possible?

 

[nifter53]

thanks for quick reply!

I do have an Energy S8.2 sub and a pair of Energy take 2.2 speakers. I'm planning on using the 2.2's in the bedroom and possibly using the sub in the living room (just need to figure out where to hide it).

Thanks again!

 

[sholling]

Small speakers in huge room with a $250 limit and no subwoofer? You're almost better off with good headphones. Physics has limits and small speakers just can't move enough air to get really loud in a huge room and go really low. Now medium volumes with the help of a sub okay.

However if you can get her to agree to towers it might almost be doable - just don't expect perfection at this price. Newegg has Polk Monitor 60 towers for $110ea shipped with coupon code EMCYSZW75 [Exp 5/24]. Don't expect deep booming bass but they should do okay with most music. This coming Sunday the Monitor 70 towers go back on sale but probably not cheap enough.

 

[j_garcia]

Average listening volumes probably won't be a problem, but cranking it up once in a while you will likely need some pretty sensitive speakers to handle a room that size. The Paradigm speakers tend to be pretty sensitive so they'd probably be a good choice. There are some Mini Monitors on Audiogon for $250.

 

[bsheasby]

Here you go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Monitor-Audio-SILVER-3i-Black-Finish-5-1-7-1-wall-M-/110531813742

I have a pair of these as my mains in a good size room and they are excellent - sound much bigger than they are and are extremely musical and accurate with a huge soundstage, while also excellent for HT. They might be a bit thin on the low end by themselves, but as long as you're using a sub with them as I am, they really sing. These were $599 new years ago, so this is a great deal. There are some reviews floating around about this era of the monitor audio Silver Series and they are all excellent. I'm sure there are other great options out there, but these I happen to be able to speak directly to, and I've had them for 10 years and have never regretted getting them or thought about selling them.

 

[nifter53]

thanks for all the suggestions so far!


The other thing i was looking into were in-wall speakers
ebay has Paradigm PV 160's that may go for less than $200.

Anyone have thought's on going that route?

Thanks again!

 

[j_garcia]

For background music, in walls are fine. If you want to do more critical listening and/or want to be able to properly positiion your speakers, then I'd stick with bookshelf speakers.

 

[nifter53]

so...if i keep watching ebay for paradigm monitors, what version should I be looking for? I hear a lot about v3 being good. Also since I'll be wall mounting them, I think forward facing port is best, correct?

 

[nifter53]

bsheasby: The Monitor Audio SILVER 3i look very good and almost a perfect fit for my needs. Just not sure if i can get them shipped to Canada...

 

[j_garcia]

For the Monitor series, not a lot changed between v2, v3 and v4 but the new lineup is different now that they combined/elminated the Performance Series. The v3s are probably the most common as they ran for quite a few years. I've owned Mini Monitors and Monitor 5s (which are what I'd look for with a room that size due to their higher sensitivity) and the matching centers. You are going to want something in the 90dB or higher sensitivity range if possible.

Monitor Audio is also a very good choice.

 

[ryanshaw3ball]

i had a pair of jbl L820's in a very similar situation and i loved them. discrete on the walls, and great sound for a small 2.1 system. only wouldnt like the sound if you were a nitpicking audio enthusiast, which is perfectly fine bass is lacking somewhat but a sub would solve it. theres a pair on ebay for 300 i think but i highly reccommend them

 

[yepimonfire]

if you cross over the speakers at 100hz you can get alot more volume out of them without them being overdriven

 

[ribonzz]

Canada shipped are hard to confirm and long time to arrive, you might be waiting for a really long time..

 

[rnatalli]

I find the SVS speakers can fill a lot of space, but they need a good amount of power to do it.

 

[j_garcia]

In Canada I'd be looking at PSB, Energy/Mirage, Paradigm, etc... since they are all Canadian.

 

[rnatalli]

Add Axiom to the list as they're Canadian as well.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, I knew I was forgetting at least one or more Canadian MFG

HSU Research has the HB1 and HC1 speakers on clearance right now in the Espresso color (basically the same price as black).

http://www.hsuresearch.com/index.html

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey, there is Totem as well. However, they will certainly be past the price point, and they also historically have rather low sensitivity. But, an excellent reputation.

I would aim* for something like PSB B25s. Big though. However, they can crank, for what they are. IMO, a bit tubby in the midbass, and somewhat wanting with off-axis, but nevertheless an excellent value IMO.

 

[GPS]

I have been using the NS-333's for about 6yrs in my bedroom and they provide absolutely no bass. Right now i have them paired up with the yamaha YST-SW215 sub running off a Onkyo SR 706 and they are barely cutting it. The piano finish does look nice though.