[sleepkyng]

Hey everyone, long time no chat.

I'm back in the US after a 3 year odyssey in Europe.

I'm (again) on a super low budget but wanted to get a pair of bookshelf speakers to match my t-amp.

$150 is my limit. Any thoughts?

[srb]

Of course it will depend on your listening volume, distance from the speakers and room size, but I would be inclined to mate a 10W/channel amplifier with a more efficient speaker approaching ~ 90dB sensitivity.
 
If you are also considering used speakers, there is a pair of Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 on Audiogon for $159 obo, that have 6-1/2" woofers, 1" soft dome tweeters and are an easy to drive 8 ohm load.
 
Steve
 
 

[doorman]

If you're able, I'd suggest DIY. On a tight budget, the performance available with the addition of some sweat equity can be remarkable.
The satisfaction of a completed project is also not to be underestimated.
Best, Don

[jeffh]

For $149 a pair,  you can't beat this deal for the X-LS Encore from GR Research:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=90911.0


Assuming you are willing to DIY

[fredgarvin]

These Insignias at Best Buy are a steal th their price, $87:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia%26%23153%3B+-+6-1/2%22+Bass-Reflex+Bookshelf+Speakers+(Pair)/7705307.p?id=1138085354138&skuId=7705307&st=insignia%20speakers&cp=1&lp=5

[JLM]

Welcome back

Price/bass/efficiency/quality are pretty much mutually exclusive, so you'll have to pick your medicine.

Here's a couple from parts express:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-652 (their "classic" offering at a super good price, reasonable efficient)

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=303-400 (cute, small, better than average efficiency, really need a sub for full room use)

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-640 (easy kit, much more bass, less efficiency)

Here's one from NuForce: http://www.nuforce.com/hp/products/speaker-evo/index.php

My other idea is to look at desktop/computer speakers.

Ideally you'd double the budget, then lots of good options open up.   

[sleepkyng]

God I love this place.

Seriously, audiocircle is so kick ass - but I tend to self-exile so as not to drop loads and loads of dough.

Yeah, if i had double the budget it would be great... but i don't 

I really like the look of those Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 tho...

What's with the Insignia's at best buy? Any reviews for them?

With taxes & shipping the Insignias are $90 - are the CBM-170's worth the $60 difference?

Thanks guys!

[eclein]

Those little insignia's are nice..I was surprised and you'd have extra for CD's....

[JLM]

Man, I missed the Ascend Acoustics.   

I own a pair and love them.  They image like crazy and provide a very palpable sound.  Enough bass by themselves for small rooms (I use them as front left/right channels in my HT system).  Mine are the basic finish (crappy black vinyl) but the money obviously went into content.

Honestly if I lost my $3500/pair speakers, I'd be sorely tempted to just call up Ascend Acoustics for another pair of theirs (plus a sub).

[srb]

What's with the Insignia's at best buy? Any reviews for them?

Danny Richie of GR Research evaluated them and also detailed an upgrade for ~$100 + labor.  You can read the impressions about them and the upgrade details on the GR Research website at http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=132
 
If you weren't going to upgrade them, choosing between the stock Insignias and the Ascends would lead me to choose the Ascends for the extra $60.
 
Steve

[wangch32]

Danny Richie of GR Research evaluated them and also detailed an upgrade for ~$100 + labor.  You can read the impressions about them and the upgrade details on the GR Research website at http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=132
 
If you weren't going to upgrade them, choosing between the stock Insignias and the Ascends would lead me to choose the Ascends for the extra $60.
 
Steve

If you have the time buy the Insignias and upgrade them, I modified them with Dannys upgraded crossovers, made a big difference very nice speakers, I recommend them

[dvenardos]

I have not heard these so I cannot testify to their sound quality, but at they meet the price point.
http://www.chasehometheater.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=454&category_id=28&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=133

The WAF-1 was a good speaker, but that was a Dannie Richie design and these are not.

[sleepkyng]

hmmm seems like the insignia's were a good buy at $50 tho.

wondering if they're comparable to the dayton audio ones...

and those cbm-170's got bought

DIY can't really happen in the new apartment...

I'll keep truckin' (and wafflin') but it may be a dayton vs insignia tossup.

[JLM]

Just keep in mind the limited wattage (I had a Red Wine Audio Clari-T and while it played beyond it's 7 wpc, you can't fool mother nature).  I'd look for high efficiency, maybe something from Klipsch.  (Many of the T-amps have a tube like qualities that Klipsch synergize with.)

[clent]

Just keep in mind the limited wattage ... I'd look for high efficiency, maybe something from Klipsch.

Seconded. I have a few "T" amps and a low-power class d amps. The power limitation can often be frustrating. Here are a few thoughts:

• The Insignia suggestion isn't bad at all. I've had some NS-B2111's in the past, and they exceeded my expectations. There are some pretty cheap mods that you can do (like installing used tube socks) even in an apartment. FYI, mine weren't magnetically shielded, so mind your CRT monitors/TVs and hard drives. Also, they aren't terribly efficient, so don't expect to use them for anything other than near field monitors.
• As the above poster mentioned, Klipsch speakers tend to be efficient, in part because of their horn-loaded designs. I have some RF-62s that I love, but you can get much cheaper speakers used if you look. In particular, search ebay for "Klipsch SB3" and "Klipsch SB1" (there is one set of each right now). The auctions will certainly end at prices within your budget and perhaps even at prices below that of the Insignias. Personally, I have used speakers from this series and enjoyed them very much. Klipsch speakers also have their own sound. Consider demoing some Klipsch at a local B&M before buying them online.
• At one point, I had a set of Athena AS-B1 bookshelves, and I loved them. They were relatively efficient at 90dB, and cheap at $100. Expect to pay less now if you can find them. Athena was purchased at one point (by Klipsch), and they're hard to find now. If you can get your hands on a pair of Audition series bookshelves, consider yourself fortunate.
• Consider a single driver solutions. They tend to be more efficient, and occasionally they're cheap. I currently have a Tekton Design 3.1. I'm not sure if they're available new anymore, but if you can find a set used, they'll probably be within your budget. Keep in mind that single driver speakers have a pretty distinctive sound. My Tektons, for instance, sound much better with jazz or vocal than rock or hip-hop. There's a single driver sub-forum here if you're interested.

[Noseyears]

Whay about some Daytons? they are cheaper..

[JLM]

Here's another suggestion: JB3 & and review that should apply to you:

http://www.johnblue-audio.com/

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/johnblue/jb3.html