AudioCircle

Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Cheap and Cheerful HiFi => Topic started by: 2bigears on 17 Jun 2016, 03:34 pm

Title: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 17 Jun 2016, 03:34 pm: :D Have an old Nakamichi AV-1 and the same CD-4 . This is not really ready for the landfill but sorta.. Ha
Would like a few ideas on maybe slim towers for the bedroom that match the worth and old gear capabilities ,,,,
maybe a grand or 1500 budget here in CANADA.... THANKS FOR ANY HELP AND IDEAS :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: TomS on 17 Jun 2016, 03:40 pm: Elac Debut or UniFi, available as bookshelf or small towers. Easily within your budget and crazy good sound for the money.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 17 Jun 2016, 03:53 pm: :D ok ,,thanks ,,,, looking up now .... :D
F6 or listed at 570.00 on A-Zon
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: rotarius on 17 Jun 2016, 04:08 pm: Check out the Polk TSX series. I just got the bookshelf version for the bedroom. The build quality and finish seem to be a bit better than ELAC and you don't have to get them in black! Why do the cheap & cheerful ones always have to be in black? Anyway, they are very smooth and full sounding, not the last word in resolution but easy to listen to and more efficient than Elacs.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Letitroll98 on 17 Jun 2016, 05:28 pm: With the stated budget I might think to upgrade the Polk recommendation to the Rti series, one up the line with real wood veneers and some more resolution, or maybe the Lsi series if the op can go with used. I also like the smaller PSB speakers.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: hdspeakerman on 17 Jun 2016, 11:59 pm: http://meniscusaudio.com/continuum-full-pair-p-1324.html
If you can diy these are great. Can add a woofer or subwoofer if you need to dig deeper.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: mlundy57 on 18 Jun 2016, 12:01 am: At 4-1/2"W x 13"D x 42"H the GR-Research Skinny 6s would be perfect for small towers.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145114)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145115)

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145115)

While these are coated with DuraTex, since they are DIY if you are up to some building, or willing to have someone build them for you you could have almost any type of finish, even real wood veneer, and they would be within your budget.

Here is a link to the AC thread where these are discussed:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=135458.0

Mike
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 12:15 am: :D thanks all who replied. i kinda like the looks of Monitor Audio Bronze 5's .... they would do nicely i think.
another is Polk RTI 7's .... they are priced very close and budget speakers for sure. .. :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Mudslide on 18 Jun 2016, 06:53 am: Aperions are pretty nice for the price and these will fit almost anywhere .... https://www.aperionaudio.com/speakers/intimus/intimus-4t-tower-speaker-171
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: FireGuy on 18 Jun 2016, 11:28 am: Quote from: Mudslide on 18 Jun 2016, 06:53 am
Aperions are pretty nice for the price and these will fit almost anywhere .... https://www.aperionaudio.com/speakers/intimus/intimus-4t-tower-speaker-171

:thumb: I'll ditto Aperion. I don't have their towers but I do have their 5C center. Marvelous speaker. Aperion is one of a handful of online-only vendors that offer exceptional performance for the price. The 4T allows for a small footprint and cash left over for other gear. I'll also add Axiom Audio's M22 V4 book shelves. These too are scary good for the price.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Letitroll98 on 18 Jun 2016, 11:38 am: Note that the 4t will need a subwoofer. I've heard great things about Aperion speakers, never actually heard them though.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: srb on 18 Jun 2016, 01:01 pm: I didn't know if Internet direct marketed US companies were an option for Canada due to customs fees, but if so, the tried and true Ascend Acoustics CMT-340 SE (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html) ($568) with the TP-24 Pedestal Stands (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/access/spkstnds/pedstlcmt340.html) ($140) for a total of $708 before shipping & customs will give you response down to 45Hz (-3dB) with 6.5" woofers in a 7.5" wide cabinet (base plinth is 10"W x 14"D).

They do regularly ship to Canada, so a call to find out what the shipping and customs is may still put them in the running with their reasonable base cost and high performance.

Steve
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: JLM on 18 Jun 2016, 03:42 pm: For bedroom speakers (no deep bass needed) the smaller Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's (~$400 Canadian) would be marvelous. I love mine.

Those GR towers would give me nightmares, waking up to find behemoths in my bedroom. :o
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 03:56 pm: :D absolutely right on the money. no slim speakers with a sub. no,no,no. Big bass very not needed. Glorious midrange would be the way. Speakers under 1000 bucks is a vast fieild for choosing. Those 340's look dam nice . :D
would the Sierras 2 ribbon bookshelf with a stand be better than the 340's .... :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: maty on 18 Jun 2016, 04:26 pm: If I was the owner of ~~Crescend~~ Ascend CMT and CMB speakers... I would change the cheap Elytone electrolytic capacitors (blue and small) of the crossovers!!!

