New speaker suggestions $300 - $450

[jhansen]

Hello,
My Boston HD80s finally broke down. The foam around the 6" speaker is falling apart. I think it is time for new speakers. I have a Denon AVR 391 receiver, a Formula F-12 sub(all great recommendations from this site Thank you) I have 300 - 450 to spend on a pair of speakers. I do not want floor standing. I liked the Bostons for their clear sound but they were a bit light in the upper lows. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. I only listen to music on this system.

Thanks,
Jeff H.

 

[shadyJ]

People will recommend Ascend speakers, but if I were on the market for bookshelfs in that range, I would look at some of these kits from parts express. They look like they are very easy to assemble and all you need are basic tools. If you don't want to assemble anything, and aren't going to listen to anything at crazy loud volumes, I would check out the Behringer 2031p speakers, they have great sound quality and are at a terrific price right now on B+H. They are a bit large and are 4 ohm speakers, but at that price they are extremely high bang-for-the-buck. Their little brothers are a more manageable size, are a bit cheaper, and have a more friendly impedance rating, but they won't have the bass that the 2031p has. These behringer speakers measure very well. If you want something you can blaze and not worry about, check out the Hsu HB-1s, they can stay clear at higher volumes and they don't have the sibilance of Klipsch, although they can't get quite as loud and Klipsch speakers.

 

[zieglj01]

Look at some Definitive SM 450 speakers, on special here
Newegg.com - Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 450 Bookshelf Speaker (Black) Pair

Look at HTD Level Three, here
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-three-speakers/Level-THREE-Bookshelf-Speakers

 

[templemaners]

I would recommend the Behringer 2030P's that Shady mentioned above. Have a pair in my office and they work great for what I paid for.

 

[ImcLoud]

Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's one of my favorite bookshelfs... Sharp sound, very warm, mids are strong and clear, a good defined speaker...
WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.2 BOOKSHELF SPEAKER (PR) at Music Direct
But they are at the limit of your budget...

Another good choice is CBM170se from ascend acoustics, very nice bookshelf, but not as nice of an enclosure, the Diamonds visual appearance is second to none, the ascends are just black vinyled squared boxes {that all the corners dont really match well... But they sound amazing, you listen and look and instantly know where your money went...

the definitive 450's are a good choice too...

Also some things on ebay to look for
Kef q300's new for around $450
Polk LSI7's {I know they are 4 ohm, but most avrs will run them, and I love them...}
martic logan motion 4's can be had in your range...

there are a bunch, I think I would be leaning towards the diamond 10.2's sound looks and value I like them, second would be the sale def tech 450's but they are not as good looking, and I think their sound is smaller than the wharfedales...

 

[bikemig]

At $300, I'd take a look at the PSB Alpha B1s. I've listened to a fair number of different PSB speakers and have always been very impressed with their sound quality.

Edit: also you should take a look at what is for sale at accessories4less; they have very good prices on open box speakers with warranties from a number of different manufacturers: http://www.accessories4less.com/index.php

 

[fuzz092888]

I like these. I have a pair with the Be woofer and to me, they're about as balanced smooth speakers as you can get in that price range and above. I expect the Al cone ones to be very similar.

EMP Tek E41 Bookshelf Speaker

 

[zieglj01]

Hello,
I liked the Bostons for their clear sound but they were a bit light in the upper lows.

If you want to explore Boston again
The RS260, is here
BOSTON ACOUSTICS RS260 Reflection Series Bookshelf Speaker Each Black | Accessories4less

 

[slipperybidness]

Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's one of my favorite bookshelfs... Sharp sound, very warm, mids are strong and clear, a good defined speaker...
WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.2 BOOKSHELF SPEAKER (PR) at Music Direct
But they are at the limit of your budget...

Another good choice is CBM170se from ascend acoustics, very nice bookshelf, but not as nice of an enclosure, the Diamonds visual appearance is second to none, the ascends are just black vinyled squared boxes {that all the corners dont really match well... But they sound amazing, you listen and look and instantly know where your money went...

the definitive 450's are a good choice too...

Also some things on ebay to look for
Kef q300's new for around $450
Polk LSI7's {I know they are 4 ohm, but most avrs will run them, and I love them...}
martic logan motion 4's can be had in your range...

there are a bunch, I think I would be leaning towards the diamond 10.2's sound looks and value I like them, second would be the sale def tech 450's but they are not as good looking, and I think their sound is smaller than the wharfedales...

I'll give a third on the SM450s especially at the current price. I have the smaller 350s and they are quite nice.

I'll go ahead and say what everyone else has been thinking about IMCloud: Wharfedale fanboy

 

[gtpsuper24]

Arx A1b is a great sounding bookshelf in the $300-500 range. Has good bass and great planar tweeter.

