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BEST bookshelf speaker for under $500. Everybody help out!!!

post #1 of 119
1/5/13 at 11:40pm
Thread Starter 
Hello friends.
Today im here to get some advice from experts as well as users.
I got a 3.1 HT setup " 2 Polk Audio Monitor 70, 1 Polk Audio CS2, 1 BIG America F12 and a Pioneer VSX-1020-K"
now i would like to add 2 more speakers "BOOKSHELF" preferable.
but i dont know what to get, i want my receiver to power the speakers, active speakers sounds very tending but i dont want to have more things connected to power outlets, so i guess passive is my only option.
i heard of a few brands and models, but never had a change to listen to them. such as:

Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45
Audioengine P4
Audioengine 5+ " active"
Klipsch Reference RB-41 II
Klipsch RB-61
Arx A1b

The main thing for these 2 new speakers will be mostly music and some movies and regular TV. also i have my Polk Monitor 70 as a front speakers, when i get this new ones "after deciding" what order should i set them? bookshelf as front, or what?
thank you for any input. ill appreciate any help!!
Edited by Truquitos - 1/6/13 at 12:09am
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post #2 of 119
1/6/13 at 1:25am
Move the Polks to the rear and use Arx or Klipsch for the front. Polk Monitors are dreadful in comparison.
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post #3 of 119
1/6/13 at 5:20pm
Thread Starter 
Ok. Any other suggestions guys?? So my polk are not good?
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post #4 of 119
1/6/13 at 5:20pm
Thread Starter 
Guys I really need your help here! Please
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post #5 of 119
1/6/13 at 5:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truquitos View Post

Guys I really need your help here! Please

From your list - I would look at the Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b

However, if you are going to keep the Polk up front - then I would reconsider your options.
I for one - would think about selling the Polks.
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post #6 of 119
1/6/13 at 6:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

From your list - I would look at the Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b
However, if you are going to keep the Polk up front - then I would reconsider your options.
I for one - would think about selling the Polks.

+1

Are you looking for three new speakers up front (LCR) or just LR mains?
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post #7 of 119
1/6/13 at 8:05pm
SM45, awesome budget speaker!
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post #8 of 119
1/6/13 at 9:13pm
One of the best deals right now is the Energy Veritas V5.2C which can be used as LCR speakers. They regularly go for close to $300, but are now on discount for $169 at wwstereo (promo code VER52WW ). Get three and use them for your front soundstage.
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post #9 of 119
1/6/13 at 9:44pm
Thread Starter 
ok. right now i cant sell the Polk. thats the only thing i got, i just wanna invest 500 on a good pair of Bookshelf speakers. in te future i will defenitely upgrade my whole HT, maybe going with Parading, but that will be a few month from now.
so what speakers you think i should go with? i hear PBS are good too. i can defenitely put the Polk as a rear speakers, but i need some powerful bookshelf to bring my music to life, i once in a while do parties and crank the volume all the way up.
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post #10 of 119
1/6/13 at 9:47pm
Thread Starter 
also you guys telling me to sell my Polks, but all of them? the center and the 2 front? and if i do that where can i sell them quick and what options im looking for after selling them? maybe i will just get the 2 bookshelf now and after a few months i will buy a nice 3.1 system, maybe paradigm or Philharmonic
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post #11 of 119
1/6/13 at 10:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

+1
Are you looking for three new speakers up front (LCR) or just LR mains?
well i was looking to just buy 2 powerful bookshelf to add to my configuration. but in the future i will upgrade to a better system. but if i do have to change my polk now i will. but as stated before just looking for 2 bad ass bookshelf for 500 a pair.
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post #12 of 119
1/6/13 at 10:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

From your list - I would look at the Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b
However, if you are going to keep the Polk up front - then I would reconsider your options.
I for one - would think about selling the Polks.
which one you think is powerful and better sound quality? Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b
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post #13 of 119
1/6/13 at 10:19pm
Thread Starter 
you guys think getting 3 Energy Veritas V5.2C will be a good move? its a great deal, total comes up to 510 dollars. anyway, still waiting for more opinions
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post #14 of 119
1/6/13 at 10:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truquitos View Post

you guys think getting 3 Energy Veritas V5.2C will be a good move? its a great deal, total comes up to 510 dollars. anyway, still waiting for more opinions



Really hard to beat for that price; also beautiful finish.smile.gif I think is a really great deal.
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post #15 of 119
1/6/13 at 10:40pm
Quote:
but i need some powerful bookshelf to bring my music to life, i once in a while do parties and crank the volume all the way up.

The Pioneer VSX-1020 is a decent receiver but isn't all that powerful. When you start cranking the volume all the way up is when you bring distortion and clipping into the mix. That's what destroys your speakers.

How big is the room?
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post #16 of 119
1/6/13 at 11:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

The Pioneer VSX-1020 is a decent receiver but isn't all that powerful. When you start cranking the volume all the way up is when you bring distortion and clipping into the mix. That's what destroys your speakers.
How big is the room?
well i know my receiver is like a low end receiver. i will def upgrade to something better in a few month. and for the dimension i really dont know, is a living room, is not huge but i consider it big. let me show you a picture, hope that helps a bit
http://i45.tinypic.com/sn0u8l.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/10oihpu.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/34e928o.jpg
http://i47.tinypic.com/2mqqow0.jpg
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post #17 of 119
1/7/13 at 6:56am
surprised nobody mentioned the HTD Level 3 bookshelf....
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post #18 of 119
1/7/13 at 7:05am
You can get a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.2 speakers for $450.

