Good Bookshelf Speakers for less than $200

[zachary80]

I ordered a pair of XLS (add $50 for shipping) and an Emotiva BPA1 last week because there are no speaker shops carrying my other choices around here and from what I've read online, the XLS/Emotiva is a a great budget combination. I won't be able to tell you how it sounds for another couple of weeks though

 

[spacemanspliff]

you will dig those. too bad the 805s price went up. still worth the $$.

of course I got a pair for $150 and the matching sub for $120. That was shipped

LOL best deal ever.

 

[sharkz]

That is a great deal. I can't believe the shipping on those speakers is $50. That's just ridiculous. I can't believe it can cost that much. My dad just had a nearly 50lb Dayton sub shipped to our house in 3 days for free from parts express.

My new biggest pet peeve is listing the price for one speaker. I keep finding nice speakers for what I think is an unbelievable price, only to find the price is per speaker. Just a major annoyance of mine, don't know if this bothers anyone else.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachary80 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I ordered a pair of XLS (add $50 for shipping) and an Emotiva BPA1 last week because there are no speaker shops carrying my other choices around here and from what I've read online, the XLS/Emotiva is a a great budget combination. I won't be able to tell you how it sounds for another couple of weeks though

I'm interested to hear your opinions of both when they arrive.

$50 shipping does seem expensive for a 42 lb. shipping weight (and would have pushed the sale price over $200), but I've read that the speakers are well-packed and double-boxed, which significantly increases the size of their shipping container.

 

[TheBends]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm interested to hear your opinions of both when they arrive. $50 shipping does seem expensive for a 42 lb. shipping weight (and would have pushed the sale price over $200), but I've read that the speakers are well-packed and double-boxed, which significantly increases the size of their shipping container.

Here's an extensive discussion at audioholics on av123's shipping policy and the quality of the good courier (not fedex or ups) that they use.

What $351, You have to be Shipping me!!!!! - Audioholics Home Theater Forums

the guys over at audioholic love the av123 x-series and i think it's for good reason, they're quite impressive AND the bookshelves have a completely risk free trial where they even cover return shipping if you don't like them.


NOTE: i just checked the site as of 6pm est and the price on the bookshelves is back up, i would suggest calling them to ask if you can get the older sale price... i also hear that the shipping quotes are slightly less if you call them up...

 

[sharkz]

Kind of disappointing that that price changed so much. The blacks are no longer on sale either, now only the woodgrain ones. I would be curious to see if they change again though, those prices seem to fluctuate a bit.

 

[infinitesymphony]

$219 is the usual price. The $165 speakers were without grills, so they were probably the last of those in stock, hence the clearance price.

 

[TheBends]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif $219 is the usual price. The $165 speakers were without grills, so they were probably the last of those in stock, hence the clearance price.

it was $185 with grills on sale

 

[infinitesymphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBends /img/forum/go_quote.gif it was $185 with grills on sale

Ah, that's right... Yeah, price changes are a little off-putting if there's no apparent reason. They stopped me from buying the TAD subwoofer when it was on sale.

I agree with your suggestion to call and ask about getting the better price, since the speakers with grills weren't clearance items.

 

[soloz2]

well I just got a bunch of speakers from av123 a week ago today and couldn't be happier.

I purchased
a pair of Reference 1 LE's for mains
Reference 100 center
Reference .5 for rears
ULW 10 with the new 500w amp

And I basically got a pair of X-LS free. I have to say that these are amazing speakers and better than the PSB Alpha B1, Paradigm Atom or mini monitor. They can compete with the PSB B25 and Paradigm Titan Monitor. I have not heard the TAD speakers, but they are basically a glorified single driver speaker since they don't use a crossover.

I highly recommend the x-ls, they fit in your price range and sound great.

 

[infinitesymphony]

Geez, soloz, you must have gone on a buying spree.

A complete AV123 7.1 system, eh? How do the X-LS speakers compare with the Reference 1 LEs, just out of curiosity?

 

[sejarzo]

A used pair of Epos ELS3's would be a decent option. Had a pair in a second system driven by a Cambridge 640C/NAD C320BEE and was pretty impressed--only sold it due to lack of use.

 

[soloz2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Geez, soloz, you must have gone on a buying spree. A complete AV123 7.1 system, eh? How do the X-LS speakers compare with the Reference 1 LEs, just out of curiosity?

yeah, my wife kinda gave me a stern talking to about that one... lol.

I also got a Marantz SR7001 and a Toshiba A2.


Well the x-ls do not extend as high or low as the ref 1's. They are not as detailed and have a bit of a lower midbass hump before they start to roll off, but they have sweet mids and are very smooth and musical overall. The ref 1's are in another league, but then again they are priced $1k more as well.

I do want to point out though that the x-ls is a fine speaker and the best I have heard at the price point. I would pit it against speakers costing 2-3x as much any day. It might not always win, but I am sure it will always win in the bang/buck category and it will best many speakers priced under $500. It's shortcomings are not readily apparent, but were moreso for me as I listened to my ref 1's then put the x-ls on the stand.

 

[sharkz]

These are all interesting solutions. I can't wait till I get home and am actually able to do something about this. First thing will be to try to get my receiver working again. I am heavily considering getting the reburbed SACD player from Sony for $60. If not, I have an old school, twin tray pioneer cd player which I am hoping will work ok. Guess I need to see though.

 

[TheBends]

On a slightly different note but still under $200.

Insignia® - 6-1/2" Bass-Reflex Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) - NS-B2111

i haven't heard these myself but there is no shortage of praise for these on various forums across the interweb. Probably don't compete with the Onix or Athena B1.2s even but for $50 (they're usually somewhere from 60-80) you can't go wrong and they're easily available for audition at all best buys.