Teasing the Korean Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 Can anyone recommend a decent pair of speakers that aren't huge but have good bass sound? These will be a second pair placed in a second room, mostly low- to mid-level listening, mostly acoustic music (jazz, classical, etc.) Looking to not spend more than $500. Any ideas? Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 In order: PSB Speakers Image B5: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMGB5B/PSB-Image-B5-Black-Ash.html?tp=186&awkw=25288862305&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=6488483185&awdv=c Wharfedale Diamond 10.2: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMGB5B/PSB-Image-B5-Black-Ash.html?tp=186&awkw=25288862305&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=6488483185&awdv=c Hard to find, but pretty amazing for the money, Polk Audio RTi4: http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Performance-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0000E2XEB Actually, I've yet to hear any Polk Audio bookshelf speaker in the $200-400 range that didn't sound wonderful. I still have two different sets of them around my house to this day. Quote
soulpope Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Although probably 10-20% above your initial price range, Give these a try (or an ear ): http://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400067765&sr=1-1&keywords=kef+q+300 Quality speakers incorporating astounding bass quality/quantity and finely graduated dynamics........ Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope Quote
BeBop Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 The BBC's LS3/5A was a classic design, generally attributed with natural, yet accurate sound. A "real" LS3/5A would be out of your price range (around US$2500), but the design has been copied many times. I can't name a currentclone in the price range, but that's mainly because I haven't been paying attention. Perhaps someone else knows of one. (The Radio People, Ltd., Hong Kong, perhaps?) Quote
soulpope Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) The BBC's LS3/5A was a classic design, generally attributed with natural, yet accurate sound. A "real" LS3/5A would be out of your price range (around US$2500), but the design has been copied many times. I can't name a currentclone in the price range, but that's mainly because I haven't been paying attention. Perhaps someone else knows of one. (The Radio People, Ltd., Hong Kong, perhaps?) Peachtree D4 USD 600-700 http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/d4-bookshelf-speakers.html Era D4 USD 600 http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/era/era.html Stirling LS3/5a V2 USD 1.700 http://www.guildfordaudio.co.uk/store/manufacturer.php?category=§ion=Manufacturers&cattitle=Browse%20By%20Manufacturer&page=manufacturer&manufacturer=Stirling%20Broadcast Harbeth P3ESR SE USD 2.500 http://www.harbeth.co.uk/uk/index.php?section=products&page=p3esr&model=p3esr BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go.... Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope Quote
BeBop Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go.... It's funny, I just re-read the original message and noticed the word "bass". (Forehead slap) soulpope is absolutely right. LS3/5A isn't (ahem) noted for its deep, resounding bass. My mistake. Thanks soulpope. Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 Don't sweat it. Soulpope makes up for it by not listing any speakers under $500. Quote
BeBop Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions. Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine). Quote
soulpope Posted May 14, 2014 Report Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go.... It's funny, I just re-read the original message and noticed the word "bass". (Forehead slap) soulpope is absolutely right. LS3/5A isn't (ahem) noted for its deep, resounding bass. My mistake. Thanks soulpope. no problem...was actually fun to check on some of the clones and probably unveiled additonal inspiration to unpack my old Rogers LS3/5A and give them a run......listen to some music and wait until Scott Dolan comes up with further good speaker ideas with a price tag of USD 500 ..... btw really like your "profile" photo Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions. Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine). I guess I'm missing something. Wouldn't any two-way bookshelf speaker essentially be a clone? Quote
BeBop Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions. Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine). I guess I'm missing something. Wouldn't any two-way bookshelf speaker essentially be a clone? Unique/near-unique driver specifications, cabinet and driver materials, magnet "weight", dimensions, crossover points, impedance, internal wiring type and grade, assembly method, porting, venting... made the LS3/5 what it was. The more of these you can replicate - and many did wish to replicate a successful design - the nearer your "clone". But many manufacturers didn't want to replicate, even within the two-way bookshelf space. So we have drivers made of titanium, paper, aluminum - ported and unported cabinets - side-facing and rear-facing drivers - wood, pressboard, plastic, aluminum enclosures and so forth. Some designers wanted lots of bass, for instance....which is where I derailed this thread. (Sorry Teasing...) Edited May 15, 2014 by BeBop Quote
