Best bookshelves under 1000

[Bigmoney]

I think I have decided to go with the ascend acoustics sierra 1's great reviews, warm sound, sells direct to cut down costs and some have been as bold to say they sound has good as 4,000 dollar bookshelves. PLus they reach down to 39 hz before dropping 3 dbs. I can always return them and pay shipping and restocking but they seem like great speakers at an extraordinary value. Does anyone have experience with these or have any commment on the speakers I have chosen?

[JohnMichael]

I think I have decided to go with the ascend acoustics sierra 1's great reviews, warm sound, sells direct to cut down costs and some have been as bold to say they sound has good as 4,000 dollar bookshelves. PLus they reach down to 39 hz before dropping 3 dbs. I can always return them and pay shipping and restocking but they seem like great speakers at an extraordinary value. Does anyone have experience with these or have any commment on the speakers I have chosen?

I own a pair of Ascend CBM 170SE's. I considered the Sierra's before I bought the Mo-Fi OML 1's. I have not heard the Sierra's but the 170's were very forward. The speakers were detailed and nicely balanced but the front row perspective I found tiring. I will look forward to your impressions.

[Hyfi]

So as many of you already know I am rebuilding my stereo system. This time aiming for a warmer sound. So far, I have auditioned the b and w 685 and cm1. 650$ and 1000$ respectively. Before I make any decisions on which speaker I will purchase for my dorm room I would like to know what other bookshelf speakers you think beat out or compete with the b&w's under a grand new or used. That way hopefully I can find a dealer nearby to let me demo them. Some that have gotten good press in this price range are the ascend acoustics, nht classic three, dynaudio 52, wharfedale diamond 9.1 350 bucks!, and epos m5. On a few forums I have heard some say that dynaudio is the best speaker manufacturer period, therefore I have great interest in hearing the 52's. I currently have dm 602's s3 from b&w but they are huge and I am looking to down size for my dorm plus I find them a little on the bright sight.

With the right amp, the Dynaudio 42s are a great choice. It has been said that they sound a bit better than the 52s and for the price dif, I didn't hear any reason not to go with the 42s. When placed on top of the 82s and played through my Stratos, the only thing lacking is the deep bass....nothing else. I got a demo pair used for a weekend at the last CES for $600 in Rosewood.

Fabulous speaker for the money. If you go with Danes, be sure to have some clean high current to drive them or they will underperform.

[Mash]

and check out the Mackie Active Powered HR824 Mk2 speakers.
Active = feedback controlled (the feedback control removes driver and amp distortions)
Powered = amps are built in.

Maybe you can find a musician's store in your area that caters to people who build recording/mixing studios. Otherwise, check Musician's Friend and/or Music123:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...mk2?sku=601066
http://www.music123.com/Mackie-HR824...75384.Music123
Up through May 2008 these Mackies were $600 each! But rest assured, we DO NOT have inflation!

If you go this route, all you will need is a (tube) preamp.
I bot a slightly-used CJ-10B on ebay for $600.
or maybe you want something a bit different:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...amp?sku=184132

[Bigmoney]

Well, I just purchased the audio refinement complete integrated. Although its only 50 watts, I love it compared to my rotel separates. A very musical sound that is just so much fun to listen to, and get this my b and ws dont hurt my ears anymore. But, I do still need to get a new pair of bookshelves. I think it is important that I pick a speaker easy enough to drive with the audio refinement. Any reccommendations for a amp of this low power, and within my price range? By the way if anyone has any questions about my impressions on this amp feel free to PM me.

[Ajani]

Well, I just purchased the audio refinement complete integrated. Although its only 50 watts, I love it compared to my rotel separates. A very musical sound that is just so much fun to listen to, and get this my b and ws dont hurt my ears anymore. But, I do still need to get a new pair of bookshelves. I think it is important that I pick a speaker easy enough to drive with the audio refinement. Any reccommendations for a amp of this low power, and within my price range? By the way if anyone has any questions about my impressions on this amp feel free to PM me.

Based on my experience with Audio Refinement, I'd highly recommend skipping the bookshelves and trying a pair of Monitor Audio RS6. They are efficient speakers (90db) and IMO sound really good with the AR.

