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Bookshelf Speakers for 2.1 PC setup

post #1 of 14
7/18/12 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 
Sup guys. Just wondering, which bookshelf speakers would I be better off with for around $500 bucks. I already have a good amp and sub, just need some new speakers (my paradigm v5 min monitors have been moved to 7.1 surround duty in the den).

So far, I have been set on The ascend Acoustics 170's.
But I have also heard NHT, Klipsch, B&W, Polk, Boston Acoustics, among others, are also nice.

Im looking for a nice natural sound that will do well with a 12" klipsch rw-12d and be near-field (either side of desk).

Which of these would you guys use?

I am also open for others I might have missed.
Thanks!
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post #2 of 14
7/18/12 at 8:56pm
Ascend, NHT and Boston do good work - I would also take a good look
at the Focal 705V, for $100 off - they are nice.
http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/34397
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post #3 of 14
7/18/12 at 9:37pm
I agree that the CBM-170SEs are great for near field use.
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post #4 of 14
7/19/12 at 2:22am
The CBM-170s look good for near field monitors. The Arx A1b look good too. A terrific monitor is the Behringer Truth 2031p, if you have the space for it, it is kind of large, but it has excellent bass extension. A bit over your budget, but supposedly very good is the NHT Classic Two. A nice bookshelf speaker which is a bit easier going with excellent bass is the Hsu HB-1. Some good bookshelf speakers which could save you some money is the Infinity Primus p163.
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post #5 of 14
7/19/12 at 5:08am
Thread Starter 
All great suggestions. Are the NHT silvers 200$ better than the Ascend 170's? I've also considered using professional studio monitors like the behringers, but I don't think I can still use my sub if I go that route (at least w/out buying $200 dollar adapters). I use my PC for nothing but gaming and music listening so I'm not sure if the HSU bookshelfs would be effective.
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post #6 of 14
7/19/12 at 6:27am
Since you have a sub, consider these:
http://emptek.com/e41_js.php

There are several folks at Audioholics that have them (although the Beryllium woofer version) and have given them alot of high praise... especially at that price.
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post #7 of 14
7/19/12 at 7:17am
I would recommend the Monitor Audio Bronze BX-1.

The PSB Image B4 would also be a good choice.
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post #8 of 14
7/19/12 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 
I've never heard of EMPKTEK..can you link me some more info? Also, how are the PSB's? Never heard much about them either.
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post #9 of 14
7/19/12 at 8:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LCDeez View Post

All great suggestions. Are the NHT silvers 200$ better than the Ascend 170's? I've also considered using professional studio monitors like the behringers, but I don't think I can still use my sub if I go that route (at least w/out buying $200 dollar adapters). I use my PC for nothing but gaming and music listening so I'm not sure if the HSU bookshelfs would be effective.

Why wouldn't you be able to use your sub without an adapter if you go for the Behringers? Note those are passive monitors. As for the Hsus, they are pretty good for near-field use. I use them for my gaming computer and they do well there. I have also used the Behringers and some Alesis Point Seven studio monitors, and I think that the Hsus have their advantages in that role.
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post #10 of 14
7/19/12 at 9:03am
Thread Starter 
Ok, I think I've narrowed it down to three:

all for around $600


Definitive Technology Studio Monitor 55's
http://www.onecall.com/Product/Definitive-Technology/Studio-Monitor-55-Ea/Speaker/_/R-112929?PMNID=838&ci_src=5784816&ci_sku=112929

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340's
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

PSB Image B6's
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMGB6C/PSB-Image-B6-Dark-Cherry.html?tp=186

SO, out of this group and a very hard earned $100 budget increase, which would be best for music and gaming on a pc? Prob not so much home theater even though I sometimes lump gaming into that category.
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post #11 of 14
7/19/12 at 12:30pm
Thread Starter 
Anybody have experience with either of these 3?
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post #12 of 14
7/19/12 at 4:38pm
Please try to audition anything recommended, or considered. The choice of speakers for nearfield listening is distinctly different from other use cases, and everyone's tastes are different. For example, NHT, BA and PSB Image sound OK at normal distances, but I wanted to throw up after 15 minutes listening 3' from my ears. Even if you have to pay for return shipping, the expense is worth it.

Good luck!
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post #13 of 14
7/19/12 at 5:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LCDeez View Post

Anybody have experience with either of these 3?
I think the 340's would be a bit much for nearfield.

The 170SE's are at least comparable to the B6's. I have never heard the DefTech.
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post #14 of 14
7/29/12 at 10:13am
I am using the Ascend 170's for nearfield listening, using a Denon 2807 receiver. I love my set-up. I also have a Hsu VTF 3 mk 2 sub. The whole thing sounds great.
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