help me choose a budget speaker

[andychen]

Hi, I am a newbie to hi-fi and want to get some budget speakers to begin with. I will use them with a computer for now. I currently have a T-amp and found these speakers at around $200

NHT SB-1 (open box)
paradigm atom (new)
axiom m3ti (used)
diamond 9.2 (used)
m-audio BX5a (used)
Epos ELS3 (used)
athena AS B2.2 (new)
I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The best bookshelf speakers I have ever heard under $1000 are Cambridge Audio S30s. Wild West Electronics currently has them on sale for $220 (free shipping.)

 

[rnatalli]

Additional choices:

B-stock SVS SBS-01 (or new if you're willing to spend a little more than $200)
B-stock av123 X-LS
PSB B15 from Saturday Audio
Monitor Audio B1 from Saturday Audio

On your list, my picks would be the Paradigms, Axioms, and Epos.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

PSB B15 from Saturday Audio
Monitor Audio B1 from Saturday Audio

Is Saturday Audio reliable? I know they have some good deals, but their website has a shady, "white van" feel to it.

 

[j_garcia]

Epos ELS-3s are 4 Ohm and low sensitivity and as such will not do well with your T-amp IMO.

You might take a look at this thread too:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42284

The Athenas I mentioned might work for you as well and cost you less than $200. These should be a little better than the B2.2.

Of the ones you mentioned, the SB-1s, M3s and the Atoms are good choices. The SB-1s are sealed though, so they may need more power than the T-amp is capable of also.

 

[gus6464]

Epos ELS-3s are 4 Ohm and low sensitivity and as such will not do well with your T-amp IMO.

You might take a look at this thread too:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42284

The Athenas I mentioned might work for you as well and cost you less than $200. These should be a little better than the B2.2.

Of the ones you mentioned, the SB-1s, M3s and the Atoms are good choices. The SB-1s are sealed though, so they may need more power than the T-amp is capable of also.

That is not entirely accurate. In the stereophile review they measured at 6ohms the entire time and they stated that they would be a pretty easy load for almost any amp. I used to use them with my old Sony AVR in 8 ohm mode with no problems. But I honestly can't think of a better speaker that I have heard that is around the same price.

http://www.stereophile.com/budgetcomponents/104epos/index4.html

Despite its small size, the Epos ELS-3 is of average sensitivity, at a calculated 87.5dB(B)/2.83V/m. In addition, with an impedance that remains above 6 ohms for most of the audioband and drops to a minimum value of 4.9 ohms at 250Hz (fig.1), it is fairly easy for an amplifier to drive (though the combination of 6 ohms and a -45 degrees phase angle at 160Hz will be a bit stressful for amplifiers not rated into 4 ohms).

 

[andychen]

thanks for all the suggestions, they are really helpful.

I heard many good things about av123 X-LS, but could not find it anywhere.
Is the cheaper athena LS-100 better than AS B2.2? I listed B2.2 here because I can get it for $150 new. I live in a small town so I cannot audit these speakers. That is why I asked for suggestions here.

From all the replies, I may eliminate diamond 9.x ,m-audio BX5a and NHT SB-1. All the rest of them seems be good choices.

 

[j_garcia]

The LSs replaced the ASB line I believe. They are less expensive because Athena doesn't exist any longer - they were bought and shut down.

If he is talking about the little digital T-amp that I think he is, it only delivers around an actual 15w. I don't have first hand experience with it, but I wouldn't take chances with it personally, even if they are great speakers.

 

[andychen]

I just found a used Paradigm TITAN for $180. How is this compared to others?

Right now I can get infinity p152 for $100, that is also half of the retail. How is this compared to Athena LS100 then? Thanks.

 

[jcPanny]

Athena speakers

I have a pair of the Athena Audition series speakers and still use them in the garage. They are a great budget speaker and the newer LS series has higher quality drivers from the Energy brand.

If you are able to grab a pair of used or b-stock AV123 X-series speakers, they will have an upgrade path to make them the current $300/pair Encore speakers and you wont have to worry about the availability of center and surround channels.

 

[fredk]

At 200 the Axiom M3 is a very good speaker.

Fred

 

[pzaur]

I heard many good things about av123 X-LS, but could not find it anywhere.
I

AV-123 X Series

These are found only online.
Very good from what I read. I've never heard them.

-pat

 

[Penny]

At 200 the Axiom M3 is a very good speaker.

Fred

I've heard the same thing. Do some research on the Axiom's especially if you're going to use the speakers for your computer. They're sweet lookin' too. This price point is the "wheel house" for alot of companies. You do a little research and you'll be quite pleased with whichever speaker you choose. Good luck.

 

[3db]

I just found a used Paradigm TITAN for $180. How is this compared to others?

Right now I can get infinity p152 for $100, that is also half of the retail. How is this compared to Athena LS100 then? Thanks.

If you are seriously looking the Paradigmm Titans, I think you should also listen to the PSB Image B15s that were also mentioned. In that price bracket, PSB offers a better performing loud speaker than Paradigm. Paradigm starts to sing with their studio series.

 

[andychen]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I just purchased Athena LS-100B to use with my computer at home. I use a sonic impact T-amp. I think they sound great. Not as good as my headphone HD580, but blows away my old computer speaker, I have no other bookshelf speakers to compare though.

Now boss gave me some money to get something for my office. Since I can bring my T-amp to work. I will buy bookshelf but something different, so I am back to another round of search.

Epos may be hard to drive and I don't want to take the chance with my sonic impact. Axiom M3 only has version 2 for $330, a little pricey. I did not choose X-LS because it seems to be out of stock. I also tried augiogon and ebay for used stuff. I know there are stuff for sale at many forums, but I do not want to check one by one.

Now I have narrowed down to infinity P152 (or 150), polk Rti4, bronze B1 and PSB B15. Infinity can be had for around $100 and the other three are $200. can anyone help? Thanks

 

[captiankirk28]

The SVS SBS-01 would be a good choice!