Bookshelf Speaker Choices

[jeffvee]

Very soon I will need to replace my very large main fronts with a small pair of bookshelfs, due to lack of space. These will have to sit directly next to the tv so they must be magnetically shielded.

I currently have a very nice sub, a center, and rear surrounds. To say the least, I'm very overwhelmed by the many choices of b/s speakers and I really don't want to shop all around town listening to many different ones only to become more and more confused by all the differnt models.

Is there any easy way to understand how to pick a speaker by looking at the spec's given? Since most speakers look pretty much the same, what characteristics do I look for when buying ie: materials, driver size, woofer size, full range or not etc..

By the way, I'm not concerned with blasting the sound, I just want to hear very decent sound at lower levels.

Budget is around 500.00 for a pair

Current set up:
H/K AVR 630
JBL L8400 600 watt sub
JBL L810 Studio Series Surrounds
JBL EC35 Center
JBL E 100'S fronts

 

[JennAir]

Yep, lots of choices out there. The best place to get the most for your money is from an Internet-direct manufacturer but there are still many of those. Specs can give you a general idea of performance but they can't tell you how a speaker is going to sound. How do you plan to match your new mains with your JBL center? The front three should be as similar as possible. There are a couple of companies that make "LCR" speakers. The same speaker can be used for the center and mains this way. I'm probably going to look like I'm advertising for these guys but I've heard a lot of good things about them and the prices are good.
http://www.us.alegriaaudio.com/RosaLCR.htm

 

[eric0531]

Are you happy with the JBL center? (You sure about that model number by the way? Maybe it's the EC25?) If you're happy with the center, then you'll want to get a speaker from the same manufacturer and series if at all possible so that you have a timbre matched front sound stage.

If you have the EC25, then I guess the match from JBL would be the E30 - it would appear that the E50 is more closely matched to the EC35 and the E50's foot print wouldn't be much smaller than the 100s anyway. Would the 30s be small enough?

If you're not thrilled with your current center, or the E30s are still too large, then you should look to replace it and the towers with a matched 3 speaker front set.

 

[jeffvee]

Correction, I do have the EC35 center channel. And it sounds very good to me. The E50 will still be on the large size. They would probably fit on the stand next to the tv , but may be a little obtrusive. Do I really have to stay with a JBL bookshelf to have the best sound? What would happen if I bought another brand speaker? Thanks

 

[Sheep]

I would replace your fronts AND center. Save up a bit more and get these.

CBM-170SE fronts
CBM-340SE center

$658 Shipped.

SheepStar

 

[jcsprankle]

Timber matching

Correction, I do have the EC35 center channel. And it sounds very good to me. The E50 will still be on the large size. They would probably fit on the stand next to the tv , but may be a little obtrusive. Do I really have to stick with a JBL to have the best sound? What would happen if I bought another brand speaker? I guess what I'd like to know is what makes a speaker sound good and what do I look for in the spec's?
Thanks

Timber matching, or the idea that all three of the front speakers need to be as similar as possible, really only applies to HT (movies, etc.). The idea here is that when action on the screen moves from one side to the other, the sound will move from front->center->other front. If the speakers aren't timber matched, the tone of the sound can change as it goes "into" and "out of" the center. This can be very distracting to some people. Others don't seem to mind but the concensus on this forum is that timber matching is important and should be accounted for.

If music (specifically, 2 channel) is your main objective, then timber matching is a moot point because the center isn't used anyway.

Concerning the question about how good speakers should sound, that is a very subjective question. Most agree that speakers should be as transparent as possible. That is, you should not be able to hear the speakers themselves, just the sound coming out of them. Specifically, however, different types of sound are pleasant to different people. Some like speakers bright, with the treble emphasized and other prefer the opposite.

IMO, the best thing to do would be to start auditioning. The problem with this is that, in most cases, you can't audition in your home so acoustics of the room will be different, sometimes drastically different. There are some exceptions to this. For example, Axiom Audio (the M3ti bookshelves might be a good bet for you if HT timber matching isn't a priority...lets you purchase speakers with a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don't like them, all your out is return shipping.

Good luck.

 

[jcsprankle]

I would replace your fronts AND center. Save up a bit more and get these.

CBM-170SE fronts
CBM-340SE center

$658 Shipped.

SheepStar

Sheep brings up a good point. If you could replace all three front speakers, you would be in great shape. The ones he mentioned are good, as are the Axiom's below (although I haven't heard them, they've gotten good reviews):

M3Ti Bookshelves ($320 pair)
VP100 Center ($250)

$570 shipped.

