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Bookshelf Speaker suggestions?

post #1 of 19
1/7/13 at 11:42am
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I have a Sonos Amplifier and am currently looking to match it with a good pair of bookshelf speakers. The only caveat here is that I have an entertainment center with 2 shelves that are perfect ear level with the room, and that's where I want to put the pair of speakers I end up purchasing (see pic below). The openings are where the oranges are in the picture, and the internal dimensions are 12" x 12" x 12".



My room is about 15' x 10' and I will almost exclusively be listening to music with these speakers.

My price range for just the pair of speakers is $50-$200. I've been looking at several polk models, specifically these:

Polk Monitor30

and these Polk Audio RTi4 (that I can find discounted sales of).

Anyone have any suggestions of other speakers I should consider? Also, some speakers have rear ports while some have front ports. Should I take this into consideration when actually making my purchase and lean towards getting a front ported pair?

Thanks a lot!
David
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post #2 of 19
1/7/13 at 12:02pm
Who in their right mind would put oranges in an entertainment center? rolleyes.gif

Level 3 HTD, HSU, EMP, etc. would be better than polk in my opinion, but RTiA4 should be fine if you've got a sub. Usually bookshelf speakers lack bass.
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post #3 of 19
1/7/13 at 12:07pm
The Cambridge S30 ($219/pr. at Amazon.com) is a well-regarded, smaller bookshelf speaker.

Do you already have a subwoofer? If 'no', have you budgeted for one? With bookshelf speakers, you will want a sub to handle the lower frequencies.
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post #4 of 19
1/7/13 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, I plan on picking up a sub, most likely this one

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-10-Inch-Monitor-Subwoofer/dp/B0002KVQBA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357591901&sr=8-1&keywords=polk+sub

eljaycanuck: I have taken a look at those Cambridge Audio speakers but they have a port in the back that wouldn't be able to breathe. Would this be an issue for sound quality?

Thanks!
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post #5 of 19
1/7/13 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Yes, I plan on picking up a sub, most likely this one
That is a modest sub. It will perform well in smaller rooms and at moderate volume levels. IMO, if you can budget more for a better sub, you should consider doing so. If you can't, well, that's just how it is. smile.gif
Quote:
eljaycanuck: I have taken a look at those Cambridge Audio speakers but they have a port in the back that wouldn't be able to breathe. Would this be an issue for sound quality?
It shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't block the port. The speakers are 9.2" deep and your cabinet is 12" deep, so you should be fine.
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post #6 of 19
1/7/13 at 1:11pm
My preference would be the Cambridge for you - however, they do need more space as
they have good bass energy, and will not perform at their best.

Look at the HTD Level Two speakers - they are good with music
http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

As far as the Polk PSW10 - do not walk, however run from that sub.
Edited by zieglj01 - 1/7/13 at 3:01pm
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post #7 of 19
1/7/13 at 1:23pm
Thread Starter 
OK, thanks.

Do you have a different suggestion for a sub in that price range?
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post #8 of 19
1/7/13 at 2:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlan View Post

OK, thanks.
Do you have a different suggestion for a sub in that price range?

I would save another $100 and look at the likes of >

Mordaunt Short
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MORDCARN9CAL/MORDAUNT-SHORT-Carnival-9-10-100-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer-Calvados/1.html

And maybe JBL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882665157
Edited by zieglj01 - 1/7/13 at 2:45pm
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post #9 of 19
1/7/13 at 3:29pm
If that space is 12x12 you can knock the hsu and htd 3 off your list, they are both ~15 inches tall. The htd level two might be a tight squeeze too at 11.9 inches.
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post #10 of 19
1/7/13 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eljaycanuck View Post

The Cambridge S30 ($219/pr. at Amazon.com) is a well-regarded, smaller bookshelf speaker.
Do you already have a subwoofer? If 'no', have you budgeted for one? With bookshelf speakers, you will want a sub to handle the lower frequencies.

+1 The S30 is one of the best budget speakers out there and will fit in that 12X12 space. I was going to recommend the Pioneer BS22s but they're too tall at almost 13 in.
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post #11 of 19
1/8/13 at 1:22pm
+1
the S30 (rear ported, so you might need to test it first)
the HTD Level 2 (front ported, but tight fit)
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post #12 of 19
1/8/13 at 1:25pm
I do enjoy the range on my Polk RTi4's, for the price I think they're decent.

I did get mine on a boxing day sale so they were really cheap, can't recall exactly how much though.
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post #13 of 19
1/8/13 at 1:37pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, might go with the Polk RTI4s if I can get a good price on them. Any thoughts on the Polk PSW10?

Thanks
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post #14 of 19
1/8/13 at 1:54pm
I also use that sub upstairs for tv watching and kids movies. It's pretty weak but mine is in a 12' x 18' fairly open room with a 13' high ceiling on most of it.

If you can squeeze more cash there are other subs which perform a lot better, but for $100 it's better than nothing (which is what I had).
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post #15 of 19
1/8/13 at 2:02pm
Thread Starter 
Can you recommend a few other subs for around $150-200? My room isn't too big, around 15'x10' with 9' ceilings.

Thanks
David
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post #16 of 19
1/8/13 at 2:39pm
This is on sale on amazon right now, Polk Audio PSW505 12-Inch Powered Subwoofer 300watt RMS.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000092TT0/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p23_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0BRYAJBXGN5A97WKNW0M&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

or this JBL, 400 watt RMS, http://www.amazon.com/JBL-ES250PBK-High-Performance-12-Inch-Subwoofer/dp/B00166ZFSO/ref=lp_172568_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1357685535&sr=1-6

or BIC, http://www.amazon.com/BIC-America-F12-475-Watt-Subwoofer/dp/B0015A8Y5M/ref=lp_172568_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1357685535&sr=1-3
Edited by Kamikaze13 - 1/8/13 at 2:54pm
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post #17 of 19
1/8/13 at 2:43pm
Actually did you have a size restriction?
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post #18 of 19
1/9/13 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 
No real size restrictions, would prefer an 8" or 10" sub though, as the space I allocated for the sub isn't huge...

Thanks
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post #19 of 19
1/9/13 at 7:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlan View Post

No real size restrictions, would prefer an 8" or 10" sub though, as the space I allocated for the sub isn't huge...

Thanks

I favor the Polk 505. OK, its a 12" Check it out. It will probably fit.

You may need to put on a little gel to squeeze it into place but after that just wipe it off with a Kleenex and enjoy! ;-)
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