I'm planning out a home theater for a small to medium sized sitting room (~13*18), which can be sealed off from other rooms.

I have done a lot of research on bookshelf speakers in my price range (<$1,000/pair). When reading reviews from others, it is often difficult to account for differences in taste and preference. I know the best option is to do the listening tests myself, but I am looking for a good starting point. I can bump up my price range a bit for something truly outstanding, but cheaper is always better. I would prefer to avoid used options as well.

Right now, the Klipsch RB-81 is my most likely choice. I know there are many models out there that have been favored by reviewers on these forums, but let's look at the specific demands of my HT:

For starters, I am definitely a bass head. An Epik Conquest will be handling the bass. Probably overkill for my room, but I want it anyway :D. My system will be 90%HT/10% music. I am looking for the most violent HT impact and dynamics possible, with a big sound stage. I doubt that ANY bookshelf speakers in this range can keep up with a Conquest sub, but I want to come as close as possible. I also am not opposed to forward sounding horns. For these reasons, I feel like the RB-81 might be the best option for my specific demands. Additionally, I can save on the electronics a bit (planning an Onkyo SR805), since it's cheap to drive these Klipsch speakers very well.

Are there better options for me? I have seen other comparable bookshelves reviewed more favorably, but I keep observing that the RB-81's are unbeatable for sheer volume and dynamics in this price range. If that's what I'm looking for, are their any superior options out there?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I know a true audiophile might cringe and some of my preferences and concessions here, but I made a conscious decision to favor impact and db's over neutrality and perfect accuracy thanks to my budget. Hopefully someday I'll be able to go after both...

If any bookshelf speakers can "keep up" it would definately be the Klipsch. Very dynamic for sure!

If all you're interested in is volume and output, forget the Klipsch's and go for DJ type pro speakers.

I think you've made a well reasoned argument for going with Klipsch speakers, given your goals.

I have a 2-channel system in a room of about the same size, and find that 150w/channel and 88db efficiency speakers are enough to achieve the levels I desire. Is this reference volume with enough headroom for peaks? Not so sure, as I don't have a sound pressure meter. Seems plenty loud.

Just make sure you listen to these speakers before buying. Flaws that could bother you tend to become much more apparent at high volumes, and something that is mildly offensive can drive you crazy at reference volume.

You can try giving these a try.

Aperion 6B Bookshelf Speaker (http://www.aperionaudio.com/product/NEW-Intimus-6B-Bookshelf-Speaker,111,20,257.aspx)

They are power hungry though :)

If you can take a listen to Monitor Audio's GS-10's. We have two-pairs with the matching center and a Epik Caliber :) and we LOVE our new set up. It's modest but we are very happy with it.

Selah SSR (http://www.selahaudio.com/id124.html) I have them, and they are "truly outstanding". I think they should be among the best standmounts, and a great value at the price of $1.5k. They wont have the sensitivity of Klipsch's, but if you have enough power to drive them they can produce staggering bass and plenty of overall output. They should be far ahead of any klipsch speakers in overall sound quality, in my estimation.
People on this forum seem to ignore my posts and keep discussing Polks, Kefs, B&Ws, Aperions etc, but I think they are doing themselves a disservice with that.

Selah SSR (http://www.selahaudio.com/id124.html) I have them, and they are "truly outstanding". I think they should be among the best standmounts, and a great value at the price of $1.5k. They wont have the sensitivity of Klipsch's, but if you have enough power to drive them they can produce staggering bass and plenty of overall output. They should be far ahead of any klipsch speakers in overall sound quality, in my estimation.
People on this forum seem to ignore my posts and keep discussing Polks, Kefs, B&Ws, Aperions etc, but I think they are doing themselves a disservice with that.
What have you directly compared the SSR to? If not directly, whatelse have you heard?

Selah SSR (http://www.selahaudio.com/id124.html) I have them, and they are "truly outstanding". I think they should be among the best standmounts, and a great value at the price of $1.5k. They wont have the sensitivity of Klipsch's, but if you have enough power to drive them they can produce staggering bass and plenty of overall output. They should be far ahead of any klipsch speakers in overall sound quality, in my estimation.
People on this forum seem to ignore my posts and keep discussing Polks, Kefs, B&Ws, Aperions etc, but I think they are doing themselves a disservice with that.

