Has anyone heard the Boston Acoustics RS 260 Bookshelf Loudspeaker?

[Heads on sticks]

I have been looking at speakers and amp for my new (entry level) turntable setup.
So far having two RS206 bookshelf speakers and a Yamaha AS500 seems like the best value for me.
 
http://ap.bostonacoustics.com/RS-260-6-12-Bookshelf-Loudspeaker-P402.aspx
http://www.yamaha.com/YECDealerMedia/adgraphs/products/as500rear.jpg
 
It all seems fine on the net, with great aesthetics, compatibility and the ability to upgrade parts later. And it will be easy for me to get in my area (its hard to find good hifi gear where I am).
 
BUT before I recklessly go out and buy these lovely pretty speakers and amp, I need to know from you guys (with your experience and knowledge) whether this system is actually good (so in 3 years I don't kick myself for not going $300 more for something miles better).
 
So please if you can:
 
Are the RS206 speakers any good? (please recommend alternatives in the $500 to $600 range if you think the RS206s are bad)
Would they pair well with the AS500?  (please recommend alternatives in the ^same price range if you think the AS500 is bad)
Would they do my Pro-Ject MDF 2 Xperience comfort justice?
 
Thanks for your help guys.
 

 

[mulveling]

Heard those Boston RS260 speakers briefly about a year ago with very nice backing gear (Creek Evo CD player, Rogue Audio tubes). I didn't listen too intently nor for too long, as I was interested in far larger speakers, but I did note that they sounded very very nice. I think they'd be an excellent choice of bookshelf in that range. Nice looking too.
 
Know nothing about that Yamaha integrated. For that end, I'd more strongly suggest expanding your options to include used gear. Possibly vintage gear if you can find a good tube tech. $500 won't get you far with new amplification, but I've heard an amazing vintage tube integrated or two for around that money that could possibly be bliss with those speakers. Recently-ish there was a vintage Harman Kardon tube amp at my friend's shop that didn't last long; I forget the exact model but MAN did it sound friggin' sweet.

 

[Lenni]

I was wondering about your choice of speakers. did you own Boston's speakers in the past, or it's mainly a budget decision? if the latter, then you might get better value if you don't mind buying used. a brief browse at Audiogon:
 
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ddspkrmoni&1302133182&demo&3&4&
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1308186683&/Vienna-Acoustics-Haydn-Grand
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1308146109&/Totem-Rainmaker  [edit]: they've already sold. the asking price was $500 /
 
actually the first two are new, though a little over your budget, but you don't want to kick yourself (as you rightly mention) in a few months. I'm pretty sure a more lengthy search would yield even more results.
the Yamaha's seems a good choice. it's received lots of positive reviews and praise since its release. probably one of the best amp in that price range (imo).
 
have not heard the RS 260's. perhaps an alternative would be the new PSB Image Mini. have not heard them either.
 
 

 

[Heads on sticks]

Sorry I should have posted a bit more info..
 
* I dislike internet shopping
* I got a listen to some Boston speakers and was impressed
* They also look nice (I'm 17, I like nice looking things)
* They work with the Yamaha A-S1000 I plan to get (which also looks nice)
* It wont bother me that much if it sounds really really really good and is ugly as hell, but I am trying to keep most parts of this system as minimalist-looking as possible.
 
* Due to space restrictions, bookshelf instead of floorstanding.
* Maybe a subwoofer would be a good idea? (under desk)
* Maybe more should be spent on speakers, and less on the amp? (ie: the RS-260 cost $400, the A-S1000 costs $1300)
* room is around 80 m/sq not perfect cube.
 
Much as I hate to do this, I feel I should give it a good budget:
* $1000AUD  for two bookshelf speakers
* $1000AUD for one good preamp+speaker amp
 
 
 
Any help would be appreciated in trying to prevent me wasting too much of my life savings while I get into high quality audio.
Thanks for your comments so far, 

 

[Lenni]

I think you have the budget sorted out pretty good. personally I'd spend at least $1500+ on bookshelf. there seems to be some sort of threshold at that price range where one leave behind "mid-fi" and step into high-end (this is a personal view). don't mean to say that mid-fi is not worth spending money on; the step between the two could mean a lot to some people, but much less to others. of course there're various aspects to what the differences are; one aspect for me is the ability of the speaker to give the impression of reality. when you suddenly involuntary turn around because you thought someone was playing live in your room... mid-fi speakers cannot do that. whether some of these aspects are worth spending the extra money on only you can decide, because some "mid-fi" bookshelf can be very good.
 
hence, is better to audition before buying. sorry if I couldn't be of more help.

 

[Heads on sticks]

Thanks for your reply Lenni
Yeah I though around the 1000 to 1500 would be a good budget to spend on speakers, this way i can enjoy them and learn about good sound with a good reference speaker, and even if I don't become a full head fi buff, I still have very high quality speakers that will not need to be upgraded for a long long time.
I just got a very good deal on the last Pro-Ject 2 Xpression comfort ($1100AUD), and I have been offered another amazing deal on the Yamaha A-S1000 which has an integrated phono amp (separate shop, last one they had too... 

 $1600AUD), both of which I have heard good things about from many sources.
 
The only problem I have now is the speakers. I just want something to live up to the turntable and amp's sound.
I've heard a lot of speakers in my price range in the two stores near me, but I just wanted a couple of recommendations from Head-Fi.