[geowak]

HiFi gurus-

What bookshelf or standmount speaker do you own?
Was it worth what you paid? What is a "true bargain" today
and what sounds good?

Best I have heard was the newer Wilson Duette's. Very neutral and balanced, but engaging too. Also very pricey!!

Also, anyone have the Monitor Audio Bronze series? Any good?

[SwedeSound]

Well, my bookshelf speakers are my main speakers -- and my main reason for getting into this hobby. They are Monitor Audio Studio 6's. And they're incredible. I picked them up at a yard sale near my house for $10 ... and when I Googled them, I discovered they were $2,500 when they were new (either she didn't know what they were worth or didn't care). I put them at around 10 years old ... give or take. Probably a little less... but no matter.

They're amazing. Really great imaging, decent bass, esp. for their size, and incredible mids and highs. I have heard great things about the MA Bronze series, but would need to hear them in person. I love how my speakers just disappear in the room and let the music stand out as the main attraction. These little suckers have changed what I do with my evenings. Instead of watching TV, I fire up the stereo and listen to music -- and peruse AC.

best,

Jason

[lazydays]

I have a pair of Dennis Had built Soliloquy 5.0's in maple finish. Drive them with 8 watt tube amps. Believe I could drive them very well with less than 5 watts. The whole system is kinda vintage.
gary

[Double Ugly]

SP Technology Timepieces. 

Spectacular speakers by any standard of measure IMHO; incredibly articulate and deep bass (-3dB @ 29Hz, anechoic) for a stand-mounted speaker.

[Rob Babcock]

HiFi gurus-

What bookshelf or standmount speaker do you own?
Was it worth what you paid? What is a "true bargain" today
and what sounds good?

Best I have heard was the newer Wilson Duette's. Very neutral and balanced, but engaging too. Also very pricey!!

Also, anyone have the Monitor Audio Bronze series? Any good?

Compared to what?  I think the Bronze line is exceptional for the money.  They won't win any beauty contests- they look nice enough but they're just vinyl wrapped.  I'm a bit of a MA fanboy, to tell the truth.   I've had the older Bronze 3's, Bronze 2's and Bronze center, and I have a pair of modded Bronze B2's that I use at my computer.  I've also owned Silver 7i's and Silver 8i's.  Currently I have Gold Ref 20's, Gold Ref 10's and a Gold Ref Center.

Actually, since moving back to Sioux Falls I've been crashing at my sister's place.  Since I don't have room to put my GR10s in the main rig I've been using them at my PC; they're running off of a Stereo-Link USB DAC feeding an NAD C320-BEE.

[JLM]

I use Ascend Acoustics CBM-170s (about $350/pair delivered when new) as my LF and RF speakers in my 5.1 HT system.  Previously they were my mains in a small 2.1 audio/HT system.  Finish is laughable, but overall content value is terrific and they sound wonderful.  They do detail, dynamics, power handling, and go low enough to cross with any sub.  But they're imaging champs and really flesh out the music like nobody's business (the opposite of clinical studio monitors).  Probably the best money I've spent in the past 10 years in audio.  (Right up there with my old NAD 3020.)  They've been upgraded since and the new twice as expensive Sierra-1 is out that could make a sub optional in many cases.

[2gumby2]

I'm using Boston Acoustics A40 speakers that I bought new in 1985. Still going strong and sounding great! Probably the highest value audio equipment purchase I've evr made.

[nature boy]

I really enjoy my ART SLM-1 monitors which were modified with VH Caps and VH wiring by Don Nance.  Extremely accurate, moderately sensitive and relatively inexpensive mounted Skylan stands.  I use these in my bedroom system driven by a Sophia Baby amp.

Here is some additional information:

SLM1 is a full-bodied, sonically neutral, passive near-field monitor that delivers an extremely accurate sonic picture of the aural spectrum.

The SLM1 Studio Linear Monitor features a passive near-field monitor design, with 70 watts continuous program power and a wide frequency response of 40Hz to 20kHz.

The SLM1 has a robust 6 1/2" shielded woofer, a 1" shielded soft-dome Ferrofluid-cooled tweeter, an internal crossover network, gold-plated binding posts and 2" tuned cylindrical ports.

The SLM1 reproduces mixes with near pinpoint accuracy and excellent stereo imaging. Overall tonal interaction between low, mid and high frequencies are remarkably well balaned - even at different monitoring levels.

Ear fatigue is non-existant, due to the SLM1's smooth response. The SLM1 allows you to produce outstanding mixes that will translate exceptionally well to other playback systems.

