Best Bookshelf speakers for the money ?

[bsmooth]

Since the B1+ are up there as far as choices go, I thought I would ask for additional speakers that you may think are also in the running so to speak. Also having a tough time finding any to listen to, and I don't just mean Emotiva speakers. Audio stores seemed to have dries up and blown away here in New England. I'm about 20 miles north of Boston. There used to be an audio shop on any town you wanted, Glass sailboat in Gloucester, Tweeter Etc in Danvers, and the list goes on and on. I'm sure there are some in Boston, but to tell the truth I'm not a huge fan of how Boston is laid out, New Hampshire is OK, Id rather drive up there anyways less traffic.

 Others in the running are Wharfedale 220, Revel M55XC(indoor/Outdoor), also like Totem(bit expensive though) and any others you might suggest. Smaller is probably better(B1's are almost exactly the same size and weight as my old Atom's)

 My living room is only about 8 x 12, and I'm using a Dayton subwoofer( I know due for an upgrade) and driven by a Yamaha RX-V757 AV Receiver.

So let forth your opinions and recommendations, I'm all ears.

 

[creimes]

The Chane A1.5 is a stellar option, I used to own the A series but now own the 700 series from Chane

www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-a1-5.html

[Boomzilla]

They aren't cheap... But both the KEF LS50 Meta and the Klipsch smaller bookshelf speakers could be recommended. The KEFs are more neutral, but less dynamic. The Klipsch line is the "let's have fun!" option. I'm currently running Klipsch RP-600m speakers and like them fine. If you like the sound of the Emotiva B1+ speakers, you might also like the T0, T1, & T2 lines.

Happy shopping!

[teaman]

I'd give the Klipsch RB-81 ii a listen. You can get them from Amazon for a good price. One inch titanium tweeter and eight inch woofer will really kick for a bookshelf.

[Soup]

Try Totem on the secondary market.

[ttocs]

At first glance my choice may seem extravagant. But I'm considering the aspect of being so happy with the choice that there would not be any thought of replacement with another bookshelf speaker. Ever.

The best bookshelf speaker for the money.
Alta Audio Alyssa
altaspeakers.com/alyssa/

[MusicHead]

You opened a Pandora's Box, nothing is as subjective in audio as speakers 😄.

Although you did not mention your budget, I see that the Wharfedale 220 go for $250-300, while the Revel can be had for $650 or so.

Assuming this is your range, I would add to the mix the Ascend CMT-340SE (a little on the big side for a bookshelf speaker), the SVS Prime, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.2 and since you are familiar with the Atoms, the PSB Imagine XB. Any of them should be <$700 per pair.

On the lower end of the price range (and in many case smaller too): PSB Alpha P3, Wharfedale Diamond 12.0 and Cambridge Audio SX-60.

Considering you are using an AVR, I would avoid speakers with a 4 Ohm nominal impedance, unless you always listen at low/moderate volume.

Last but not least, in NH you may want to give these folks a try:

www.avtherapy.net

[bsmooth]

Yes Pandora's Box. I should have mentioned these will have to be wall mounted. Also have to tend more to the smaller size as well for the wall mounts. The B1+ are right up there, but I'm so sure there are so many more to consider as well. The Revel M16's are great too, but just a bit large, which is why I'm looking for the M55XC speakers as they are a bit smaller with similar sound qualities.

 Right now I'm a bit more worried about the wall mounts, I don't see any with front lips to stop the speaker sliding off.

[ttocs]

If wall mounting is a requirement, then speakers with rear ports might be problematic depending on spacing from the wall.

Adding a lip to a mounting bracket shouldn't be very difficult, so I wouldn't let that dissuade you from considering a mount just based on this.

[MusicHead]

Feb 7, 2022 21:14:01 GMT -5 bsmooth said:

Yes Pandora's Box. I should have mentioned these will have to be wall mounted. Also have to tend more to the smaller size as well for the wall mounts. The B1+ are right up there, but I'm so sure there are so many more to consider as well. The Revel M16's are great too, but just a bit large, which is why I'm looking for the M55XC speakers as they are a bit smaller with similar sound qualities.

 Right now I'm a bit more worried about the wall mounts, I don't see any with front lips to stop the speaker sliding off.

An example of small speaker that lend itself to wall mounting is the Ascend HTM-200:

www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html

It has a threaded insert in the back and it is not ported.

It wouldn't win any beauty contest, but it is built with good components. Although I haven't heard it, as far as I can read people generally likes it (when judged within its capability and price).

Other bookshelf speakers to consider are some of the smaller NHT (non ported) or Focal (front ported). The Focals tend to have higher sensitivity, which can help with not stressing the AVR to the limit. Again, it depends on your listening habits. You have a sub and that helps with that too.

