BookShelf Speaker Recommendation Please

[HangtownMatt]

I realize this will make an audiophiles skin crawl, but I need a pair of bookshelf sized speakers that I can put into opposite end cabinets of a 7' wide furniture TV stand. The cabinet doors will be faced with acoustical cloth and each enclosure is 19"w x 17.75"d x 14.25"h. I assume these speakers would have to be either a front port or sealed design. I have auditioned the Paradigm Studio 20's and PSB B25's but don't know if it's worth the cost difference considering where they will reside? Does anybody know of any other speakers suitable for this situation? I suppose I would pay up to $1,000 for a pair if deemed worthy and plan to match them with a quality subwoofer like SVS. I want to be able to enjoy these speakers for both music and movies. The side and rear speakers are some previously installed Sonance in-wall speakers.

The stumbling block I keep hitting is the size of the matching center channels. My default CC compartment is 26.75"w x 15.5"d x 6.5"h. However, I can remove the drawer beneath and lower the shelf to fit a taller CC.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[JOD]

SVS makes some nice bookshelfs

 

[HangtownMatt]

Yes, I was looking at the MBS-01 but they are rear ported.

Matt

 

[mazersteven]

You can port plug the MTS speakers. I would e-mail SVS and ask their opinion for your situation.

Usher s-520
http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

 

[3db]

I realize this will make an audiophiles skin crawl, but I need a pair of bookshelf sized speakers that I can put into opposite end cabinets of a 7' wide furniture TV stand. The cabinet doors will be faced with acoustical cloth and each enclosure is 19"w x 17.75"d x 14.25"h. I assume these speakers would have to be either a front port or sealed design. I have auditioned the Paradigm Studio 20's and PSB B25's but don't know if it's worth the cost difference considering where they will reside? Does anybody know of any other speakers suitable for this situation? I suppose I would pay up to $1,000 for a pair if deemed worthy and plan to match them with a quality subwoofer like SVS. I want to be able to enjoy these speakers for both music and movies. The side and rear speakers are some previously installed Sonance in-wall speakers.

The stumbling block I keep hitting is the size of the matching center channels. My default CC compartment is 26.75"w x 15.5"d x 6.5"h. However, I can remove the drawer beneath and lower the shelf to fit a taller CC.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

The Studio20s are a better speaker than the B25s...and I'm a big PSB fan! There I said it!!

You're in a tough spot. If I knew I could dispose of the unit (in less than 5 years) that you are putting the speakers into, I would go for the Studios. But I still would not buy the PSBs either if I was stuck with a wall unit. I would opt for something cheaper because in my mind, sticking speakers into a cabinet severly restricts a speakers ability to image properly. I would be afraid that the sound field would sound boxy and just plain bad.

 

[HangtownMatt]

You are probably right 3db. That's what I'm afraid of. Why spend big bucks on the Studios if they are going to sound "just plain bad".

Thanks for pointing out the port plug on the SVS MBS-01's Mazersteven. I knew that and just forgot. I'm in research overload. I need to start writing stuff down. Another feature of the SVS product is a switch on the back used in situations where the speaker is installed close to walls. This might help my situation.

It sure would be great to hear from someone who has speakers installed in an entertainment center or an enclosed TV stand like mine. I can't be the only one in this situation. I'm also open to some more front ported or sealed speaker recommendations if anybody has them.

Matt

 

[sailfish]

! am looking for speakers too and in my search I believe that B&W make some bookshelves that are front ported. At least the B&W dealer told me that they could be mounted on the wall. I believe they were in the $600 range. Someone else here can probably tell you. good luck

 

[Warpdrv]

The Studio20s are a better speaker than the B25s...and I'm a big PSB fan! There I said it!!

The SVS MBS-01's are better then the Studio 20's... I have both...
Built better, heavier... much more solid enclosure, and a far better tweeter IMO...
they won't play as deep, but who cares, your getting a sub anyways....

smoother, less bright, not as punchy... just neutral...

 

[Guangui]

The Studio20s are a better speaker than the B25s...and I'm a big PSB fan! There I said it!!

You're in a tough spot. If I knew I could dispose of the unit (in less than 5 years) that you are putting the speakers into, I would go for the Studios. But I still would not buy the PSBs either if I was stuck with a wall unit. I would opt for something cheaper because in my mind, sticking speakers into a cabinet severly restricts a speakers ability to image properly. I would be afraid that the sound field would sound boxy and just plain bad.

Must have been tough for 3dB to admit something is better than PSB.

