Good small speakers for $250?

Hi,I'm looking for some advice on some speakers for my work system.I've been using crappy KLH indoor/outdoor 3 ways and they go loud enough to piss off co-workers,but they just don't sound good.I'll be driving them with an old early 80's technics amp pushing
80wpc.I listen to various forms of metal,punk,and other rock music.A lot of the metal has female vocals and orchestras.The speakers must be 8 inches or less deep.I brought a pair of paradigm titans I had sitting around in,but far too deep. :mad: Keyhole slots would be a plus too,but I can live without them.

The paradigm Atom is the junior of the Titan and is well under your budget.

The problem is that small speakers that offer big GOOD sound cost a considerable amount of money - the Atom is excellent for what it is and what it costs though and it would be my choice under $200.00Cdn

You could also try the Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 (though these may be a bit big). A used speaker from Linn maybe the "Kan" might work.

For metal i would want a more high efficiency design that can produce the volume - but your size requirement and budget makes it difficult.

What I think is the best compac monitors are the JBL E10 I love how they sound for a small speaker. They are powerful and clear. They are only $198 pair. I only choose JBL for pro sound.


JBL E10

Yeah,I looked at the diamond 8.1's since I used to have a pair of wharfedale valdus that would be perfect for what I want now.Way too deep.:(Keep running into that problem.My height and width are pretty much unlimited,just need shallow speakers.Paradigm micro's would be perfect for me but they are no longer made and mine have blown woofers.The atom is too deep unfortunately.I'm not too worried about efficency since I can't play my music very loud at work.According to the level meters on the amp 20 watts is about the limit of my co-workers sanity with the KLH's.

Those JBL's might fit.Definetly shallow enough. :) Front port is also a plus with those since my placement area is right against the wall.Best Buy might have them[god I hate their listening area] :rolleyes:

What about Polk R10's?I saw them at circuit city for $100 and they will fit.I only got to hear them with fm playing through so I couldn't get any idea how they'd sound.Cambridge Newton M50's will fit too,but I haven't gotten out to hear them with my reference discs yet either.

If you can stretch to $300, I really enjoyed listening to the B&W DM303's. Obviously not a lot of low end repsonse. Also I'm a fan of tannoy (Mx series, I haven't heard their new Fusion yet), if you can find and also stretch that tiny bit extra of money.

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Originally Posted by Technophobia

Those JBL's might fit.Definetly shallow enough. :) Front port is also a plus with those since my placement area is right against the wall.Best Buy might have them[god I hate their listening area] :rolleyes:

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I can say the other good monitors are the JBL HLS410. I have them and they sound sooo good but thay dont sell them anymore. I agree Best Buy has the speakers placed in bad listening area. I recommend you getting the JBL E10. :)

Oh I forgot but the JBL Control 1X monitors are great and light and small too. I have these now.


JBL Control 1X

I guess my best monitors I would pick for prices under $250 or so are the JBL E10 and the JBL Control 1X.

I think those are good enough reasons to avoid JBL all together....

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Originally Posted by N. Abstentia

I think those are good enough reasons to avoid JBL all together....

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Well you might not like JBL but lots of peep do so just because you say that they are bad doesnt mean thay are ok.

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Originally Posted by SpankingVanillaice

Well you might not like JBL but lots of peep do so just because you say that they are bad doesnt mean thay are ok.

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Say what???

For under $300 you should go used. Like this for example. or best offer....
B&W

Hold on, you wanted smallish.
Try these
B&W 2

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Originally Posted by markw

Say what???

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I was trying to say that just by few peep saying JBL isnt good doesnt mean its bad. JBL is still great for professional monitors and everything else.

No, JBL is not BAD, but they are not the Holy Grail of loudspeakers like you seem to claim.

Just judging from your posts it seems that those $200 JBL's are your first set of speakers so you naturally think they are the greatest things in the world, which couldn't be further from the truth.

If you like them, fine. That's all that's important. However telling people that they are the best speakers made without even hearing anything else is misleading and quite ignorant.

Well the best speakers I ever owned was the JBL S38 but I have heard all of the other brands too but I like JBL the most. Since it sounds soo life like like the bands right front of me. I don't have the S38 anymore though I only have the S26 monitors. I really think JBL makes real PRO sound.

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Originally Posted by Technophobia

Hi,I'm looking for some advice on some speakers for my work system.I've been using crappy KLH indoor/outdoor 3 ways and they go loud enough to piss off co-workers,but they just don't sound good.I'll be driving them with an old early 80's technics amp pushing
80wpc.I listen to various forms of metal,punk,and other rock music.A lot of the metal has female vocals and orchestras.The speakers must be 8 inches or less deep.I brought a pair of paradigm titans I had sitting around in,but far too deep. :mad: Keyhole slots would be a plus too,but I can live without them.

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You may want to consider the Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 speakers. They use the same highly accurate tweeter as the acclaimed Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 speakers in enclosures that are only 6.375" deep. Here are frequency response measurements for the HTM-200. Some reviews of this speaker are here.