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Bookshelf Speakers

Jul 31, 2003 at 9:17 PM Post #31 of 102
reviews

Sorry, these are the only professional reviews I could find. You could try audioreview.com.

Yup Sol_Zhen, buying from a local dealer is the right way to go. FIY, I bought my pair of Wharfedale's at SoundFX KC.
 
Jul 31, 2003 at 11:29 PM Post #32 of 102
I've really been enjoying the Proac Response 2 speakers I picked up about a year ago. They are an older model, but sound fantastic, especially with tube gear. They are quite a bit larger than the popular Response 1SC and give better bass response, but can be found for a cheaper price. I'm really digging how musical and naturally they convey voices/instruments. In the early 1990s, they retailed for $3000-3500 (depending on the wood finish) and the Target stands specifically designed for them used to retail for $700. Nowadays, you can pick them up from $1000-1500. If you would like a Stereophile review in PDF format, just PM me.

Here's a picture of the Response 2:
1051075459.jpg


Picture of the R2 Speaker Stands:
1051075539.jpg
 
Aug 1, 2003 at 2:59 AM Post #33 of 102
Aug 1, 2003 at 7:45 AM Post #34 of 102
For music, I'd go for a pair of LS3/5A's made by rogers, harbeth.etc. They were made for the BBC a while back and sound quite nice (especially with analog) Spicas are quite nice as well.


Edit: those NHT's orpheus mentioned are pretty awesome as well.
 
Aug 1, 2003 at 7:50 AM Post #35 of 102
Speaking of which, i might be getting a pair of powered monitors soon because they will inevitably save me money over something with a seperate amp.

Orpheus, have you ever tried the Yamaha NS-10's? Some friends have been recommending those to me, and they cost quite a bit less than the NHT's.
 
Aug 1, 2003 at 6:33 PM Post #36 of 102
ns-10's are not powered. you'll need a small power amp for them. also, they sound like ****. no one with any ear would buy them for their sound quality. pros use them for mixing (most popular monitors in the whole wide world)... but there is no one in the world who likes their sound!

anyway, don't buy them. they sell for 2x their worth now anyway. (i was originally gonna buy out GC's ENTIRE stock before they were discontinued... but chickened out. boy do i regret it.)

if you want good and moderately-price near-field powered monitors... check out the Event 20/20 BAS. VERY VERY VERY good. and if later you want even more bass, add their powered sub. anyway... you should be able to find the 20/20 BAS for about $400-500 on ebay. i wouldn't pay more than $500. and you're looking for the "BAS" version... the normal 20/20 is not powered. these things are awesome...... and many pros love them. you can even audition them at GC before you buy.

(and tell your friends that they are NUTS to recommend the Yamahas to you.)
 
Aug 4, 2003 at 4:59 AM Post #38 of 102
I own a pair of Spendor S3/5's (not the recently introduced SE). And am keeping them. They won a "golden ear" award several years ago, deservedly so, IMHO.

I suspect the Moth Cicada's (?name/sp) are good, too.
 
Aug 4, 2003 at 11:25 AM Post #39 of 102
The Proac response 2's mentioned above are excellent. JM Lab makes several very good bookshelf models and they are what I own. The JM Labs are usually high sensitivity and easy loads and you can use a lower power amp with them. Their top models are pricey though.
 
Aug 5, 2003 at 2:45 AM Post #41 of 102
Quote:

Originally posted by Wilson M.
I have the Revel M20s. At $2000, they are actually much better than my previous bookshelf speakers, the B&W John Bower Silver Signatures ($8000 way back when). I chose the Revels over the B&W 805s and the Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mk.II and 1.3 SE.


Seconded. I've still got mine, and to my ears they beat the B&W 805 signatures, the Kef Reference 201s, the Dynaudio 1.3 SE, and a few others. (Auditioning under different conditions might have produced better results for the 805 Sigs...a fine speaker as are all the others...but I liked what I heard through the Revels!)

However, I've finally found a speaker that I think does better in most ways than the M20 (and that I can afford, albeit barely): the VMPS 626R with upgraded tweeter, capacitors and soundcoat. This baby has an incredibly transparent midrange with airy and extended treble. Bass...good for a standmount. It's not as good as the M20 at soundstaging, unfortunately, but in most other ways I like it better.
 
Aug 5, 2003 at 11:47 AM Post #43 of 102
Quote:

Originally posted by stymie miasma

In the end, a killer deal from Yawa saw me going with the PSB Image 2Bs. Overall, I am pretty happy, they are a little dry and lean in the mids, but keep in mind my source is below-par. Put them on stands, and they make an excellent budget loudspeaker. I would like to revisit the B&Ws some day, side-by-side with the PSBs...
smily_headphones1.gif


I own some PSB Image 2B's which you can find online various places for $250 new.........really hard to beat in value/sound ratio.
Almost any of the Canadian monitors PSB, Energy, Paradigm etc are very good performance for the money.

I recently got PSB Stratus Minis used at Audiogon for $500 which has better everything over Image 2B and has very long track record of great reviews from many sources.

If money were no object I would definitely be looking at Revels or BW 805. Aesthetically the most beautiful 2 way monitor has to be the BW 805, look at that tweeter element........a work of art!
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In my early vinyl days of the 1980's like Dusty I owned Spendor 3/5 and later Spendor SP1........probably should have kept around the SP1's
 
Aug 5, 2003 at 4:58 PM Post #44 of 102
i still think that b&w 805 is not worth the money. although i personally have never heard it, those who have and compared it to other high-end monitors always picked its opponent. b&w has a good name and all, but the models i heard (801, 804) did not impress me that much. they look nice... and i think they sell a lot because of that. for that much money, there are many really nice speakers.... like the ones i own, or my bro's Onix references. both sound much bigger than their size would lead you to believe.
 
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