[brj]

Ok, the parent's old Paradigm bookshelves have a driver heading South, so a new pair of mini-monitors seems like a great holiday gift idea.

Sticking withing the circle guidelines, we have a budget limit of $350 with a 20% margin, bringing us up to a max of $420.  (Less is fine too!)

Other limitations:

• 13.5" max height
• 16" max depth
• New and (good condition) used are both acceptable
• Visually unobtrusive (satin or gloss black with grills would be best)
• Front ported would be best, as these will be semi-enclosed in an entertainment center bookshelf
• Power will be from a Denon AVR-1909 home theater receiver (90 W/channel)

My parents aren't audiophiles, but I'd like to get them as much performance for the price as possible, and I know I'll appreciate good sound when I visit!

Suggestions I've already had:

• AudioEngine A5 - looks really great, but I have power from the Denon - their new passive P4 looks like it might work, but no one has written much about this model, and I suspect that much of the A5 performance is due to the active setup
• AV123 ELT - possible, but limited finishing options (I wish they still had the X-LS versions)

So... any other thoughts?

Many thanks!

[bunnyma357]

You might look around for Energy RC series speakers, it looks like they might be closing those out. I picked up some of the lower end C-100's when they closed those out last year, and have been very happy with them. The C-100's compare very well to my AV123 X-LS's and my old Paradigm Titans - and the RC's are supposed to be much more refined, so they look like a good deal.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542373846/energy-rc10


Jim C

[Val]

My recommendation would be a pair of the new British Roth Audio OLi1 mini speakers. They are rear ported but, unlike most speakers you will find within your budget, do not sound boomy when placed very near boundaries, and you can still plug the ports if needed. I found them surprisingly good sounding at many times their unbelievable $150/pair price. You can read my AudioCircle review (and scroll down for a link to a rave review by What Hi-Fi magazine) here and my original review at Amazon, where I bought them via HIDEF Lifestyle, a helpful dealer. They look (and sound) great without the grilles, however, and like all minimonitors would benefit from a subwoofer.

[Uptown Audio]

The smallest of the Tannoy Mercury or Fusion series is a very nice sounding speaker at that price point. The Tannoy Reveal passive monitors may just slide in there at the maximum price as well. Those are heavier, have red painted baffles, and do not have grills so they may or may not be designer friendly.

I'd not be so concerned about the port location on the speakers. It is the proximity to the wall that really effects the speakers response and no matter where the port is located, its tuned frequency will be emphasized. This is true regardless of manufacturer as it is a room acoustics issue not a speaker issue. What is important is the rest of the speakers response and clarity. That, you can't improve upon with port plugs or placement.
-Bill

[droht]

Usher S520s.  Audioholics store has them for $399 shipped - http://store.audioholics.com/section/66340/1/usher-audio-bookshelf-speakers.  They generally run about $325 used but in good shape on AgoN.  Not sure if there are any listed right now.

They come in piano black, white, red and some wood grain options, and are front ported.

I can't say they are the best monitor in this price class, but they should certainly be in any discussion.  I have a pair that I've now given up on replacing.  I think their versatility is their biggest strengh, from hard rock to soft female vocals to classical to TV/movies.  All good.

[srb]

Suggestions I've already had: 
AudioEngine A5 - looks really great, but I have power from the Denon - their new passive P4 looks like it might work, but no one has written much about this model, and I suspect that much of the A5 performance is due to the active setup

At first look one might think the P4 would be the unpowered version of the A5, but there is significance to the number in the name.  The A5 has a 5" woofer and a 1" thick cabinet, while the P4 has a 4" woofer and a 3/4" thick cabinet.  I would expect the P4 to be a step lower in performance, active or not.
 
I recently got a used pair of Quad 11L and they sound very good.  I don't have them in an entertainment center, but I do have them within a few inches of the wall.  They have 2 small ports in the rear.  They go for around $250 - $350 used , but the only pair currently on AudiogoN is a gloss Bird's Eye Maple @ $350 (these are the newer L2 model).
 
Steve

[TheChairGuy]

Steve/srb...glad the Quad 11L's met with a happy, now owner there.  Gorgeous looking - ain't they?

Brian/brj...I'm a BIG Linaeum fan.  The tweeter sounds are among the best I have ever heard - regardless of price.  Lineaum let Radio Shack market their products for about a decade...and for real cheap coin, the Radio Shack LX-5 mini-monitors can be picked up inexpensively. 

