Smallish Stereo Speakers with Decent Sound

[Teasing the Korean]

Can anyone recommend a decent pair of speakers that aren't huge but have good bass sound? These will be a second pair placed in a second room, mostly low- to mid-level listening, mostly acoustic music (jazz, classical, etc.) Looking to not spend more than $500. Any ideas?

[etherbored]

jbl studio 530

[Scott Dolan]

In order:

PSB Speakers Image B5: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMGB5B/PSB-Image-B5-Black-Ash.html?tp=186&awkw=25288862305&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=6488483185&awdv=c

Wharfedale Diamond 10.2: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_760IMGB5B/PSB-Image-B5-Black-Ash.html?tp=186&awkw=25288862305&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=6488483185&awdv=c

Hard to find, but pretty amazing for the money, Polk Audio RTi4: http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Performance-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B0000E2XEB

Actually, I've yet to hear any Polk Audio bookshelf speaker in the $200-400 range that didn't sound wonderful. I still have two different sets of them around my house to this day.

[soulpope]

Although probably 10-20% above your initial price range, Give these a try (or an ear ):

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-Q300B-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Black/dp/B00CE3LG9U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400067765&sr=1-1&keywords=kef+q+300

Quality speakers incorporating astounding bass quality/quantity and finely graduated dynamics........

Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope

[BeBop]

The BBC's LS3/5A was a classic design, generally attributed with natural, yet accurate sound. A "real" LS3/5A would be out of your price range (around US$2500), but the design has been copied many times. I can't name a currentclone in the price range, but that's mainly because I haven't been paying attention. Perhaps someone else knows of one. (The Radio People, Ltd., Hong Kong, perhaps?)

[soulpope]

The BBC's LS3/5A was a classic design, generally attributed with natural, yet accurate sound. A "real" LS3/5A would be out of your price range (around US$2500), but the design has been copied many times. I can't name a currentclone in the price range, but that's mainly because I haven't been paying attention. Perhaps someone else knows of one. (The Radio People, Ltd., Hong Kong, perhaps?)

Peachtree D4 USD 600-700

http://www.peachtreeaudio.com/d4-bookshelf-speakers.html

Era D4 USD 600

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/era/era.html

Stirling LS3/5a V2 USD 1.700

http://www.guildfordaudio.co.uk/store/manufacturer.php?category=&section=Manufacturers&cattitle=Browse%20By%20Manufacturer&page=manufacturer&manufacturer=Stirling%20Broadcast

Harbeth P3ESR SE USD 2.500

http://www.harbeth.co.uk/uk/index.php?section=products&page=p3esr&model=p3esr

BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go....

Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope

[BeBop]

BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go....

It's funny, I just re-read the original message and noticed the word "bass". (Forehead slap) soulpope is absolutely right. LS3/5A isn't (ahem) noted for its deep, resounding bass. My mistake. Thanks soulpope.

[Scott Dolan]

Don't sweat it. Soulpope makes up for it by not listing any speakers under $500.

[BeBop]

Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions.

Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine).

[soulpope]

BUT....as "Teasing The Korean" is looking for good bass sound, probably LS3/5A clones are not the way to go....

It's funny, I just re-read the original message and noticed the word "bass". (Forehead slap) soulpope is absolutely right. LS3/5A isn't (ahem) noted for its deep, resounding bass. My mistake. Thanks soulpope.

no problem...was actually fun to check on some of the clones and probably unveiled additonal inspiration to unpack my old Rogers LS3/5A and give them a run......listen to some music and wait until Scott Dolan comes up with further good speaker ideas with a price tag of USD 500 .....

btw really like your "profile" photo

Edited May 14, 2014 by soulpope

[Scott Dolan]

Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions.

Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine).

I guess I'm missing something. Wouldn't any two-way bookshelf speaker essentially be a clone?

[BeBop]

Ah, but I think soulpope was just doing me a favor by listing LS3/5A clones, based on my (faulty) suggestion, thus saving me from having to do research (aka "work"). I don't think those were really his/her suggestions.

Besides, based on soulpope's "profile" photo, I've got to defend him/her (compare to mine).

I guess I'm missing something. Wouldn't any two-way bookshelf speaker essentially be a clone?

Unique/near-unique driver specifications, cabinet and driver materials, magnet "weight", dimensions, crossover points, impedance, internal wiring type and grade, assembly method, porting, venting... made the LS3/5 what it was. The more of these you can replicate - and many did wish to replicate a successful design - the nearer your "clone".

But many manufacturers didn't want to replicate, even within the two-way bookshelf space. So we have drivers made of titanium, paper, aluminum - ported and unported cabinets - side-facing and rear-facing drivers - wood, pressboard, plastic, aluminum enclosures and so forth. Some designers wanted lots of bass, for instance....which is where I derailed this thread. (Sorry Teasing...)

