bookshelf speaker recommendations

[andrewh973]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get a pair of bookshelf speakers for Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp and RCD-1072 CD player. The system will be in a mid-sized living room. Music listened to is classical, jazz, rock, from lower to moderate levels. Budget is $750 - $1,000 for the pair.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated.

 

[billnchristy]

There are a pair of B-stock ref1s over on av123 for 750.

It says they have minor cosmetic blemishes too small to photograph, which means they should still be stunning. Usually 1500.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=16.1

Looks like the B&W did pretty good too.

There are quite a few bookshelf reviews here, but mostly lower price range stuff.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

With that budget, assuming you're not using a subwoofer, why not consider floorstanders? You have some nice equipment - probably too nice for two bookshelves.

 

[aspaceintime]

What about these?

What about EPOS 12.2? I've heard them and they sound sweet. They are on my short list...
http://www.epos-acoustics.com/products.asp?logging=122&lookup=m12.2

 

[billnchristy]

Too nice for bookshelves? Just because they are smaller does not mean they are not worthy of quality gear.

 

[mziegler]

At $568/pair Ascend is a great way to go (668 w/ stands). I was looking in your price range for a long time.

Buckeyefan makes a pretty point about you not using a sub. With most bookshelves in your price range you will want a sub.

My second choice were the NHT Classic Threes. They sounded pretty good in my home, but I have a poor setting.

There are so many choices in your price range.

 

[Nick250]

There are a pair of B-stock ref1s over on av123 for 750.

It says they have minor cosmetic blemishes too small to photograph, which means they should still be stunning. Usually 1500.

http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=stock&product=16.1

Has anyone heard or owned these speakers? If they truly belong in the $1500 category, this is a hell of a deal. What I wonder is are they over priced to begin with.

Nick

 

[biz97]

Emma's

Hello,

I am actually Demoing this very amp with a great set of loudspeakers: The Alegria Emma Loudspeaker: http://www.us.alegriaaudio.com/Emma.htm. I have the speakers and was looking for a good amp to pair with it. I tried a few in home and it looks like this will be the one. The site seems to be down but I really enjoy the setup. 30 Day in-home trial and the purchasing process with excellent. I had a lot of questions and Tim answered each one quickly.

BTW: I find the bass to be more than enough in my listening room.

 

[Seth=L]

I like the Paradigm Studio 20's. The have a very full range sound and would easily fill even large rooms with spacious sound. The sound room at the Ovation store is quite large and those speakers do not sound small. They are very tonally accurate, and have a very pleasing sound IMO. They have a very high power handling considering they are bookshelf speakers. They come in at around $600 w/out the stands. Don't get the Paradigm studio matching stands, better can be had for your money.

 

[GreenJelly]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get a pair of bookshelf speakers for Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp and RCD-1072 CD player. The system will be in a mid-sized living room. Music listened to is classical, jazz, rock, from lower to moderate levels. Budget is $750 - $1,000 for the pair.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated.

What size do you consider a bookshelf speaker?

I wouldnt buy anything that isnt at least a square foot in size. At least not at that price point.

If size is that important, then read consumer reports from this month, pick out their recommended speaker, and dont spend more then $1000 for a 5 speaker system.

Now, At $750-$1,000 a pair of speakers, I would recommend that you go to a few stores that purely sell high end audio and video gear. Audition their speaker of choice (every store has one). Then ask to take the system home to try it out. Go to another few stores, and try out the different speakers with the same music. If your impressed, also ask for a week long try out.

Speakers are a personal choice. In addition, some speakers sound better in some rooms. Its important that you decide for yourself.

Hint: Dont listen to there RCA and Speaker cable important statements/sales pitch. Buy cheap speaker cable, and relitively cheap RCA's

 

[jcPanny]

Onix Ref 1's

Has anyone heard or owned these speakers? If they truly belong in the $1500 category, this is a hell of a deal. What I wonder is are they over priced to begin with.

Nick

I have the Ref 1's and would recommend them. If you compare the build quality and components to other speakers, they would be worth the $1500 retail price. However, no on really pays that much because you can buy a pair with the SP3 Tube amp for $1200. You can get a great deal on these from people on Audiogon with Upgradeitis like I did.
In the $1600 price range, AV123's new Strata Mini's would be killer for a 2 channel system.

 

[silversurfer]

I have the Ref 1's and would recommend them. If you compare the build quality and components to other speakers, they would be worth the $1500 retail price. However, no on really pays that much because you can buy a pair with the SP3 Tube amp for $1200. You can get a great deal on these from people on Audiogon with Upgradeitis like I did.
In the $1600 price range, AV123's new Strata Mini's would be killer for a 2 channel system.

Have you heard the Strata Mini's yet? Doesn't seem like many people have, and some of the impressions on the AV123 forum are mixed.

You can get a pair of Ref1's on Audiogon for about $600.

 

[Bee-Man]

I gotta agree with Green Jelly.....you ought be looking at bookshelves that are at least ~ 15" high....

There is a higher class of bookshelf speakers that often are 4 ohm (sometimes 8), that produce very good sound, particularly at lower volumes (that is the key really).....quite a few are listed in the Audioholics reviews....and they aren't cheap either...RBH, Paradigm, B&W....SONUS.....to name a few....

I have recently purchased Chario "Delphinius" bookshelves - and the sound to me is superb - particularly on jazz, blues and non - rock type of music. I would be hard pressed to revert back to a three way, floorstander - although never say never as there is a lot of good kit out there....

Good luck...this will be a fun decision....have a look at AV forums for comments on more European speakers.....if you so desire.

 

[GreenJelly]

I gotta agree with Green Jelly.....you ought be looking at bookshelves that are at least ~ 15" high....

