bookshelf speakers recommendations?

[Rupin]

I already have a nice setup at my place....but my girlfriend has a pathetic little Sanyo radio/cd/bookshelf system (girls always have garbage equipemnt).

So I'm bringing over my McIntosh amp and pre-amp and need some decent bookshelf speakers for them. I am trying to steer away from using an extra sub I have (Velodyne F-1000) b/c I want to spare the neighbors' walls.

The system will only be 2-channel, and I only need speaker for this use. I would like to have decent speakers with a full range....bass is important--but I don't need the DEEP bass b/c again the speakers will not be used for HT stuff.

I am currently reading about B&W's......any thoughts? $500 max

THANKS

[jdpatri]

I like the Boston Acoustics bookshelf speakers. I tested them out last year. You can buy a pair of these for well under $500.

Check out the Boston CR-8's here:
<url>http://www.audioreview.com/reviews/Speaker/product_6947.shtml</url>

[skar]

Great bookshelf speakers:

PSB Image 2B: $399 a pair retail.
Incredible for music and HT. Best speakers under $600 a pair IMO.

Paradigm Mini-Monitors: $339 a pair retail.
Some wonderful little speakers.

If you don't at least try these speakers before buying you are making a mistake.

[nekobus]

Originally posted by skar
Great bookshelf speakers:

PSB Image 2B: $399 a pair retail.
Incredible for music and HT. Best speakers under $600 a pair IMO.

Paradigm Mini-Monitors: $339 a pair retail.
Some wonderful little speakers.

We second this recommendation. We have heard both of these. One of my coworkers has a setup using 2Bs all around. It sounds great for 2 channel music.

Here are some links for you:

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/psb_image2b.htm

http://www.goodsound.com/original/speakers.html

The psb 2B can be found online for less than $300/pair.

[Sdallnct]

Got to throw in KEF or B&W, two of my favorites.

They makes several series depending on just how nice you want (and/or how much you want to spend).

Are you actually going to put them in a bookshelf? The more solid the support the better the sound.

Go listen. Heck you might want to take your girl friend with!!!!

[Shonn]

The JBL S38 got a good review from stereophile (http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?365) and are also pretty cheap, can be found for ~$300 on the net.

[jdpatri]

Originally posted by skar
Great bookshelf speakers:

PSB Image 2B: $399 a pair retail.
Incredible for music and HT. Best speakers under $600 a pair IMO.

Paradigm Mini-Monitors: $339 a pair retail.
Some wonderful little speakers.

If you don't at least try these speakers before buying you are making a mistake.

Oh yeah... I forgot about the Paradigms. Haven't heard the PSB's though.

[chess]

the two i had it narrowed down to while auditioning were the paradigm minimonitor and the energy e:XL-16...

i preferred the brighter sound of the energys and ended up getting them...they were also a bit cheaper as i recall and i could order them from canada at the time...don't know if that's possible any more.

[dfriedland]

i LOVE my mission 771's.... They sound great for music & movies

[freelans]

Yes, Definitely take a look at the Missions. I have mission 772's and I love the subtlety. The sound just blew me away the first time I tried them out. They look beautiful in rosewood as well.

[Rupin]

WOW!! What a great list of choices. Much appreciated guys, I'll be looking this week. So many speakers.....so little time.

BTW, where did you buy your speakers? On-line or in a specialty store?

And what type of speaker wires do you use?

[reverb]

Originally posted by Rupin
The system will only be 2-channel, and I only need speaker for this use. I would like to have decent speakers with a full range....bass is important--but I don't need the DEEP bass b/c again the speakers will not be used for HT stuff.

There are no full-range bookshelf speakers.

That said, you've been given some good recommendations. I would add, especially for a music only setup, Ascend Acoustics CBM-170. I would also say pay close attention to the wonderful tweeter/highs in the lower end Paradigm offerings.

Btw, my good friend, with reasonably high-end gear, just settled on a pair of PSB Image 2B's.

[nekobus]

Originally posted by nekobus

One of my coworkers has a setup using 2Bs all around. It sounds great for 2 channel music.


I should have mentioned that he is using an Integra 5.1 to drive his 2Bs.