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Bookshelf Speakers Recommendations $500-$600 pr.

post #1 of 11
2/2/13 at 8:44pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

I'm in the planning stages of updating my severely out of date audio equipment. I recently purchased a Yamaha RX-A720 to drive the system and am looking for some Bookshelf Speaker recommendations. My budget is decent but I'd like to stay in the $500-$600 range If I can. Thus far I've gone and listened to Monitor Audio BX2's which sounded great as well as PSB Image B5. These system will be used 90% for music 10% movies. Any opinions on the speakers I've listed and what I should consider?


I could also use some Subwoofer recommendations.. again I can spend more for quality but If I can get something for $500 of less that would help out with the wife. smile.gif A co-worker recommended a HSU STF-2


thanks
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post #2 of 11
2/2/13 at 9:15pm
Welcome to the AVS forums!!

You have selected 2 excellent speakers for your needs.......others to consider would be

Ascend 340SE
Wharfedale Diamond 10.2
HTD Level Three bookshelf
Focal bookshelves on Accessories for less website - maybe ~$700/pr
Arx A1b the least expensive at ~$300/pr but pretty close in detail to the above


As far as subwoofers go, some would suggest a sealed version for primary music use.
Options here include:

SVS SB-1000 at ~$500
SVS SB12-NSD at ~$650
Hsu VTF-2 MK4 at ~$550 ( a ported sub that can be plugged )

There are other ported sub options at the $500 price range, including ones from SVS, Hsu, and Outlaw.

A description of the room in question ( with measurements) will help others to make more informed suggestions.....

Hope this helps..........
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post #3 of 11
2/2/13 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the reply. to answer your question the room is 15' x 15' with carpet on a slab concrete floor (the house sits on a slab no basement)
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post #4 of 11
2/3/13 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by padgman1 View Post

Welcome to the AVS forums!!

Arx A1b the least expensive at ~$300/pr but pretty close in detail to the above

+1

That would be a great choice and would allow more toward a higher quality subwoofer. The Arx A1b is a $500+ performing bookshelf at $300 price.
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post #5 of 11
2/3/13 at 8:00am
fwiw, just another recommandation to some already nice speakers listed look at the kef q300 $470 at accessories4less
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post #6 of 11
2/3/13 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw, just another recommandation to some already nice speakers listed look at the kef q300 $470 at accessories4less

Another excellent speaker........

Does your room open to another open space, or is it mostly enclosed with a doorway access? If it opens to an adjoining space almost as large, you may want to go with a larger sub than the ones I have mentioned ( 15" woofer as opposed to the 10-12" woofers), and that brings Power Sound Audio ( XS15) and Rythmik ( F12 or F15/F15HP) into play, as well as 15" versions from Hsu and others, but at increased price ( $750-1200). Or you could go with dual subs from the list I mentioned before......will even out the sound around the room.

The problem you will experience is most of these speakers are from Internet-direct companies, so you can't listen to them in stores........almost all of these companies will allow you to trial them at home for at least 30 days, and if you don't like them, you can ship them back for full refund.......minus shipping charges, usually ( which can be expensive for subwoofers weighing close to 100 pounds).
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post #7 of 11
2/3/13 at 10:41am
Thread Starter 
The Room is a converted Bedroom we turned into a "entertainment room" so It does close off from the rest of the house via a door. It's pretty much a perfect square with the exception of a 5' x 3' opened closet. Currently I have a aging 15" powered sub in one of the corners which fills the room. Its fine for movies but doesn't seem very good for music. Its an Audiosource SW-15 I bought back in like 99 or 2000. I also tested a Cerwin Vega LW-12 in this room and it sounded much better (better speaker) & filled the room with no problems, which is why I've been looking at 10 & 12" subs.
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post #8 of 11
2/3/13 at 1:26pm
Great options listed so far. I'll add the Deftech SM55s to the list as well ($600 for the pair). I think the best subwoofers in the $500-600 range have already been covered. wink.gif The STF2 would probably be great for a small room for mostly music but the VTF MK4 would be a better choice so you're not left wanting.
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post #9 of 11
2/10/13 at 6:26pm
Thread Starter 
Just wanted to thank everyone for the suggestions. In the end I ordered the Bx2 speakers and went with the HSU VTF-2 MK4 Sub. Now i just have to be patiently wait for everything to arrive wink.gif
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post #10 of 11
2/10/13 at 8:25pm
Congrats - enjoy the sound ; )
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post #11 of 11
2/10/13 at 8:41pm
Congrats and let us know how it sounds! I love my hsu!
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