New home, new speakers!

[picture_shooter]

OK, I've made up my mind, bookshelves.

Can you guys give me some brands / models so I can go and have a listen later?

From what I've read on this forum, Wharfedale 10.x, Evo 8, Behringer 2030, Mission M5, KEF IQ all seem to be good choices.
What would you advise?

- I.S.

This helps a lot.

You know, I hear many great things about the Energy Take 5 system.

I enjoy Energy speakers and these would even knock the socks off of Bose

Energy Take 5 (5-speakers for $179.00 shipped / no tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269004

*There are lots and lots of budget subs, but IMHO I never felt to skim on a good quality sub.

If I was on a budget I would take a look at these subwoofer's:

Acoustic Audio - $200 or less for the 12"
I hear these subs can go to a flat 20hz by one of the forum members @ bluray
http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=HD-SUB12&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_sop=12&_odkw=Acoustic+Audio+HD-SUB&_osacat=0

BIC America F12

Dayton Subwoofers - I woulden't shy away from these subs either. I wish I got to demo one.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=620&CFID=507

As for receivers; so many out there from Pioneer, Onkyo, Sony & Yamaha.
Any of these with 60 watts x 5 (5.1) would do great and of couse still sound better then any Bose out there
Check on Craigslist and find a private local seller selling any of these speakers @ price ranges from $50-$500
A good one for about $100 from CL would be great. Make sure you get at least a 5.1 receiver and not 2-channel stereo.

 

[lsiberian]

This helps a lot.

You know, I hear many great things about the Energy Take 5 system.

I enjoy Energy speakers and these would even knock the socks off of Bose

Energy Take 5 (5-speakers for $179.00 shipped / no tax)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882269004

*There are lots and lots of budget subs, but IMHO I never felt to skim on a good quality sub.

If I was on a budget I would take a look at these subwoofer's:

Acoustic Audio - $200 or less for the 12"
I hear these subs can go to a flat 20hz by one of the forum members @ bluray
http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=HD-SUB12&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_sop=12&_odkw=Acoustic+Audio+HD-SUB&_osacat=0

BIC America F12

Dayton Subwoofers - I woulden't shy away from these subs either. I wish I got to demo one.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=620&CFID=507

As for receivers; so many out there from Pioneer, Onkyo, Sony & Yamaha.
Any of these with 60 watts x 5 (5.1) would do great and of couse still sound better then any Bose out there
Check on Craigslist and find a private local seller selling any of these speakers @ price ranges from $50-$500
A good one for about $100 from CL would be great. Make sure you get at least a 5.1 receiver and not 2-channel stereo.

The take 5 system while nice for those who want a cheap satellite system. Isn't good for someone wanting really good sound. I'd argue for a good stereo receiver if music is her main use. You don't need surround sound to have good movie sound.

 

[krzywica]

I don't know lsiberian, there are a lot of choices out there.

Isabella. If you do a search on bookshelf in the title, there are a few threads that come up with suggestions of good bookshelves. Usher has come up. You can also probably find a PSB dealer fairly easily.

One thing to consider with the Behrngers is that they are a studio monitor so there is no matching center. If you ever want to move to 5.1 that may become an issue. If you can fit another 2030 into your setup as a center then there are no worries.

I just got a pair of Aperion 4B's and I am absolutely loving them. At $260 a pair they are small, which would be perfect as while they are plenty powerful for your mains, they are also perfectly suited for use as surrounds. So you could easily upgrade to larger bookshelves or towers in the future with a matching center and move the 4B's to the rear. I was so incredibly overwhelmed at how detailed they are at low volumes, and how incredibly powerful they are at ear bleeding volumes.

I used to have a Pair of PSB Image B15's which are also excellent speakers.

I think the most important thing you need to look at is how the speaker sound TO YOU. Giving the consumer flexible options for testing their products goes a log way to finding the perfect audio setup for you. Try and find companies that are willing to afford you options like 2 way payment for shipping if you do not like the speakers.

 

[picture_shooter]

Hummm... so if the OP really wants GREAT music / HT speakers, I recommend PSB B25, but they do cost more

 

[3db]

Hummm... so if the OP really wants GREAT music / HT speakers, I recommend PSB B25, but they do cost more

I 2nd that recommedation but I'm teh resident PSB fanboy in here

 

[fredk]

I 2nd that recommedation but I'm teh resident PSB fanboy in here

What took you so long?

 

[3db]

What took you so long?

umm I'm working

 

[Isabella.S]

Thanks for all your replies =)

I went to a local AV shop a couple of days ago and listened to the Quad 12L2. They sounded very nice, at least to my amateur ears. I was almost tempted to buy them right away, but decided to wait and get an opinion from you guys
Indeed, they are a little more expensive than I planned to spend. But I am flexible if the extra money spent means I don't have to "upgrade" my speakers in the near future.
The salesperson suggested the Onix A65 to go with them too.
What do you think?

Will check out the rest (PSB, Behringer etc) soon.
Gosh, choices... I hate choices... !

 

[3db]

What I would do is to take a pad of paper with you, write down the make and
model of each speaker you audition and what you liked and disliked about the
speakers you were auditioning. Was the bass tight and deep or was it boomy
and loose sounding? Were the mids life like or were they hollow or just too
pronounced? Was the treble irritating and harsh or were they dark and not
revealing or were they smooththat made you want to listen for more? How was the imaging?