-> http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340mtech.html

(http://www.ascendacoustics.com/images/products/speakers/cmt340c/340xover.jpg)

-> http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170tech.html

(http://www.ascendacoustics.com/images/products/speakers/cbm170/170crossover.jpg)
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: srb on 18 Jun 2016, 04:32 pm: Quote from: maty on 18 Jun 2016, 04:26 pm
If I was the owner of Crescend speakers... I would change the cheap Elytone electrolytic capacitors (blue and small) of the crossovers!!!

But you're obviously not, otherwise you would call them by their name - Ascend. ;)
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 04:42 pm: :D there must have been a hi=level meeting on x-over parts to be used. :D
can someone give me an answer ?? the ribbon bookshelves or 340's ???? speakers unheard .. :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: srb on 18 Jun 2016, 04:45 pm: Quote from: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 03:56 pm
would the Sierras 2 ribbon bookshelf with a stand be better than the 340's .... :D

I'm a big fan of ribbon tweeters, particularly the RAALs, so yes. The CMT-340 SE would obviously be better for trying to fill a larger room, but for a bedroom where you probably don't need higher SPL and sensitivity the Sierra 2 would give you higher quality sound.

However If you're now also considering monitors on stands such as the Sierra 2, you might also consider Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Audio New Philharmonitor (http://www.philharmonicaudio.com/New%20Philharmonitor.html). The ScanSpeak Revelator 5.5" is a fantastic driver, and that combined with the RAAL ribbon could give you everything you desire for that space - sweet bass, mids & highs. And for only $1150.

Steve
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 04:50 pm: :D sounds like a nice unit. looking up now. Are there actually companies that make good stands out there reasonably priced yet solid and easy on the peepers ?? :D my budget is bursting ,, the US $ is going to kill me and all the rest. ya get what you pay 4 !! :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: mlundy57 on 18 Jun 2016, 04:57 pm: Quote from: JLM on 18 Jun 2016, 03:42 pm
For bedroom speakers (no deep bass needed) the smaller Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's (~$400 Canadian) would be marvelous. I love mine.

Those GR towers would give me nightmares, waking up to find behemoths in my bedroom. :o

They just look big in the picture. The scale is deceiving. They are narrower than a CD case, just over 1 foot deep and 3-1/2ft tall. For floor standers that is really tiny.

There is a smaller bookshelf version, the LGK 1.0. At 4-1/2"W x 8"D x 12"H these were originally designed as desktop monitors but work very well in smaller rooms.

(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=145171)

At a kit price of $189 for the pair (minus cabinets) they are a steal. I had a pair of them on display in my room at the Lone Star Audio Fest last year (2015). All who heard them were amazed at the sound and especially the bass response. I saw many jaws drop when these little beauties started playing.

Check out a review of the LGK monitors here: https://newrecordday.com/gr-research-lgk/

Mike
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: JLM on 18 Jun 2016, 05:30 pm: Not a fan of short floor-standers (presentation is too low and the sound is too easily to be blocked by furniture in the room, especially in a bedroom). And not a fan of MTM, especially with ribbon tweeters as they can have a very narrow vertical window where the sound gels.

As an alternate you could look for powered speakers like the Audioengine HD6 ($750 U.S. with remote) and lose the AV-1.

Personally I have no interest in bedroom speakers so would be hard pressed to spend serious coin on them. Different story if this is a spare bedroom (no bed smucking up the middle of the room).
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 05:50 pm: :D hum, not sure where that leads this. a hi quality monitor ?? those Phillharmonics look amazing. As do the sierra 2's.... both over 1500 bucks or more to get to me here in Canuck land. :D you do get what you pay for !! :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: mark@emeraldphysics on 18 Jun 2016, 06:33 pm: http://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/gallo-acoustics

great for the money...
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: charmerci on 18 Jun 2016, 07:22 pm: Quote from: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 04:50 pm
my budget is bursting ,, the US $ is going to kill me and all the rest. ya get what you pay 4 !! :D

If you live somewhere near the border, there are places that you can ship to and pick up from in the States just over the border.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 07:41 pm: :D haha ,,,, nowhere near the line ,, :D
would the ELAC Uni-fi UB5's be ok for around 800 bucks my total cost .. ?? :D
ELAC sure is a buzz word these days .... :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Saturn94 on 18 Jun 2016, 10:33 pm: Quote from: TomS on 17 Jun 2016, 03:40 pm
Elac Debut or UniFi, available as bookshelf or small towers. Easily within your budget and crazy good sound for the money.