They sound pretty nice bone stock...with a glorious 360 degree top end (ports are in the front as you prefer...but they do best out from the wall a bit so the tweeters can radiate freely).  The tweeks that set these guys into the stratosphere for sound is replacing the cheapo woofer (I think Morel makes a drop in) and padding the inner walls with modeling clay to damp the aluminum enclosures better.  A little extra damping wadding inside helps smooth and broaden the bass out, too.

But, for your folks - bone stock - they are truly decent to listen to.  They generally fetch ~$70 a pair on ebay regularly. 

Minimal crossover, too...I think the woofers run full range and the tweeter have only a simple low pass x-over on them.  Such minimalist crossovers are more phase coherent and just less gunk mucking things up in the mids when you can have it.

I have owned the LX5, LX8 and now own the (Linaeum-brand) 'Tower' floorstanding model.  The LX8 has an 8" woofer and the integration is poor with the very fast tweeter....the models with the smallest woofers sound best.  The LX5 woofer is either 4 or 5" only...so no deep bass, but very pleasant sounds above 70Hz or so right up to it's glorious treble limits

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=linaeum&_sacat=See-All-Categories

John

[Ericus Rex]

I'll second this nomination.

Usher S520s.  Audioholics store has them for $399 shipped - http://store.audioholics.com/section/66340/1/usher-audio-bookshelf-speakers.  They generally run about $325 used but in good shape on AgoN.  Not sure if there are any listed right now.

They come in piano black, white, red and some wood grain options, and are front ported.

I can't say they are the best monitor in this price class, but they should certainly be in any discussion.  I have a pair that I've now given up on replacing.  I think their versatility is their biggest strengh, from hard rock to soft female vocals to classical to TV/movies.  All good.

[bpape]

Ascend Acoustics 170's.  Best bargain out there for the money IMO

Bryan

[lonewolfny42]

I'll second this nomination.

Usher S520s.  Audioholics store has them for $399 shipped - http://store.audioholics.com/section/66340/1/usher-audio-bookshelf-speakers.  They generally run about $325 used but in good shape on AgoN.  Not sure if there are any listed right now.

They come in piano black, white, red and some wood grain options, and are front ported.

I can't say they are the best monitor in this price class, but they should certainly be in any discussion.  I have a pair that I've now given up on replacing.  I think their versatility is their biggest strengh, from hard rock to soft female vocals to classical to TV/movies.  All good.

Another vote for the 520's.....

Brian....Check with Stan......see what he might have for you.

[brj]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone! I have to admit, I'm impressed by the varied responses.

Droht, E-Rex and Chris - yes, I meant to list the Usher S-520, as I put together a small home theater system a few years ago for a friend that had them in the rear to compliment some X-718s up front.  As a result, I have heard them, although not in a dedicated two channel setting.  Thanks for the reminder.

SRB, thanks for the correction on the P4.

Off to do some reading... but if you have some more suggestions, I'm happy to take them!

[Woodsea]

I 2nd Bpape, the Ascend Acoustics are very nice.

[Wind Chaser]

I 2nd Bpape, the Ascend Acoustics are very nice.

3rd

[ken]

These would be tough to beat at their price point,  a great finish as well

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72283.0

[brj]

Yeah, I saw those the other day.  I'd love to snap them up, but unfortunately natural Cherry speakers sitting in a dark Walnut finished entertainment center won't pass aesthetic muster.  Too bad, as I really enjoy many of Danny's designs and happen to like natural Cherry finishes as well!

I'm really intrigued by the Ascend's myself, and I'd like to find a pair of Linaeums to listen to as well, but right now the Usher's look like the best fit for this particular situation.  I'm still looking around for ideas, however - not that I can delay too much longer.

Thanks for the link!

[ken]

Too bad about the AV-1's  but I'm sure the Ushers sound good as well as long as you can find the right finish The Ascends have also gotten alot of good reviews as well.  About 7 years ago Ubid.com was having a fire sale on some Aura line source speakers - model 527 I think, for the ridiculous price of $78.00 shipped for the pair.  They have a 5 1/4 midbass and a linaeum tweeter. These speakers had no business sounding nearly as good as they did and that linaeum tweeter sure is sweet,  I still have them and may just listen to them tonight so it couldn't hurt to check out the Optimus speakers at your local Radio Shack.   I believe there's some pretty decent Pro audio speakers in your price range as well available at places like Guitar Center, and Sam Ashe etc...  good Luck.

[timind]

The Quad 11Ls mentioned previously are a good option. Another option not mentioned is the Polk Audio LSi7. This is my favorite speaker in the under $500 used bracket. In my system they had a very laid-back, natural sound. Both of these were better than the S520 in my system. To me the small Ushers were a tad thin and overly bright. Good luck.