Help finding bookshelves o be used for music only

[man-of-leisure]

Looking for a well-rounded pair of bookshelf speakers that will be used for music only. I listen to a very wide variety of music. The speakers will be located on a bookshelf in a large room. No sub in the system. Music will primarily come from Denon receiver via Apple Air Play.

Based on reviews, I bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s but am not loving them. Have also listened to the Bowers and Wilkins CM1 and CM5s. I prefer the Wharfedales for vocal-only, but found their sound washed-out in music with lots of instruments. The CM1s sounded like someone had place a wet blanket over the speakers. The CM5s were better, but didn't sound as clear as the Wharfedales on acoustic and vocal-heavy tracks.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep the price tag on the pair under $500 if at all possible.

Thanks!

 

[man-of-leisure]

Bump. Any help out there?

 

[afterlife2]

Amazon.com: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers: Electronics

 

[macddmac]

Welcome to the forum!
Try a placement that's out in the room a little rather than on the shelf. I know they call them bookshelf's, but they're really designed to be on a stand and not against any boundries.
The Wharfdales are also rear ported which can cause other sound clarity issues in a confined space like a bookshelf.
what are you driving them with amp-wise?
what are your room dimensions? Including height.
are you using a subwoofer?
Cheers, Mac

 

[man-of-leisure]

Thanks for the hep Mac.

The room is about 20'x20' with 10' ceilings, but opens up to the kitchen, which adds another 20' or so to the length. This is the family room and I'm afraid the wife isn't going to go for speakers on stands, so they will either be on a bookshelf or some flat surface near a wall. I can probably give them 10" for the wall to the back ports (assuming ported). Should I be thinking in-wall if this is my set-up?

I have and old Sony STR-DE545 pushing them now, but plan to solicit advice on the receivers forum as to what I should replace that with. All my music is in iTunes, so would like AirPlay built in to the Receiver. Seems like Denon makes some models with this option. I'll budget maybe $300-$400 for that receiver.

 

[shadyJ]

Are you using a subwoofer? It sounds to me you are after a more forward sound instead of something recessed. You might try Klipsch Reference bookshelf speakers.

 

[man-of-leisure]

No sub. I've never been a fan of the sound of horns. I don't know exactly how to say it, but they sound harsh to me.

 

[macddmac]

That's a lot of room for a pair of bookshelf / stand mount speakers to fill.
I highly recommend integrating a subwoofer into the system as that will take the strain off A: the receivers' amps and B: the speakers trying to replicate a full- range signal in such a large space.
As far as the speakers are concerned, perhaps a sealed or front ported model would yield better results.
Here are a few to consider:
1. Focal 706V ( front ported and about 500.00 on close out )
2. KEF q300 ( front ported and just under 500.00 at A for less)
3. NHT classic 2 (sealed and a little pricey)
All 3 feature 6.5 inch drivers which will come in handy in a larger room.
Be sure to pull your speakers out on those shelves so the the baffle is flush or hanging over the edge in order to minimize the negatives associated with being on a shelf.
Cheers, Mac

One more thing while we're at it..what quality iTunes music are you listening to? The Lower bitrate stuff sounds like crap on any system

 

[shadyJ]

You might try some Paradigm speakers in that case, they are known for being a bit lively.

 

[man-of-leisure]

Thanks again Mac. I didn't realize front-ported was going to be important but it makes sense. I've looked at reviews for the Focal and KEFs that you mentioned. One of the reviews speaks pretty highly of the Polk Audio RTI A1 (also front ported and in my price range). Have you heard these?

All my music is in 256 kbps AAC format.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks again Mac. I didn't realize front-ported was going to be important but it makes sense. I've looked at reviews for the Focal and KEFs that you mentioned. One of the reviews speaks pretty highly of the Polk Audio RTI A1 (also front ported and in my price range). Have you heard these?

All my music is in 256 kbps AAC format.

I stream ALAC (Apple Lossless) music from my iPad to my DENON AirPlay.

So you don't care for bass below 50Hz or 60Hz?

The KEF Q300 is supposed to go down to 42Hz (-3dB per spec).

 

[KEW]

Thanks for the hep Mac.
I'm afraid the wife isn't going to go for speakers on stands, so they will either be on a bookshelf or some flat surface near a wall. I can probably give them 10" for the wall to the back ports (assuming ported).

It still would be worth setting the speakers out on a temporary basis to see what differences you get.
If it makes a big difference and is mostly due to the bass, a front ported or sealed speaker may solve all of your problems!
It is definitely worth it to move your speakers out so the face of the speakers is close to the front edge of your shelf.
I run a pair of front ported Paradigm speakers out of a bookshelf for my HT with good results.

 

[macddmac]

Thanks again Mac. I didn't realize front-ported was going to be important but it makes sense. I've looked at reviews for the Focal and KEFs that you mentioned. One of the reviews speaks pretty highly of the Polk Audio RTI A1 (also front ported and in my price range). Have you heard these?

All my music is in 256 kbps AAC format.

I own a pair of what I believe is one the RTI A1's predecessors- the RT 25I and that is one beast of a little speaker! The only thing I don't care for about is that it needs to be played a little on the loud side before it opens up ( my opinion) great imaging and stage once it does though.
Cheers, Mac

 

[Hobbit]

I have the NHT classic 2's which I use in a two speaker music only system. I love them, sometimes the only fault I can find is they are too accurate Some find them bright, but as a someone who's played trumpet, I find them to be more faithful to the instrument, particular to the horns, than other speakers I've listened to. The bass is tight too, I was just listening to Jane Monheit and enjoying the clarity of all the walking bass lines.

That's a lot of room for a pair of bookshelf / stand mount speakers to fill.
I highly recommend integrating a subwoofer into the system as that will take the strain off A: the receivers' amps and B: the speakers trying to replicate a full- range signal in such a large space.
As far as the speakers are concerned, perhaps a sealed or front ported model would yield better results.
Here are a few to consider:
1. Focal 706V ( front ported and about 500.00 on close out )
2. KEF q300 ( front ported and just under 500.00 at A for less)
3. NHT classic 2 (sealed and a little pricey)
All 3 feature 6.5 inch drivers which will come in handy in a larger room.
Be sure to pull your speakers out on those shelves so the the baffle is flush or hanging over the edge in order to minimize the negatives associated with being on a shelf.
Cheers, Mac

One more thing while we're at it..what quality iTunes music are you listening to? The Lower bitrate stuff sounds like crap on any system

 

[Jimz711]

NHT's are sure easy to place and are very neutral, true bookshelf speakers, that is if you have to put them on a bookshelf. They are even having a sale on their on wall speakers. They claim you can hang then with just a nail.

 

[man-of-leisure]

Thanks for all the help guys. I've got the Polks in place now and really like them. I'm going to pick up a pair of the NHTs and have a little Pepsi-Challenge this week. But I already think the Polks are great, so it's definitely been a success. Many thanks!