Bring music with you that you are very familiar with and know quite well. To
make it easier to audition HT speaker systems, listen to the main speakers in 2
channel mode with music. Music is much harder to reproduce accurately then a movie soundtrack so if the speakers do well with music, then they will do well with HT. Speakers that do HT well may not do well with music. When auditioning the center channel of the same brand and series as the main speakers, pick a difficult source like an announcer that mumbles alot. If you can understand what the mumbling announcer is saying, then you have a good center channel.

Keep track of what amp or receiver is powering the speakers you're auditioning. Try to get a receiver/amp that closest resembles what you have or want to get. It just reduces another variable when audtioning speakers.


One thing to keep note off. When auditioning speakers, make sure the volume
levels are matched between the diiferent speaker pairs because the louder
speaker pair will always sound better. Listen to levels that you think you
would listen to most of the time because thats how you are going to be using
them most of the time.

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for all your replies =)

I went to a local AV shop a couple of days ago and listened to the Quad 12L2. They sounded very nice, at least to my amateur ears. I was almost tempted to buy them right away, but decided to wait and get an opinion from you guys
Indeed, they are a little more expensive than I planned to spend. But I am flexible if the extra money spent means I don't have to "upgrade" my speakers in the near future.
The salesperson suggested the Onix A65 to go with them too.
What do you think?

Will check out the rest (PSB, Behringer etc) soon.
Gosh, choices... I hate choices... !

Quad makes great amps, but I have no idea about their speakers.

If you like them. Buy them this isn't life and death. Maybe you can trial them for a week or two to see if you like them in your setup.

 

[fredk]

A big +1 to what 3db wrote. Consider it an opportunity to listen to your favourite music on a bunch of really good speakers. I really enjoyed auditioning as it gave me a chance to hear my music in ways I never had before.

 

[Isabella.S]

Bought myself a Behringer system eventually. Got a pair of 2030Ps, a Europower EP2500 (got a used (like 9 months old) one), a mixer as pre-amp.
I like the sound a lot.
Next item on the shopping list would be the speaker stands and sub

Thanks for all the invaluable advice =)

 

[krzywica]

Bought myself a Behringer system eventually. Got a pair of 2030Ps, a Europower EP2500 (got a used (like 9 months old) one), a mixer as pre-amp.
I like the sound a lot.
Next item on the shopping list would be the speaker stands and sub

Thanks for all the invaluable advice =)

Glad to hear you are enjoying it!

 

[Isabella.S]

Been listening to the 2030P's, they are indeed very good. Thanks for the advice!

I went back to the same store that I bought the 2030P, and the guy there showed me a sub. It's called Bluesky Sub 8. I have never heard of this brand. According to him, it's a brand that targets the professionals and studio use, so it's not as well known as some.
Tested it with some hiphop music and some movies. It sounded pretty nice to my amateur ears. But they aren't cheap either, just a tad cheaper than the SVS PB10 NSD.

Does anyone of you have any experience with Bluesky? Or should I just stick with the SVS?
Problem is, I'm currently in Hong Kong, and SVS (and many other American brands) aren't exactly readily available. I have found an online dealer, but I'm not sure if I could listen to it before buying the PB10.

Any advice?

 

[captiankirk28]

Stick with the SVS if you do you will not be sorry, i not sure but i don't think i have ever herd of anyone not liking their SVS sub after they have gotten it!

 

[Lordoftherings]

No personal experience, but a good positive hunch.

Hi Isabella,

The SVS PB10-NSD is a sure thing (retails for $430).

* But the Blue Sky Sub 8 is an interesting sub, from what I've read about it.
If you can get it for around $299 (sells for up to $349 normally), I thing that you'll like it (you do so far).
Ask the dealer to help you out on setting it (I'm sure he will, at least giving you the right tips), and ask him if you have 30 days to check if you like it or not with your new speakers; so then you are not loosing anything at giving it a shot. That Blue Sky Sub 8 might just be your ticket.
And it's right there, easily accessible now. Go for it.
Oh, and your dealer seems to know his stuff, with smart recommendations for your personal needs; that's a very good sign indeed. It is very important to have that relation, that respect, that trust, between dealer and customer.

Good luck,
Robert

 

[shadyJ]

If you can get low shipping fees on the PB10, you should still get it, it will stomp that 8" sub. If shipping fees are going to multiply the cost, then maybe that sub the dealer showed you won't be so bad. Still, I would rather have a 10" or 12" or greater cone diameter.

 

[Isabella.S]

The SVS seems like a safer choice. Another question though, I read that you need a cross-over of some sort for a sub. I'm using a stereo that does not have a dedicated subwoofer out or crossover. Do I need to buy an external crossover, or could I just input the whole spectrum of frequencies to the sub?

 

[PENG]

or could I just input the whole spectrum of frequencies to the sub?[/QUOTE

Yes, but I suggest you get a sub that has speaker level input binding posts. Then you can connect it to your 2 channel amp or receiver speaker level output and your front L/R speakers to the same binding posts or the separate ones (speaker out) that man subs offer, including SVS models.

 

[Isabella.S]

Thanks for the advice, Peng.

I am not very familiar with the nomenclature, but I presume that means a serial circuit of
2 channel amp -> sub -> fronts
(without crossover)

My 2 channel pre-amp can give two outputs, would that cause any degradation/difference in sound quality if I just make a circuit like this?

fronts
receiver <
sub