Non popular speakers for 2ch use <$600

[gus6464]

I was wondering, it's always the same brands and models always being talked about in the forums for HT but what about just good old 2ch music listening? Ever since I got my new HT I have been finding myself listening more and more to music and checking out new artists. Now that I moved we have set up an office in a spare room and my wife asked me if I could put a little 2ch system in there as she spends a lot working there. Room is small so just looking for some musical monitors. Are there any gems out there that you guys have encountered that offer superb bang for the buck when it comes to music?

These are some speakers I have found but I am trying to make a list of what's out there.

Silverline Audio Minuet
Rega R1
AVI Pro 9 Plus
Epos ELS3
Usher V-601
Onix REF 0.5
Wharfedale 9.2
Atelier Audio First Horn
The Horn Shoppe "The Horn"
Unity Audio Whitewater

 

[mazersteven]

Mackie HR 824 (These are outstanding speakers.)
http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-HR824-Studio-Monitor?sku=605250

 

[mazersteven]

Audio Insider Dana 630 (These have been auditioned against B&W805's)
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=32

 

[gus6464]

Mackie HR 824 (These are outstanding speakers.)
http://www.mackie.com/products/hr824/
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mackie-HR824-Studio-Monitor?sku=605250

How do you hook those things up to something like the HK3485? They fully self powered?

 

[mazersteven]

PMC DB1+
http://www.pmc-speakers.com/product.php?mode=view&pid=119

 

[mazersteven]

AKG K 701
http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/akg/akg-k-701.php

Sennheiser HD 650
http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/sennheiser/sennheiser-hd-650.php

Beyerdynamic DT 880
http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/beyerdynamic/beyerdynamic-dt-880.php

 

[gus6464]

PMC DB1+
http://www.pmc-speakers.com/product.php?mode=view&pid=119

Those look very nice mazer. How would you compare them to the Dana, Onix REF 0.5 (if you have heard them), Mackie and others in the same price range?

 

[mazersteven]

The only problem I have with the Mackie's is that they will make a bad recording sound very bad. You will here every imperfection in the recording. Some people like that. But play well recorded material, and these speakers awesome. Bass response is excellent. Very neutral speakers.

 

[gus6464]

The only problem I have with the Mackie's is that they will make a bad recording sound very bad. You will here every imperfection in the recording. Some people like that. But play well recorded material, and these speakers awesome. Bass response is excellent. Very neutral speakers.

Damn that might be a problem as my wife has quite a bit of songs on the PC that are only in MP3 so the compression might make them sound like complete poop on the Mackies.

 

[Warpdrv]

Pm was sent to gus, but I figured I would post this info here as well, in the hopes to help anyone looking at the Dana 630's...

Mazersteven suggested I give these speakers a try so, Thanks Mazer..

I bought those speakers for my son, and haven't had alot of experience running them through any tests, I am getting a set of the SVS - LTS speaker system, I was waiting to get them before I did a full type up review between the SVS's, Dana's and my Paradigm Studio .v4 system..

What I can tell you is I bought these as a small 2.1 setup for him in his bedroom, paired with an SVS SB-12Plus for Christmas and they sounded fantastic to me. They are crossed over at 90hz, I didn't have a whole lot of music I could play with them as its setup with the only source being his IPOD, so I don't have any music of mine and he listens to techno mostly. I played one of my favorite Joe Satriani songs through them, and they are extremely detailed through the mids and highs.. Clarity is their strongpoint, highs are smooth but not too bright, they are very accurate and will reveal everything. With the 6" drivers, they don't get incredibly loud, I have them hooked up with a older Sony receiver I had laying around 110wpc, and they can take it all, not that that means anything with the crappy sony brand. Im sure the HK would be a far better amp then what I have them hooked up to. At any rate I can turn that receiver all the way up to max and they sound fantastic, no breakup whatsoever !! I was very surprised, no distortion period, I would really like to take a CD player up there so Im not running them off of the IPOD. I measured them topped out on this sytem at around 90 to 95db. but still kept their integrity the entire time.. They were not bloaty or mid bass heavy. They blended extremely well with the SB12, but obiously couldn't keep up with that monster of a sub... I am truly blown away by the SB12 it has amazing punch for that small box.

