Under $200 Bookshelfs: HTD Level Two Mains vs DAYTON SHIELDED BR-1 Kit (1 Viewer)

[PaulW]

I'm looking at both of these book shelf speakers, which do you think are better? Are there any others at the ~$150 price point I should really be considering?


I'm not a speaker builder but it would be fun to get into it with a starter kit like this. How is the quality components in the Dayton compared to other speakers in the price range? Would I really be getting a good deal?

Thanks for the feedback.

PaulW

 

[Nhan_H]

I haven't any experience with the Daytons, so I can't help you there :frowning:

The HTD level IIs are really nice, especially for that price range. I wouldn't expect a ton of bass or midrange, but they do a very competent job for such small speakers.

 

[David Bikeman]

The HTD's are a more efficient speaker. Choice of amp would be a bit more critical with the Dayton's.

David

 

[Brian Bunge]

Having heard neither, I'd be inclined to go with the BR-1's. I've built quite a few subs using Dayton subwoofer drivers and have used several of their other drivers in a few speakers. You get great quality for the money, IMHO.

 

[John Garcia]

I haven't heard the BR-1 either, but I have bought a lot of stuff from PE also, and I have yet to be disappointed. I have been considering building a pair of BR-1s just to see if they sound decent, because it's a good price and I know plenty of people looking for decent budget speakers.

There was one review of them here some time ago, saying they were pretty good.

 

[Max F]

I thought about building them (BR-1s) as surrounds but the efficiency was way off compared to my mains. Just keep that in mind. They need good power.

 

[John Garcia]

???

Efficiency can more or less be compensated for via your receiver's speaker level adjustments and an SPL meter. You can notch down the mains a dB or so and raise the rears as needed. This should not be a deciding factor in speaker purchase, unless you have something like 95dB efficient Klipsch up front. Depending on your room, the lower efficiency may even be a benefit.

 

[Max F]

Sorry i thought that efficiency was non-linear. If i turn up the volume the mains would get louder faster than the surrounds. If you play things at the same volume all the time then setting the speaker level adjustments would work fine. However, i don't listen to the same volume all the time. Thats my understanding of it.

 

[Michael R Price]

I would also consider the Adire Kit51 which is being sold for $150 a pair (it probably has better midrange and less bass than the others.)

 

[PaulW]

The Kit51 looks interesting, only problem is it doesn't include the enclosure. The cross-over design looks interesting too thou.

Paul

 

[PaulW]

Hey, what about the Athena AS-B1? They get great reviews
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/athena_asb1.htm

and are only $150 a pair.

How would these two speakers compare to each other you think?


Paul

 

[david*mt]

JR.com is having some good deals on Klipsch speakers. The SB1s are under $100 and the SB2s and SB3s are under $200. You might want to check them out.

http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.proc...e=400000#Brand