There is a higher class of bookshelf speakers that often are 4 ohm (sometimes 8), that produce very good sound, particularly at lower volumes (that is the key really).....quite a few are listed in the Audioholics reviews....and they aren't cheap either...RBH, Paradigm, B&W....SONUS.....to name a few....

I have recently purchased Chario "Delphinius" bookshelves - and the sound to me is superb - particularly on jazz, blues and non - rock type of music. I would be hard pressed to revert back to a three way, floorstander - although never say never as there is a lot of good kit out there....

Good luck...this will be a fun decision....have a look at AV forums for comments on more European speakers.....if you so desire.

B&W and Thiel make my ears perk. The 602's and 602.5, and 603's are all really good.

602's are bookshelf speakers 500. If you count a stand they hit $600...
Thats where the 602.5's come into play. They are floor stand speakers, and really do use the extra space. They are $600

The 603's are REALLY amazing, they are $1000 for floorstand speakers.

Thiel may make bookshelf speakers, though I am not interested in them... havent heard them, and I only buy used Thiels. I got an audition set up for the thiel 3.5's, but they are extremely power hungry, requiring expensive amps. They are also 20 years old and one of Thiels first speakers.

 

[3db]

Highly recommend PSB Stratus Mini's

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to get a pair of bookshelf speakers for Rotel RA-1062 integrated amp and RCD-1072 CD player. The system will be in a mid-sized living room. Music listened to is classical, jazz, rock, from lower to moderate levels. Budget is $750 - $1,000 for the pair.

Any thoughts? Much appreciated.

They are a very smooth, very open sounded speaker and sound much bigger than they look. Their only downfall is that they are a 4 ohm low senstivity speaker and requires a robust amp to drive them. If you get a chance, try and audtition them.

 

[GreenJelly]

Any 4 Ohm speaker becomes very expensive. Their are just not enough Amps or Receivers out their that support them.

NAD is the only AV Receiver that supports 4 and 2 Ohms. Most of their products havent been upgraded in years. 4 Ohm Amps cost over 1K. I am facing this problem with my Thiels.

A few years ago, high end receivers would support 5 channel 4 ohm speakers. Many inexpensive receivers (Sony) produced 4 Ohm rated for their front speakers.

Now No one builds 4 Ohm Receivers, that are reasonable priced (except NAD)

Mike

 

[3db]

wait a sec

Any 4 Ohm speaker becomes very expensive. Their are just not enough Amps or Receivers out their that support them.

NAD is the only AV Receiver that supports 4 and 2 Ohms. Most of their products havent been upgraded in years. 4 Ohm Amps cost over 1K. I am facing this problem with my Thiels.

A few years ago, high end receivers would support 5 channel 4 ohm speakers. Many inexpensive receivers (Sony) produced 4 Ohm rated for their front speakers.

Now No one builds 4 Ohm Receivers, that are reasonable priced (except NAD)

Mike

Almost all recievers today can drive 4 ohm speakers . Its at loud volume levels that it gets tricky. Now I beleive Rotel to be in the same league as NAD in its ability to drive 4 ohms to decently loud volume levels. It depends on the room size he's working with and how loud he wants to push them. Yamaha, Denon are more than adequate at supplying power to 4 ohm speakers if the room is small enough and insanely loud volume levels aren't needed.

 

[GreenJelly]

Almost all recievers today can drive 4 ohm speakers . Its at loud volume levels that it gets tricky. Now I beleive Rotel to be in the same league as NAD in its ability to drive 4 ohms to decently loud volume levels. It depends on the room size he's working with and how loud he wants to push them. Yamaha, Denon are more than adequate at supplying power to 4 ohm speakers if the room is small enough and insanely loud volume levels aren't needed.

In fact, almost NO receivers are rated for 4 Ohm speakers. Many Receivers could drive these components, up until they start dipping deeper down in the resistance. When they hit 2 or 1, you will clip the 8 ohm receiver and you will have a fried Receiver.

I beleive NAD and Rotel both produce 4 and 2 ohm Amps in there receivers, but they are not as beefy as many people want/need for these speakers.

I would NOT recomend powering 4 ohm speakers with a Denon or Yamaha receiver. They just are not approved for this load. Denon and Yamaha will not support or warrenty their products if they are used on 4 ohm systems.

A few years ago, Denon made 4 ohm rated receivers, that where really good. But they have dropped this.

Mike

 

[AVKommonsense]

If you get a chance take a look at the Era Design 4 satellites from Signal Path Int. They retail for $600 for the pair and come in various wood veneers. If you require a bookshelf with a slightly bigger driver size, the Era Design 5 is equally as good. The company I use to work for (Audioadvice.com) use to sell a lot of these. They are audiophile build quality, and have received great reviews. Check out April 2006 issue of Home Theater magazine... They have a write up of the Design 4 Speaker System that incorporates the satellites I mentioned.

Signal Path Website:
http://www.signalpathint.com/FramesetEra.htm

ps: Considering you have Rotel components you may also want to consider B&W bookshelfs... They compliment each other well.

 

[3db]

Nope

In fact, almost NO receivers are rated for 4 Ohm speakers. Many Receivers could drive these components, up until they start dipping deeper down in the resistance. When they hit 2 or 1, you will clip the 8 ohm receiver and you will have a fried Receiver. Mike

That is not true. Clipping just doesn't souly depend on the load the receiver is driving. It also includes what volume the load is being driven at. If that were the case, receivers would not clip when driving 8 ohm loads but they do. Would they clip easier at 4 ohms? Sure they would but it doesn't mean they can't be used carefully with 4 ohm loads.

I have a POS Panasonic HT reciever and the manufacturer only recommneds using 8Ohm speakers. Well, all of my PSBs are rated for 6 ohms and I have cranked that receiver without any audible distortion.