[JahJahBinks]

Someone I know is trying to get a bookshelf speaker for about 500 to 600 bucks. We listened to B&M 602 S3 and found that it had a good treble, bass wasn't much, and mids weren't that good, not very clear, soundstage was not that open. He's mainly listening to classical music and prefers a pair of speakers that's best at mids. Any help?

 

[zowie]

Athena Technologies.
Used Joseph RM7.

 

[carlo]

J-Binks,

I'm not a fan of the 602, I think its treble is too sharp and the mid-bass too bloated, so I'm not sure if these recommendations will help you:

PSB Stratus Mini (used or "blemished" (talk to Kevin and he'll get you one where that blemish will be a slight scratch on the back cabinet) from Upscale Audio) - Needs lots of power to open up, slightly thick sound but in my opinion the best all around speaker PSB makes. Bass response is what you're looking for, treble is really good and not too sharp granted the components behind aren't tipped up extension wise.

Dynaudio Audience 52 - Real linear, also needs lots of power but not as demanding as the Stratus Mini. Gets speed pretty well for a lower/mid priced speaker, but if you under power them they sound stuffy.

Silverline SR12 (used) - Watch placement since they're picky, too high and they have a big suckout at the lower treble, too low and they smear. Get them right and they sing - nice, clean, lots of seperation and image really well. Transparent enough to be a speaker you can build around, but its limitations in soundstage size (well placed but too small and won't fill a large room) keep it from being great.

norh 6.0 - Really good speaker, doesn't go real deep but bass has enough impact where you know its trying. Detail is clear but tone sounds a little too sweet for its own good, top end is pleasant but not real linear. I have a problem with its soundstage, it creates a space for performers thats entirely its own, the image of each performer is out of focus. There isn't a bookshelf these will fit into

good luck,
carlo.

Add-on: Tell your friend to budget for a good pair of stands, preferrably with hollow tubing/innards to help with resonance issues. There's also a lot of DIY ideas on AA if so inclined. Also head over to their FAQ and read the speaker placement guides, by far the best time you can invest when dealing with speakers.

 

[Ctn]

Where abouts are you located?

 

[Ramtha604]

You could look into the Syrincs M3-220 (posted about it in the computer speakers thread). It's somewhere near $600 and has a built in "desk" (=near field) and "free field" equalization option each.

While the two satellites are of bookshelf speaker size, there's a sub in the M3-220 setup, too, that requires more free space on the floor or a table. Good sound for the money as far as I am concerned.

 

[JahJahBinks]

We live in NYC, he has a receiver and cd player for 200 each so this end isn't very good, but he wants to get a pair of speaker that he can just hook them up and forgets about getting a new amp or things like that.

 

[Ctn]

Quote:

Originally posted by JahJahBinks We live in NYC

Bummer

I know some excellent speakers for about $600.

 

[carlo]

J,

Ah. Post what amp and source, it'll help for a recommendation.

carlo.

 

[acidtripwow]

Take a listen to some of the Snell speakers. I found them to sound very good for the money. Go to http://www.snellacoustics.com/qbx20monitor.htm to learn more.

 

[Ctn]

Quote:

Originally posted by acidtripwow Take a listen to some of the Snell speakers. I found them to sound very good for the money. Go to http://www.snellacoustics.com/qbx20monitor.htm to learn more.

Try these instead
http://www.pip.com.au/~equinox/speakers/index3.html

20Kg per speaker, 40Kg all up

As inert as bookshelves come...

for around $600, these truely cant be beat.

 

[Ramtha604]

I, too, am looking for (used or new) speakers somewhere around $500 to $1000 right now and I think the Equinox Audio site seems to have some really decent stuff.

A pair Azimuth's and an Equator 1 could be THE setup I am looking for right now. Fullrange system with one crossover in the bass range... what more do you want?

These are some other floorstanders/bookshelf speakers I have researched so far and that look promising:

Acoustic Energy Aegis One
Ascend Acoustics CBM-170
Axiom Speaker Company Millennia M3 Ti AND M80 Ti
B&W DM604 S3
Dynaudio Audience 52
Magnepan MG 2.5R
Platinum Audio Solo
Paradigm Mini Monitor
Paradigm 3seMKIII
Paradigm Reference Active 20 AND 40
Paradigm Legend
Paradigm Studio 20 - 100

Other subs I'm considering: Athena P3, MB Quart 10", MB Quart D1200 Si, SVS Model 16 (16 to 25 actually).

I don't wanna hijack your thread, but maybe you're interested in some of these, too... so comments appreciated, I think.

Thanks.

 

[Ctn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ramtha604 I, too, am looking for (used or new) speakers somewhere around $500 to $1000 right now and I think the Equinox Audio site seems to have some really decent stuff. A pair Azimuth's and an Equator 1 could be THE setup I am looking for right now. Fullrange system with one crossover in the bass range... what more do you want?

If a sub is not critical. A pair of Aphelion's might be better for roughly the same money.

http://www.pip.com.au/~equinox/speakers/index3.html

If you are going with these speakers try to get your hands on a high end amplifier. Boy do they strut their stuff.

Their Pluto's driven by the mighty ME1400 pretty much beats any other speaker I have heard at any price driven by average amps.

 

[ashish]

Quote:

Dynaudio Audience 52 - Real linear, also needs lots of power but not as demanding as the Stratus Mini. Gets speed pretty well for a lower/mid priced speaker, but if you under power them they sound stuffy.

Will these speakers pair well with an amp like NAD C350 or more powerful amp like C370 is required ( room size 14' x 12 ' ) ?

 

[Ramtha604]

Quote:

Originally posted by Ctn If a sub is not critical. A pair of Aphelion's might be better for roughly the same money. http://www.pip.com.au/~equinox/speakers/index3.html If you are going with these speakers try to get your hands on a high end amplifier. Boy do they strut their stuff. Their Pluto's driven by the mighty ME1400 pretty much beats any other speaker I have heard at any price driven by average amps.

There don't seem to be any reviews of Equniox Audio stuff around, maybe you could point me to some?

Personally I'm looking much more into the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 than the Equinox Standspeakers.. or the Azimuths and a good sub. We shall see...

Roland

 

[carlo]

Ashish,

The c350 will be fine considering your room size. The 52 is a good choice for your application since they're okay being within a couple of feet of the rear wall, but watch your toe in. Spend some time with placement and I think you'll be very happy with that combination.

good luck,
carlo.