How would you recommend driving those speakers? They certainly look like they are worth a listen. I have no problem stepping my budget up to $1.5k for the fronts, but would I also need to invest another grand or so in my electronics to do justice to those speakers? I'm guessing my planned Onkyo AVR isn't going to cut it.


Thanks to everybody for the replies! I also want to add that I'm not nearly as disinterested in sound quality and neutrality as I may have sounded. I just wanted to convey that reference level playback without strain and dynamics are preferred.

People on this forum seem to ignore my posts and keep discussing Polks, Kefs, B&Ws, Aperions etc, but I think they are doing themselves a disservice with that.


I mostly ignore you because, I know that when you post, you only talk about the Selah speakers... Much like Pulliamm and his precious Alesis.

It does get quite old IMHO

But how can it get old before it even starts? I'm waiting for somebody to get or audition some, write some impressions, comparisons with other famous models. Its very unfortunate that I have no means to do it myself. But it seems like an extensive line of great products that this forum is absolutely in the dark about. If I'm wrong, I'd like to be proven wrong, for the peace of mind.

How would you recommend driving those speakers? They certainly look like they are worth a listen. I have no problem stepping my budget up to $1.5k for the fronts, but would I also need to invest another grand or so in my electronics to do justice to those speakers? I'm guessing my planned Onkyo AVR isn't going to cut it.


Im driving mine with 200wpc parasound amp (which I bought used). I would estimate that I'm using about 170 watts at the loudest I listen to. With 130wpc it's gonna be a few db less, definetely enough for normal listening volume and somewhat higher. I'm not familiar with the sound quality of that reciever but audioholics gave it a good review, so I guess it should be decent.

If you change your mind about the bookshelves...

Bolt down everything in your house and buy these.....

Loud, and I mean f**king loud and bass like you would not believe. You will be surprised at how good these things sound, extremely detailed (for what they are). I run very expensive gear but I still love these things to death.

There just what your looking for.

http://www.shopcerwinvega.com/detail/CER+CLS-215/CLS-215

Klipsch and CV are good picks if you want loud. Axioms and RBH get pretty dang loud as well, but Klipsch will have an edge in loudness and dynamics.

Selah SSR (http://www.selahaudio.com/id124.html) I have them, and they are "truly outstanding". I think they should be among the best standmounts, and a great value at the price of $1.5k. They wont have the sensitivity of Klipsch's, but if you have enough power to drive them they can produce staggering bass and plenty of overall output. They should be far ahead of any klipsch speakers in overall sound quality, in my estimation.
People on this forum seem to ignore my posts and keep discussing Polks, Kefs, B&Ws, Aperions etc, but I think they are doing themselves a disservice with that.
Back to your old ways I see. I don't know how anyone can take you seriously.

saj3 -

I recommend giving these a listen:

Ascend Sierra-1 (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html)
Salk Sound HTS (http://www.salksound.com/htshome.shtml)
Swan HiVi D2.1SE (http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=69)
AV123 Reference 1 (http://**********/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,35/category_id,17/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/)
Usher S-520 (http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded)

Good luck in your search. Please go audition when you have the time; it's the only way to make a decision.

Selah SSR I have them, and they are "truly outstanding". I think they should be among the best standmounts, and a great value at the price of $1.5k.

If you are going to audition the selah's then you should consider Salk products first, subjectively better in my books..

I have demoed/owned the following

Salk Sound HTS (returned, GREAT product!!!)
Emotiva ERM-1s (Own them, really like them and the ERD surrounds).
AV123 reference 1 (great detail, sold them)
AV123 RS2450s (not bookshelf speakers, still own them)
Klispch RB-81 (owned them for a couple of years but....).

Salks are a great speaker, incredible build but the Emotivas kept up with them in my Home theater which has full treatments so lots of speakers sounded good actually.

I think the Salks are still a great performing speaker and the BIGGER reason I didnt keep them is because I decided the same weekend that Im going to custom build my own bookshelf speakers.


btw, the klipsch are good ole rock'n'roll speakers but if you dont like ultra high SPL and you like a warmer detailed sound the kipsch are not for you. They are a very bright and loud speaker!!

