Getting back into it

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Hi,

This is my first post here, although I've looked around the forums anonymously in the past. I am just getting back into assembling a A/V system. As of now, I have a new Denon AVR1609 receiver that I got a great price on. Currently, I am looking for some nice bookshelf speakers in the $250 or $300 price range (or lower). Almost all my music is MP3 now (minimum 256 kpbs), hardly own any more CDs. Like listening to electronic rock, some classical piano pieces, and indie folk.

Would like to get the best quality bookshelf speakers in my budget, so I don't have to sell everything and buy again like I did before. I will try to do as many listening tests as possible, but it is hard mainly because often one cannot listen too all choices in one session, which is why I am relying on the forum's knowledge. In general, I like the mids and highs to be clear, but don't like the highs to be too "sharp". Don't like too much bass either, just enough to keep it "real" or "not tinny". Sorry, for using these subjective terms, but it is hard for me to describe.

So, after reading several posts, here is my shortlist. Any help on what else could be on here, or suggestions on doing listening tests will be appreciated.

1. Behringer B2030P. Very good price, and I read the recent bookshelf shootout here where this one came out on top. I liked how the mids sounded neutral in the test.

2. Cambridge Audio S30. They seem small, but the reviews seem really good.

3. Energy C-200. Same comment as the S30.

4. PSB Alpha B1. These seem to have a legendary status.

5. NHT Classic 3. There are on sale at audioadvisor for $300 but have a slightly lower sensitivity.

6. HSU HB-1. They are right on top of my price range, so I've put them on the bottom of my list, unless they really sound way better.

P.S. I've seen that Aperion does free to and fro shipping, so essentially I can get a free listening test. I don't know which to try out.

P.P.S. I don't care for Polks, Sonys, or Infinitys. Never liked the feeling of a Polk, never enjoyed anything made by Sony except perhaps for their TVs, and Infinity seems to have this loud/full sound, like I am in a live concert all the time. My preference is more of a pristine sound, that I can listen to for long periods with comfort.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

[shadyJ]

Something I would add to your list is the Tweakcity WAFs. This is a new speaker that seems well-rounded and has had pretty good reviews so far. I have the Hsu HB-1 speakers, and if you don't like the sound of Infinity speakers then you probably won't care for these. But if the room you are placing them in is large, then you should take a closer look at them.

 

[lsiberian]

Are you planning on a sub?

If not you'll want the extra extension the 2031p's bring.

Live sound is easily fixed in most loud speakers, by improving dampening.

Infinity makes some of the best midrange drivers on the planet, but the worst possible enclosures for them. With some mods the speakers are easily improved tough.

I'd suggest you look at TSC or SVS as well. Both are worth a glance.

 

[agarwalro]

I listened to the EMP Impression Bookshelf speakers at the Oregon GTG. For the $200 price they were fantastic. Integrated with a sub very well and sounded very clean. It was a smallish room but they seemed to get good volume too.

 

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Are you planning on a sub?

If not you'll want the extra extension the 2031p's bring.

Live sound is easily fixed in most loud speakers, by improving dampening.

Infinity makes some of the best midrange drivers on the planet, but the worst possible enclosures for them. With some mods the speakers are easily improved tough.

I'd suggest you look at TSC or SVS as well. Both are worth a glance.

Yes, I am planning on a sub at some point. Haven't researched a whole lot on that front.

By SVS, I assume you mean SVS SBS-01?

Sorry for the noob question, but what is TSC?

 

[endbegin]

I have the Hsu HB-1 speakers, and if you don't like the sound of Infinity speakers then you probably won't care for these. But if the room you are placing them in is large, then you should take a closer look at them.

Thanks for the feedback on the HB-1s. As of now, my living situation is in a bit of flux, but I imagine I'd place these speakers in a bigger room eventually.

 

[lsiberian]

Yes, I am planning on a sub at some point. Haven't researched a whole lot on that front.

By SVS, I assume you mean SVS SBS-01?

Sorry for the noob question, but what is TSC?

The speaker company and yes the SVS SBS-01.

If you like the looks of the Behringers then I'd get those. There main issue is aesthetics(they aint pretty to me)

Do you like wood working?

