[Doublej]

I am looking to get some new speakers, fairly small and around $300. I am looking for something that leans towards the lush side to mate with a Yamaha AVR.

The front runners are KEF Q100 (currently $229), Q Acoustics 3020 ($249) and Elac B5 ($180).

Thoughts on the above, others to consider?

[apstoltz]

Will you be using a sub? Are you constricted to a certain physical size?

[FireGuy]

I am looking to get some new speakers, fairly small and around $300. I am looking for something that leans towards the lush side to mate with a Yamaha AVR.

The front runners are KEF Q100 (currently $229), Q Acoustics 3020 ($249) and Elac B5 ($180).

Thoughts on the above, others to consider?

Here is a pair of Axiom M2's (Rosewood).  Remarkable bookshelves for the price.  I own all of their bookshelf models.  Severely underrated.  I will switch my M2's out with my Omega Super 5's and they compete. Way more similaraties than differences.  Same tweeter as the Bryston line.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/deals/refurb-store/1368

[milford3]

+1 on the Axiom M2's.  I have heard them and recommend for sure.

[FireGuy]

+1 on the Axiom M2's.  I have heard them and recommend for sure.

Yo.  Milford 3>>>>> Less than $400 for Rosewood Axiom... Damn!!!

[milford3]

Let it be known that Bryston speakers uses Axiom drivers.  A good thing.

[apstoltz]

What is the house sound of the Axiom Speaker? Are they forward or laid back? I have always been intrigued with their bookshelves but have never had the chance to listen to them.

[milford3]

I have these.  Excellent speakers.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22-bookshelf-speakers

[FireGuy]

What is the house sound of the Axiom Speaker? Are they forward or laid back? I have always been intrigued with their bookshelves but have never had the chance to listen to them.

They are forward this side of neutral.  May to some clinical sounding...but revealing.  Their M22's with a good sub for the price are damn right astounding. 

[FireGuy]

I have these.  Excellent speakers.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/m22-bookshelf-speakers

Very transparent. 

[Roninaudio]

These sounded amazing for the money. (Hi-Fi speaker of the Year). Actually just pretty amazing period for a small box..... Filled my listening room which is pretty good size easily.

https://www.whathifi.com/dynaudio/emit-m20/review

[srb]

These sounded amazing for the money. (Hi-Fi speaker of the Year). Actually just pretty amazing period for a small box..... Filled my listening room which is pretty good size easily.
https://www.whathifi.com/dynaudio/emit-m20/review

Dynaudio Emit 20 are $999/pair

I am looking to get some new speakers, fairly small and around $300.

[Roninaudio]

Saw that -Thanks.  Just thought I might add that for a couple hundred more (used) or 700 new, he could have a magnitude improvement in performance. IMO...

[JLM]

After 15 years still loving my Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's.  Very musical with magical imaging without being colored.  Highly praised when introduced.  Compared to modern monitors not quite as articulate but far less bass/mid-bass constipation (without bloat) and not fatiguing.  The soundstage is realistically portrayed (large/deep, not forward or recessed).  IME 'natural' detail (clarity) comes from great imaging without the surgical level of detail that many speakers produce, which is also more forgiving of most poor recordings.  Currently the newer CBM-170SE's are on holiday sale for $298/pair.  The 170's put the money into the drivers/crossover, certainly not the finish (cheap vinyl wrap in the originals).   Nearly the polar opposite of the thin/cheap sounding Elac B5, I'd say less detail but better imaging than the UB5.

[apstoltz]

Before my Sierra 1's i owned the ascend 170's and fully agree with your comments. They are a fine sounding speaker, however I could not get over the aesthetics, the are oddly shaped square with the cheap vinyl wrap. Even with their 6.5" driver I felt like they did not handle low end well and need a sub.

[Doublej]

Will you be using a sub? Are you constricted to a certain physical size?

I will be adding a sub at some point in the future. Maximum height is 13". No limits on width or depth, based on typical width and depth dimensions for a 13" tall speaker.

[JLM]

Before my Sierra 1's i owned the ascend 170's and fully agree with your comments. They are a fine sounding speaker, however I could not get over the aesthetics, the are oddly shaped square with the cheap vinyl wrap. Even with their 6.5" driver I felt like they did not handle low end well and need a sub.

All true.  I unlike their squattish shape and cheap vinyl wrap too, but many monitors lack low end.  Would much prefer honest performance versus trying to do what the laws of physics dictate can't be done.  And if you've read Floyd Toole's "Sound Reproduction" you know that multiple subs is a far better solution than passive floor standers.

[charmerci]

For about $240 with shipping ($210 list) these -

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

Everyone who owns one, raves.

See post #6197  to start.

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/showthread2.php?p=55153036#post55153036

[apstoltz]

Over in avs it seems like users or both the kef and q acoustics go back and fourth on what they prefer. I have never heard the Jed's but the q acoustics is a good speaker for the money. It tends to play all generes of music well. It has a punchy midrange with a nice overall balanced sound.

[artur9]

Anyone like the Wharfedales?  They were all the rage when I was in school.  The Diamonds are right around the OP's price point.

http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/product-list.php?cid=15

The new Quad S1 is getting raves but is close to $1000.  http://www.quad-hifi.co.uk/product-detail.php?pid=22