New Bookshelf Speakers

[classicalguy]

It seems like EVERYONE is coming out with new bookshelf speakers in the $300 category, and they are getting rave reviews. Some of the newest are:

Hsu Research

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

SVS

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-sbs01.cfm

NHT

http://nhthifi.com/2006/s-s-classictwo.html

Paradigm Atom

http://www.paradigm.com/website/Site...rformance.html

AV123 x-ls (a bit older)

http://www.av123.com/products_produc...s&product=82.1

So, has anyone compared any of these speakers? The "professional" review are out there, but little in the way of real comparisons. I'd like to hear from people who have heard one or more of these new speakers.

 

[meat01]

Don't forget the Epos, Polk, Infinity.

I have only heard the Atoms from your list and they are great for the money. Soundboy may check in and give you a lot more info than I can provide

 

[skullguise]

Add the new PSB Alpha's to your short list as well, they just got a nice review in the latest TAS....

I've heard earlier versions of various PSB speakers, and Mr. Barton definitely seems to know what he's doing!

 

[donunus]

the nht stuff is usually pretty good for the money but are you saying that entire system in your link is 300??? thats just asking for too much

 

[Zanth]

How is the Epos stuff?

 

[classicalguy]

Donunus: I don't understand your comment. I linked to NHT Classic 2. What do you mean about a whole system?

Epos is a bit over $300, and not that new. I'm not aware of anything very new from Polk & Infinity either.

I didn't mention Ascend or Axiom either, which get good and great reviews, but not that new. Ascends area bit over $300 pair price, but Axiom is in that range.

 

[Zanth]

I've never heard a pair of Axioms but I have read plenty of the accolades that come in all the time regarding their m30's. I'm looking at buying a pair of m60's or m80's for an HT setup at some point.

 

[SFbayArch]

recommendation in your price range

Monitor Audio Bronze Series BR1

I love my RS1s...the BR1 is a more affordable version

http://www.monitoraudio.co.uk/produc...e=8&product=55

 

[meat01]

Quote:

Epos is a bit over $300, and not that new. I'm not aware of anything very new from Polk & Infinity either.

I didn't think the Atoms were new either. They keep coming up with newer versions, but the Atoms have been out a while. It really doesn't matter the age of bookshelf speakers, because there really hasn't been any ground breaking technology in the last few years or so.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by meat01 I didn't think the Atoms were new either.

True. I have a pair from around 1995.

Paradigm is very good for the money.

 

[donunus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicalguy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Donunus: I don't understand your comment. I linked to NHT Classic 2. What do you mean about a whole system? Epos is a bit over $300, and not that new. I'm not aware of anything very new from Polk & Infinity either. I didn't mention Ascend or Axiom either, which get good and great reviews, but not that new. Ascends area bit over $300 pair price, but Axiom is in that range.

So for 300 that includes the 2 speakers + sub but not the controller and the amp which the link you gave also shows

 

[ooheadsoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif So for 300 that includes the 2 speakers + sub but not the controller and the amp which the link you gave also shows

No sub. It's not that confusing?

Atoms have a new model with a larger waveguide. I think that's a great design change.

 

[warpdriver]

I'd rank in the $300-400 range (these are the ones I've heard recently)

Epos ELS3
Monitor Audio Bronze 1
NHT Absolute Zero
Boston Acoustics CR67
PSB Alpha
(previous gen) Paradigm Atom

In the $500 range, I'd rank in this order
Energy RC10
Paradigm Mini Monitor

In the under $1000 range, I'd rank in this order
B&W CM1
Paradigm Studio 20

I'm not really a fan of Internet Direct speakers. It seems every Internet maker gets rave reviews of some sort but it tells me little of how they sound. At least with retail speakers I can sort out which ones I like by bringing some of my favorite music and doing a little legwork. I can usually try them at home too if they know me (and take home a floor model to try). I've heard some highly rated Axiom speakers and I thought they were medicre, so that killed my faith in the reliability of some of these Internet reviews.

 

[SirVesseur]

I am looking for some bookshelf speakers myself. It's hard to find some good looking speakers. Quality is my main concern, but my GF (interior architect) is not very fond of those ugly wooden boxen. The X series of AV123 and NHT speakers are ok to us.... Are there more design bookshelfs...

 

[classicalguy]

Sorry, but the new Paradigm Atom V5 is an entirely new speaker - it shares nothing with the old atom but the name.

Yes, it is very hard to make any kind of comparisons because so few of these speakers are reviewed along side each other.

Have there been any "new developments" in speaker design? That's an interesting question. Metal dome components have made serious strides from the old days - I think it is fair to say that there have been some serious improvements in some component materials. Also, it's cheaper than it used to be to do acoustic testing, so that smaller companies can compete more easily than before. Lower manufacturing costs in Asia are being passed along. So that's kind of the bottom line question - are the improvements in materials, design and efficiency producing better speakers?

I have not heard any of the speakers I mentioned, but I would be very interested in hearing from people who have heard them - and especially interested in hearing from people who have compared them side by side.