Bookshelf Speakers

[chillysalsa]

I have to say that my PSB 2B's have been sounding great for the past year. They're very balanced and neutral so they work well if you have very wide musical tastes. They also benefit nicely from improvements in source and good positioning.

The one thing that might bother you a little, is that the tone of them can sound a little... tubby (as in, tupper ware?) or squaky. If you tap the woofer with your fingernail, you hear the tone. I find paper cone woofers sound a little warmer and visceral (when actually playing music, not tapping them with your finger!). But then, you have to spend way bigger $ to get *good* quality speakers that use paper treated cone drivers.

In summary, I still am not considering upgrading them unless I spend at least 2-3 times as much. (a pair of VMPS 626R are making me drool right now).

 

[stymie miasma]

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkAngel 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.

Wow, that's a great price. I have not seen them for much less than $600. That price didn't include the stands as well??

 

[lini]

I've got a pair of JMlab Opal 607s, and I'm fairly happy with it. But I also wouldn't mind the Electra 906 (-> pic here: http://www.in-akustik.de/jmlab/02/images/e906s.jpg) - nor the Micro Utopia Beryllium (http://www.in-akustik.de/jmlab/02/images/microubes.jpg). Another one, that I'd like to have, is the active/powered Backes & Müller BM4 (-> some more info in German and pics here: http://johannes-krings.com/bm_4).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

P.S.: Oh, and has somebody already heard Tannoy's new Sensys 1/1DC, yet?

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally posted by Eagle_Driver I've finally decided on a pair of the Paradigm Titans (v.3) for $199 plus tax.

I've just recently discovered this thread and wanted to say congratulations on your choice!! I bought Paradigm Titan's v2 a couple of years ago and am extremely happy with them. Made my purchase decision back then after having listened to higher priced speakers including B&W's, Infinity (IL10's), NHT's and even other Paradigm's like the Mini monitor. For the sound the Titans are capable of, and for their price, there was simply no doubt to me they were my best option. If you read reviews of the Titan in audioreview.com, then you might have come across my review (mine was the one that, among other things, mentioned a side by side comparison with some NHT towers).

Wanted to mention, I also own the Atoms (rears in my HT setup), have done careful frequency response measurements and comparisons between the Titans and Atoms using Stereophile Test CD2. I found they are almost identical except for the lowest end, the Titan having a bit more bass extension as anyone would expect.

Here I wanted to share a pic of my Titans in my setup (the stands I made specially for them by the way)

Cheers,
Raul

 

[eyeteeth]

In the under-1K catagory do not overlook the QUAD 11L.
May be the best under-1K speaker available!

http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/

 

[rsaavedra]

Quote:

Originally posted by eyeteeth In the under-1K catagory do not overlook the QUAD 11L. May be the best under-1K speaker available! http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/

I wanted to send another picture, today I realized depending on the monitor settings the previous one might look extremely dark.

Cheers,

Raul

PS. Now that you mention the Quads eyeteeth, yes I wonder why it wasn't among the options in this poll. Besides the 11L, the 12L was recently reviewed in WhatHiFi, and won the supper test among many other great speakers including the Dynaudio Audience 52.

 

[GirgleMirt]

Totems are awesome, Quads, Monitor Audio also very good.

Axiom haven't been mentionned yet? Never heard'em, but the m22i's (or something) is getting a lot of praise. Just sucks that you can't hear them at any shop since they're online only...

 

[sacd lover]

I like JMLab's and the older PSB's the best of what I have heard. I would recommend the JMLab tantal 509/ chorus 706/ chorus 707 for the less expensive models. I also really like the older/ more expensive Electra 905 bookshelf, despite its lack of low end extension. All the JMLab's have good sensitivity and work very well with low powered amps. I use a 25 watt monarchy amp with my tantal 509's; and its more than adequate.

 

[Lisa]

I have the KEF Q1 speakers.

in this color however

Lack a bit in bass. In a small room that's just what I need. Because the walls boost the bass a lot. Midrange is great.

Chario Constellation Lynx are bookshelfs worth auditioning!
The bass was too much for my needs but I was VERY impressed.
http://www.chario.it/main.htm

 

[bundee1]

HI Lisa, what amp are you running them with? How do you like the sound? Any complaints of brightness? Thanks.

 

[GirgleMirt]

Well I've heard the Q1's and thought they were very, very warm! I'd say absolutely no brigthess problems, these are anything BUT bright!

 

[AdamP88]

Axiom definitely deserves to be on the list. My brother has a pair of M22ti's in the house, and they are simply outstanding speakers. VERY neutral, very fast, very detailed, and they mate extremely well with a good sub. I doubt you could find its equal at it's price level($400), and maybe even double its price.

My brother previously had Paradigm Monitor 9's, and the Axioms absolutely stomp on the Paradigms in every category except bass extension (not an issue with a sub). Far more open and transparent with much better imaging and just a much more convincing presentation overall. And they're significantly cheaper, too.

 

[Lisa]

Quote:

Originally posted by bundee1 HI Lisa, what amp are you running them with? How do you like the sound? Any complaints of brightness? Thanks.

http://www.audioreview.com/pscSpeake...1_1594crx.aspx

The review written by Lisa (what a surprise

) is mine.
Since then I 've been using other interconnects that made the bass go a bit deeper.
The midrange of this speaker is very upfront. The better interconnects made it go a bit more to the background but it is still very upfront.


No expensive new IC's though, just $15. OFC copper and shielded.

 

[tom hankins]

Spendor or Proac.

 

[bundee1]

Nice review Lisa thanks for the info!