Bookshelves under $250

[WorldLeader]

You know the drill, I need some final counseling, opinions, Yada Yada... alright.


This is for a custom (aka I did it myself) remodeled attic that is oh so angular. It is also my bedroom. Pic:

It is about done, with drywall, full insulation and finished plywood floors for that urban loft effect. I will also have some area rugs to dampen the harshness.

Anyway... down to business. I listen to Alternative, Electronic, some Rock (nothing heavy, no oldies) Indie, and create my own music on my iMac. I love bass, deeper = better. Since this is an attic and people are living below, loud isn't always the goal. Good quality is the goal. I am also a student, so money is always an issue, but I'm willing to invest.

I'm planning on running this system with a Harman Kardon AVR 240-ish level receiver, which can be found for around $230 shipped.

I'm also going to build a line array style IB subwoofer with 2x18" woofers and a A500 amp.

Which leads me to the contenders in my quest:

Rocket x-ls - $219/pair
Notes: Very widely acclaimed, nice finish, good bass and excellent value.

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GR-Research A/V-1 - $229/pair base as a kit (which I don't mind building)
Notes: Precursor to the x-ls, can it beat the value of the x-ls?

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SVS SBS-01 - $225/pair
Notes: Can it hang with the other speakers in this range?

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Any others that I am missing?

 

[mike c]

polk audio monitor 40
polk audio rti4
monitor audio BR2
monitor audio BR1
Infinity Primus 160/150
Infinity BETA 10

 

[Seth=L]

The Onyx X-LS is a great deal from my understanding. I think the GR might be the better value if you don't consider building negative. If you have patience and steady craftsmanship, the GR might be the better buy. I will let others give you a more qualified opinion on that. One member purchased the X-LS to replace his Paradigm Studio 20s, seems like a backwards move, and he said that he enjoys the X-LS more than the Studio 20s. That is just a reference, note the Studio 20s are around $700-800 new.

 

[Crackerballer]

The Onyx X-LS is a great deal from my understanding. I think the GR might be the better value if you don't consider building negative. If you have patience and steady craftsmanship, the GR might be the better buy. I will let others give you a more qualified opinion on that. One member purchased the X-LS to replace his Paradigm Studio 20s, seems like a backwards move, and he said that he enjoys the X-LS more than the Studio 20s. That is just a reference, note the Studio 20s are around $700-800 new.

Quite a bold statement. I would suggest JBL E50s. Froogle them and they can be had for under your budget. NOTE: I have never heard the speakers, just going off reviews and how impressed I am with my E20s.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

OneCall has Boston Acoustics CR75s clearanced priced at $150/pr right now. These are an absolute steal at that price.

 

[jcPanny]

Speake options

The A/V-1's and X-LS were designed by the same guy, Danny Richie and the components are very similar. With the X-LS, you get a larger woofer (6.5") and a free cabinet with real wood veneer. They show up on the B-stock or classified pages frequently for $175/pair.

 

[j_garcia]

The X-LS has a larger woofer but also has exactly the same tuning, and if you look at the specs, they are very similar in measured response. With the nice wood finish and the cool grilles, I don't think you will beat the X-LSs in terms of value, but I do think you will get a little more speaker with the A/V-1. The tweeters are different, the ones in the GRs are specially made for Danny from what I understand, and they are excellent tweeters. I have previously owned A/V-1s and currently own all A/V-2s. I am actually looking to score another set of used ones from a friend very soon here...

If you are looking for a project in building them and making them exactly the way you want (look, finish, etc...), I'd go with the A/V-1 or even A/V-2 kit. If you are looking for value, I'd opt for the X-LS. I have listened to a lot of speakers, and these guys easily hold their own against much more pricey and respected speakers.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

While I have speakers I am very happy with and am unlikely to replace (and much pricier than we are discussing here), I still like to buy budget speakers and listen to them now and then. I guess that's why it is called a hobby.
Anyway, the X-LS are on my list to try, as I have read so many good things about them.

 

[j_garcia]

They're on my list too. If I don't buy these A/V-1s, I will be buying a pair of X-LSs to try out in the bedroom setup.