+1!

I heard the UniFi bookshelf speakers recently and was very impressed with the sound for the money. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Oh, and no sub needed unless you want the lowest octaves.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: TomS on 18 Jun 2016, 10:53 pm: Quote from: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 07:41 pm
:D haha ,,,, nowhere near the line ,, :D
would the ELAC Uni-fi UB5's be ok for around 800 bucks my total cost .. ?? :D
ELAC sure is a buzz word these days .... :D
These are shockingly good. If you need jewelry, they wouldn't be the first choice, but for that price you won't do better buying new, performance wise.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 11:06 pm: :D does anyone know a place to buy. amazon.com is out .. 600 all in to Canada ,,so the $$ is very good ,, :D thanks everyone :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Saturn94 on 19 Jun 2016, 03:14 pm: Quote from: 2bigears on 18 Jun 2016, 11:06 pm
:D does anyone know a place to buy. amazon.com is out .. 600 all in to Canada ,,so the $$ is very good ,, :D thanks everyone :D

Can you by direct from ELAC in Canada?
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: brj on 19 Jun 2016, 06:21 pm: Note that many of the options mentioned have rear ports. Most bedrooms that I've seen tend to limit how far out into the room you could place the speakers, so that may be a challenge. Unless you're willing to plug the ports and give up some (possibly significant) low frequency extension.

I'd share JLM's concern about short, compact floorstanders firing "into" the furniture as well.

That said, I've been pondering speakers for the bedroom or office, and I keep looking at those UniFi UF5s and wondering if I could force the issue... :)

(And, referencing the active speaker thread, I wonder how they'd sound in an active config!)
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 19 Jun 2016, 07:10 pm: :D thanks Jeff, the HD6 is pretty cool looking. Audioengine a5+ looks interesting too . small and 500 bucks here in Canada :D get rid of the monster receiver from way long ago. :D
dam these decisions ,,,, ELAC will soon be building a powered set for sure ,,,, they will do well with it . :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: JLM on 20 Jun 2016, 01:34 am: The Audioengine HD6 has remote; analog, optical (digital), and wireless connections; and furniture grade finishes all beyond what the A5+ offers.

And if you're going down this route, another active speaker (sophisticated low voltage crossovers with one channel of amplification per driver) to consider is the compact $300 U.S.D./pair JBL LSR305 2-ways, F3 = 41 Hz. I had them here for a week and really enjoyed my time with them next to my $5000 speaker/amp setup. (Compared to the HD6 no wood finishes, wireless or digital connections, grills, and no remote.)
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: ohenry on 20 Jun 2016, 05:23 am: Remember a few years ago when people were giving high praise to these? (Small Andrew Jones designed Pioneer)

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-BS22-LR (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-BS22-LR)

Truly cheap and possibly cheerful. :)

Sorry, I missed the small tower requisite. These are the brothers of the bookshelf version:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-FS52 (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-FS52)
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: srb on 20 Jun 2016, 08:26 am: Quote from: ohenry on 20 Jun 2016, 05:23 am
Remember a few years ago when people were giving high praise to these [Pioneer SP-BS22-LR] ? (Small Andrew Jones designed Pioneer)

I have a pair of the Pioneer BS22, and while they were good at their $130 price point, and particularly the $77 sale price, they are bettered by most any $300 pair of speakers.

I never had the opportunity to listen to Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy Monitor version ($195 re-worked version of the Pioneer BS22), but they have since been replaced with the New Affordable Accuracy Monitor ($195 re-worked version of the Parts Express BR-1 kit), and these improve on the modded Pioneers in all performance areas.

Steve
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: JLM on 20 Jun 2016, 11:26 am: I heard the BS22's briefly (that was enough to dismiss all the hoopla). :scratch:

I've also heard the Philharmonic Affordable (sorry don't know which version but since they were purchased maybe 3 months ago I'd guess the newer version) 3 different times on different systems (including mine) and they were much better. But my old (and still loved) original $300/pair Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's and my friend's $300/pair active JBL LSR305 easily beat them in a side by side comparison on my system.

The Philharmonics benefitted greatly from break-in (the others were well broken-in).
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Dmason on 20 Jun 2016, 12:39 pm: I have been using the Serene Audio Talisman for a year now, for just such an application, and am very happy with them, within their constraints...