 

[endbegin]

No cherry, or silver. I like them all black. Yea, the Behringers seem a little industrial, but I don't seem to mind it.
I know the local guitar center carries them, so I could go hear them there.

As for speaker mods you alluded to above, I haven't really done anything on that front, but it sounds interesting ...

 

[lsiberian]

No cherry, or silver. I like them all black. Yea, the Behringers seem a little industrial, but I don't seem to mind it.
I know the local guitar center carries them, so I could go hear them there.

As for speaker mods you alluded to above, I haven't really done anything on that front, but it sounds interesting ...

You'd essentially line the interior with peel-n-seal and 2" Thick rockwool.

For the Behringers Wmax already specified the mods.

 

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Thanks for the inputs so far. Does anyone have comments on the other speakers on my list?

The Audioholics budget bookshelf faceoff also featured the Yamaha NS333 which came in a close second to the Behringer. Any thoughts on that?

I am very close to getting a pair of Behringers at this point ...

 

[KEW]

Hi,

5. NHT Classic 3. There are on sale at audioadvisor for $300 but have a slightly lower sensitivity.

It sounds like you've found your speakers, but the NHT's run about $300 per speaker, not for the pair!

 

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It sounds like you've found your speakers, but the NHT's run about $300 per speaker, not for the pair!

Oops. Oh well, that's off the list.

 

[anamorphic96]

TSC is the The Speaker Company. Check out the TSBL its a great sounding speaker at a great price. Free shipping both ways if you don't like them. Worth a try IMO.

thespeakercompany.com

 

[Alex2507]

WmAx has a TSC bookshelf to measure for a member and he has already done measurements on the 2030P.
I would ask him in to weigh in here.

Not that it meets any of the OP's criteria but this sounds interesting and we all know about making space for bigger speakers and performing sex acts for extra money ... or is that just me?
Not sure if the intro price of $400/pr is still good.

 

[endbegin]

WmAx has a TSC bookshelf to measure for a member and he has already done measurements on the 2030P.
I would ask him in to weigh in here.

Not that it meets any of the OP's criteria but this sounds interesting and we all know about making space for bigger speakers and performing sex acts for extra money ... or is that just me?
Not sure if the intro price of $400/pr is still good.

Ah, you're killing me. More choices ...

 

[Alex2507]

Ah, you're killing me. More choices ...

If it was me and the $300 budget was real and a floor stander was out of the question: I would grab the 2030P's, a Dayton 12" sub from Parts Express and not look back. WmAx has some procedure spelled out for an easy mod/improvement on those speakers that would be sure to pay. I have had my sister buy 4 2030P's for her rears. Now that her Home Theater room is being moved and her system is going to 5.1, I'm having her use (3) 2030P's for her front sound stage.

If a Floor stander was a possibility and the budget was real, I would get some Infinity Primus 362 speakers.
Any other choices for me would require work, effort and angst ... but I was born to suffer.

 

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Ok, I have narrowed it down to the 2030Ps and the TSC TSBL, and I am giving the latter a shot because they have free shipping both ways and I can do a no-pressure and simultaneous listening test in my surroundings, instead of a customized room at a high end audio store.

I saw a few threads about the 2031Ps. Seems like they are bigger speakers than the 2030Ps and can go lower in frequency response. There are not a whole lot more expensive, and I am wondering if they are a better choice. I plan to add a subwoofer at some point, which will take care of the lows, so perhaps I should consider the smaller 2030P from the size perspective.

However, if the 2030Ps were to be placed in a medium to large size room in the future, would they "scale" well? Or would the B2031P be a better choice given the larger size?

Thanks for all your responses everyone. It has been very helpful.

 

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Oh, and also, what about BIC speakers? For example, BIC Venturi DV62Si ...

 

[Alex2507]

Do a search on the 2030P's and then do one on the 2031's.

The 2030's are the ones. You could afford a Dayton 10" or 12" right now and still be close to your budget but for Pete's sake spend some money and post some pic's.

This is a little shootout with a BIC something and the inexpensive Infinity Primus 360/362 and something else. I have 360's and am deeply in love with them. They are within your budget.

 

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Ok Ok ... just bought a pair of B2030Ps from Amazon ($129 for the pair). Should receive it in 5 - 7 days!