[geowak]

I would like to replace some Monitor Audio BR2 speakers that I had originally bought for a surround system. But alas, I am just going with a second two channel system.

Any ideas on used or new good sounding budget speakers under $350?

[Doublej]

I am liking my Hsu HB1-MK2s a lot. Should be right at your price point.

Since you mentioned used Audiogon has some Thiels and Vandersteens in your price range. Crazy good value if you have the right electronics.

[jackman]

I don't know anything about your music preferences or other geer but in your price range, you might want to think about a nice kit and some PE cabinets.  If you have the space, a used set of Maggie MMG's are hard to beat. I know they aren't bookshelf but they are great sounding speakers for a very low price. 

I picked up some little Pioneer Elite speakers designed by Andrew Jones or $100 on woot a couple months ago. They aren't the last word in refinement but they sound pretty darn good for the money.  Ladydog was selling some nice active monitors in the classifieds recently.  I think they were Quads.  If I was in the market, I'd look at something like that.

Good luck

J

[jackman]

I forgot about those Hsu speakers.  The little Hsu's look very cool. They also look like you can crank them up for party's or when you need to break your lease.

[Austin08]

Years ago, I pick up a used pair of Paradigm Ref studio 20 V2 for $300. Still sounding great in my sister bedroom.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Take a look here at saturday audio.  Look at their B-stock PSB speakers.  I have bought a pair of B stock PSB B6's which are an awesome speaker as well as a pair of Monitor Audio S1's.
 
If you can swing the extra cash $439pr (reg price is $550-599, the PSB B-6's are a killer speaker.  Great bass and smooth midrange.  Treble not too bright.  If you have a sub, then the PSB Alpha B-1's would be a good bet for $240pr for a B-stock model or the PSB B5's for $359pr

http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/psb_bstock.htm

Check out their used equipment as well, there are always good buys.

www.saturdayaudio.com

Also consider Wharfedale 10.1's, 10.2's and Mordaunt Short here-

http://www.musicdirect.com/c-612-bookshelf.aspx?sortfield=Price&sortdirection=ASC&perpage=24&BrandFilterID=0

[timind]

At this price point my favorite recommendation is a pair of used Polk Audio LSi-7s. Check ebay for a pair of factory refurbs.

[Letitroll98]

I second all of the above recommendations, I really like the Polks, which totally surprises me, I had left them in the mass market junk pile until I heard them.  PSB's are lovely, I have a pair.  Haven't heard the Wharfedale 10.1's but have heard great things about them and I want to, which goes for the Hsu's as well.  Mordaunt Short not so much, I didn't like them, too lifeless.  Of course I own MMG's and love them, but not a bookshelf and not easily driven in a second system.

Of course you could go Monitor Audio again.....BX1's are $379.  And the NHT Classic 3 is $400, a bit over your price, maybe on sale somewhere.

But if I were buying some bookshelf speakers in that price range, I would think long and hard about the money back home trial of a pair of Axiom M3's.  Right in your wheelhouse price wise, and glowing reviews.

[cujobob]

Have Axioms improved in recent years?

Generally, I'd look into the used market for something inexpensive. A used pair of anything GR Research would be awesome...how about this, as something in your price range new: http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?products_id=65

[johsti]

Cambridge Audio S30.  Don't be fooled by the specs, they sound much bigger and fuller than they look.  If you are a detail freak, they aren't for you.  They are a very musical little speaker that are fun to listen to and can be had new for a little more than $200 and used much less.  I purchased a used pair to use in a dining room bookcase for background music, but ended up using them in my main system while I build a new room.  I definitely prefer my harbeths that are currently boxed up, but the s30's are holding their own for the meantime.  Put them on some solid stands away from the walls and enjoy.  The positive reviews on the s30 are well deserved IMHO.

[eclein]

Hsu

[JLM]

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE ($349/pair): 

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

I own the original CBM-170 since the company start up and still love them.  Very musical, great imaging, extreme content value.  Cheap vinyl finish is regretable, but for audiophiles the guts is what really counts (and better finishes are available).  Lots of strong reviews, good service (internet sales only).

Avoid the HTM-200 (nothing special), but the rest are also highly regarded.

