Jbl lsr-308

 

We can find something to out-perform them - what is your budget, is it $200?

 

Ascend Sierra-2. But yeah, what is your budget?

 

there are tons of bookshelves out there that dig plenty low

 

I can't speak for low budget brands but higher end brands like KEF, B&W, PSG, Focal, M&K; all make terrific speakers that have rich, full sound with great depth, balance, solid bass, imaging and clarity. You will pay a premium, 400 dollars a pair or more. Don't look at specs, just go to a stereo dealer and listen. You will be impressed.

 

200-300 is my budget. What would you guys recommended at that range?

 

Craigs List. Best place for great sounds on a budget. Post your general location and someone might spot the deal of the week - maybe the year! You never know.

 

Oh, one other thing: your Aiwa's sounded good to you but they are not (to be gentle) terribly good speakers. They're more in the "thump and sizzle" range where there's lots of (tuned) bass and treble but on the whole, aren't that accurate. Spend enough time listening to the better stuff; focus not only on the bass, but listen to them. Listen for balance, richness, and depth. Ask people about imaging. But go listen.

 

Well it also depends on what system you connected it to. I tested this speaker on the Yamaha RX-A830 and it sounded very well balanced and rich, basically natural all the way. However, it barely had any bass at all. I bump up the bass on the equalizer the foobar settings on my PC, not on the receiver (it's on flat all the way). The bass got deep and powerful, but no where near than when I had it on my Aiwa system back in the day. Still the Yamaha did justice to this speaker that made it sound very well balance. If I had the other speaker to complete the pair, I wouldn't bother looking for new speakers.

Right now, I still have my eyes set on the Polk RTI-A1 speakers. I just wish I could hear those before I buy them blindly in the next two months.

 

If you are talking about a full range bookshelf, you won't get one for 2-300/pr. If you are talking about a bookshelf that can produce decent bass, maybe. Wharfdale 10.2 speakers always impressed me with solid bass...they won't hit below 40-45 hz, however. Still, almost 400/pr, so...

 

No. There aren't bookshelves with deep bass sound. Some may go down to around 50 Hz, but if you want one that extends all the way to 20 Hz (normal audible hearing range), you'll need a big woofer or many smaller woofers. You have to be able to move a lot of air.

 

^^^^^ What he said, if you want an inexpensive bookshelf speaker with good bass output.............

What mdbrown said, if you want an inexpensive bookshelf speaker with good bass and a more refined ( balanced) sound.....

 

Is it all about the bass? No treble?

 

Smart ass~~~

 

Hello, Julio.

You've stated an under $300 budget. Have you ever considered DIY speakers? There are several good quality, user verified designs available in the under $300 level. All you need is some good quality wood glue (Titebond I or II for example), straps to hold newly glued flat packs together, and a drill.

Here's an example:

"The Hitmaker" $112.00 per speaker ($224 for two)

Per speaker you get:

1- 7" Dayton DA175-8
1- Vifa BC25TG tweeter
1- Set of crossover parts
2- Ports
1- CNC cut front baffle
1- Set of Screws

1- 0.5 cu ft flat pack

The Hitmaker was designed by Paul Carmody.

Info on Hitmaker:

diysoundgroup com speaker kits hitmaker

I do not own The Hitmaker speakers nor have I listened to them. I'm not associated with diysoundgroup either. I've made two different DIY speakers to date: GR Research Little Giant Killers (LGK) and Meniscus Audio's Adelphos speakers (using SB Acoustics Satori drivers) designed by Jeff Bagby.

Best of luck!

Michael

 

How deep do you really wan't a "bookshelf" speaker to go?? Asking a bookshelf speaker to go below say 50 Hz, is a little crazy. I would find a bookie that starts to roll off around 70 Hz. Then find a sub that goes below 30 Hz or so. Cross them at 80 Hz and problem solved!

 

That really is the better suggestion: My Yamaha AST-S1 powered active-servo speakers (7.5"x12"x9") perform excellently at low frequencies ('rated' 28 Hz to 20 kHz, with actual -3 dB point nearer 30 Hz before applying AVR equalization) but the problem remains that good bookshelf speaker placement does not usually coincide with good BASS|LFE emitter placement. Consequently, both of my systems that use AST-S1 speakers as L|C|R also include appropriately placed sub woofers.


_

 

I'll chime in too, best bass bookshelf I have heard is the SM55 or SM65 by Definitive Technology. Sometimes you can get them on Ebay refurb for a fraction of the cost!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-...shelf-Speaker-EACH-MCBA-/171651419745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27f738ce61


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Definitive-...shelf-Speaker-EACH-MCAA-/181669304025?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4c5596d9

 

Also the older Studio Monitor 450's, if your patient you can find NIB's for under $300pr, a used pair just sold for $180 the other day.

 

It seems that my local Best Buy carries those speakers, I will check them out tomorrow.

 

I want to listen to them before I make a decision to buy them or not. It's actually 300 though which is not bad, but I rather buy them online if I like them.

 

Philharmonic AA speakers are within your budget, and nothing else comes close in the bass extension department for its price.

If $300 is your max budget for the pair, you ain't gonna find it from a local shop unless you stumble across something used, open-box, clearance, etc.

You're better off taking a chance paying the return shipping on the AA in the unlikely case that you don't like them.

Browse the first page or two of this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-sp...bookshelf-compared-wharfedale-philharmonic-chane-musichall-elac-energy-kef.html

 

I have the rtia3's from polk, decent for 2 channel music listening. they are spec'd to 40hz, but I think 60-70hz hz is more realistic. paid $320 for the pair, id buy again. they can be bright if your planning on cranking them up, fyi

 

Not sure how much bass you're expecting but I would get the Rti A3's if at all possible over the A1's. The most bass I've heard from a bookshelf was B&W 685's but that would be over budget.

 

My Philharmonitor BMR's certainly have deep bass (for a non-sub). Doesn't quite capture the depth of a subwoofer, but it's closer than anything else I've heard. They're so large though that it's hard to call them a bookshelf speaker.

 

I little over the budget, but I have a pair of these (BEHRINGER TRUTH B2031A) in our bedroom, and they go plenty deep, and play LOUD!

 

I just did a simple sweep test. Isn't that how it's usually done or do you need some fancy equipment to do it?

 

You don't need "fancy" equipment. Get yourself an SPL meter and a "test tone" CD. You might be surprised. You might hear 40 Hz from something that is rated down to 50Hz but, it will be pretty quiet. 10-15 dB down from average. And who knows how the "sweep" test is calibrated??

 

The Philharmonic AA will be hands down best of what you're looking for and I've heard tons of options in this price range

 

The bass you are hearing from the aiwas is horrible, inaccurate and manufactured. That is the cold hard truth. When you realize what bass actually sounds like it changes everything