Bookshelfs for 2 channel system

[crabcakes99]

I have a refurbished Marantz 2270 that I bought long long ago in the mid
70's. I want to buy a couple of good bookshelf speakers for a 2 channel system and pair them with the 2270. I am currently considering Monitor Audio BX-2 and RX-2 speakers. I am trying to find a pair of bookshelfs that will go low enough that I will not need a sub. This is for music listening only (mostly old vinyl collected in college days that will be played on my old Dual 1249 also bought in the mid 70's).

Are there any other speakers that I should consider with the top end cost being comparable or less than the RX-2s?

 

[afterlife2]

What is your room size/budget?

 

[crabcakes99]

20 ft by 20 ft.

 

[afterlife2]

NHT Superones has nice bass. You can buy them used $100-140. Also Paradigm Mini Monitor V.6.: http://www.avguide.com/review/paradigm-mini-monitor-v6-loudspeaker-tas-190
another option: http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers
I encourage you to get a sub though. This is on sale: http://www.amazon.com/Velodyne-VX-11/dp/B002ZBJSIM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1336172124&sr=8-5

 

[fuzz092888]

Products

To my knowledge, these are the only bookshelves that will go low enough to even consider not adding a sub for a pair of bookshelves.

They're a lot more than you want to spend, but if you want good sound for a room your size from only a pair of bookshelves then you've got to spend a little more. For most other bookshelves, depending on content you'll almost definitely feel your speakers are lacking on the low end and some guys have even mentioned that without a proper low end it starts to affect the perception of the midrange as well.

That could potentially be even worse because the majority of the sound we hear is in the midrange.

Now for two speakers in your price range I'm looking at these (I think your range is somewhere in the $600-900 range, but I only quickly googled those two speakers you mentioned so I could be wrong)

15WC

16WC

 

[zieglj01]

For the most part in a 20x20 room - no. It will come down to what
you can live with (compromise), based on your budget. I do like >
Focal 706
KEF Q300
Monitor Audio RX Silver

I can not speak for Ascend - however, look at the
CMT 340 speakers.

 

[crabcakes99]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I am familiar with Paradigm and like their speakers. I have a pair of studio 80's , 40's and 20's along with the studio center channel that I use in my home theater setup (all version 2). I think their excellent speakers.

I'll take a look at the HTD's because I was trying to set up what's left of my old college day system up in a spare bedroom. The HTD's look pretty impressive for the price tag.

Thanks for the other recommendations too! Seems I have a bit more studying before I zero in on a pair of speakers.

 

[markw]

Be cautious of your expectations.

When you say you want bookshelves that go low enough that you don't need a subwoofer, be careful.

Depending on your expcetations of bass, you might be greatly disappointed.

Many bookshelves can go pretty low, particularly those made in the day the 2270 was not vintage, but with the current trend towards smaller drivers and cabinets, a lot of the heavy lifting has been left to standalone subwoofers.

Depending on your tastes and local availability, for music I might recommend a vintage AR-5 or possibly aJBL-26 or L-100, among many more of that era.

If you can accept that big bass in small boxes is difficult, all is not lost I find a pair of Sound Design RTS-3's, a two way with a 6 1/2" driver, very satisfactory but I accept the fact that it's low end won't match the two aforementioned (or many other) vintage speakers

I'm sure ther are others as well but don't rule out a subwoofer if your expectations are low, loud bass.

 

[afterlife2]

Take a look at these too: HSU Research HB-1 MK2 Bookshelf Loudspeaker Reviewed
Like I said earlier I'd recomm a sub(Velodyne-VX-11 @ amazon.com) with bookshelf speakers or go the route Markw suggested. JBL's to me are good speakers too.

 

[jcl]

The atlantic technology AT-2 is rated down to 41 hz, but it's $900 each.

Atlantic Technology - AT-2 with H-PAS Technology

I've never heard them but wouldn't mind a listen.

For that kind of $ you can get a nice pair of monitors and a sub to fill out the bottom end.

 

[markw]

Correction.

That's Sound Dynamics RTS-3, not Sound Design.

From a division if the Canadian speaker conglomerate API (Energy, Mirage, Athena, Sound Dynamics) which was subsequently sold to Klipsch.

 

[Grador]

If you like the paradigm sound then I do not think you'll be disappointed by a pair of Mini Monitors. I listened to the current version (v.7) last week when I was looking for centers (just picked up a Monitor Center 1) and was impressed. I think they are an improvement upon the v.5's that I have owned and loved for several years. They aren't going to hit you in the gut with bass, and I do generally yearn for a subwoofer with them, but they mostly convey the whole message of the music.

 

[sholling]

Sierra-1 ($850/pr) will go down to the 40s which is low enough for most music. Honestly though I'd either go with bookshelves and a sub or towers - especially in a room that size. You're not going to get high volume deep bass out of a passive bookshelf.

Review

Typical In-Room Frequency Response 39Hz - 22kHz ± 3dB
In-Room Sensitivity 87dB @ 1 watt / 1 meter
Frequency Response (Anechoic) 44Hz - 22kHz ± 3dB
Sensitivity (Anechoic) 86.5dB @ 1 watt / 1 meter
Average Impedance 8 ohms
Minimum Recommended Power 45 watts
Maximum Continuous Power* 200 watts
Maximum Short Term Peak Power* 400 watts

 

[theJman]

Now for two speakers in your price range I'm looking at these (I think your range is somewhere in the $600-900 range, but I only quickly googled those two speakers you mentioned so I could be wrong)

15WC

I've actually got my eye on those very speakers. If you end up getting them let me know what you think. I'm curious.

To the OP... a couple of other potential options might be:

• XTZ 93.22
• Emotiva XRM-6.1
• Crystal Acoustics TX-B1

 

[norml4721]

Bookshelf speakers

Hi :

Focal makes a bookshelf speaker. The Electra 1008 Be that has a low frequency point of 41 Hz and a low frequency response of 46 Hz. These are excellent speakers and they of course have the Utopia line which will more than fill your requirements but to expensive for the average person. In fact some people concider them the reference.

As you can tell I am a big Focal fan. What the previos posts said was correct. Buy a subwoofer. You can by a small sub that will fill your low end requirements.

I have an extra used pair of Focal Chorus line 705's(collecting dust) that I would sell for $225/Pr plus shipping. With a small sub they would be great. If interested email me.

Good Luck in your speaker selection.

Best

Norm L

 

[3db]

Here a re a few audition suggestions.

Totem Rainmaker
http://totemacoustic.com/en/hi-fi/compact/rainmaker/specifications/

PSB Synchrony 1B
http://www.psbspeakers.com/content/120301105702-PSB_Synchrony_Series_English_Specifications.pdf

 

[crabcakes99]

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[crabcakes99]

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