Bookshelves in the $400 range

[emorphien]

I found it at Soundstage:

http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/measurements/axiom_m3ti/

They have a lot of speakers listed including the M22 and the CBM-170(older model though) that the OP posted first:
http://www.soundstageav.com/speakermeasurements.html

That's the same one I saw.

 

[Jottle]

Jottle - I'm not sure that everyone posting to this thread understands that you will be driving these speakers with a 38 watt per channel amp.

If you haven't listened to the Klipsch RB-61's for yourself, I think it would be worth your while. The Reference IV series horns are somewhat different than prior models.

I have, I don't like them.

 

[ZoFo]

SP3 has Plenty of Power!

Don't let that 38 wpc fool you, I have run this amp with the Onix bookshelves & Reference 1.5 floorstanders and it will crank these 4ohm speakers PLENTY loud; I was surprised.

 

[billnchristy]

I have heard it with the minis and it rocket the house in a fairly large open room with vaulted ceilings.

People run Ref3s on them as well.

 

[chicomoralessxm]

Just a question have you looked at the polk lineup rti6 or maybe the lsi7 well the later might exceed your budget a bit but the rti6 or even the paradigm monitor 3 mith be worth looking at.

 

[Jottle]

Just a question have you looked at the polk lineup rti6 or maybe the lsi7 well the later might exceed your budget a bit but the rti6 or even the paradigm monitor 3 mith be worth looking at.

No haven't chico. Thanks. I will add the Polks to my list.

 

[3db]

I would seriously auditon the PSB Image B25s

No haven't chico. Thanks. I will add the Polks to my list.

If you want a speaker that's neutral, draws you into the music rather than throwing it into your face, then you owe yuorself to audition these. I've auditioned these and the midrange on these is nothing short of phenomenal. The highs are accurate without being edgy and the bass is tight, fast, and well controlled. There's a reason why my entire HOme Theater is built from PSB products

 

[j_garcia]

I haven't been a fan of Polk, but I did recently listen to a pair of RTi8s and I have to say, I thought they sounded pretty good. I've owned the LSi7s, and I'd have to say they would not be among my choices. Paradigm Monitor 3 also not among my choices.

 

[jcPanny]

Onix Ref 1's

If you haven't bought the SP3 yet, go for the package with the Onix Ref 1's. You will be getting the speakers for <$400 and you wont be disappointed.

The Ref line is voiced differently than the Rocket HT speakers even though they have a similar tweeter.

 

[HDTV4ME]

You should look at the paradigm studio 20's.You can get the older versions for a good price.What do you know,I just happen to have a pair of v1's for sale.

 

[Rob Babcock]

The "little" SP3 sounds shockingly powerful! I played it for a few guys that didn't believe me when I told them it's rated @ 38 Wpc. On the same topic, I must quibble a bit with the AH review of the Onix; I didn't think it really had any of the flaws often attributed to tubes. I especially didn't find the bass mushy at all! In fact, it really souned like solid state bass. The measurements may have indicated a rolled off top end, but I was never able to hear this in my own use (although some of the speakers I drove with it are probably a bit more 'airy' than most, including the very bright Ref-1's that came with the amp).

 

[Jottle]

The "little" SP3 sounds shockingly powerful! I played it for a few guys that didn't believe me when I told them it's rated @ 38 Wpc. On the same topic, I must quibble a bit with the AH review of the Onix; I didn't think it really had any of the flaws often attributed to tubes. I especially didn't find the bass mushy at all! In fact, it really souned like solid state bass. The measurements may have indicated a rolled off top end, but I was never able to hear this in my own use (although some of the speakers I drove with it are probably a bit more 'airy' than most, including the very bright Ref-1's that came with the amp).

Agreed. I've been using this sp3 with the "shi**iest pair of onkyo bookshelf speakers" known to humankind. And even the Onkyos have some decent bass control with this amp. They bloat bass anyways, but not any worse than the 100wpc amp I was using before. Very nice amp for the money.