Bookshelf speaker comparison (for the umpteenth time)

[rabbit_ears]

sorry for posting the same thing thats been posted so many time before but i'm looking for a direct comparison of two speakers and don't have a local store that sells both (or one that sells infinity for that matter). i just finish building built in cabinet in my living room and would like to get some bookshelf speakers to put in them that would give decent sound to fill a medium-small sized room (with 8' ceilings). i can get the Infinity Primus 160's mail order for $120CDN or the Paradigm Titans for $199 retail. these speakers will primarily be used for music reproduction but will also be hooked up to an A/V receiver which i also haven't bought yet (most likely Denon or Yamaha). My main question is this, are the titans worth almost double the price of the infinitys and does being ported at the front (primus) provide any advantages over rear porting (titan) when placed in a bookshelf (depth of bookshelf is <2" deeper than speaker).

 

[KC23]

Food for thought.

Link to speakers shown below

Spend a little more ... do it right.

 

[rabbit_ears]

i should've prefaced my original post that the paradigms are sale for a short period of time (unitl stock sells out) and unfortunately right now i have a some sort of funky sinus infection and everything sounds like i'm under water so while it looks like i'm asking for somebody to picka speaker for me because i'm too lazy to demo myself, truth is i'm looking for someone to pick a speaker for me becasue i'm physically unable to do it at this time and i don't want to miss out on a deal.
Thanks for the response but the axioms, though reprtedly great speakers are a little bit more than i wanted to spend for a general purpose secondary system (especially while the wife is on maternity leave and income is cut in half). i was also considering the x-ls' but was a little concerned about the longevity of the fabric and paper cones. i'm not an audiphile by any stretch but i would like quality sound on a budget and not have to replace my equipment every year.

 

[Pianoman84d]

Just a quick note on the X-LS's longevity. First, I'm sure that they will last and last, but obviously since they are a new product, I don't know that for sure. Second, If something were to happen, Av123's stellar customer support would take care of it. Period. If I were in your shoes, I would not worry about it. Isn't this process fun

 

[Danny Richie]

was a little concerned about the longevity of the fabric and paper cones

The company that manufactures the woofers has been building woofers for us since 1997. I have had literally thousands built and NEVER have any of them fallen apart from deterioration. I expect them to last as long as woofers used in any other speaker. I would also favor them immediately over a metal cone woofer.

 

[GreenJelly]

Sub $1000 a pair are B&W 602's and NHT are a great choice depending on the different budgets. The 602's are Large bookshelfs that are truely full range. NHT sell systems that are allot less then B&W and sound relatively good.

http://www.nhthifi.com/p-ht-superaudio.html

As you can see, they specialize in Bookshelf speakers. However people really push Axioms around here. I feel that the B&W sound better then the Axioms, but are priced at $600, though I hear people get them for $500. B&W sells smaller speakers, but I wouldnt recommend them. The 601 will make great surounds, and are a bit less.

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.ranges

The 700 series is amazing, but for that price range the B&W bookselfs are some of the best. However, you will be missing out if you only step up to full size.

I would never recommend ANYONES satalite speakers, and have never compaired them. B&W entered this market because of the high demand, and the speakers they sell do sound good. However they sound like satalites.

Lastly the 300 series is a poor attempt at a new lower costing line that competes directly with NHT and Axioms. These speakers needs a decade in development to mature.

800 (the 805's) are amazing bookshelf speakers, though again you need a LARGE bookshelf. At the cost these sell for, it is not smart to put anywhere but on speaker stands.

There is a price point where bookshelfs become less practical, and its around the $1000 a pair mark. After that, the speakers become so good that speaker placement becomes important.

I say this because I know that the most important aspects of high end speakers are speaker placement and room dynamics. Putting speakers on things (desks, bookshelfs, TV, etc) can be a major factor in sound. Mounting speakers on the walls helps, and many find this as a suitable solution. The price range in these setups would be higher then what is expressed above.

NHT Reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/mpl_705_1594crx.aspx
http://www.avrev.com/equip/nhttheatersystem/index.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6467_7-1024169.html
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/reviews/hccreviews/CentreSpeakers/NHT/NHTAudioCenter1.php


B&W DM600 reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_133089_4290crx.aspx

B&W DM601 reviews
http://www.audioreview.com/PRD_130192_4290crx.aspx

Axiom
http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/bookshelf-speakers/MPL_1225_4290crx.aspx (not much here)