I don't think you can get better-sounding speakers for a similar price.
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post #19 of 119
1/7/13 at 9:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

From your list - I would look at the Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b

+1 for the Arx A1b. Great bookshelf, planar tweeter sounds great.
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post #20 of 119
1/7/13 at 9:26am
If you can spring like $150 more I would highly recommend the Monitor Audio RX1's they sound fantastic.
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post #21 of 119
1/7/13 at 12:04pm
Thread Starter 
Ok guy i can do 650 but thats it!!! What about the paradigms i posted in the First post? Too Many suggestions and no reviews or comparations!!!
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post #22 of 119
1/7/13 at 12:14pm
Quote:
... What about the paradigms i posted in the First post?
I did a search of the page just now and the only other time you mention Paradigm is in post #10:
Quote:
... maybe i will just get the 2 bookshelf now and after a few months i will buy a nice 3.1 system, maybe paradigm or Philharmonic
Which Paradigm speakers were you considering?

If you have the patience, I recommend looking for a gently-used pair of Paradigm Studio 20v4, or even v3. Great speakers. You should be able to get v4s for ~$600/pr. (or less); the v3s would be a bit cheaper.
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post #23 of 119
1/7/13 at 12:15pm
I've own a pair of Monitor 70s for front left / right and they sound good. Remember it is what sounds good to you. Everyone else here will recommend speakers that they like, but in the end what matters is what you like. If you are satisfied with the Monitor 70's and CS2 then don't worry what other say about them. I understand that there are better speakers, but for a budget HT the Monitor 70s are hard to beat.

I wouldn't spend too much money for surround speakers if you are thinking of upgrading your whole set up later. I would recommend the RTiA4 for rear speakers. They will sound good for movies and music, and you can get a pair of them for $250 at amazon.com.
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post #24 of 119
1/7/13 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truquitos View Post

which one you think is powerful and better sound quality? Definitive SM45 or the ARX A1b

I have auditioned the new Definitive Studio Monitors - the SM55. If you want to play loud - and since
you raised your budget, I would look at the 55 over the 45. >> I would also look at the Monitor Audio
RX-1, they are also good musical speakers.

I have not listened to the ARX A1b speakers, however I like what I see, and the word seems to be on
the positive side.

For a tight budget, the HTD Level Three is a good choice, and they can take some power and get loud.
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post #25 of 119
1/7/13 at 2:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

I did a search of the page just now and the only other time you mention Paradigm is in post #10:
Which Paradigm speakers were you considering?
If you have the patience, I recommend looking for a gently-used pair of Paradigm Studio 20v4, or even v3. Great speakers. You should be able to get v4s for ~$600/pr. (or less); the v3s would be a bit cheaper.
I'm sorry!!! Made a typo there. I was looking at some B&W 685. Are they good? So no paradigms sorry
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post #26 of 119
1/7/13 at 2:04pm
Thread Starter 
Wow great guys. Getting lots of opinion here! I'll look at those when I get home. Thank you. Keep it coming! I saw some B&W 685 for less than 530 used. Are they good against all these new suggestions posted here?
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post #27 of 119
1/7/13 at 2:58pm
Ascend CBM 170's:) Based on your pictures you have alot of reflective surfaces so personally I would want something laid back,not a bright sounding speaker, but that's just me. But most of these guys have heard lots of different speakers and have probally purchased several pairs so they are more knowledgeable than I.
Edited by skidog - 1/7/13 at 3:05pm
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post #28 of 119
1/7/13 at 3:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

I have auditioned the new Definitive Studio Monitors - the SM55. If you want to play loud - and since
you raised your budget, I would look at the 55 over the 45. >> I would also look at the Monitor Audio
RX-1, they are also good musical speakers.
I have not listened to the ARX A1b speakers, however I like what I see, and the word seems to be on
the positive side.
For a tight budget, the HTD Level Three is a good choice, and they can take some power and get loud.

+1 A good round-up. Since you like to "crank it up" sometimes, I would take any of these over the BW 685's.

Caveat - I don't know the "crank-it-up" specs on the Ascend CBM 170's ; )
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post #29 of 119
1/7/13 at 3:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by skidog View Post

Ascend CBM 170's:) Based on your pictures you have alot of reflective surfaces so personally I would want something laid back,not a bright sounding speaker, but that's just me. But most of these guys have heard lots of different speakers and have probally purchased several pairs so they are more knowledgeable than I.
So what do you suggest?
I want the best my budget can buy and also I need to buy some bookshelf stands not too expansive stands, maybe 150 for both
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post #30 of 119
1/7/13 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sdg4vfx View Post

+1 A good round-up. Since you like to "crank it up" sometimes, I would take any of these over the BW 685's.
Caveat - I don't know the "crank-it-up" specs on the Ascend CBM 170's ; )
Excellent!!! Will look into those later. Never heard of the Ascend CBM 170, are they good?
Thank you guys for all the help so far. Many thanks
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