cheapest/best bookshelf speakers

[ju10503]

Hi. If you wanted to spend as little as possible on bookshelf speakers, and still get some reasonable sound, what would you get? This is not a below $200 or below $500 question, this is a what is the minimum.

I am asking this to help a friend who's been victimized by this economy.

 

[Matt34]

Check out the recent budget bookshelf shootout article to start with. If it were me I would go with either the Berhinger 2030P or the Infinity P162.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/budget-bookshelf-shootout-2009

 

[agarwalro]

At the Oregon GTG I heard the EMP Impression Bookshelf Speakers and was definitely impressed. Great look, very good sound and an unbelievable $200 only. In the $200 range I highly recommend these.

The floorstanders from the same series are $400. I did not hear these myself, but I cam across some folks who were giving them positive reviews.

There are others out there that might have comparable sound quality, Behringer 2031P is considered good, there is SVS SB-1, HSU HB-1 and others (no personal experience with any of these) but the EMP cannot be beat in the looks department.

 

[j_garcia]

I will throw out the Energy C200 for $149 w/free shipping at Audio Advisor:http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ENC200

 

[Mike_WI]

Here is a comparison thread looking at a number of mini-monitors including the TCA WAF-1 and the av123 ELT525M...link
Post #2 has a comparison PDF chart.


Mike

 

[njedpx3]

These are awesome for the price

Hi. If you wanted to spend as little as possible on bookshelf speakers, and still get some reasonable sound, what would you get? This is not a below $200 or below $500 question, this is a what is the minimum.

I am asking this to help a friend who's been victimized by this economy.

$199/pair from digital craze. I have a pair of these; they were in my office. Now going to Lake/Woods cabin. Small, well-built, excellent quality speakers
Cambridge Audio S30
http://www.digitalcraze.com/Details.asp?Source=Froogle&ProductID=3969

If you want to go even cheaper and they still sound good Sony SS-B3000 $86.39/pair. I have thes in garage and they sound very good. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-Bookshelf-Speakers-Woofer/dp/B000OG6I6A They won a shoot-out about 3 years ago.

Good luck !

Forest Man

 

[autoboy]

Have you considered used speakers?

 

[markw]

I'll second the used speakers suggestion.

 

[shadyJ]

I have heard a lot of good things about TSC speakers. If they are as good as many have said, than they have to be one of the best bang for the buck deals out there. $150 for three MTM speakers, that's $50 per speaker, and those are supposed to be good speakers, how can you beat that?!

 

[just listening]

I'd go used off of Craigslist first, bound to find some bargain just make sure it isn't a white van name.

If new I'd cast a vote for the Tweak City WAF-1's. They were designed by someone many consider a budget speaker expert Dan Richie.

 

[lsiberian]

$199/pair from digital craze. I have a pair of these; they were in my office. Now going to Lake/Woods cabin. Small, well-built, excellent quality speakers
Cambridge Audio S30
http://www.digitalcraze.com/Details.asp?Source=Froogle&ProductID=3969

If you want to go even cheaper and they still sound good Sony SS-B3000 $86.39/pair. I have thes in garage and they sound very good. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SS-B3000-Bookshelf-Speakers-Woofer/dp/B000OG6I6A They won a shoot-out about 3 years ago.

Good luck !

Forest Man

My father-in-law has those sony speakers and they sound very nice in his room.

To the OP. I'd say the Behringer 2030p hands down. But if you want to mod it might be more fun with the infinity speakers. They have very good drivers in crappy enclosures.

 

[MinusTheBear]

If what you are after is a speaker that measures well through 3rd party measurments, that has a flat frequency response and excellent build quality the Behringer 2030p is the one for the money.

The Ascend CBM 170 might also be a consideration here, however more expensive than the 2030p.

 

[lsiberian]

If what you are after is a speaker that measures well through 3rd party measurments, that has a flat frequency response and excellent build quality the Behringer 2030p is the one for the money.

The Ascend cmb170 might also be a consideration here.

Yes the The Ascend Acoustics bookshelf is excellent as well and a step up from the Behringer's.

 

[ju10503]

Thanks to all.

 

[skers_54]

Yes the The Ascend Acoustics bookshelf is excellent as well and a step up from the Behringer's.

Actually, I remember an old thread (don't know which one exactly) in which someone compared the Ascends to the Behringers side-by-side. He preferred the looks of the Ascends but though the unmodded Behringers actually sounded better.

 

[lsiberian]

Actually, I remember an old thread (don't know which one exactly) in which someone compared the Ascends to the Behringers side-by-side. He preferred the looks of the Ascends but though the unmodded Behringers actually sounded better.

Yeah there are cases where that occurs. I like Peavey sound and TLS Guy thinks it's garbage. But I was raised hearing everything live through Peavey speakers. So I was corrupted.

This is why we must listen to speakers.

 

[Yamaheart]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/budget-bookshelf-shootout-2009[/URL]

This is to the OP, I recently bought the NS-333. I got these brand new for $138, the sound was crisp and detail, although it is very lack in bass. It looks good too. Some to try out for a decent price. You can get these used for $99, starting bid is $49 on ebay. The choice is your.

 

[Patrick_Wolf]

Actually, I remember an old thread (don't know which one exactly) in which someone compared the Ascends to the Behringers side-by-side. He preferred the looks of the Ascends but though the unmodded Behringers actually sounded better.

Was that me perhaps? I compared the Ascends to the Behringers directly in nearfield and concluded that they sounded virtually identical.

 

[ju10503]

Thanks all. Any opinions on the Advent LS-50? $60/pair at Audioadvisor.

 

[markw]

You mean Athena?

Thanks all. Any opinions on the Advent LS-50? $60/pair at Audioadvisor.

Nice for what they are, and that would be a 3.5" woofer. You really don't expect too much, do you?

Tthey might make decent surrounds in a tiny HT system but that's about all, and I love Athena. Even Audioadvisor recommends using a subwoofer with them.

At least look at the Energy speakers they have on special if you want a standalone speaker at a good price. If you stick to the price range you specified in your original post you can do quite well at Audioadvisor.