Recommend Bookshelf speakers $600.00 or less

[Gimpy Ric]

I'm in the market for a pair of bookshelf speakers to go in my bedroom with my Hsu sub. The speaker should be flat down to 80hz, lower even better, so the Hsu won't have to reproduce "upper bass" if I crossover at 70hz.

I listen mainly to music all day at low-medium volume levels, so rule out anything that would "fatigue" my ears after several hours. But at night I toss in DVD's, so dynamics are important. These bookshelves will be a starting point for my surrounds, center, and side effects.

In home audition is a must as I'm disabled and don't get out much .

I'm looking at Axiom M22 v2 Bookshelves. I like everything about Axiom, but have never listed to them. Any others?

 

[Adam]

Check out Aperion Audio. Free shipping both ways with a no risk 30-day trial period. The Intimus 632-LR bookshelves are $299 each and should fit your frequency response requirements.

Also, the Onix x-ls bookshelves (from av123.com) have gotten good remarks on this site, and range from $219 to $249 a pair (shipping not included).

 

[emorphien]

I would love to recommend some speakers but they won't work for in home trials unless you go get them at local stores.

So far I think Aperion, AV123 Onix, Axiom and Ascend Acoustics are all good choices for you.

In addition to the Axiom M22 you should audition the M3 as well I think.

 

[abboudc]

If it were me, the below would be on my short list:
Ascend CBM-170
Onix X-LS

The Axioms are also nice, but i've heard some people call them bright, which can be fatiguing.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Check out Aperion Audio. Free shipping both ways with a no risk 30-day trial period. The Intimus 632-LR bookshelves are $299 each and should fit your frequency response requirements.

OK, after much reading and debate I've chosen these (Thanks Adam) as my first demo speakers. Although a bit power hungry at 86 db 1w/1m we shall see if my LPA-1 can keep up

Thanks everybody!

 

[Adam]

Ric, be sure to let us know how you like each of these (however many you audition), please. Have fun!

 

[mike c]

while the free shipping both ways are really cool, perhaps it is a good idea to get a second pair of speakers to A/B compare with the ascends. I feel that demo-ing speakers one at a time is a bit inaccurate (because of our short acoustic memory). when you compare two speakers, there SHOULD be one you prefer then and there, and if you want to continue comparing, you can start with your first winner vs. a new contender.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

while the free shipping both ways are really cool, perhaps it is a good idea to get a second pair of speakers to A/B compare with the ascends. I feel that demo-ing speakers one at a time is a bit inaccurate (because of our short acoustic memory). when you compare two speakers, there SHOULD be one you prefer then and there, and if you want to continue comparing, you can start with your first winner vs. a new contender.

This would be the correct way to audition and compare speakers, but my disability comes into play. I can't keep asking my friends, family and caregivers to switch my speaker cables, although they are bananas. Then adjust the sub levels, toe in speakers A, etc.

Aperion also has a one year trade in/trade up program. So I could move up to some small towers without straining my wallet to much. After reading the review here, I'll give them a shot.

 

[mike c]

I see. to minimize work in A/B testing ... I'd skip using a sub. pure speaker vs. speaker A/B.

there are many receivers, integrated amps with speaker A and speaker B switches up front, so there won't be any need for manual speaker cable switching. all the caregiver needs to do is press some buttons

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Thanks mike_c, but my signature is not my "wish list", its gear I OWN. No speaker selectors on my Emotiva prepro/amp.

 

[Adam]

No speaker selectors on my Emotiva prepro/amp.

Well, not directly, perhaps...but you could swing it. Couldn't you connect the left/right preamp outputs from the LMC-1 into an RCA style switch box, then connect one set of interconnects to two of the LPA-1 inputs and a second set of interconnects to another two of the LPA-1 inputs, and then connect both sets of speakers to the LPA-1? That way, you could switch between speakers by toggling the RCA switch box.

I looked around for one, but couldn't find an example outside of a component video switcher. There were cheap RCA splitter cables, but what a nuiscance to have to keep connecting and disconnecting cables. I'm sure that someone makes a switch box, but I just didn't find it.

 

[mazersteven]

My vote for the best bookshelf speakers for $600 or under.

Usher S-520 $400

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE $568

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[buzzy]

This may be interesting. One opinion:
www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11076196&&#post11076196

 

[jcPanny]

Used bookshelf speakers

You can get a pair of high end bookshelf speakers for <$600 used. I have the Onix Ref 1's in they show up in the $5-600 price range pretty frequently on the AV123 classified page. You should also be able to find Paradigm Studio 20's on audiogon.com in that range.

With people upgrading to the Sierra's, I have also seen several people selling Ascend 340's.

Ascend, RBH, and Usher and others will all be included in the bookshelf shootout Audioholics is working on.