If I'm not mistaken, and 3dB should know this, PSB has a line of in-cabinet speakers that might suit your needs. Here's the link:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/In-Cabinet-Speakers

And, here is the review:

http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews/Home-theater-reviews-a-CHS80-System

 

[furrycute]

Go to your local Best Buy, and give a listen to those Athena speakers. The larger bookshelf with the 6.5" woofer is quite nice. Very good bang for the buck.

 

[HangtownMatt]

Guangui. I checked those out. They sound like the perfect solution but they sure are expensive. But even beyond the expense I could not google much, if any, real life experiences with them. My local PSB dealer has never sold nor had anyone even inquire about them. That kind of scared me off. But thanks for the help.

Matt

 

[gus6464]

The B&W 685 are front ported and you might like them. Definitely give them a try.

 

[Guangui]

Guangui. I checked those out. They sound like the perfect solution but they sure are expensive. But even beyond the expense I could not google much, if any, real life experiences with them. My local PSB dealer has never sold nor had anyone even inquire about them. That kind of scared me off. But thanks for the help.

Matt

Saturday Audio is probably the dealer that moves the most PSB's anywhere. They have an 800 number, call Andy (www.saturdayaudio.com). Talk to him see what he can tell you. I bought from them my PSB's in early Dec., since them I have bought a NAD amp, and an extra set of PSB from them. Andy knows his stuff, and I found him to be very honest. See if he has any experience with those. The in-cabinets probably appeal more to custom designers and installers.

Speaker being in a cabinet change their characteristic sound alot, so you might like certain speaker brand/model, but once you install it in your cabinet they can turn into something different, and not for good. Knowing PSB I'm sure they went thru tons of trials, and R&D. They are not the kind of company that puts out a product just because. Probably why the price is higher than expected.

 

[HangtownMatt]

Thank You everyone for your no nonsense straight forward advice. I discussed this with my wife this morning and got the green light to get the speakers out of the TV furniture cabinet and onto some speaker stands. So I'm thinking I'll go with a pair of the SVS MBS-01's for my front mains, the matching SVS center channel (it fits the TV cabinet if I remove the lower DVD storage drawer) and an SVS subwoofer. I will continue to use the in-wall Sonance speakers for surrounds, but it looks like I'll have to supplement my Yamaha RX-V661 with some external amplification to feed the front trio. So look for me over in the amplifiers/receivers forum. I'm sure I'll have some questions after I review the archives.

In the meantime though ... if anybody thinks the Yamaha RX-V661 is the wrong tool as a pre-amp please let me know quick. I've only got a few days left to return it for a full refund.

Thanks again everyone,

Matt

 

[Guangui]

Thank You everyone for your no nonsense straight forward advice. I discussed this with my wife this morning and got the green light to get the speakers out of the TV furniture cabinet and onto some speaker stands. So I'm thinking I'll go with a pair of the SVS MBS-01's for my front mains, the matching SVS center channel (it fits the TV cabinet if I remove the lower DVD storage drawer) and an SVS subwoofer. I will continue to use the in-wall Sonance speakers for surrounds, but it looks like I'll have to supplement my Yamaha RX-V661 with some external amplification to feed the front trio. So look for me over in the amplifiers/receivers forum. I'm sure I'll have some questions after I review the archives.

In the meantime though ... if anybody thinks the Yamaha RX-V661 is the wrong tool as a pre-amp please let me know quick. I've only got a few days left to return it for a full refund.

Thanks again everyone,

Matt

Good for you, that opens a whole new realm of possibilities, as far as speakers go. Since, you will use the Yamaha as pre, it will be a good one, as it's features are very good.

 

[mazersteven]

Matt,

I just received the MBS-01 speakers the other day. They are gorgeous. But very large.

 

[gus6464]

Matt,

I just received the MBS-01 speakers the other day. They are gorgeous. But very large.

Mazer where is the review? Are they worthy of dethroning the Polk LSi9?

 

[mazersteven]

Mazer where is the review? Are they worthy of dethroning the Polk LSi9?

DUDE I haven't auditioned them yet.

Some of use have to work on weekends.

 

[Warpdrv]

Hey mazer... Hope you had a good day at work...

I am also looking forward to what you think and what your comparing against...

 

[Guangui]

DUDE I haven't auditioned them yet.

Some of use have to work on weekends.

Change jobs... Anyways, where are your priorities??? Your real job is to keep us informed, and entertain us with those great pictures you always post.