[Bigmoney]

Why skip the bookshelves arent bookshelves under a grand going to be better than floorstanders under a grand anyway. There must be efficcient bookshelves out there. It would be hard for me to justify buying a pair of floorstanders sicne Ill be moving around a lot and from what I can tell the MA is fairly big. Of course though, sound quality comes first. Your proposition doesnt make sense to me, than again that may very well be do to my ignorance. Just looking for an explanation.............not what I was expecting to hear.

[JohnMichael]

Now that you have a french integrated amp you might want to consider a french speaker n'cest pas? The Focal Chorus 807V should be a good match and has received excellent reviews. I would also look at the Triangle speakers, also french.

I agree with you that since your location may be changing book shelves are more easily integrated into a variety of rooms. I prefer stand mount speakers at a price point because it is easier to make a small enclosure rigid than a large floorstander. My OML 1's cabinets are braced horizontally and vertically. It is nice hearing more from the quality drivers and less from the cabinets.

[Bigmoney]

I have heard the focals to be slightly bright, although i like the 92 db sensitivity. My audio reinement matched with my b and w 602's does not sound bright since I

[Bigmoney]

switched from the rotels. Do yout think the focals are brighter than the b and ws. If not I presume I will not find them too bright in my set up. Sorry about the above post, just read both of these posts as if they were connected. Accidentally hit send.

[Scott Carr]

I have owned and listened to countless monitor and floorstanding speakers and the Onix Reference 1 is my favourite. I started with a pair of Kef C20's in my teens as my first step into hi-fi. Over the years I have owned Paradigms, PSBs, Athena Technologies, Kef and Polk. I have heard offerings from Acoustic Energy, Monitor Audio, Klipsch, Energy amongst others I can't remember.
The Onix Reference 1 is truly an excellent monitor. I compared it directly with the Paradigm Studio 20 V.4. They were very close in the upper and midrange but the Ref 1 trumped it in the bass. I have two pairs of the Ref 1s. One in an upstairs office 10' * 15' and the other in the basement 11' * 27' opening to hallway. In each case I use the monitors without a subwoofer. They have enough bass for music and movies. This is the first time that I am content with my speakers that I am not searching for better. They sell new for $1200 or $1500 piano finish on AV123. You can find them for less in b-stock or used. Good luck!

[anamorphic96]

Didnt anyone find the 685 to be too bright ? I personally didnt like them at all.. CM1 is so much nicer IMO..

I found them to be bright as well and traded them in for the Dynaudio Audience 42's.

The 42's are very nice for under a 1000.00. Deals might be had as well since the new Excite series is coming out.

[Ajani]

Why skip the bookshelves arent bookshelves under a grand going to be better than floorstanders under a grand anyway.

Nope, there's no guarantee of that. It's like thinking that a $1500 speaker must sound better than a $900 one. Also, the question is whether you prefer just good high and mid frequencies (typical of a bookshelf) or whether you also want decent bass response (floorstander).

There must be efficcient bookshelves out there. It would be hard for me to justify buying a pair of floorstanders sicne Ill be moving around a lot and from what I can tell the MA is fairly big.

Focal should have efficient bookshelves and I'm sure other brands probably do. The MA are actually quite small, just about 33 inches high and about 8 inches wide, so they'll take up no more space than a pair of bookshelves on stands.

Of course though, sound quality comes first. Your proposition doesnt make sense to me, than again that may very well be do to my ignorance. Just looking for an explanation.............not what I was expecting to hear.

The main reason for the suggestion is as I mentioned that I liked the sound of AR and MA... if You want a bookshelf from MA, your options would be either the RS1 for $600 or the GS10 for $1500.

[drseid]

Lots's of good suggestions already...

The Tylers would be my first choice (you could only get them for 1K if you bought them used though), but the Linn Katans and Von Schweikert VR-1s and the Onyx Reference 1s are all very good choices that I would have on my own short list of any "speakers under $1K" selection. A few others to consider are the Opera Audio Eric-1s I bought for my office system (absolutely love 'em), and I believe Green Mountain Audio has a good pair of sub 1K speakers. I also like the 3/5s from Spendor.

---Dave

[Bigmoney]

How much can the tylers be found for second hand? I just checked and they seemed to be over a grand. Outside my budget.

[drseid]

How much can the tylers be found for second hand? I just checked and they seemed to be over a grand. Outside my budget.

If bought directly from Tyler the Taylo Reference Monitors are indeed over a grand used, but frequently you can find them used on audiogon.com from other sellers for about 1K/pr.

Just watch the Gon closely for about a month and you are sure to find some if you choose to go that direction...

---Dave