jazzbo Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 I've heard these briefly. Very impressive bass! Treble, midrange, imaging too. A bit out of your budget but . . . . http://www.decware.com/newsite/TPMINI.html Quote
jeffsjazz Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 I bought a pair of LS3/5 clone design,or actually based on them on ebay UK several years ago,for $300 (used) and sound fantastic ! AVI Neutron 5 speakers- assembled in Britain. Check them out,you won't be disappointed. My second system,much like your needs,are filled by a pair of Epos (also English). I can't remember the model but they don't make them anymore but other models are available-great value.I paid $150 used in pristine condition. Hope that helps. Quote
BeBop Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) First the turntable, now speakers. How come the British (manufacturers) always run away with the hi fi discussion? Edited May 15, 2014 by BeBop Quote
soulpope Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) First the turntable, now speakers. How come the British (manufacturers) always run away with the hi fi discussion? Some of the Danish producers aren`t too shabby either.....would see a used Jamo 8 Concert (or Jamo C 803 being virtually the same speaker) in good condition as a must buy anyday...... Generally speaking build quality is (also) important with these "book shelf" speakers and most of them requiere additionally stands to unfold their potential.....this altogether (at least from my perspective) "drives" the price above a USD 500 range... Recently I`ve read a interesting review of an stylish UK (again !!!) bookshelf speaker http://www.whathifi.com/review/q-acoustics-concept-20 where the asking price is 500 pounds, but the obligatory requiered stands cost another 200 Pounds (just to make clear, this speaker for sure is not a target for "Teasing the Korean" neither price- nor basssoundwise !!!!) Edited May 15, 2014 by soulpope Quote
AllenLowe Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) I have some nice low-end speakers, including some Tascam monitors, though I generally hate monitors; but my old pair of Synthesis speakers are pretty damned accurate and flat; the Tascams, which are surprisingly good and which I got surprisingly cheap, work with a 31 band graphic Eq, which allows me to set up a fairly flat template and EQ from there. Because basically all I do these days are LP-to-digital transfers. Edited May 15, 2014 by AllenLowe Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 Thanks for the explanation, Bebop. I understand now. How did your LS50's work out? I have some nice low-end speakers, including some Tascam monitors, though I generally hate monitors; but my old pair of Synthesis speakers are pretty damned accurate and flat; the Tascams, which are surprisingly good and which I got surprisingly cheap, work with a 31 band graphic Eq, which allows me to set up a fairly flat template and EQ from there. Because basically all I do these days are LP-to-digital transfers. Cool. What format are you saving them to? Quote
AllenLowe Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 all direct to CDR. WIth backups. Not ideal, but convenient for a big digitization project I am working on. Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 15, 2014 Report Posted May 15, 2014 Oh, so you're coverting them to .wav What about making lossless copies and saving them to an external hard drive? Hell, with the size hard drives you can get now you could even back up the .wav files without much problem. Quote
Tom in RI Posted May 16, 2014 Report Posted May 16, 2014 If you are patient and have a little time to put into it (and depending somewhat on your location) I think you will get a lot more speaker if you follow Craigslist, US Audio Mart, or even ebay and watch for used speakers. Personally, I think speakers are so subjective that you probably will want to hear them before you purchase. I have a set of speakers purchased locally through eBay (ADS 1290/2 for $300) and another set purchased through Craigslist (Altec Model 14's for $400) that I have been very happy with. Of course, neither of those speakers are small, I think ity is easier to get a better deal on larger speakers due the lower WAF. Quote
Kevin Bresnahan Posted May 17, 2014 Report Posted May 17, 2014 If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to. If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound. Kevin Quote
Scott Dolan Posted May 17, 2014 Report Posted May 17, 2014 If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to. If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound. Kevin Man, everyone RAVES about those Pioneers, don't they? I don't need any bookshelf speakers right now, but I've been half tempted to get a pair just to see what all the fuss is about. Quote
Kevin Bresnahan Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to. If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound. Kevin Man, everyone RAVES about those Pioneers, don't they? I don't need any bookshelf speakers right now, but I've been half tempted to get a pair just to see what all the fuss is about. You should have read the rave reviews of the previous model. You would have thought they were tower speakers. Quote
AllenLowe Posted May 18, 2014 Report Posted May 18, 2014 tempted to run over to Best Buy to listen; though speakers, to me, are a little like mouthpieces; you always think the next one will be the one to get you the sound. Quote
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