Which bookshelf speakers do you recommend

[Good4it]

For UNDER $500 a pair? Why?

 

[Russdawg1]

Ascend CMT340’s.

Flat listening window. Relatively high efficiency. High power handling/low power compression. Custom Seas drivers.

Can also be converted into towers with the custom matching TP24 stands.

 

[KenM10759]

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchrono5022whta/canton-chrono-502.2-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-white-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

Because: Look at the original price. They were easily worth that $950 price, at $350 they're a STEAL.

 

[KEW]

Infinity R162 speakers at ~$200, but you have to wait for them to go on sale or you'll have to pay $450.
These are the best sounding speakers I have found for less than $500. Don't let the fact that they can be had for $200 deceive you. Infinity made a very nice set of speakers with these.
There are two speakers I can think of that might challenge them and would like to hear before being to quick to declare them as best under $500 speakers:
1) The newest version of the AA's with the improved Vifa tweeter. They are no longer available, but the previous version with the Dayton tweeter beat more than a few <=$500 speakers I have heard. IMHO, the Infinitys are a step up from the AA's that I have (Dayton tweeter),but I preferred these (Dayton tweeter) AA's to the Elac Debut B6, Ascend 340, and the Elac UniFi
2) The JBL 530 which go on sale for $300 from time to time (Seems like regular price is either $500 or $600). It seems like I remember they are expecting more in October of this year. Based on my experience with the JBL 580, I would expect the 530 to be more dynamic than the R162 and the R162 might offer a tiny bit more resolution. I suspect (take this with a grain of salt) the R162 may be a better choice if you are trying to get as close as you can to your BMR's with an under $500 speaker and the Studio 530 may be a better choice if you are looking for a speaker to compliment your BMR's with a substantially different sound (without sounding bad).
From my perspective, these two offerings from Harman (Infinity and JBL) which both fall under the same type of intermittent discount/sale strategy represent the best buys currently available! The fact that they are $200 or $300 below your $500 target just makes them that much better.
I have also compared the Infinity directly to the Canton Chrono 502.2 (which has a MSRP of $950, but sells for $350 on Accessories4Less) and the Infinity is a better speaker!

Edit: Sorry Ken, I was typing when you posted. I do consider the Chrono a great deal, and a best speaker for the $350 price, but when the Infinty or JBL are on sale, that changes the rankings, IMHO!

 

[lovinthehd]

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchrono5022whta/canton-chrono-502.2-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-white-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

Because: Look at the original price. They were easily worth that $950 price, at $350 they're a STEAL.

As long as you don't mind white (I would)

 

[vader540is]

Depends what you like?

If you like a V shape FR then I would get some Klipsch RP160M ( older version of RP600M)

If you want a Flat FR then definitely the acend 340 SE... however bass sucks on those so you would need a sub IMHO.

Chane A1.5 amazing speaker mostly Flat FR and you don't need a Sub! Only draw back is you can't play them super loud....that is one trade off for the amazing bass they put out.

 

[shadyJ]

When Outlaw Audio had a sale on the BLSv2 speakers at $500 shipped, that would have been a strong recommend for any bookshelf speakers in that price point. One speaker that never got enough love in this price point was the Monolith K-BAS speakers, and one reason I think was that there was no corresponding center speaker. Nonetheless, they are very good for a stereo pair, especially if you need a bookshelf speaker set and won't be using a subwoofer.

 

[KEW]

As long as you don't mind white (I would)

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchrono5022blka/canton-chrono-502.2-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

 

[lovinthehd]

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchrono5022blka/canton-chrono-502.2-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

Much better!

 

[zieglj01]

Aim for a more upgraded version of the Chrono, the 512 -- plus you will get some wire and bananna plugs
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchrono512blka/canton-chrono-512-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

 

[zieglj01]

But the higher level Chrono is the SL 526
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchronosl526blka/canton-chrono-sl-526-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

 

[Pogre]

But the higher level Chrono is the SL 526
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cantchronosl526blka/canton-chrono-sl-526-6-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-black-pair-free-speaker-wire-and-banana-plugs/1.html

Oh boy, yeah. Those win my vote. Nice looking speakers too.