[wushuliu]

I have these coming tomorrow:

http://www.definitivetech.com/products/products.aspx?path=Speakers_By_Series|Studio_Monitor_Series&productid=StudioMonitor_45



In the several years that I have been preoccupied with building speakers I missed out on what seems like a real turning point in bang for the buck. Technology is trickling down and this may be a golden age for affordable audio right now. The DefTechs are interesting enough to see what the early buzz is about and the price is right. The HSU may also be in the cards. And don't forget you can use the HSU center for mains as well, giving you 8ohm minimum load, improved dynamics, arguably lower distortion and great sensitivity, +/- 2db FR, for <$600 shipped. This is rare for a MTM speaker.





The Wharfedale 10 series is another strong contender, based on reviews and the very, very good Stereophile measurements of the 10.2. You can get the 10.4 3-way tower for $800/pr with a large dedicated mid handling 150-4k range. Coupled with the feedback I've read so far on the rest of the line that sounds like an awesome deal.





I do think some of the early rising stars  may be left behind right now as they are selling the same models I read about when I started getting into this hobby. I say this only based on the reviews I've read lately. There's been some leapfrogging now by other companies. Hopefully some of these other folks will catch up.

[jazzerdave]

I had a pair of Usher S-520's that were really good, and you should be able to find them for ~$300 used.  Other that those, the rest of the suggestions have been pretty good. 

If you don't have to get the smallest bookshelf speakers, I'd suggest a pair of the Advent Loudspeakers.  Like some of the other suggestions, they don't resolve the very last detail, but in terms of clarity, dynamics, and musicality, they're still absolutely wonderful.

[navin]

In the several years that I have been preoccupied with building speakers I missed out on what seems like a real turning point in bang for the buck.

Some other options in the bang for buck (VFM) category (in my opinion):

Monitor Bronze and Silver (esp the RS6 and RX6)
Tannoy Revolution (exp the DC4LCR and DC6T)
Kef Q series (esp the Q300)
PSB Alpha and Image
Dali Ikon (if you have a sub to cover the bass)
B&W 683 (some prefer it to the more expensive CM Towers)

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you want a pair of tower speakers and can swing the money-$480pr, these Wharfedale Evo2-20's list for $1,200pr and are on close out.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15529-wharfedale-evo2-20-tower-speakers-pr.aspx

However, if you don't want towers you should give strong consideration to the Wharfedale 10.1's and especially the 10.2's which are very highly regarded with no bad reviews.  They would be on my short list of bookshelfs.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15479-wharfedale-diamond-102-bookshelf-speaker-pr.aspx

[Russtafarian]

If a powered speaker will work for you, these look interesting.  I haven't heard them but I like their design commitment to phase coherent coax drivers.

http://www.equatoraudio.com/D5_Studio_Monitors_with_DSP_300_Pair_p/d5.htm

[Æ]

These should be mentioned, the Behringer B2030P and the B2031A. Two versions one without and one with built in amp. Highly rated.
$220 - $400 per pair depending upon which model.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you are considering the HSU's then take a look at the BIC FH-65B's which the HSU's are clones of.

http://www.amazon.com/America-FH-65B-Bookshelf-Speakers-6-5IN/dp/B002ISTP8K

Also consider Cerwin Vega's which are a great buy and have gotten good reviews-

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002JH4L1G/ref=asc_df_B002JH4L1G1963163?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B002JH4L1G&hvpos=1o5&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=19651571628085833&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=

I would also take a look at the original Boston Acoustic CS26B not the newer Classic II.  The older version had a sliglty warmer sound with a very nice midrange and good bass and detail. It out performed its price point.  If you are wanting to go cheap, these would be my choice, maybe even over the PSB Alpha B-1's since you would need a sub for the PSB's and they run a little on the sunny side.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=boston%20acoustics%20cs26b&clk_rvr_id=329640401242&adpos=1t3&MT_ID=70&crlp=12263577515_2416792&tt_encode=raw&keyword=boston+acoustics+cs26b&geo_id=9992&adgroup_id=4038832715

[Sparky14]

I've had both the Hsu and the Andrew Jones Pioneers. Both are great. But I prefer the Pioneer speakers, they are smoother, and much better off-axis.