But how can it get old before it even starts? I'm waiting for somebody to get or audition some, write some impressions, comparisons with other famous models. Its very unfortunate that I have no means to do it myself. But it seems like an extensive line of great products that this forum is absolutely in the dark about. If I'm wrong, I'd like to be proven wrong, for the peace of mind..

You certainly have a hard on for the Selah stuff and we certainly appreciate hearing about new lines...However, you were asked about what else you have owned and compared by a very respected poster here. The post above sort of indicates that while you would like to do some direct comparisons you have not.

My question is simple. If you have never really done any comparisons nor owned any other of these "famous models" as you call them, how then do you come to the conclusion that yours are so superior.

Whether or not you like them is not really the point. Don't you think its a bit misleading to speak so highly of a speaker and company when you have never had the chance to really compare them. For all we know this is the first set of speakers you have owned. Do you want to come across like a Bose owner?

The only other conclusion is that you are either affiliated with the company or you are intentionaly and blatently promoting them for some personal gain. It's suspicious at worst and annoying at best.

ascend siearra 1's-----b-stock $678 per pair(announced yesterday)----incredible product at that price point

Back to your old ways I see.
What old ways? I've never changed my ways.
I don't know how anyone can take you seriously.
I don't care about being taken seriously, I just want the speakers I have to be noticed and given a fair chance by more people.

Again, what have you compared them to?

Almost everything in terms of research, but sadly nothing in terms of a/b auditioning. With my income and living situtation I just dont have that ability.
You certainly have a hard on for the Selah stuff and we certainly appreciate hearing about new lines...
the fact is that those lines are not really new, the brand has been around for over 5 years, and my particular model for 2 years.

I don't care about being taken seriously, I just want the speakers I have to be noticed and given a fair chance by more people.
I think that is very fair....but did you do the same with other brands? How can you do that without listening to them?

BTW...I have a lot of respect for Rick Craig/Selah, and hope to hear more of his speakers.

ascend siearra 1's-----b-stock $678 per pair(announced yesterday)----incredible product at that price point
according to DaveF's post over at the Ascend forum...they are going fast

If all you're interested in is volume and output, forget the Klipsch's and go for DJ type pro speakers.

Those types of speakers alone can Physically assault you with sound they produce alone. :eek:

JBL makes some good speakers that are of the DJ and pro type.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I stumbled across the Mackie website the other day and am now interested in these: http://www.mackie.com/products/hrmk2series/index.html , specifically the 8.75" version.

I love Genelec speakers and figure the Mackies might be able to give me a large slice of Genelec sound at a serious discount. I know these won't quite measure up to Genelec's HT208b, but I'm guessing they can match the power of the Klipsch RB-81's, but with more accuracy and neutrality. Thoughts?

Sooo, what does everyone have against the Selah's? I'm not familiar with the company, but I'm sure as hell familiar with Scanspeak Revelators and Fountek Ribbons!

They're expensive yeah, I know how much the raw drivers cost. Is there something I should know if I was going to consider them?

I don't care about being taken seriously, I just want the speakers I have to be noticed and given a fair chance by more people.

Then you can do what I do and paint your old speakers with some bright colors. Something like Gallardo Yellow or Ferrari Red would do...

No thanks, in a front projection setup I like them in piano black as they are.
Blacklac, nothing is wrong with selah except that I mention it often enough to tickle a few people's sensitive senses..But I only do that cause nobody else ever mentiones it for which I see no logical explanation.

Back to your old ways I see. I don't know how anyone can take you seriously.

saj3 -

I recommend giving these a listen:

Ascend Sierra-1 (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM1/srm1.html)
Salk Sound HTS (http://www.salksound.com/htshome.shtml)
Swan HiVi D2.1SE (http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=69)
AV123 Reference 1 (http://**********/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,35/category_id,17/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/)
Usher S-520 (http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded)

Good luck in your search. Please go audition when you have the time; it's the only way to make a decision.


There is your list right there. I'd also throw on here Paradigm Studio 20 V.4, they might have the HT explosiveness you are after.

I run these with a Onkyo 705 in my small HT, and couldn't be happier. They look nice too.