Single driver goodness, no crossover, uses the very well wrought Fountek 89EX 4 Ohm 3" with the largest Nd magnet you will ever see on a driver this size, it sports a cast alloy frame, metal cone damped with ceramic or latex coating, reflex loaded assymetric cabinet to reduce standing waves. Front and rear baffles CNC milled from 1/2" bamboo, side walls are MDF wrapped in VERY nice leather. Amplified by a TPA3116 chip amp, which in itself is highly regarded. It also has a sub-out, which high passes the mains @ 120Hz, amp board is mounted on a milled brass plate. Extreme quality build overall, made in Vancouver, BC, by a music loving engineer.

Priced, I believe, in CAD. www.sereneaudio.com highly recommended
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: apstoltz on 21 Aug 2016, 10:53 pm: Not to hijack the thread but I am in the same boat for a bedroom setup and will implement a small 8 or 10 to go with small satellites. I was thinking about the era d4 now peachtree d4 or the psb imagine mini. I want to keep fairly small as these will sit on a dresser. Any recommendations?
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: I.Greyhound Fan on 22 Aug 2016, 03:56 am: I would consider Monitor Audio Silver 1's and PSB XB's. I have a pair of Monitor S1's and older model in my bedroom paired with a little digital amp and they sound great with a good music source. They look great to boot and have a real wood veneer and look like a piece of furniture. I also have a pair of PSB B6's in another bedroom and they look and sound great with a warmer sound typical of PSB. The MA's are more neutral and detailed.

http://www.whathifi.com/monitor-audio/silver-1/review

http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/bookshelf/monitor-audio-silver-1-bookshelf-loudspeaker-review/

Give some thought to Paradigm monitors and B&W 600 series
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: apstoltz on 22 Aug 2016, 09:02 pm: Thanks for the input. I think I am leaning toward a mini monitor with a 4" to 5.25 driver as my space is tight. I even thought about the Napa acoustics $600 setup that jlm mentioned on the forum.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: I.Greyhound Fan on 23 Aug 2016, 04:49 pm: Give a look at the PSB Imagine Mini and Imagine B speakers that fit the bill for mini speakers.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/products.asp?dept=49&val=4

These Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's are also nice sounding and use a 5" woofer-

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-diamond-101-bookshelf-speakers-pr
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: milford3 on 23 Aug 2016, 07:13 pm: The Axiom M2's are fantastic. I've heard them and was floored by the output of this small bookshelf speaker. The bass response is incredible for its size. Jim Tanner uses the Axiom drivers for his speakers.

http://axiomaudio.com/m2-bookshelf-speakers
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: mresseguie on 23 Aug 2016, 08:23 pm: Here's an idea:

Buy a Meniscus Audio kit called "Sopranos" with assembled crossover. You can upgrade the caps and resistors if you wish. For speaker cabinets, email John B. [His AC name is 'pecker'.] He's been making speaker cabinets for years. Total cost might be $600 or less.

Sure, you must do a little work and solder a few points, but I'll wager they sound as good or better than store bought. Jeff Bagby designed them for his brother, Dustin. I doubt he'd design crap for his little brother.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: apstoltz on 28 Aug 2016, 12:06 pm: I think I am going to go with the jbl studio 530 or the xls encore. The jbl is intriguing to me and have always been a jbl fan back in my earlier days of this hobby. Something about the exotic look at some of their offers that appeals to me and of course I hear the 530's sound great from others. I may give them a go.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: 2bigears on 31 Aug 2016, 06:38 pm: :D. Those 340 SE's from Ascend look pretty good. Would these be a good buy ?? :D. Anyone heard ? :D
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: Armaegis on 31 Aug 2016, 08:49 pm: I've never heard them, but I'm fascinated by the stuff from Role Audio and their supposed low end reach from such a tiny cabinet...
https://www.roleaudio.com/sampan-ftl
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: JLM on 1 Sep 2016, 01:01 am: Quote from: 2bigears on 31 Aug 2016, 06:38 pm
:D. Those 340 SE's from Ascend look pretty good. Would these be a good buy ?? :D. Anyone heard ? :D

What is your idea of bedroom speakers? Small (probably squarish) room? Actual bedroom, to be used late night before sleep?

The Ascend Acoustics 340SE's are intended for HT, to reach high spls and limit vertical dispersion and floor/ceiling bounce via their MTM design. Note no other Ascend speaker uses MTM arrangement. My CBM 170's play plenty loud enough for small room use. They are extremely musical and provide good mid/bass body that most modern affordable 2-ways stand-mounts seem to lack.
Title: Re: Bedroom speakers ????
Post by: hdspeakerman on 1 Sep 2016, 01:50 am: +1 on Sopranos or Continuums by Jeff Bagby!