Front ported budget bookshelf

pyrocyborg

Hi!

My mother is looking for a pair of small bookshelf, front ported if possible, as they will be near a wall, wall mounted in fact. I know it's not optimal, but I guess we have no choice, as they don't want a dedicated audio room, even if they could.

I want something will as little compromises as possible in sound quality, but I know you can't have a lot of bass from this kind of bookshelf that weight less than 10 lbs.

Is it possible for under 300-400$ to have something that has a good clear sound which doesn't need to be heavy/rear ported?

Thanks!

Conradicles

Here is a sweet deal on a pair of Focal JM Labs:
http://app.audiogon.com/listings/focal-jm-labs-chorus-705v

Drenis

lol... I was checking out the KEF Q100's tonight which are front ported. On sale and within your budget but you don't have a Visions out your way.

I don't really have any other suggestions.

gdb

Why not try in-wall ?

http://www.polkaudio.com/customaudio/rci/index.php?s=rc65i

cnh

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-RTi4-BLACK-Bookshelf-Surround-Speaker-Polk-Audio-/360432349633?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item53eb7131c1#ht_4418wt_1037

Rti-4s have power ports that are less finicky about placement close to walls! Sure they weigh a tad over 10 lbs. But at this price it's a no brainer, they do most things well, and can kick a bit of bass out as well!

I'm very happy with my Rti-4 2.1 movie/music bedroom system with a 32" flat screen and Onkyo TX-SR 604 and 100 watt 8" sub. The "value" and sound for that "value" are off the charts!

Too big?

cnh

pyrocyborg

She already has a pair of RTi4, but they're both on the same bookshelf and really close to wall: sound is awful! lol... while it was quite right (yet bright) in my living room. But yeah, this pair will be relocated to the HT rig as it's too big for a wallmount, at least affordables ones.

As for the in-wall, I don't know. It might work, but I know nothing about placement of this kind of speakers.

The only problem is... if it doesn't work as espected, we end up with holes in the wall!

Midnite Mick

You might want to consider a pair of Usher s520. In your budget used and are quite a bit smaller than the Rti4 if I remember correctly. They do appreciate a little bit of power though.

Good luck,
Mike

pyrocyborg

Thanks for the Usher, I might take a look as I have a dealer near! But hell, I think they weight more than 15 lbs each

As for the in-wall, I've checked and it could be a great idea indeed. Too bad the LCi line sells for way too much! However, with a lifetime warranty, I guess it can't be bad?

ViperZ

Why not go sealed? NHT 1.3, 1.5, superone, superzero.

D_M

A lot of people slept on the old RM series. They pop up every now and again on ebay. The RM6902s or 6901s paired with a sub will
surprise you. They're usually listed for about $70. The VM series appear to be in the same mold as the older RMs, so I'm guessing that a pair of VM10s and the PSW111 should produce similar results. Keep checking ebay and Canuck audio mart for Vms and RMs.

EDUBAG

audioengine p4

www.audioengneusa.com

front slotted, 349 bucks very nice sound.

good luck

ravaneli

pyrocyborg wrote: »

She already has a pair of RTi4, but they're both on the same bookshelf and really close to wall: sound is awful! lol... while it was quite right (yet bright) in my living room. But yeah, this pair will be relocated to the HT rig as it's too big for a wallmount, at least affordables ones.

As for the in-wall, I don't know. It might work, but I know nothing about placement of this kind of speakers.

The only problem is... if it doesn't work as espected, we end up with holes in the wall!

I am no handyman, but holes in the wall are pretty easy to undo. Especially drywall. Just buy a $5 block from home depot and cut the same piece and plug it in, with some cement. Some find sandpaper makes it so you can see with your eyes where the new piece is, but when u go over with your finger you can't detect it. Then paint.

I had to fix several holes when I bought my place, and it was the first time i tried something like this. If I could do it, anyone can.

after that i became very courageous about drilling holes anywhere. Keep a bottle of the same paint, then fill the holes, sand them and paint. A couple of days after the painting you can't tell where it was.

Now i tried this with my car, and that's a whole different cup of tea. DO NOT RANDOMLY DRILL HOLES IN YOUR CAR. Those are hard to repair and match to original.

EndersShadow

Little late to the party here, but I used Infinity Primus 162's as my office fronts for a bit. They are front ported and are about the size of the Monitor 40's but a tid bit wider.

