[dasein]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to this forum. Been a long time headfi'er and recently decided to move up to speakers now that I actually have an income. I'm starting out by looking for some budget speakers under $500-600 and I thought I would get the most bang for buck with bookshelf speakers.

What do people here recommend? I've read on Audiogon for some time and people generally seem to like Usher 520, B&W 601s3, and Soliloquy SAT5s in the used market world.

Given that this is my first foray into speakers, I was wondering if people here had any recommendations for first speakers to consider and second places in STL I could audition things that are within my budget?

Thanks!

[bpape]

Welcome!

The Ushers would be a nice start.  Another option (new) would be some of the Revel Concerta bookshelves.

Bryan

[Blackmore]

Welcome to the gang!  You might call Tim (electricbear) at the Sound Room on Olive.  See if he's got a pair of B&W 685.  They're a big "The Absolute Sound" favorite and cost just above your price range.  Might be a fun start to the audition process and you get to meet electricbear.  He's a great guy!   Hope you can make a get-together sometime soon.

[James Romeyn]

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/va/prod_haydn.htm Last known MSRP was $1500/pr USD, hopefully used price within your range.  Make sure you hear them fully burned in w/ an appropriate front end.  The Sumiko Primare is ideal solid state, or good tubes. 

You can't fault these unless you jump way up to a speaker w/ an estimated $6500/pr USD MSRP (a big step yes, but my favorite standmount cost no object).

Below $1500, try the Boston VR-50 at about $600/pr new MSRP.  These have only 130mm midbass but more finese & musical involvement than the larger VR-60 w/ 165mm midbass.  The VR-50 would kick butt w/ three clearance-priced new subs that might be available for about $100ea setup in Dr. Earl Geddes multi-sub recipe (read about specific sub instructions at DIYaudio.com).  Used 50s maybe $300/pr readily available + three new clearance subs $100ea (w/ special sub tuning instructions & distributed throuought the room near walls) would bowl you over.  Actually, if you are willing to learn the easy sub setup instructions & you don't mind three small subs throughout the room near the walls, this system would eat two $5k/pr floorstander's lunch then kick them down the street, gauranteed.             

[Cacophonix]

Try the NHT Classic Three for $598 a pair at listenup.com

[James Romeyn]

Can't stress how much difference will the front end make.  If at all possible you should bring your own when auditioning speakers.  I'm a firm believer in Linn/Ivor Tiefenbrun's so-called "audio hierarchy" (system hierarchy descends from the source down to speakers).  What's your CDP/amp? 
 

[dasein]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the responses so far! They've definitely help me expand my search.

In terms of front end, I'm just starting out so I haven't picked anything yet. I was thinking of letting my speaker choice dictate what I get.

Also I couldn't find much on the Boston VR-50s... Is this the thread on diyaudio you were referring to?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=134568

Is there a place in STL that will let me audition the NHT Classic Three's?

Thanks again and keep the recommendations coming!

[bummrush]

look for some used Legacy studios smaller in size big in great sound,30# a speaker quite solid and the wood used is outstanding.

[electricbear]

check your pm

[James Romeyn]

Ooops, I left out the "M" as in VR-M50 http://www.bostonacoustics.com/VR-M50-P321.aspx & VR-M60.  Sorry! 

Yes, the thread you posted is one of many explaining Dr. Earl Geddes approach, the single best thing I've ever learned in the high end after doing this for many decades.  I can summarize the methodology, which will save reading many pages.  The worse the room's bass modes the more valuable is Earl's method; it's the only known method capable of replicating the unique & desired sound quality of bass in a large commercial space while listening in a domestic room.       

What's your CDP/amp budget?  The Primare CDP's value & performance might possibly be equaled but is almost impossible to beat.     

[doug s.]

are you actually wanting speakers for a bookshelf?  even smaller monitors will perform better on a stand, out into the room, set-up much like floorstanders...  there are a few speakers designed to sound good against the rear wall, but not many...

doug s.

[dasein]

Hello!

I was planning on putting the bookshelves on stands in a mid sized room probably around 11x16.

I'm not sure how much I should spend on an amp.... I know that's a dangerous place to be but I'm a little underinformed in that area right now.

[doug s.]

of the speakers you mentioned, i would recommend the usher s520's.  wery similar to proac 1sc's, but a lot less coin. 

re: amps, if you are patient, you can have one of these delivered to your door (black/silver, or brass/silver), for $500 or less.  should work fine w/the s520's in your room, (or even larger room); hard to beat for the price, imo:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250409757921


doug s.

ps  - pm me if you are interested in some spam about some wery nice custom speakers i wouldn't mind selling.   

[MerRev]

I think I would have to 2nd Blackmore's thought:

Welcome to the gang!  You might call Tim (electricbear) at the Sound Room on Olive.  See if he's got a pair of B&W 685.  They're a big "The Absolute Sound" favorite and cost just above your price range.  Might be a fun start to the audition process and you get to meet electricbear.  He's a great guy!   Hope you can make a get-together sometime soon.

I fondly remember stepping into a showroom hearing the older 602's for the first time and thought this is where it's at.  Also, I almost always seem to enjoy the music at Vintage Vinyl which use B&W 6 series speakers throughout powered by Rotel amplification.

[ebag4]

There are a pair of Tyler Acoustic Taylo Reference Monitors for sale on Agon right now, they include stands and are just north of your budget.  See here:
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1245693020&/Tyler-Acoustic-Taylo-Reference

I have no affiliation with the seller, but I currently use these speakers in my HT for the front 3.  Very nice speakers at the best price I have seen them at.

Good Luck,
Ed

[G]

I would recommend yet another avenue. A pair of DIY Bass reflex speaker utilizing the Fostex FE127E crossed with a good ribbon tweeter will blow away most commercially available speakers and allow you to use a lower powered tube amp: If you are not into do it yourself Then I recommend that you look at this site:

http://www.planet10-hifi.com/fonken.html

Just trying to help. Also I would look at the modern iteration of the Dynaco ST70:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200309245309