Bookshelf speaker recommendation

kwatch · « **on:** 29 Oct 2010, 09:12 pm »

I'm looking for a bookshelf speakers around $500. I have JoLida 202 Tube AMP(40W/CH). I mostly listen classical music. Any recommendation will be greatly appreciated. I read good reviews about Axiom M3 V3 and Ascend CBM-170 SE. If you choose between these, which one will you choose and why?

Thanks.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 09:29 pm »

I haven't listened to either.

But in your price range I would also look into (and all below will work fine with your Jolida):

GR Research N1X or N2X kit - post on the GR Research forum and ask if one of the builders there will build you a pair for sale. It might go over your budget a little but it should be worth it.

Silverline Audio Minuet - $600/pair

A used AV123 XLS would be a good choice too.

Hsu's HB-1 Mk II speaker - $300 to $360/pair depending on finish.

I'm sure there are plenty of others I can't even think of.

Look at this review for some more ideas and measurements. They are a little over your budget but some of the companies' more inexpensive offerings may be within your budget.

Anand.

batmanslc2 · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 09:59 pm »

i like to sing the praises of Quad 11L or 12L in passive or active form. I have not compared to what you mention but did compare to many others in the crowded category, YOu can find plenty of reviews on the web. Very solid performers for the $

batmanslc2 · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 10:01 pm »

now that i recall i did have some axiom a while back, the quads are big step up in tonal accuracy, detail, smoothness and soundstage ymmv

eclein · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 10:15 pm »

I have the tour N2X speakers from GR Research and they are easily the best bookshelf speakers I have ever heard. I use JBL-4312A Control monitors and love them but these N2X speakers are just flat out better. Very clean, detailed and super easy to listen to....haven't heard the others but I'm sure other folks here have. If you can solder at all the basic kit is like $359 plus a couple cabinets from Parts Express or Madisound, figure $200 and add some frieght, so for roughly $600 you'd have a set that could easily hold its own with much higher priced bookshelves.
The NEO tweeter would be outstanding for classical music and as Anand said there are guys that will build them out for ya. If a kit situation isn't at all what your looking for you might want to check out Aperion, Energy, KEF the Axioms and Minuets. I think Aperion still has a 30-day trial period and others may also....more confused???

srb · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Oct 2010, 10:17 pm »

+1 on the Quad 11L/12L or 11L2/12L2. $300 to $600 range, used.

Steve

Quad 11L

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 03:19 pm »

I think what everyone is trying to say politely is that the two speakers you mentioned are nice speakers for the money, but they are more pointed at the home theater market. The examples noted above will all be a bit more musical in their presentation. The link that poseidonsvoice posted has been one of my favorite reads for several years now. They really put the speakers through the ringer and come up with pretty fair descriptions. Even if you don't pick one of the products in the review, it's worth the read to help focus your priorities.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 05:11 pm »

Check out the Usher Audio 520.....Link...

A few reviews....here......and ....here...

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 05:26 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 30 Oct 2010, 05:11 pm

Check out the Usher Audio 520.....Link...

A few reviews....here......and ....here...

Nice catch Lonewolf!

That's about the flattest response I have seen from 100 Hz to 1Khz for a bookshelf speaker. Some cone break up at 4K from the woofer but it's already rolling off. Worth an audition!

Anand.

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 05:36 pm »

Where do you see cone break up at 4k, Anand? It's not obvious to me.

Are you speaking of the step down at 1.5k? It's marked on the decay plot as significant, too.

mort · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 05:41 pm »

Are you interested in a subwoofer? Or are you looking for speakers with more of a full range charactaristic. What are your size preferences/limitations? will you be using stands or actual bookshelfs? Are these speakers for single point reference listining or general all room satisfaction?

doug s. · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 05:52 pm »

the usher s520's are wery nice. i have a pair, (well, they're at my ex's now), and they were close to my proac tablette 8 ref sigs, and about equal to the proac 1sc's, imo...

doug s.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 08:33 pm »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 30 Oct 2010, 05:36 pm

Where do you see cone break up at 4k, Anand? It's not obvious to me.

Are you speaking of the step down at 1.5k? It's marked on the decay plot as significant, too.

From the Stereophile 'measurement' section I quote:

Higher in frequency, the woofer's response suffers from a discontinuity between 1 and 2kHz, before crossing over to the tweeter at around 2.5kHz. The actual crossover slopes appear to be third-order, 18dB/octave, which usefully suppresses some higher-frequency peaks in the woofer's output.

The designer definitely dealt with the issue, but it's likely to be audible as it is only ~15 dB down on axis, which will probably be even more attenuated off axis however. Still, like all smaller loudspeakers when you start kicking this fella up above 100dB, then that little woofer will have a hard time keeping up.

Sorry for the off topic!

A nice speaker actually, especially for the price!

Anand.

face · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Oct 2010, 10:55 pm »

Quote from: poseidonsvoice on 30 Oct 2010, 08:33 pm

The designer definitely dealt with the issue, and it's likely not to be audible as it is ~15 dB down on axis, and most likely even more off axis. But like all smaller loudspeakers when you start kicking this fella up above 100dB, then that little woofer has a hard time keeping up.

Distortion is audible down to -30 below reference, sometimes a little further.

poseidonsvoice · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Oct 2010, 02:39 am »

Quote from: face on 30 Oct 2010, 10:55 pm

Distortion is audible down to -30 below reference, sometimes a little further.

You're right. There are other designers who don't even deal with the issue at this price point to be honest. It's unfortunate that the speaker wasn't measured at the NRC, at least they would be able to tell us this at 90dB SPL then at 95dB SPL like they do on Soundstage.com. Then you'd have some objective data to confirm.

Anand.

Tyson · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 Oct 2010, 02:43 am »

Avoid the Axiom. I bought into the hype a while back and it was a very, very bad choice.

kwatch · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Nov 2010, 12:14 am »

I read that woofers bottom if you drive Usher S-520 too hard without a sub.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/bookshelf-speaker-faceoff-2007/round-4-usher-audio-s-520-vs-rbh-sound-tk-5c.html
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/usher-s-520-review-addendum

Should this issue a deal breaker?

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Nov 2010, 12:52 am »

If you're looking for a speaker that will sound smooth and sweet, excellent imaging, and virtually never bottom out in small to medium rooms, try the PSB Image B6. It sells for the exact stated $500 and while not having as much cache as more esoteric brands, it delivers the goods. Another to consider might be the Monitor Audio BX2, a little cheaper, not as much new technology, but a sweet and detailed performer.

timind · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Nov 2010, 12:54 am »

I had a pair of the Usher S-520 in the bright yellow finish. Absolutely gorgeous speakers but I did not get into their sound.

Also owned both of the Quads mentioned. I much preferred the 12L over the 11L.
But the monitor I like best in your price range is the Polk Audio LSi7. It had the most natural presentation in my system.
This is all very subjective so you'll be taking a chance if you don't audition the speakers in your system.

pumpkinman · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Nov 2010, 01:37 am »

Quote from: timind on 1 Nov 2010, 12:54 am

I had a pair of the Usher S-520 in the bright yellow finish. Absolutely gorgeous speakers but I did not get into their sound.
Also owned both of the Quads mentioned. I much preferred the 12L over the 11L.
But the monitor I like best in your price range is the Polk Audio LSi7. It had the most natural presentation in my system.
This is all very subjective so you'll be taking a chance if you don't audition the speakers in your system.

Timind is right you should do auditioning I vote for the LSi9 I bought a used pair for $500.00