[vinny1]

Hi All Gurus of 2 channel,

Could you recommend a pair of cheap monitors for less than $300-$350 bucks or full speakers for upto $600-650? My friend needs a couple speakers for his bedroom and was contemplating buying B&W DM 303s . would go with a denon 5805 receiver

thanks
vinay

[TomS]

Can't go wrong with AV123's little X-LS's.  Danny Ritchie designed.  Inexpensive but not cheap.  Many good posts here as well as recent product of the year awards. 

Tom

[Carlman]

I'd second Tom's suggestion and also look at the entry-level Usher or Von Schweikert's.  Unless you want to go 5+ years old...

[Zero]

Here is a third vote caste for the Onix XLS from av123.  He will even have the coin left over for some good solid stands.  edit:  The HTD Level 3 monitors for a bit more also seem to be a very attractive option. 

[konut]

I have not heard the X-LS myself, but have never read a bad review of them.  Be advised that there is a employee of AV123 that performs various levels of mods. http://www.skiingninja.com/xseries.html  Depending on the mods, still within your budget!

[laserman]

I'll jump on the X-LS bandwagon too   , but with a caveat...as a minimum you need to get the bypass caps and tear out the old padding and replace it with NoRez.  This is only necessary if your friend is a decerning listener.  If not, a stock pair will do just fine.   

Enjoy,
L

PS I compared the moded X-LSs to the VR-1s in my system, and the X-LS won soundly.

[vinny1]

any thoughts on the new tower versions of the X-LSs ? claims deeper bass.. . might be a good option and still around the budget and he can get the mods down the line..

[GerryD]

Definitely go with the x-ls.  I own them...did the cap bypass and No-Rez mods....and love them!

[JLM]

From all the reports you'd be hard pressed to beat Danny's x series speakers.

Yeah, the tower version makes sense if he plans are using them out into the room.  Deeper bass, less top heavy, and probably cheaper in this case than adding decent stands. 

Years ago I watched in disbelief as my 4 pound cat knocked over large (20 inch x 10 inch x 10 inch) speakers that were on 12 inch stands.

[vinny1]

Definitely go with the x-ls.  I own them...did the cap bypass and No-Rez mods....and love them!

Gerry

How much did the cap bypass and No rez upgrades cost  if you dont mind my asking

[rollo]

Vinny1,
              NHT and proac come to mind,paradigm as well.The best in my opinion are Omega,highly efficient single driver[hemp].You could use a nice low powered SET or intergrated.They have a small footprint and reasonably priced.
       rollo

[Bob Reynolds]

Since I'm an M&K cheerleader, I suggest any of their smaller monitors. They are designed to be mated with a sub, so you can add one of their subs later. I have two 2.1 systems built around their speakers and electronics.

You might find something on their direct sales site:
http://www.mksoundstore.com/store/

[Skynyrd]

I can't recommend the B & W 303's--I've had a pair for about three years.  They just don't have a smooth nice sound, especially in the upper mid/lower treble.

For $50, I like the Insignias from Best Buy a lot. Warm and musical, great low level detail. 
Too bad Best Buy isn't an Audiocircle "store"!

Skynyrd