Arx

 

[ImcLoud]

I'll give a third on the SM450s especially at the current price. I have the smaller 350s and they are quite nice.

I'll go ahead and say what everyone else has been thinking about IMCloud: Wharfedale fanboy

Ill take it, but dont knock them until you try them Peter Comeau is really designing some nice stuff.... Its not popular in the US, but they continue to impress me... If you go listen to the diamond line they are a good bang for buck speaker...

I have listened to a lot of brands and I have a specific like, the speakers have to be very warm neutral and defined, {I loathe bright speakers}I think its because I am always stressed out, and music is my sandy beach, I sit back, throw the stereo on and nothing else matters for an hour or so each night... Like tonight, I came home did a modest work out {shoulder is out of brace, no 220# shrugs yet, but I went through the paces pretty well}, ate dinner, and now Im in the front parlor listening to music on the pc, I havent watched tv in weeks {of course soa and mentalist}...

And I am the type to stick to what I like, sure Ill taste red chowder but I like white... And Wharfedales lines have this warm sound that takes me away... I also like ascends, but there cabinets are not as good as I would like... But most stuff out there isn't appealing because there is this built in brightness that drives through me like a fluted drill bit... My evo2's can be at 98db and Ill take a nap with them playing, do that with some Klipsch refs you will wake up with a gaping hole in your forehead and a little miniature me dancing around saying "I told you so"...

There are definitely other choices out there, but I try to give advice on what I would do... I have a few PMs of super happy people that took my advice so that makes me happy, I will be back at work soon {shoulder is feeling strong}, so wont be on here except for probably once a month, then you guys will miss me....

 

[slipperybidness]

Ill take it, but dont knock them until you try them Peter Comeau is really designing some nice stuff.... Its not popular in the US, but they continue to impress me... If you go listen to the diamond line they are a good bang for buck speaker...

I have listened to a lot of brands and I have a specific like, the speakers have to be very warm neutral and defined, {I loathe bright speakers}I think its because I am always stressed out, and music is my sandy beach, I sit back, throw the stereo on and nothing else matters for an hour or so each night... Like tonight, I came home did a modest work out {shoulder is out of brace, no 220# shrugs yet, but I went through the paces pretty well}, ate dinner, and now Im in the front parlor listening to music on the pc, I havent watched tv in weeks {of course soa and mentalist}...

And I am the type to stick to what I like, sure Ill taste red chowder but I like white... And Wharfedales lines have this warm sound that takes me away... I also like ascends, but there cabinets are not as good as I would like... But most stuff out there isn't appealing because there is this built in brightness that drives through me like a fluted drill bit... My evo2's can be at 98db and Ill take a nap with them playing, do that with some Klipsch refs you will wake up with a gaping hole in your forehead and a little miniature me dancing around saying "I told you so"...

There are definitely other choices out there, but I try to give advice on what I would do... I have a few PMs of super happy people that took my advice so that makes me happy, I will be back at work soon {shoulder is feeling strong}, so wont be on here except for probably once a month, then you guys will miss me....

Just giving you a hard time. I see the Wharfedales getting good reviews all over the place on mags and forums. Nothing wrong with promoting what you like (just when you shamelessly promote it that you become a fanboy). Also, Wharfedale has been in business forever (1932) so they probably did a few things right and will be around for a while yet. Unfortunately, I have never heard a pair so I can't weigh in on them. Same with Ascends, but reading on their website, I really want to check those out.

Yeah, I understand the music as and escape. There's maybe 3-4 TV shows per week that I watch. Otherwise music is my first choice for entertainment.

 

[ImcLoud]

Just giving you a hard time. I see the Wharfedales getting good reviews all over the place on mags and forums. Nothing wrong with promoting what you like (just when you shamelessly promote it that you become a fanboy). Also, Wharfedale has been in business forever (1932) so they probably did a few things right and will be around for a while yet. Unfortunately, I have never heard a pair so I can't weigh in on them. Same with Ascends, but reading on their website, I really want to check those out.

Yeah, I understand the music as and escape. There's maybe 3-4 TV shows per week that I watch. Otherwise music is my first choice for entertainment.

C'mon on over, I almost have the entire catalog, lol take a listen, then you will be on here saying "buy wharfedale"... I also see a ton of good reviews for the WD stuff, but if they dont get them out there for people to hear, its not going to be widespread like other companies...

I don't try to promote any company, but I buy what i like and recently when I got my jades, I really tried to buy a different brand, just couldnt get there fast enough, they made me an offer I couldnt refuse...

 

[alphaiii]

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 is a nice speaker, but I like the Energy RC-10 a little better. I thought the Diamond 10.1 was a little thick sounding on the low end when I demo'd it.

The Wharfedale Evo2 for $300 (closeout) was a good buy too. Opposite the Diamond 10.1, I thought the Evo2 was a little lean and lacking in low end, but the midrange and high end were really nice.

