bookshelf 2.1 set-up

[rabbit_ears]

looking at getting a bookshelf/sub set-up in the upstairs living room (12x18 w/ 8' ceiling). looking at the regular cast of online characters. Axiom (M3), AV123(x-ls) and Aperion (532's) (SVS is out mainly due to sub size). I'm using the system primarily for music and tv watching (Paradigm theatre in the basement). I live in Canada so while auditioning is cheaper than buying i would still have to pay shipping, duty and taxes, plus return shipping if i didn't like them.
i'm a little concerned about the aluminum axiom might be a little bright for my taste. the Av's i'm concerned that my kids (1 and 3yrs old) will load the slotted port of the sub with dinky cars and peanut butter sandwiches. also question what did they skimp on to make them so "cost-effective". do coated paper drivers stand up as well as poly? if i end up going with Aperion not sure if the 8" APR (passive radiators) sub is worth $120 more than standard ported 8" sub, since they share essentially identical specs but APR has 50W more power.
I know i will be chastized and told to audition the speakers myself but given my geographical location i will have been able to buy any one of the afformentioned systems for what it will cost me to ship each one across the border. if someone has experience with some or all of these brands it would be greatly appreciated. size and budget restraints while retaining good if not impressive sound quality is the goal. looking for a fairly neutral sounding speaker, somewhat forward but not harsh or bright. running them with an Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver.
Any advice or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Matt34]

I'd also look at the Acsend CBM-170 paired with the sub of your choice. There is a sale going on for refurbed ones right now.
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=3113

Remember you don't have to get a sub from the same company that you get your speakers from.

 

[mazersteven]

I'd also look at the Acsend CBM-170 paired with the sub of your choice.

Good choice.

I can comment on the build quaity of AV123. And I can say they Did Not skimp to make them "cost-effective".

How about

Acculine A1
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=65

Acculine ASub
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_32&products_id=68

or

Dana 630
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=32

LFM-1 Compact
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmcompact.html

 

[rabbit_ears]

thanks Matt, i actually did look at ascend but passed because i figured i could get a better package deal buying sub/sats together. but with re-cert deal it's another one to add to the list. man, i was hoping to widdle the list down when i started this thread, not add to it. maybe i'll just have to spin the bottle.

 

[Matt34]

Here's a sealed sub I'd check out if I were doing a 2.1 setup.

http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/ValorSpecifications.html

 

[rabbit_ears]

thanks Matt but i said SVS was out because of the size of their 10" sub, i don't think a 15 will fit my decor any better.
I decided to do eenie meenie mo and ended up at Axiom; which unbeknownst to me is Canadian. Most of the reviews that i read were positive, but in typical OCD i researched more after giving my credit card number and it seems that some people find these speakers bright/harsh. i didn't have any posts to indicate that when i asked point blank so now i'm a little gun shy and considering pulling the plug. can someone please talk my off the ledge and tell me i made a wise investment. i know it's not much of an investment compared to 98% on this board but $800 would buy my kids some nice christmas presents.
for clarification i ordered th m2's with the EP175 sub. the system will be used 50/50 for music and tv. between my wife and i our musical tastes run the gambit minus industrial speed metal and classical. we typically listen to rock , top 40, country and some jazz (norah jones, joss stone, michael buble, etc some would consider it young jazz and some wouldn't consider it jazz at all). never the less i'm asking you to critique my musical preferences i asking for an unbiased opinion; will these speakers make my ears bleed?
also for reference i auditioned Energy c100, Paradigm Mini monitors and atoms (minis were better but still a little washed out), liked the B&W 686 but liked the idea of something different. of course the energy and the paradigms were auditioned with AVR's and the B&W with a $12,000 pre/pro that i'd never heard of before.

 

[mazersteven]

Metal tweeters tend to be bright or harsh compared to other tweeter materials. You might have been better off looking for a speaker with a silk tweeter or soft dome.

 

[mike c]

speakers are subjective, can't help you there ... but the EP175 is just much too expensive for what you get. 10" 175 watts f3 of 32hz Dimensions HWD inches : 17" x 13.5 " x 13.5 "

b-stock svs sb12 plus 599 USD 13-14" all sides
elemental designs A3-250 350 USD 13.5 x 13.5 x 24.5"
hsuresearch.com
diy
velodyne dls-3750r same specs as the axiom, but cheaper

all these beat the living crap out of the 175

oh and yeah, more than a few people have said axioms are bright.

 

[mazersteven]

Rabbit,

There are two SVS SB12 b-stocks subs available right now for $599.

https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12

 

[gus6464]

What is your budget for the bookshelves?

 

[mazersteven]

What is your budget for the bookshelves?

The speakers he stated in the beginning are all under $400 a pair.

 

[gus6464]

The speakers he stated in the beginning are all under $400 a pair.

Ahh then a pair of ERA D4 w/ an SB12-Plus would be a very nice 2.1 setup.

 

[cbraver]

between my wife and i our musical tastes run the gambit minus industrial speed metal and classical. we typically listen to rock , top 40, country and some jazz (norah jones, joss stone, michael buble, etc some would consider it young jazz and some wouldn't consider it jazz at all). never the less i'm asking you to critique my musical preferences i asking for an unbiased opinion; will these speakers make my ears bleed?

I'm not sure, you'd have to listen to them. It sounds like you listen to a fair amount of pop-produced music though, which tends to have thick basslines and exagerated highs. If a speaker is bright, and you listen to pop music on it, it is often very annoying.

I agree with getting some bookshelves with silk dome or soft dome tweeters. Look at Dynaudio and M&K (A lot of music is mastered using M&K speakers anyways), which both have a very nuetral sound (both companies make studio monitors as well). Audience 42s would be a great bookshelf pair and would fit within your budget (not at MSRP, but, once you talk the dealer down at least).

http://www.dynaudiousa.com/

Go demo them, you won't regret it!

http://www.dynaudiousa.com/company/dlrpgs/CNDA.htm

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom in Canada

I have heard that the Axiom prices are less on the Canadian site (vs. US site) and they include shipping. Might be a good option vs. the additional shipping and duty on shipping from US companies. The Axioms are made in Canada and it should be pretty easy to find a dealer or owner for an audition.

 

[j_garcia]

Of those you listed, the X-LSs or the 170s would be highest on my list; they are fairly different in the way they sound though. I have not heard the Eras or Aperions, so can't comment. The Axioms have good midrange but don't go quite as low as the others and yes, they are brighter. The 170s are neutral and very clean sounding overall with decent bass. The X-LSs are not quite ruler flat, but they have good depth and detail; a little reserved in the midrange, but still an impressive speaker for the price considering they are likely the least expensive here.

 

[rabbit_ears]

finally decided

after spending way too much time reading reveiws and researching internet speakers i decided to hit the pavement and listen to a few different speakers in my local area; while admittedly not a mecca for electronic boutique stores there is a fairly good cross-section of the loudspeakers.
In a couple days i demo'd Paradigm Titans, Mini monitors and studio 20's, Mission M31i and M32i's, KEF iQ1 and iQ3, Energy RC10 and B&W 686's.
In the end i bought a pair of Angstrom Modular Model 2's. So far i couldn't be happier. Got a good deal on the 'floor model' that was being unpacked and put on the shelf when i got there. They aren't broken in yet but sound rich and full with good extension. I haven't seen many if any reference to this line on this or any forum but they are worth looking at IMHO.