Specifications

Baffle Materials: MDF Wood
Covering/Finish: Charcoal Laminate
Crossover Frequency: 2,500 Hz
Dimensions (D x W x H): 9" x 10" x 16"
Driver Configuration: 6.5" x 1"
Enclosure Materials: MDF Wood
Frequency Response: 40-20,000 Hz (+/-3dB)
HF Driver: 1" Soft (Silk) Dome - Medium Viscosity, Ferrofluid Cooled
Inputs: Gold-Plated Binding Post (1)
LF Driver: 6.5" - Foam Surround
Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
Port: Tuned, 2" Cylindrical
Program Power: 70 Watts
Sensitivity: 90 (dB @ 1 watt/1m)
Shielding: Dual Magnetic - on HF & LF driver
System Type: 2 way passive
Weight: 18 lbs

NB

[BrianM]

SP Technology Timepieces. 

Spectacular speakers by any standard of measure IMHO; incredibly articulate and deep bass (-3dB @ 29Hz, anechoic) for a stand-mounted speaker.

That is an amazing stat, whilst maintaining articulate-ness...I'm assuming they're 2-ways...must be what the extra dough is all about.

Anyways a well-executed bookshelf speaker (I think of them as 2-ways) seems to be the best solution for many people.  I found mine solved more problems than they forced compromises.

[Double Ugly]

SP Technology Timepieces. 

Spectacular speakers by any standard of measure IMHO; incredibly articulate and deep bass (-3dB @ 29Hz, anechoic) for a stand-mounted speaker.

That is an amazing stat, whilst maintaining articulate-ness...I'm assuming they're 2-ways...

Yes, the bass is phenomenal.  To my knowledge, no one who's heard them has questioned the veracity of the claimed -3dB point.

And yes, they're 2-ways, and they employ the use of the most seamless crossover I've ever *NOT* heard (crossed @ 600Hz).

[miklorsmith]

The Mark and Daniel monitors have great, deep bass response (otherworldly according to some reviews) and their tweeter sounds like a total winner.  I haven't heard them - but tons of superlative reviews are out there.

[Bemopti123]

One of the best for the price and extremely transparent with SOTA resolution in the bass department especially considering their pint size:



Worth every $ I paid for it.

Another pair I own are these:



The Gershmans are interesting.  Not exactly neutral, with just a tad of darkness to make most, if not all recordings sound excellent.  While, when it comes to delivery of HF, it does so with plenty of air, without ever being sibilant.  Need to power to do it.  I partnered them with either a DNA-225 or a 30 watt Naim Nait 3 and in both times, it sounds outstanding. 

[Marbles]

nOrh marble 4.0  (still available)

nOrh marble mini column 9.0*  (crossover by Dennis Murphy)

nOrh Marble full size column 9.0*  (crossover by Dennis Murphy)



* I have the only pair in the world

[IronLion]

I too am interested in hearing the Mark and Daniels, as their reviews all sound great, but I don't think I would ever buy them myself as the power requirements eliminate the possibility of battery power, of which I am a big fan.  I'm currently using Zu Tones which are quite good, but I'm going to get them upgraded to be basically Druid-monitors with much better resolution than my current Tones. 

[Wind Chaser]

SP Technology Timepieces. 

Spectacular speakers by any standard of measure IMHO; incredibly articulate and deep bass (-3dB @ 29Hz, anechoic) for a stand-mounted speaker.

That is an amazing stat, whilst maintaining articulate-ness...I'm assuming they're 2-ways...

Yes, the bass is phenomenal.  To my knowledge, no one who's heard them has questioned the veracity of the claimed -3dB point.

And yes, they're 2-ways, and they employ the use of the most seamless crossover I've ever *NOT* heard (crossed @ 600Hz).

Boy those really stand apart.  The LF extension and crossover point for a two way small speaker is unprecedented.  What kills my interest in them is they are an enclosed system and not an open baffle.  For the same amount of money these can be had which reading comments on another thread were pretty much the standout highlite at RMAF.  No they are not a stand mount, but the foot print isn't that big.  

[TomS]

Well, I don't have them anymore but my Merlin TSM-MX's were fantastic partners for listening sessions.

I have a pair of Onix X-LS's now, which are definitely great for a couple hundred bucks.  Merlins were 10x price.

Tom

[miklorsmith]

I'm currently using Zu Tones which are quite good, but I'm going to get them upgraded to be basically Druid-monitors with much better resolution than my current Tones.

I'm a Zu guy, having owned three pairs of their speaks (and a fourth on the way) but detail detail detail isn't their stock-in-trade which is why I didn't mention them.

[TONEPUB]

Here's the ones I've had great luck with:

Super bargain price:  AV123 x-ls
$1500:  The ACI Sapphire XL
A touch over $3K, the new Harbeth model 7-III.  I'm pretty much a panel
guy, but these speakers have really blown me away at how accurate
tonally they are.  They sound good with low or high power, tubes or
solid state.

Definitely a favorite!

[Eric]

I have owned 2 iterations of the ACI Jaguars. They are the best speakers I have ever owned. Very musical and natural

[fredgarvin]

VMPS 626R for me. A three way standmount with the magic planar midrange and great dynamic punch with great low end response. This one puts the performers in the room with an immediacy I haven't heard with other standmounts. Second best in my house was the Onix ref1, also a steal.