I'd love to hear the Jade series.

 

[ImcLoud]

The Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 is a nice speaker, but I like the Energy RC-10 a little better. I thought the Diamond 10.1 was a little thick sounding on the low end when I demo'd it.

The Wharfedale Evo2 for $300 (closeout) was a good buy too. Opposite the Diamond 10.1, I thought the Evo2 was a little lean and lacking in low end, but the midrange and high end were really nice.

I'd love to hear the Jade series.

This is why you must demo what you buy, although with bookshelfs its usually not a huge deal, but you will have to live with these... As far as RC10's I have listened to a lot of Energy, and wouldnt pay 1/4 the price for any of them... And I like the evo2 series a lot, from the bookshelfs to the towers, they are really well balanced {to me anyway}... what sounds good to Alphaiii doenst sound good to me... demo is a must before purchase...

 

[fuzz092888]

This is why you must demo what you buy, although with bookshelfs its usually not a huge deal, but you will have to live with these... As far as RC10's I have listened to a lot of Energy, and wouldnt pay 1/4 the price for any of them... And I like the evo2 series a lot, from the bookshelfs to the towers, they are really well balanced {to me anyway}... what sounds good to Alphaiii doenst sound good to me... demo is a must before purchase...

Unless you buy from Dennis, then all you have to like is accurate sound

JK.....kind of

 

[DS-21]

***I have listened to a lot of brands and I have a specific like, the speakers have to be very warm neutral and defined, {I loathe bright speakers}I think its because I am always stressed out,

Odd. I listened to the ~$5000 Wharfdale Jade towers and KEF Q900's in the same dealer room. The Wharfdales were markedly brighter. A little recessed in the upper mids, and then tipped up. I wouldn't call them "warm" sounding at all.

The room was fairly reflective, though, and just by sight (haven't seen measurements) I assume the Jades are a very wide-directivity design (small midrange, small tweeter). So in a more damped room they may be better balanced. I also didn't play with toe-in much, because I heard fairly quickly that those speakers weren't for me.

 

[alphaiii]

This is why you must demo what you buy, although with bookshelfs its usually not a huge deal, but you will have to live with these... As far as RC10's I have listened to a lot of Energy, and wouldnt pay 1/4 the price for any of them... And I like the evo2 series a lot, from the bookshelfs to the towers, they are really well balanced {to me anyway}... what sounds good to Alphaiii doenst sound good to me... demo is a must before purchase...

Well, to put into perspective, I did pay half the retail price for the RC-10... which was less than the cost of the Diamond 10.1. I guess that speaks well of the Diamond 10.1, since I only liked the RC-10 a little better despite it having a retail price of almost double. Or, it just speaks to the retail pricing for certain brands being a bit inflated. Either way, I like both, but feel both have their shortcomings.

At retail for the RC-10, I would certainly look elsewhere.... as I expect most others would...

I did like the Evo2-8... just felt the low end was lacking. I still think they're great for the closeout price (TSTO still has some for $300) depending on room/placement (a little low end reinforcement can do wonders).

I can't speak for others in the Evo2 line, but IMO the Evo2-8 is not worth anywhere near MSRP.. With the deals that can be found, in my experience, few speakers really are...

But I definitely agree - we all have different preferences, so demo is a must.

 

[ImcLoud]

Odd. I listened to the ~$5000 Wharfdale Jade towers and KEF Q900's in the same dealer room. The Wharfdales were markedly brighter. A little recessed in the upper mids, and then tipped up. I wouldn't call them "warm" sounding at all.

The room was fairly reflective, though, and just by sight (haven't seen measurements) I assume the Jades are a very wide-directivity design (small midrange, small tweeter). So in a more damped room they may be better balanced. I also didn't play with toe-in much, because I heard fairly quickly that those speakers weren't for me.

Where did you hear the jades and kefs together, I know there are very few dealers right now that have the jades. I take it you heard the 7 towers since them are the only ones even close to $5K at $4100

The jades have a metalic tweeter and are brighter than the evos but I wouldnt call them bright by any means, I would definitely put them pretty close to the warm end of the spectrum granted they are the brightest speakers I own, in the room I have them in with the subs next to them you dont get any sharp highs, very neutral and defined... But I didnt pay msrp for any of the speakers I bought ever... {I even got a discount on my HSU orders and they are tight over there}....

But obviously this member isnt buying jade bookshelfs at $1300 a pair so I apologise to the op for this entire conversation...

the diamond 10.2's are a great choice for a bookshelf under $500, they have a nice enclosure a great sound, and will last a long time...

 

[jhansen]

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I am down to the warfedale diamond 10.2 and the def tec 450. Now I just need to find a place to give them a good listen.

Thanks again
Jeff H.