OK - it's been several months since the last 'best bookshelf for $xxx" thread and I did read some of the more recent posts. Hope some of you will help me out. I am putting together a new 2.1 system in my basement as follows: Outlaw Audio RR2150 Receiver, sub, and pair of bookshelf speakers. I need some suggestions on the bookshelf speakers. Prefer to put my money towards sound versus asthetics so don't care about the cabinets - flat black is fine. My first priority is accurate music reproduction but I will also want them to play loud occassionaly. Lastly this will be a family system so I want something durable in case my kids really crank it(which they will do).
thanks guys... i have a pair of 170's (well, a trifecta, actually) that i picked up used for a secondary tv setup a few years back... if the 340's are sonically similar to them, i definitely vote for the sierra's...
while i still was in "sierra mode", dave intro'd the fancy finishes, and i was "sierra-less" for awhile when my naturals sold before my dark cherry's got here.... i used the 170's in my main room for awhile... and every minute that i was listening to music, i DEARLY missed the sierra's.... DEARLY...
for movies/tv, meh, don't really care much... make a reasonable amount of noise, and i'm happy there...
for all i know, the cbm's may very well be better for that...
note: i was using a paradigm servo15 v2 sub with all of the above...
granted, there's a significant price difference... but that price difference, as long as it's within budget, is certainly worth it...
I like my Wharfedale Diamond 10.7's and a friend of mine has the 10.2's and likes them as well. Granted the 10.7's are towers. If you can find a North American dealer I would strongly suggest you take a listen to the Diamond's and if they have them the Evo's as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj /forum/post/20160429
thanks guys... i have a pair of 170's (well, a trifecta, actually) that i picked up used for a secondary tv setup a few years back... if the 340's are sonically similar to them, i definitely vote for the sierra's...
The topend of the 340s and 170s are similar...although I think the 340's may still have a bit more treble..I have not compared the two in a while. The 340's definitely have more bass and mid-bass information giving them more body....due to the size of the cabinet and two-woofers.
Since you're going to be using a sub anyway, take a look at Electro-Voice ZX1's . I picked a pair($500) for use as surrounds and I tried them out as mains just out of curiosity and they sounded pretty good. Much better than the $500 price tag would have you believe. I realize they're pro audio speakers but don't let that scare you away. If anything it means they have the durability you're looking for.
I had a LFM-1 Plus with the Sierra-1s but then replaced it with a Rythmik F12SE. The F12SE is a sealed sub and sounds much better with music than the LFM-1. Sealed subs are known to be better with music than ported subs. I would suggest waiting on buying a sub till your budget allows for a better sub.
You could take a look at subs from Rythmik or Epik although I'm sure there are other great choices as well. I have not heard any Epik subs but they seem to get very good owner reviews here on AVS. The Epic Legend is a sealed sub that looks to be fairly small in size and at a very good price.
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Originally Posted by cschang /forum/post/20161177
The topend of the 340s and 170s are similar...although I think the 340's may still have a bit more treble..I have not compared the two in a while. The 340's definitely have more bass and mid-bass information giving them more body....due to the size of the cabinet and two-woofers.
The subwoofer needs to be matched to the size of the room. I'd contact Hsu and and Rythmik and have them size a subwoofer to the room. If you're going 100% sealed can be a really nice way to go but if you're going to use them with movies at all I prefer vented because they hit harder down low.
I recently went through a similar search. I ended up with Paradigm Studio 10's, but was also interested in PSB Imagine B's, Era D5's, and even Wharfedale Evo2-8's.
If you look at pictures of each you'll see something in common -- rounded cabinets. I really wanted something other than a "box", which is why I didn't consider Sierras or other highly-regarded speakers in this price range.
I picked the Paradigms for a couple reasons, first and foremost being they were the only ones I could actually audition! Secondly, I knew I could grow my system with Paradigm -- in other words, I'll always be able to find a matching center and another set of 10's for surrounds sometime down the road (whereas with the smaller brands, you can't be so sure). Third, they simply sound amazing and finally, they're a flat-out gorgeous speaker...
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoClue64 /forum/post/20154337
OK - it's been several months since the last 'best bookshelf for $xxx" thread and I did read some of the more recent posts. Hope some of you will help me out. I am putting together a new 2.1 system in my basement as follows: Outlaw Audio RR2150 Receiver, sub, and pair of bookshelf speakers. I need some suggestions on the bookshelf speakers. Prefer to put my money towards sound versus asthetics so don't care about the cabinets - flat black is fine. My first priority is accurate music reproduction but I will also want them to play loud occassionaly. Lastly this will be a family system so I want something durable in case my kids really crank it(which they will do).
I had a pair of B&W 602's from about the same time. Gold colored tweeters w/lens, yellow woven Kevlar woofers, front ported. The sound was typical, in your face British. Those metal domes caused ear fatigue.
I bought a pair of original CBM-170's to compare. The 602's were sold.
The 170's imaged better, and were not harsh on my ears. More midrange detail came through. They could not play as loud, but with a sub they could play louder than I needed.
The Sierra-1 replaced the 170's. They are in a different league. They have greater resolving ability, letting minute details through. The bass digs very deep and is detailed. The highs are detailed but never harsh. The bamboo cabinet is rock solid. Imaging is excellent.
The NrT upgrade, including the Neo Ring tweeter and new crossover, ups the ante. The midrange is brought forward a bit with even greater body & detail. The highs have greater ""air" and extend way up. The tweeter does not compress and sounds more dynamic, with more energy. It surprises me sometimes how much treble punch is there, even at lower volumes.
Basically, you are moving out of the budget bookshelf speaker category going from the 601's to Sierra's.
Originally Posted by NoClue64
OK - Sierra's it is - ordered today. I guess I should head over to the sub forum for some advice on the sub. Thanks all for a great discussion.
Nice, congratulations. FYI-Ascend is partnered with Rythmik and you get a discount if ordering a sub with the Sierras. Just throwing it out there...
I'll Throw a wildcard in and recommend the Jamo C803 Bookshelfs. They are warm yet very detailed and can be cranked without EVER sounding fatiguing. They perform like mini tower speakers yet have great imaging like proper bookshelfs should. They are also very beautiful and can be had for a bit under $800.
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Originally Posted by kesando /forum/post/20171746
I'll Throw a wildcard in and recommend the Jamo C803 Bookshelfs. They are warm yet very detailed and can be cranked without EVER sounding fatiguing. They perform like mini tower speakers yet have great imaging like proper bookshelfs should. They are also very beautiful and can be had for a bit under $800.
Nice looking speaker, they have been selling on Audigon (new) for $450, shipping included, a couple of pairs sold this week. Here is an active listing .
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevensctt /forum/post/20171778
Nice looking speaker, they have been selling on Audigon (new) for $450, shipping included, a couple of pairs sold this week. Here is an active listing .
I paid about $750 far a pair of C803's and the C80cen center channel. I will have to reference that link in the future. I must say that price truly undercuts the quality of that speaker
Originally Posted by kesando
At that price they are an absolute steal.
I paid about $750 far a pair of C803's and the C80cen center channel. I will have to reference that link in the future. I must say that price truly undercuts the quality of that speaker
Yeah, not the most efficient but when given power, they can go LOUD and clear for HT. I run mine with a 200wpc external amp and they sing and never distort or sound harsh
i'm considering giving those jamos a listen. couple of questions: does anyone know how they would compare with the infinity primus? i currently have primus 360's. also, my receiver is a denon 1610 rated at 75 wpc. will it be able to drive the jamos?
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