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Best bookshelf - value for money

post #1 of 14
9/17/11 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
I have a pair of Klipsh SB2 that are over 10yrs old. I think they sound very good for the price(subjective) which was not too much, if I recall. I had them next to some anthony galos. Those were much more then my speakers. I felt mine held up pretty well to them and surprisingly I thought mine sounded better in the end.

Anyhow I have been starting to look at two new bookshelf speakers and a center maybe even a sub, depending on the price, but I am more worried about the two mains and then the center. I watch movies, but more dramas than action, but I do like a good action film...do they exist anymore? I listen to all sorts of music but mostly acoustic, classical, techno and lastly top 40 form time to time.

The receiver I currently have a Harmon Kardon AVR 520, which I realize isn't that great, but decent. I will probably hold on to that for a few more years. I see no need in getting a new AVR at the moment. I can add an amp to it.

The speakers will be in a small room, about 20x15, but I want them to be able to handle a larger room that that. If I move into a huge room I would move these to my surrounds.

I don't really have a budget, I could spend thousands and would if I found a pair of speakers that justified it, but in the end I usually don't. I guess for the main two I would like to spend around $1500 but hopefully way less.

I like my highs, but don't want anything to harsh. I guess some could say the Klipsh's can be harsh on the highs, I could see that. I am not a bass monger, but I want it when I need it. I really don't care about brand, I am not against any company.

Anyone use solid wood anymore...that is not $$$$$$$?

I live overseas so can't pop into a store for a listen, but would like to have a list and read reviews when I finally can go.

companies like Totem, Parradigm, BW, or if I changed gears and went floor standing goldenear, have peaked my interests.

Any input to my rambling would be great.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 14
9/18/11 at 10:12am
Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 or 10.2 speakers.

Outlaw M8 B-Stock

Should sound pretty good to you...I'm a bigger horn / metal tweeter type then you, but the Wharfedale's are silk dome and should be less harsh. Good luck with your search.
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post #3 of 14
9/18/11 at 11:38am
I currently have the Paradigm S1 bookshelves. They're clearly a high-end, rather than value, speaker, but at the same time, i think they are a good value within the high-end range. While expensive, they'll hold well against MUCH more expensive speakers. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a very compact high-end bookshelf speaker.

For anyone with a bit more room, and a bit more budget room, the S2s are even stronger. They play a bit louder and deeper.
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post #4 of 14
9/18/11 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidians View Post
I currently have the Paradigm S1 bookshelves. They're clearly a high-end, rather than value, speaker, but at the same time, i think they are a good value within the high-end range. While expensive, they'll hold well against MUCH more expensive speakers. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a very compact high-end bookshelf speaker.

For anyone with a bit more room, and a bit more budget room, the S2s are even stronger. They play a bit louder and deeper.
I was looking at the Studio 20's or 10's from paradigm...I would still consider them a good value, at least the 20's, since as you said about the s1, they hold up against much more expensive speakers.

thanks
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post #5 of 14
9/18/11 at 1:25pm
Energy RC-10s are back in stock at Vanns.com

They are made of quality wood and have kevlar woofers. A great bookshelf speaker. They're only $300 a pair now, too.
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post #6 of 14
9/18/11 at 2:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macstatic View Post

Energy RC-10s are back in stock at Vanns.com

They are made of quality wood and have kevlar woofers. A great bookshelf speaker. They're only $300 a pair now, too.

Havent they been in stock for a couple of months now???
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post #7 of 14
9/18/11 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

Havent they been in stock for a couple of months now???

For about a month yeah, I'm just saying it's from a discontinued line in case the OP was familiar with Energy but wasn't up-to-date on the fact that some of the speakers from this discontinued line are becoming available again.
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post #8 of 14
9/18/11 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ser_renely View Post


I was looking at the Studio 20's or 10's from paradigm...I would still consider them a good value, at least the 20's, since as you said about the s1, they hold up against much more expensive speakers.

thanks

Yeah, I think that the Studio bookshelves are a great value. They're not budget speakers, but they're very affordable. I've heard them, and they're excellent, and very comparable to a much more expensive speaker. Going with them wouldn't be a mistake.
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post #9 of 14
9/18/11 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidians View Post

Yeah, I think that the Studio bookshelves are a great value. They're not budget speakers, but they're very affordable. I've heard them, and they're excellent, and very comparable to a much more expensive speaker. Going with them wouldn't be a mistake.

Yeah, I am not really looking for a budget speaker, since I want more than what I think they can typically offer, or that I have ever heard.

What would be similar speakers to the Paradigm 20 from other companies?

Thanks.
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post #10 of 14
9/18/11 at 3:55pm
I have owned both the RC-10 and Studio 20v5's (I now own RC-70s if that matters). If they were the same price I would say it comes down to personal preference, RC-10's are a warmer sounding speaker, while the Studio 20's are more analytical and slightly more detailed.

However, from a Value standpoint, I think the RC-10's at clearance at $300 bury the Studio 20's at MSRP. If you find some Studio 20's at a lower price on the used market then things get interesting again.
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post #11 of 14
9/18/11 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by avichayil View Post

I have owned both the RC-10 and Studio 20v5's (I now own RC-70s if that matters). If they were the same price I would say it comes down to personal preference, RC-10's are a warmer sounding speaker, while the Studio 20's are more analytical and slightly more detailed.

However, from a Value standpoint, I think the RC-10's at clearance at $300 bury the Studio 20's at MSRP. If you find some Studio 20's at a lower price on the used market then things get interesting again.

Thanks. How low to dealers sell the Studio 20's for?
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post #12 of 14
9/18/11 at 5:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Obsidians View Post

I currently have the Paradigm S1 bookshelves. They're clearly a high-end, rather than value, speaker, but at the same time, i think they are a good value within the high-end range. While expensive, they'll hold well against MUCH more expensive speakers. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a very compact high-end bookshelf speaker.

For anyone with a bit more room, and a bit more budget room, the S2s are even stronger. They play a bit louder and deeper.

Ahhh forgot about outlaw...Lived right next to them.

How are their bookshelve speakers?
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post #13 of 14
9/18/11 at 6:13pm
Check out Boston E60s. Very high end sound. They were $1200 for the pair and now about $500 on clearance on Amazon.
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post #14 of 14
9/18/11 at 7:09pm
Save $600 out of your budget to get a good Internet direct retailer 10 or 12" sub (HSU, Outlaw Audio, Rythmik, etc.). I have B&W 601s and recently upgraded from a Mirage Prestige S10 sub to an Outlaw LFM-1 EX. Great improvement for music, and incredible difference for HT.

As far as bookshelves, the new B&W 685s are great. People talk up the PSB Image series on this forum. Focal gets a lot of love, too.
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