$300ish bookshelf speakers

By that last statement, I'm assuming you have not heard any of these, correct? Are you able to audition?

All good speakers. Unless there is a size restriction, I would also strongly consider the Wharfedale Diamond 10.1s. Probably the best buy in bookshelfs in that price category. If you shop around you can get them for less than the Monitor v7s. Otherwise from that group, I would go for the SBS-02s.

No s30 or rc10?

It depends partly on how much bass you want - that's mostly what you're getting by going with the Mini - and how much space you have.

I have some Atoms on my desk, and they are among my favorites. I personally don't mind the lack of bass, but some might.

I'd add the Energy RC-10 to the mix also.
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ures/542469405

It plays deeper than both the Atom and Mini Monitor.


Are you in Canada or USA? If USA then vanns has the RC-10s in stock.

Lots of good options in the $250 - $350 range on www.canuckaudiomart.com


Here's a link to some KEF iQ30 for $200

I've listened to 1, 2 and 4 as well as the Cambridge S30 and chose 5) Mordaunt Short Carnival 2. Incredible speakers for the money, but I was auditioning for nearfield, desktop use. The silk dome tweeter was gentle enough, and real enough, to be more pleasing than all others I auditioned.

Whereabouts? There are lots of places just over the border that will let you use their US address for shipping for a small fee (if you are dead set on something that won't ship to Canada).

But as i suggested, consider used at Canuck Audio Mart - and for your tastes those iQ30 would be great.

What about these?

http://emptek.com/e41b.php

While I do under stand why people would choose 1, 2, and 4
My choice is the wild card, the Cambridge S30 - They are more
musical and fun for me. I can not speak for the SVS sound.
Good Luck!

The Ascend Audio HTM-200SEs are in your price range ($318 shipped). I bought a pair about a month ago and the music performance from them is much better than I expected for the price.

The CBM-170SEs from Ascend Acoustics are also great for music. I think Ascend will work with many international customers to achieve reasonable shipping costs.

What about Home Theater Direct bookshelf speakers? They ship to Canada for about $30.
http://www.htd.com/Products/bookshelf-speakers

The LEVEL THREE speakers use a ribbon tweeter and 6.5" woofer.
The LEVER TWO speakers use a silk dome tweeter and 5.25" woofer.

Shipping info
http://www.htd.com/Risk-Free-In-Home-Trial/shipping-tax

And they are good.

Been reading up on the HTD's as I was curious about them as well. Some of the reviews say the midrange is lacking. Would still like to order a pair myself. Seems like you get a lot for your dollar with them, and great support.

You get a lot for the money, with good cabinets and no cheap crossovers.

I prefer the Level Two over the Atom line, and I prefer the Level Three over
the Mini Monitor line - I still prefer the S30 over them. And, the Paradigm's
are decent speakers, just not enough for me.

I do think the Ascends are very good IMHO. However, auditioning them would be the only way to know how good they are. What they lack in aesthetics they make up for in accuracy and musicality.

Only you can make the final decision - you are the captain of
your A/V ship. Weigh it all out, and pick the one that may be
the most interesting to you - whenever possible, and given
the chance - audition.

I think you should put Ascends on your list for audition, as well as Hsus. To be fair, the trial is not as risk free as others as you would have to pay return shipping. I think Infinity P163's should be on your list too.

To counter this a bit, I have heard previous generations of the Level Two and Level Three, and thought they did not compare to much in their price range (AV123, Axioms, Ascends, Hsus, PSBs, KEF, Usher). This looks to have changed a lot in the last 3-5 years or so since zieg likes the new models a lot.

Yes, quite agree with ClarkeBar, Wharfedale DM 10.1 may be the best one among 300$ range. The sound is excellent with the reputation name from UK.

I still would not put them up there, with the likes of the PSB Image
or KEF Q series. They are not giant killers - they are what they are,
an option for one on a tight budget.

I would like to hear the Diamond 10.1

This is a subjective review of the Cambridge S30, and this
reviewer overall, chose the 10.1 - that caught my attention.
http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audi...owViewpoints=1

Yes they are still kinda under the radar although lately they have been getting really good press. Problem with certain brands has always been where to find them to listen and Wharfedale is no different. I'm fortunate to be in the D.C. area where almost anything from the most exotic to the most mundane can usually be heard within a 25-50 mile drive or so.

It also doesn't hurt to have Polk, Def-Tech and now, Golden Ear, so close as well.

I strongly considered the 10.1s for a small, space challenged 2 channel system using the Roth MC4 Cocoon for the bedroom but went with RtiA1s instead. The 10.1s are more refined and typically Brit sounding which I prefer (I still use Emerald 97 towers) but the RtiA1s had a killer price delivered and are extremely close in overall performance once they break in a little. They need the Polk tricks like Power Port and ARC to be competitive but it all works. If this had not been a shelf system in a bookcase I would have gone with the 10.1s and stands but have to admit I would have given a good look at A3s.

In the nearfield monitor search the Wharfedale were a pair that was high on the list to listen to, unfortunately I was unable to do so. I haven't read any negative comments on them, only praise.

Good review sir. I was able to A/B compare the Cambridge S30 with several PSB Image speakers at Crutchfield and preferred the S30 for music. While I wouldn't exactly say that bass was 'shockingly good' (the larger driver of the Energy RC-10 bested them of course), for their size bass is a surprise. The soundstage comments are dead on, this was shocking, but alas this is also why they didn't work for me as desktop speakers.

One other that was a part of this Crutchfield trip was NHT Classic line of bookshelf speakers. A little bright for my tastes, I preferred both Cambridge and Energy over them, but if they can be auditioned locally they are certainly contenders.

Do not tell anybody - however, I also prefer the Cambridge over
the Image series, and NHT Classic Two.

I owned # 1,2,4. I'd go for the Alpha B1 for Jazz, Pop, Rock with no reservation. It can probably play classic somewhat decent too but I've never tried it when I owned it for 2 years or so. Actually it's the only non ID brand that I'd ever consider buying. PSB can play anything well but they're way cheaper than the competition. Synchrony One is only $4000 but it ranks as the best sounding at any price. The Alpha B1 is mindblowing, still one of the best speaker to play sax IMO. Sold it just because I needed a better looking "furniture" for the office.