**Edit** I forgot to add that these speakers Image extremely well, non directional sound from these speaker was everywhere, the sound stage was very wide with excellant off axis response being well above par. My sons room is about 16x16 if I recall correctly, and this system just pounds and is extremely clean and clear...

The Holidays have been very busy for me, so when I get more time I will do a full review of them in the upcoming week.

All in all, I would have no problem recommending the Dana 630's to anyone... I find them to be a great value at the price I paid...

 

[Warpdrv]

Hey Mazer, do you have a link to that magazine review of the bookshelf shootout that made the cover... that was a good read, and would aptly apply in this case...

 

[Warpdrv]

I believe its the October issue, you can download it over at www.affordableaudio.org

there are two listed, one is a single column the other is dual...
easier to read the single...

 

[InTheIndustry]

I make no secret about my love of BG speakers. I have had nothing but great results from their products and services. All of their speakers come with a lifetime warranty that they absolutely stand behind (they next day aired me a fairly good sized speaker from NV to OH to replace a defective one at their cost) without question.

Until recently, I had primarily used their in-ceiling, in-wall, & on-wall products. I've been missing out having never tried their in-room box product. I just got in a pair of Z1 bookshelves (MSRP: $600) http://www.bgcorp.com/uploads/product_specs/Z-1-literature.pdf and will vouch for them whole heartedly. I love them. For what it's worth, Stereophile liked them a lot and Audioholics did as well.

Review: http://www.bgcorp.com/uploads/reviews_module/29897_eprint.pdf

I am or have been a dealer of a lot of different speaker brands and have got to say that on a consistent basis BG Radia speakers (have never used their subs) impress me. By always, I mean 100% of the time.

Back to the Z1: They image better than most anything I've ever heard (except other BG's) and are incredibly detailed, particularly on the highs. Bass is very good, mid range is good to very good depending on what you're listening to. I play a lot of the blues & rock channels through Rhapsody off of a Sonos system and the Z1 is amazing.

I would say these fit the bill for a "non-popular" speaker in your budget.

 

[mazersteven]

I just got in a pair of Z1 bookshelves (MSRP: $600)

I think you should send me a set to review.

 

[gus6464]

I make no secret about my love of BG speakers. I have had nothing but great results from their products and services. All of their speakers come with a lifetime warranty that they absolutely stand behind (they next day aired me a fairly good sized speaker from NV to OH to replace a defective one at their cost) without question.

Until recently, I had primarily used their in-ceiling, in-wall, & on-wall products. I've been missing out having never tried their in-room box product. I just got in a pair of Z1 bookshelves (MSRP: $600) http://www.bgcorp.com/uploads/product_specs/Z-1-literature.pdf and will vouch for them whole heartedly. I love them. For what it's worth, Stereophile liked them a lot and Audioholics did as well.

Review: http://www.bgcorp.com/uploads/reviews_module/29897_eprint.pdf

I am or have been a dealer of a lot of different speaker brands and have got to say that on a consistent basis BG Radia speakers (have never used their subs) impress me. By always, I mean 100% of the time.

Back to the Z1: They image better than most anything I've ever heard (except other BG's) and are incredibly detailed, particularly on the highs. Bass is very good, mid range is good to very good depending on what you're listening to. I play a lot of the blues & rock channels through Rhapsody off of a Sonos system and the Z1 is amazing.

I would say these fit the bill for a "non-popular" speaker in your budget.

Ooooooh they use ribbon tweeters. I am such a fanboy of ribbons.

 

[Warpdrv]

I would like to see how those ribbons image, as most speakers with ribbons i have heard didn't image the best.

 

[InTheIndustry]

I think you should send me a set to review.

Alright, if you promise to send them back after a week in the condition they arrive.

 

[gus6464]

Alright, if you promise to send them back after a week.

Can I have them for a week too after mazer is done?

 

[mazersteven]

Alright, if you promise to send them back after a week in the condition they arrive.

Without a doubt.

 

[InTheIndustry]

I would like to see how those ribbons image, as most speakers with ribbons i have heard didn't image the best.

BG's Radia tweeters are incredible in imaging & detail. I've never heard anything like them. They aren't a traditional ribbon but more of a hybrid. The actual material that they use wasn't invented until the early 90's I think?