 

[eric0531]

Do I really have to stick with a JBL to have the best sound?

Not just JBL, but JBLs from the same series using the same drivers (or as close as possible). Otherwise as sounds pan from side to side, you'll be able to hear the transition between speakers that are not timbre matched. Nothing says you can't try unmatched speakers, but based on my personal experience I'd bet you won't be entirely satisfied with the results.

You can't really judge a speaker based on specs, the best thing is to listen to as many speakers in your price range as possible. Then based on what speakers you did and didn't like people might have some suggestions about other speakers with similar characteristics (bright vs. warm, for example).

You might consider replacing the fronts with 3 matched speakers designed to be used as centers as well as right/left mains. I think you could do 3 Ed Frias modified BIC DV62 CLR speakers within your budget. I've never heard them myself but I think there are some people on this board that have them. Set the center on top of the TV and stand the others on their ends next to the TV, the footprint should be quite a bit smaller than the JBL bookshelves.

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

speakers

Do yourself a HUGE favor and listen to the guys above mentioning internet direct companies. Axiom, Ascend, Aperion, Psb, Onix or even paradigm or energy (not internet direct) will give you SOO SOO SOO much more for your $.

Believe me I've gone from Onkyo htb to Fluance to ascend htm200s and now I own all Onix equipment except I still have a htm200 running center duty and a jbl ep250 which I will be selling shortly with the arrival of my 2 onix x-subs.

Only having heard the ep250 and basing my assumptions on that and equipment from like manufactures you owe it to yourself and your hard earned money to spend it on quality components. I would suggest 3 onix x-ls's from av123.com for 299$ and sell that jbl center on ebay to recoupe some $$. You won't be dissapointed. I will put $$ on it!!


JR

 

[jeffvee]

Sheep brings up a good point. If you could replace all three front speakers, you would be in great shape. The ones he mentioned are good, as are the Axiom's below (although I haven't heard them, they've gotten good reviews):

M3Ti Bookshelves ($320 pair)
VP100 Center ($250)

$570 shipped.

Do you have a website I could see these on?

 

[Sheep]

Do you have a website I could see these on?

www.axiomaudio.com

OR

Use the search function

SheepStar

 

[tomd51]

Q & A

Very soon I will need to replace my very large main fronts with a small pair of bookshelfs, due to lack of space. These will have to sit directly next to the tv so they must be magnetically shielded.

I believe most bookshelf models nowadays are shielded. If anyone is aware of bookshelfs made in the last five years that aren't shielded, please correct me.

Is there any easy way to understand how to pick a speaker by looking at the spec's given? Since most speakers look pretty much the same, what characteristics do I look for when buying ie: materials, driver size, woofer size, full range or not etc..

Specifications, if accurately stated (which is really the important thing, isn't it? ), can be an important part of helping narrow down your speaker wants and needs, but most definitely shouldn't be the only criteria your speaker decision is made. Two different speaker manufacturers can produce essentially the same size speaker, same configuration with the same specifications, yet still have very contrasting differences in their sonic signature. Because of this, most will want to hear first-hand their speaker options before committing long term. This is where being able to demo a speaker or some companies having 30-45 day satisfaction/money back guaranties is an important part of your decision making.

In addition to specifications and listening evaluations, aesthetics can play a role, also. Due to the smaller form factor of bookshelf speakers, many manufacturers are considering their integration with existing furnishings and their WAF, which was more of an afterthought years earlier.

With you're budget being approximately $500.00 for a pair of bookshelf speakers, you should be able to find quite a few that may suit all your needs. If you'd like specific recommendations, just say the magic word... -TD

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

1: Please list dimension of room.

2: R these for HT or music?

2a: what genre of music?

3: mating with sub?

4: what style of sound do you like? (neutral, bright, forward, laid back)

Sorry for just rushing in and suggesting something without asking the proper questions. I'm having an off day, I guess.

JR

 

[jeffvee]

magic word

I believe most bookshelf models nowadays are shielded. If anyone is aware of bookshelfs made in the last five years that aren't shielded, please correct me.

Specifications, if accurately stated (which is really the important thing, isn't it? ), can be an important part of helping narrow down your speaker wants and needs, but most definitely shouldn't be the only criteria your speaker decision is made. Two different speaker manufacturers can produce essentially the same size speaker, same configuration with the same specifications, yet still have very contrasting differences in their sonic signature. Because of this, most will want to hear first-hand their speaker options before committing long term. This is where being able to demo a speaker or some companies having 30-45 day satisfaction/money back guaranties is an important part of your decision making.