Edited May 15, 2014 by BeBop

[jazzbo]

I've heard these briefly. Very impressive bass! Treble, midrange, imaging too. A bit out of your budget but . . . .

http://www.decware.com/newsite/TPMINI.html

[jeffsjazz]

I bought a pair of LS3/5 clone design,or actually based on them on ebay UK several years ago,for $300 (used) and sound fantastic !

AVI Neutron 5 speakers- assembled in Britain.

Check them out,you won't be disappointed.

My second system,much like your needs,are filled by a pair of Epos (also English).

I can't remember the model but they don't make them anymore but other models are available-great value.I paid $150 used in pristine condition.

Hope that helps.

[BeBop]

First the turntable, now speakers. How come the British (manufacturers) always run away with the hi fi discussion?

Edited May 15, 2014 by BeBop

[soulpope]

First the turntable, now speakers. How come the British (manufacturers) always run away with the hi fi discussion?

Some of the Danish producers aren`t too shabby either.....would see a used Jamo 8 Concert (or Jamo C 803 being virtually the same speaker) in good condition as a must buy anyday......

Generally speaking build quality is (also) important with these "book shelf" speakers and most of them requiere additionally stands to unfold their potential.....this altogether (at least from my perspective) "drives" the price above a USD 500 range...

Recently I`ve read a interesting review of an stylish UK (again !!!) bookshelf speaker

http://www.whathifi.com/review/q-acoustics-concept-20

where the asking price is 500 pounds, but the obligatory requiered stands cost another 200 Pounds (just to make clear, this speaker for sure is not a target for "Teasing the Korean" neither price- nor basssoundwise !!!!)

Edited May 15, 2014 by soulpope

[AllenLowe]

I have some nice low-end speakers, including some Tascam monitors, though I generally hate monitors; but my old pair of Synthesis speakers are pretty damned accurate and flat; the Tascams, which are surprisingly good and which I got surprisingly cheap, work with a 31 band graphic Eq, which allows me to set up a fairly flat template and EQ from there. Because basically all I do these days are LP-to-digital transfers.

Edited May 15, 2014 by AllenLowe

[Scott Dolan]

Thanks for the explanation, Bebop. I understand now.

How did your LS50's work out?

I have some nice low-end speakers, including some Tascam monitors, though I generally hate monitors; but my old pair of Synthesis speakers are pretty damned accurate and flat; the Tascams, which are surprisingly good and which I got surprisingly cheap, work with a 31 band graphic Eq, which allows me to set up a fairly flat template and EQ from there. Because basically all I do these days are LP-to-digital transfers.

Cool. What format are you saving them to?

[AllenLowe]

all direct to CDR. WIth backups. Not ideal, but convenient for a big digitization project I am working on.

[Scott Dolan]

Oh, so you're coverting them to .wav

What about making lossless copies and saving them to an external hard drive? Hell, with the size hard drives you can get now you could even back up the .wav files without much problem.

[Tom in RI]

If you are patient and have a little time to put into it (and depending somewhat on your location) I think you will get a lot more speaker if you follow Craigslist, US Audio Mart, or even ebay and watch for used speakers. Personally, I think speakers are so subjective that you probably will want to hear them before you purchase. I have a set of speakers purchased locally through eBay (ADS 1290/2 for $300) and another set purchased through Craigslist (Altec Model 14's for $400) that I have been very happy with. Of course, neither of those speakers are small, I think ity is easier to get a better deal on larger speakers due the lower WAF.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to.

If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound.

Kevin

[Scott Dolan]

If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to.

If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound.

Kevin

Man, everyone RAVES about those Pioneers, don't they? I don't need any bookshelf speakers right now, but I've been half tempted to get a pair just to see what all the fuss is about.

[Kevin Bresnahan]

If you live near a Best Buy, go listen to these Andrew Jones designed speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5086955.p?id=1218610014045&skuId=5086955&st=categoryid$abcat0205001&cp=1&lp=5. The previous version (SP-BS21-LR) got rave reviews. This one still gets good press. They're worth listening to.

If you happen to go to a Best Buy with a Magnolia showroom, see if they have the B&W 686 S2 speakers set up. They're $50 over budget, but I just love the B&W sound.

Kevin

Man, everyone RAVES about those Pioneers, don't they? I don't need any bookshelf speakers right now, but I've been half tempted to get a pair just to see what all the fuss is about.

You should have read the rave reviews of the previous model. You would have thought they were tower speakers.

[AllenLowe]

tempted to run over to Best Buy to listen; though speakers, to me, are a little like mouthpieces; you always think the next one will be the one to get you the sound.