Between the two Revel I would pick the M16 in a heartbeat, although sensitivity is a little lowish. Wall mounting would be challenging, though. There is a rear port and it looks like a hefty speaker. The M55XC is a peculiar speaker, you would end up paying for features you are not going to use, like the weather proofing and the multi-tap transformer for use with pro audio systems. On top of that, when you bypass the transformer their nominal impedance is 4 Ohm. Not sure it would play well (pardon the pun) with your AVR.

Choices, choices... 🙂

[monkumonku]

All these recommendations you're getting, you've probably never heard. So here's a guide for choosing speakers without even listening to them!

[bsmooth]

Thanks I watched that. First and foremost I have to do is wall mount, second budget for now is around $500 or less, sensitivity, think I have enough to drive most speakers.

Looks like rear port is out according to the video, but there are ways around that like port bungs.

Another is size, hopefully smaller footprint as hanging anything large on the walls isn't a good idea..

I thought Polk would be another good speaker, but not many seem to be wall mountable.

Last thing is buy a speaker and mod it with a better crossover, one of the reasons the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR was in the running.Also Parts express or Dayton speakers as well.

Almost too many options.

Anyone know when the Emotiva wall mounts will be available ?

[stiehl11]

I highly recommend the Phase Tech PC-3 series from Phase Technologies. You can find these for a song on aftermarket sites. I have a single PC-3 that I will give to you for the price of shipping if you can find another single PC-3 to go with it.

[KeithL]

Note that the amount of clearance you need to leave in the rear for a ported speaker depends on the size of the port itself.

You need to leave enough room so that the air entering and exiting the port has an unrestricted path in and out.

Therefore, for a big speaker, with big woofers, and a four inch port, you need to leave several inches, so that the air flow is unrestricted.

However, with a small speaker like the B1+, which has a small port, you don't need to leave a LOT of room.

After all, if the speaker is 1" from the rear wall, the air can enter and escape by a one inch slot all the way around the speaker, which adds up to a lot of total "flow area".

(And the B1+ has a relatively small port so it isn't going to blow a huge amount of air through it.)

I would figure that two inches would be enough for a B1+ - especially if you're using it with a subwoofer and it isn't going to be asked to make very low bass.

(Yes, a little more space might be a little better, but any space is better than simply blocking the port, which will mess with the bass tuning.)

Note that:

- There may be other reasons why some speakers sound better when placed a few feet out from the wall behind them.

- You do want to make sure that your mounting is solid and stable and that the wall itself is not too prone to vibration.

- If you're talking about mounting surround speakers at an angle from the wall then there may be more overall clearance than you think.

Feb 7, 2022 21:36:47 GMT -5 ttocs said:

If wall mounting is a requirement, then speakers with rear ports might be problematic depending on spacing from the wall.

Adding a lip to a mounting bracket shouldn't be very difficult, so I wouldn't let that dissuade you from considering a mount just based on this.

[headknocker]

Feb 7, 2022 15:04:34 GMT -5 creimes said:

The Chane A1.5 is a stellar option, I used to own the A series but now own the 700 series from Chane

www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-a1-5.html

Thanks for the link to Chane. Definitely sound like a great option.

[Boomzilla]

A word must definitely be added to this thread about the two best "value for the money" options:

1. Used speakers and
2. Do It Yourself kits

You do have to be careful on the used market - damaged drivers & dropped cabinets are not unusual - but if you can see & hear what you're buying, bargains are out there.

To do kits, you have to have time and some carpentry skills (unless you buy a kit with a pre-built cabinet). You're also buying a "pig in a poke" since you can't hear the speaker before buying it.

Nevertheless, there's value to be had in both options if you want to go that route.

[audiobill]

See Madisound for diy.

[eris0xaa]

Depends on budget. If you have $1700 to spend, then Philharmonic BMR Monitors are probably the best thing you could find up to $5k retail. Beautiful too.

[leonski]

One of those 'no possible answer' questions.

If I recommended something it would be what I liked....and may or may not please YOU.

Audiobil with his 'Madisound' suggestion for DIY makes sense. And you won't break the bank.

I'd add one other thing? A lifetime speaker is a LONG time. And potentially many rooms from

small to huge. Those impressive bookshelves in maybe 1000 cubic feet would not satisfy in

a much larger room.....But may end up in a 2nd system if you end up in a larger home.


What have you heard? What did you like? What did you Dislike? Any hates or deal breakers?

Can you DIY some stands?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LS3/5A

The linked speaker has been around for decades and is made or has been made by many companies.

You might find a good 'used' set PROVIDING you like the sound / presentation...

[Boomzilla]

Feb 7, 2022 18:54:43 GMT -5 ttocs said:

At first glance my choice may seem extravagant. But I'm considering the aspect of being so happy with the choice that there would not be any thought of replacement with another bookshelf speaker. Ever.

The best bookshelf speaker for the money.
Alta Audio Alyssa
altaspeakers.com/alyssa/

I second the vote for Alta Audio speakers. They're pricey, but worth the $$$.

But for wall mounting? Not.