 

[speakerman39]

polk audio monitor 40
polk audio rti4
monitor audio BR2
monitor audio BR1
Infinity Primus 160/150
Infinity BETA 10

Would have to second the Infinity Primus 150's. Just love the way they sound and can NOT recommend them enough. Good luck in your decision.

 

[WorldLeader]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I googled all of the speakers that were mentioned, although something about the plastic look of many of the speakers seem to turn me away. I have some old Polk 2-ways and these giant Klipsch K2 bookshelf things (1" tweeter, 10" woofer, 12" passive radiator) and I like them, although the Polks seem harsh and the Klipsch ones seem muddled a bit. Of course, that probably has a lot to do with the amp (an old denon DRA series)

I really like the idea of building/finishing my own speakers. I was one of those kids who built their CO2 drag racers in middle school and finished them with like 20 coats of paint and finish. It would also be a cool sense of pride since I'll be taking whatever I choose to college and beyond.

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I was wondering though how much better it would be to have a speaker that could play low with my IB subwoofer. I want the bass to be non-directional so that would mean a lower x-over point. I also don't want to stress my mains. Do the x-ls play lower than the A/V-1s or A/V-2s?

 

[j_garcia]

The -3dB for all of them is 55Hz. Though the A/V-2s have the same -3dB, they have a little more bass because they are more sensitive overall vs A/V-1s. I use an 80hz x-over and it works very well with them.

I bought my main pair built from GR's cabinet maker, but I bought the new drivers and x-overs and totally rebuilt them almost from the ground up. I like the fact that I know each and every capacitor and screw and piece of wire in there, and that I installed them myself.

 

[WorldLeader]

I saw the x-ls for $175 b-stock but wasn't able to buy them where I was. Anyone have any final thoughts before I pull the trigger for real?

 

[RickH]

Wow

I don't know if I am qualified to reccomend a speaker.....But you my friend are one hell of a good finish carpenter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What you did to that room is phenomenal!! Personally I think people are going to be so blown away by
your work that you could put Krell mono blocks and a couple of B&W Nautilus
and it still wouldn't do justice to your creative use of space!!

 

[mazersteven]

I don't know if I am qualified to reccomend a speaker.....But you my friend are one hell of a good finish carpenter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What you did to that room is phenomenal!! Personally I think people are going to be so blown away by
your work that you could put Krell mono blocks and a couple of B&W Nautilus
and it still wouldn't do justice to your creative use of space!!

How in the world can we go from AV123 X-series speakers to B&W Nautilus. And lets not forget the Krell Mono Blocks. LOL

 

[WorldLeader]

I don't know if I am qualified to reccomend a speaker.....But you my friend are one hell of a good finish carpenter!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What you did to that room is phenomenal!! Personally I think people are going to be so blown away by
your work that you could put Krell mono blocks and a couple of B&W Nautilus
and it still wouldn't do justice to your creative use of space!!

I'm glad that the speakers won't matter anymore, I was sweating it out there for a while

I'm glad you like my work, it has taken a long time get it in the state it's in now. You can check out the progress I've made here on Flickr

And I'm not sure those B&Ms would fit up the steps

 

[mazersteven]

I'm glad that the speakers won't matter anymore, I was sweating it out there for a while

I'm glad you like my work, it has taken a long time get it in the state it's in now. You can check out the progress I've made here on Flickr

And I'm not sure those B&Ms would fit up the steps

Looks like a Cool room. Once it's finished you'll have to post in the Members System area of the forum.

 

[stereojunkie]

Hi guys, just joined this forum, but been around other forums for a few years. Anyways I know that there is much talk regarding the xls from av123. The owner just made an announcement this weekend, that they will be offering a "no risk trial" on all of their bookshelves. Don't quote me, but I believe this means that they pay for the shipping both ways, if you decide you do not like their product. Not too shaby I would say.

 

[riceaterslc]

wouldn't hurt to audition a pair of $50 insignia at best buy

 

[WorldLeader]

How come? I've been to our local BB and it really isn't a place for auditions. Lots of noise and BOSE demonstrations. Plus I think I like the look of the x-ls, but I also like the thought of building my own AV-2s. Aaugh!