In addition to specifications and listening evaluations, aesthetics can play a role, also. Due to the smaller form factor of bookshelf speakers, many manufacturers are considering their integration with existing furnishings and their WAF, which was more of an afterthought years earlier.

With you're budget being approximately $500.00 for a pair of bookshelf speakers, you should be able to find quite a few that may suit all your needs. If you'd like specific recommendations, just say the magic word... -TD

Yes, by all means I'd like some recommendations. Thanks

 

[tomd51]

I would replace your fronts AND center. Save up a bit more and get these.

CBM-170SE fronts
CBM-340SE center

$658 Shipped.

SheepStar

I agree w/Sheep on this one. You'd like to keep your front soundstage as seamless as possible. Having the same line of speakers for L/C/R will guarantee this and typically, using the same speaker manufacturer with similar product lines (assuming they aren't several hundreds of dollars difference) will yield the same results.

The Ascend offerings are very good at that price point, here's a link to them as well as others for consideration:

Bookshelf/Stand Mount Speakers
Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE, CBM-170 SE
Axiom M22, M3, W3
Mordaunt Short MS912, AVANT 902
Onix Rocket RS250 MKII
Boston Acoustics VRB
Onix x-ls

The only thing I'd like to reiterate would be to listen to as many as you possibly can... -TD

 

[jeffvee]

1: Please list dimension of room.

2: R these for HT or music?

2a: what genre of music?

3: mating with sub?

4: what style of sound do you like? (neutral, bright, forward, laid back)

Sorry for just rushing in and suggesting something without asking the proper questions. I'm having an off day, I guess.

JR

Room dimension is 14' x 20'
These will be used primarily for music although on occasion HT.
Genre of music will consist of anything from rock to jazz.
Sub is JBL L8400 600 watter
Style of sound...hmmm....not sure how to answer that one based upon the choices. Don't understand the meaning.

 

[jeffvee]

www.axiomaudio.com

OR

Use the search function

SheepStar

When I read "good for the money" , " good for the price range" ,that scares me.I want a good speaker , and not just good for the money. I want it good, not good enough.

Following is an editor's quote off the website.

"I'm really in a state of disbelief because these little $300 USD Axiom speakers have no right to sound as good as they do . They are an outright steal for the money!"
-- Doug Schneider, Soundstage

"I think they are better than any B&W, Klipsch, Infinity, Technics, Bose, JBL and Sony models I have heard in this price range."
-- A. Colin Flood, EnjoyTheMusic

 

[zumbo]

$330 shipped: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDMS912BL

$250 shipped: http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MORDAV905CMPL

$580 total.

I see these have been mentioned by tomd51 as well.

 

[zumbo]

So if I go with these, is it a big improvement from my JBL's?

In sound quality. Yes

But, going from a tower of your size to a small bookshelf, there will be a BIG sound missed. It is going to take some tweeking of the system, and some getting used to.

So, you are moving towards a more detailed clean sound, while loosing the BIG jubled-up sound.

 

[Duffman-OOHYEAH]

These will be used primarily for music although on occasion HT.
Genre of music will consist of anything from rock to jazz.
Sub is JBL L8400 600 watter
Style of sound...hmmm....not sure how to answer that one based upon the choices. Don't understand the meaning.

Style of sound.. let's see if I can shed some light on this for you.

Neutral = no frequency range is stronger the the other. It plays what the source provides. Doesn't color the sound.

Bright = reproduces more treble energy than norm.

Forward = the sound/presentation is right in front of you.

laid back = veiled, light on treble. sound is not right in your face.

These are my definitions if anyone cares to correct these, please do so.

Axioms are regarded are being a bit on the bright side and a tad forward.

Ascends = nuetral. excellent accuracy reproduction of all freq. ranges.

Onix xls = close to the Ascends but from what I've gathered are a bit more laid back (VERY SLIGHTLY). but offer such a huge sound stage and imaging. I personally don't know if the others can compete.

Onix ref .5 = More of the Axiom sound a little bright & forward with excellent reproduction of the midrange. For jazz I would lean toward these. If your sub is accurate.

Also Aperion has some amazing products as well with a beautiful cherry finnish.

Numbers and charts don't explain the whole story. Sound signatures vary greatly even when comparing speakers with identical #'s.


JR