Another suggestion would be the Primus 152's. Either would need a sub for down low.

Also take a look at the Audioengine A2's and A5's or even their passive speakers. Same with the M-Audio 40's.

rooftop59

The ENERGY RC10s are great sounding little bookies that come with a port plug. I never used them with the plug, but they are designed to be used with the plug against the wall. They smoke those rti4s in every conceivable way, and are quite small (though they do weigh about 13 each);

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542469405/energy-rc10?v_c=netelixir&ne_ppc_id=705&ne_key_id=13275430&ne_sadid=8122906847

Good luck!

Polkie2009

Nobody is seconding the Focal JM Labs Chorus 705v on A-gon? Front ported ,good looking speakers from a well respected company,maybe someone here who has some can add to this. I think they are 8 ohm speakers?

vcwatkins

+1 on the Infinity Primus 152's. I hung a pair on a wall in our small game room at the beach and I really like them, even without a sub. Excellent value IMO if you can find on a decent bargain site.

malvrich

Hey this is the Polk Forum right?
Why not get a pair of Polk T15s at BestBuy for $100?
If you need more of a pedigreed presentation, try Mordaunt-Short Carnival 2 for $250/pair.

malvrich

BTW: the Ushers do weigh exactly 15 lb.s
specs are as follows:

2-way system tweeter 1" (UA025-10), mid-bass 5" (KSW2-5029B)
Sensitivity 86 dB @ 1 watt / 1m
Nominal impedance 8 ohms
Frequency response (-3 dB) 52 Hz ~ 20 kHz
Power handling 75 watts
Crossover frequencies 2 kHz
Weight 15 lbs
Dimensions (w x d x h) 7.09" x 10.43" x 11.81"
Shipping weight 32 lbs
Shipping box (w x d x h) 17.9" x 13.0" x 15.0"

Tbone289

If you don't mind looking for used, the Polk RT3 is front ported, and has surprising bass for its size. IMO, they sound great for music and image very well. You will not want to mount them above ear-level though, as they begin to sound "hollow" the higher they are mounted.

RT3s can frequently be found on eBay in good shape for ~$80 per pair. They weigh closer to 12-13 lbs though...

pyrocyborg

Yeah malvrich, I think it's a Polk forum! :rolleyes:

But I tried the R/T/M series when I first bought Polk, and I really didn't like their sound... considering that for a few bucks more, I had a pair of brand new RTi4 which sounded fuller for HT. However, my mother would like a smaller speaker that offers a the kind of bass the RTi4 deliver, but with an emphasis on mid-range, instead of high-end.

I do think the MS could offer that, but they're 4 ohm rated speakers (my mom got a Denon 500$ish receiver which can't go that low) and they're quite big, while the Carnival 1 are rear ported.

I guess I'll take a lot at all those options that aren't deeper than 8 inches and are front ported or built to be near a wall. I do think the Audioengine P4 is a good idea. And we're looking into in-wall too, as she might get something like the Vanishing Series LS if I push it a little bit... :P I think we'll take our decision once she listen to my LSi7. If she likes it, she might be tempted to pay the extra cash for a pair of in-wall with the same kind of sound, she deserve it...

Syndil

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=109&cp_id=10837

cnh

Well, it looks like "we're" not "thinking" here guys. New Products!!

Blackstone TL3s, light, wall-mountable, VIFA tweeter. Get a pair and a sub and you're good!

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/blackstonetl/tl3.php

cnh

Tbone289

pyrocyborg wrote: »

But I tried the R/T/M series when I first bought Polk, and I really didn't like their sound... considering that for a few bucks more, I had a pair of brand new RTi4 which sounded fuller for HT. However, my mother would like a smaller speaker that offers a the kind of bass the RTi4 deliver, but with an emphasis on mid-range, instead of high-end.

That description sounds like the RT3, and the more laid-back upper range is why I prefer it for music over the RTi4.

skrol

Another is the Vienna Acoustics Hayden Grands. They are front ported, very attractive and very nice sounding if you drive them properly. I have seen them go for around $400 on the used market.

rooftop59

I've got a pair of NHT super ones and a pair of NHT SB2s that would both work well. The SB2s are definitely superior, especially in bass. They are both sealed and therefore better for mounting. Shoot me a pm if you are interested in buying either.