Too many affordable bookshelf speakers to choose from

[gus6464]

Hey Guys, what about these? Many have found these to be quite amazing given their size and price point. Here is a link for the OP:

http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php/p/acculine-a1/products_id/65

To be honest, I have never heard these. Perhaps some other members have and can chime in so to speak. Just thought I would mention them. This entire series may be just what the OP is looking for.

Cheers,

Phil

The A1R is the exact same price as the A1 and has the newer BG Neo3 PDR planar tweeter. Jon Lane mentioned at AVS that the A1R is very close to the BG Z1. For $249 it looks like a very good deal so the OP should at least order a pair and try them out.

 

[speakerman39]

The A1R is the exact same price as the A1 and has the newer BG Neo3 PDR planar tweeter. Jon Lane mentioned at AVS that the A1R is very close to the BG Z1. For $249 it looks like a very good deal so the OP should at least order a pair and try them out.

Very good info Gus. Like I mentioned, I have never heard any of these. However, I am intrigued by the Planar Tweeter. Have read that it is supposed to be very smooth sounding. At the mere price of $249 a set, how could the OP go wrong. John Lane is a very nice guy as I have enjoyed speaking with him on a couple different occasions.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Davidt1]

My setup is more of a lifestyle system, so I am looking small, good-looking speakers. I think people at the Wisconsin GTG (from AVS forum) heard those speakers and did not like them. I think Audioholics needs to do another speaker shootout using the mini monitors mentioned here, preferably from my speaker list.

 

[j_garcia]

Ribbons have to be done right or they don't sound good IMO, and they do have a particular sound. I have heard some that are good and others that are not.

 

[bandphan]

im very familar with these planar/ribbons

 

[mazersteven]

 

[j_garcia]

No ribbons there

 

[bandphan]

but these are

 

[speakerman39]

im very familar with these planar/ribbons

Hey band, would you say the Planars are smooth? I have never heard them, but admit I am very curious about that kind of tweeter. Is there anything out there that may sound similar? Is it a bit laid-back or more forward sounding? Just curious as to how you would describe the Planars.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[bandphan]

Hey band, would you say the Planars are smooth? I have never heard them, but admit I am very curious about that kind of tweeter. Is there anything out there that may sound similar? Is it a bit laid-back or more forward sounding? Just curious as to how you would describe the Planars.

Cheers,

Phil

in my application i have both my mid and tweeter handled by bg designed ribbons and being a dipole speaker creates an open airy sound stage, very life like. IMO they provide an exceptional amount of detail. Being a fan of ELS speakers, these drivers ive found come the closest in detail(again in dipole). These drivers use almost all of their surface area helping their sound. Monitor Audio also uses ribbons in their platinum series.

 

[Davidt1]

If it is specifically minimonitors you are looking for (not just bookshelves in general), then the Cambridge Audio S30s are tough to beat. You can get them for just $230/pr, and IMO they sound as good as any minimonitors on the market, including the $1000/pr B&Ws.

Retailers list the weight of these speakers at 6lbs. Are they that light?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Hey band, would you say the Planars are smooth? I have never heard them, but admit I am very curious about that kind of tweeter. Is there anything out there that may sound similar? Is it a bit laid-back or more forward sounding? Just curious as to how you would describe the Planars.

Cheers,

Phil

Like many "exotic" designs, planar tweeters strike me as a solution in search of a problem. Since well-designed conventional domes sound great, is there really any advantage to the alternative design?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Retailers list the weight of these speakers at 6lbs. Are they that light?

I don't have a scale, but they feel plenty heavy for their size (remember that they are really small. 6"x9"x9".)

 

[bandphan]

Like many "exotic" designs, planar tweeters strike me as a solution in search of a problem. Since well-designed conventional domes sound great, is there really any advantage to the alternative design?

There is noting exotic about planars or ribbons or els or paper or diamond or inverted dome or any other tweeter. Advantages and dis-advantges occur in all speaker materials, you should no that Joe And why are domes conventional

 

[avaserfi]

Like many "exotic" designs, planar tweeters strike me as a solution in search of a problem. Since well-designed conventional domes sound great, is there really any advantage to the alternative design?

Typically, dome tweeters have relatively [to planar and certain other designs] poor off-axis response. This, of course, does not mean all domes have worse off-axis response than all planar tweeters, but normally this is the case when comparing high quality drivers from each design group.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

There is noting exotic about planars or ribbons or els or paper or diamond or inverted dome or any other tweeter. Advantages and dis-advantges occur in all speaker materials, you should no that Joe And why are domes conventional

Domes are conventional because the vast majority of speakers use them. The designs I refer to as exotic are typically more expensive, so there needs to be something special about their sound to justify that cost. (The planars may be an exception, though, as the speakers that started this tangent are quite affordable.) Better off-axis response, as mentioned, is an example of such an advantage.

 

[bandphan]

Domes are conventional because the vast majority of speakers use them. .

Could you provide a link to that statistic?

 

[pweller]

You might want to check out this listing of speaker tests. Probably only a few of the speakers mentioned in this thread have been tested, but at least this will give you an idea of their overall frequency response. This is an objective approach as well.

http://www.soundstageav.com/speakermeasurements.html

Overall, I don't think there is really that much of a 'night and day' difference between speakers. I have played with equalization and speaker placement, and have made two very different speakers sound almost identical - without adjustments they sound very different.

I think if you find something that has a fairly flat frequency response, you can adjust it to your taste and be happy with it.

I just read a pretty interesting article on speakers/measurements/preferences on the audiocritic.com site. Look for the archives and issue no. 28, which was written by an industry professional.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Could you provide a link to that statistic?

The only proof required is to open your eyes and look around.

 

[Davidt1]

I read somewhere you can plug the ports, so rear ported monitors placed closed to the wall might not be a big issue for me. The problem with buying 3 identical speakers is that not every seller is willing to sell 3 pieces.