Best bookshelf... Between $1000 and $3000 a pair. Opinions. (1 Viewer)

[WadeB]

I'll second these two:
B&W Nautilus 805($2k)
Revel Performa M20 ($2k)

and add

The energy veritas v2.2 bk (~1800)

 

[Khoa Tran]

PSB Platinum M2, $2000

 

[DanaA]

Here's a third for ACI 25th Anniversary Sapphires. Got an Essence center channel and a pair of Sapphires by delivery earlier today (they had around 10-15 hours on them, so they have started the road to break in). Yes, yes, I know these are very break in sensitive speakers, but the sound already is so seductive. I've owned more speakers than I can remember, but these are already the most musical. Not the most efficient speakers though.

One thing though for the other Sapphire owners out there. Definitely try them with the grills off. I'm not kidding. The sound opens up so much.

I will say that I was almost leaning toward returning them before I got them, due to the fact that the Sapphires aren't magnetically shielded and the size (53 pounds) of the center. But now, no way. I know each of our ears are different, but these musical babies are staying right here.

 

[JohnBrianW.]

My vote would go for Totem's Model 1's...sweet!!!

 

[Paul Chalk]

JMlab Electra 906
Totem Model 1 Signature
Totem Mani-2 (Under $3000 if purchased in Canada)

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Bose 501's.....

No doubt about it!

 

[Khoa Tran]

Poor Brett, you've still got much to learn....jk

Ok Jesse, now you head out there with this list and audition!

Oh yeah, please donate to the Khoa needs money Fund, thank you all credit accepted

 

[Edwin_C]

all the speakers i've heard, i've heard in a different enviroment. these are speakers that people more fortunate than me own.

M&K S-250 -- this is by far the best speaker i've ever heard
JBL PT800
Infinity Intermezzo 2.6p
NHT M5 -- i've heard the m6, and they sound incredible.. but they're for large rooms so i say go with the M5 unless you need the higher power handling.

for the JBL's you'll definitely need a subwoofer... without it, you could damage the speakers.

 

[JustinDR]

I second the Reference 3A De Capo i suggestion and I'll add Oskar Aulos to the mix. Two very different pairs of speakers, but each excellent in their own right.

 

[Albert Damico]

Dunlavy SCV-a1

 

[Eric_Strickl]

Revel performa m20!!!

 

[Torgny Nilsson]

EFE CS-22 speakers. At about $1000 per pair, they simply can't be beaten. E-mail Ed Frias at [email protected] if you want more information.

 

[David*RT]

Only problem with the EFEs is that they can't be returned. Aside of this, they are about as giant killing as it gets at any one of their price points. Truly EXCEPTIONAL.


Also consider Green Mountain Europa. Go to www.audiogon.com forums for feedback on this speaker.

Also look at www.odysseyaudio.com Their new line of speakers is getting amazing raves. I have their top-line speaker and kicks butt over speakers several times their price. A steal at their currrent price points. Plus there's a money back guarantee.

 

[Jaime B]

Jesse;

Boy, everyone here has given you more good advise than you probably expected! The reason is that there are so many excellent bookshelf speakers in your price range, you'd go nuts if all where available for your audition.

Totem, Tyler, ProAc, Silverline, Sonus Faber (must audition), the new Kef's are bitchin', PSB, ad nauseum...

If I were you, go really upscale: go with the Ascendo System Z Loudspeaker. True, they are floorstanders and go for $25,500, but what the heck, just one audition will do it. Match it with a Jeff Rowland 302 stereo amp. and with a Rowland Synergy IIi preamp and you are set! Don't sell that Toshiba DVD player just yet, it will have to do as the system's front end for now...

JaimeB

 

[Brian tj]

Hi to all
Hears my 2 cents or one more for the list. Joseph audio RM7si I have them and think they sound grate :b :b
I don't understand Y I don't hear of them good or bad . Has any one heard of them? Maybe I should not ask, pleas be gentle you see I reeeaallyyy love them. And my RM30s.
Hears my web page but no good shots of my RM7s. http://users.nac.net/armor/
Better hears Joseph audio web page http://www.josephaudio.com/index.html good luck with the hunt for gooooood:b sound.

 

[ChrisWiggles]

Dynaudio Contour 1.3SE $3500

 

[Jesse Sharrow]

Wow! Well thank you everyone. Well I havnt had a chance to audition too many speakers. But right now I think I may need to lower my price range a bit. Wife says so. But now im interested in

Infinity Kappa 200's
Kef XQ1's
B&W Nautilus 805's - If I can swing these with the wife.

I think Im more interested in a more efficent speaker too... if that helps narrow it down. Im going to be using a denon 982 reciever.. 90watts at 8 ohms.

 

[Jon_Welker]

I believe you would get the most bang for your buck from the XQ1's out of those 3 in my humble, honest, opinion.

 

[Steve-sas]

Polk LSi9

Vienna Acoustics Haydn

Linn Katan

I can highly recommend any of the above. I have spent a bit of time with each of the three speakers and have listed them in order of preference. All three have a MSPR of around $1,000.

 

[george king]

out of those three, definitely the XQ1, which is a really sweet speaker. However, you really should check out the GR Research Speakers (www.gr-research.com), as their offerings are really great values for the money (and this comes from a former long time Kef owner).

They have several pairs of most of thier speakers touring the country for audition, so you could hear them in your own home. Hope this helps.