I need some bookshelf speaker advice...

[oceanax13]

I want to get new speakers for my bedroom stereo. I've got a generic 5 year old Sony 5.1 receiver, and its currently connected to a set of large but old & ineffective Sanyo speakers (they are like 2' tall!). I want to get true bookshelf speakers that have lots of bass (My room is on the 2nd floor, I can't have a sub woofer). I'm a college student, so my budget is limited to around $200, maybe a bit more. To note, I do also have a set of KLH bookshelf speakers, but I want something better than those. Also, I was given a new-in-box set of Tivoli TDM1's, but I've never played those, and I have no idea of how good the bass is.

To sum it up, I'm looking for an larger economical bookshelf speaker with fantastic bass.

I'm currently debating between the Boston Acoustics CS 26, and the Cambridge Soundworks Classic Series Model Six. Any opinions/ other suggestions?

 

[jamie2112]

I would buy these over ANY other speaker in your price range.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2031P

 

[nibhaz]

I would buy these over ANY other speaker in your price range.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2031P

+1 for jamie's suggestion

If the budget is really tight, you might look at Infinity Primus 152s, they sometimes go on sale for about $60 each, which makes them a nice value, but I would not pay full price for them when the Behringers are available for roughly the same price.

 

[majorloser]

I'll also agree with the sugestion for the Behringer speakers. Very affordable and very well rated speakers.

 

[fredk]

...with fantastic bass.

Not for $200. Start with the Behringers and add a small sub if you want more bottom end.

FWIW, you don't need to crank a sub to crazy loud levels to get value from it. Keep it set at reasonable levels (like level matched with the mains or a little lower) if you are concerned about the bass being heard in other rooms.

 

[Seth=L]

You might give those Tivoli TDM1's a listen and see if you like them. They seemed to have good customer reviews, but it also seems their production run was short and not much info is available on them (not necessarily a bad thing). If you like how they sound and want a bit more bass you can use that $200 to put towards a subwoofer (then you definitely get more bass).

 

[Matt34]

I would buy these over ANY other speaker in your price range.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB2031P

Now are those of the same caliber as the 2030p that Chris recommends with the (6.5") drivers?

 

[oceanax13]

Thanks for the input; I'm trying to find a place that demos them so I can listen to the Behringers. I did open the TDM1's today, they sat n.i.b. since May of 2002. While I know that after a few hours of listening they will improve, I was disappointed in the bass, but surprised with how clear the mids/ higher sounds were. I think that coupled with a small sub, this would be fantastic for movies. I mostly listen to music though. Any recommendations for a smaller sub that is NOT down firing? I can shake the wall, its an exterior wall , but if I shook the floor (which is also the ceiling above the kitchen), that is a surefire way to upset everyone else in the house.

 

[WmAx]

Now are those of the same caliber as the 2030p that Chris recommends with the (6.5") drivers?

Good question. While the 2030P measured superbly for it's price range and above, the 2031P's larger mid-bass can potentially cause substantial problems, and also it's larger cabinet can cause many additional problems. But the 2030P has to be used with stereo subs and an active xover for maximum SQ. The 2031P has almost another full octave of bass extension - but unless the tweeter on the 2031P is operating down to about 1.3-1.5kHz (and doing so with low distortion), then there is going to be break up mode problems in the mid-range on that 8" along with some mid-range drop outs off axis.

-Chris

 

[droht]

Look for some used x-ls (classics or encores) on forums.av123.com in the Classifieds section. Very good bass for a bargain bookshelf, and excellent speaker in general.

These x-ls encores are $175 shipped. Awesome deal. I have no affiliation with the seller, but I am thinking about buying the speakers myself. Though I'd be risking domestic harmony once again...