Speaker Recommendations - Bookshelf

ambiophonics

Hi Guys,

So the other night I lost a tweeter on my kit polydax speakers that I use for critical listening. I found a replacement online but am starting to think it may be time to begin looking for replacement speakers as it's getting difficult to keep this pair in good working order (issues with woofer spider coming unglued etc...)

Anyway, I'm looking for recommendations for a bookshelf speaker for my application. I would prefer a sealed 2-way design, no passive radiators or ports, and need a speaker that images well and has a very focussed radiation pattern. My current setup uses a miniDSP to crossover my polydax speaker with a sealed 10" sub but if the new speakers dig deep eneough ( -3db somewhere in the 40's) I would consider foregoing the use of a sub.

I listen to a wide range of music but mostly jazz, lighter rock, and some newer indie rock - miles, jaco, steely dan, dire straits, postal service, death cab. My sources are vinyl, cd, and computer.

I will be using a Sansui AU-999 as a pre-amp and Carver TFM-35 for power.

Budget is open at this point as i'm just beginning to look -

What do you think?

steveinaz

Gonna be tough to find a sealed bookshelf. If you want to ditch the sub, check out the Fritz Carbon 7's. Do a search here and you'll find my review:

http://fritzspeakers.com/

Here's my review: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?99646-Fritz-Speakers-Carbon-7&p=1314641#post1314641

Lietuvis91

You have some very specific requirements, and it really depends on your budget what can be recommended. I have heard these SA mantra 10 and was really impresses by the detail, which I think would be ideal for critical listening. It's a sealed enclosure design like you want. This bookshelf produces a BIG sound stage for it's size.

http://www.system-audio.com/_en-GB/products/compact%20speakers/SA_mantra_10

May be worth a look.

falconcry72

You must have some idea of budget... I mean, 50 bucks, 500 bucks, 5000 bucks...

In those respective price ranges, I'd say:

- 50: Polk Audio Monitor 5 (used)

- 500: Totem Rainmaker (used); Polk Audio LSi-7 or LSi-9 (new)

- 5000: Lots of choices here... Focal, Dynaudio, Wilson, Harbeth, Sonus Faber...


I'd look hard at the new Polk Audio LSiM-703's. Awesome bookshelves.

Lietuvis91

falconcry72 wrote: »

You must have some idea of budget... I mean, 50 bucks, 500 bucks, 5000 bucks...

In those respective price ranges, I'd say:

- 50: Polk Audio Monitor 5 (used)

- 500: Totem Rainmaker (used); Polk Audio LSi-7 or LSi-9 (new)

- 5000: Lots of choices here... Focal, Dynaudio, Wilson, Harbeth, Sonus Faber...


I'd look hard at the new Polk Audio LSiM-703's. Awesome bookshelves.

Many if not all of these are ported speakers...

cnh

How big a bookshelf? And, as said, how much!

As said. Not a lot of good bookies are sealed speakers these days so you might want to consider "vintage" and just make sure you upgrade everything. In that area you can't do much better than A/D/S. Sealed, no passives and a very "balanced" speaker. Does everything well. Plays nice with almost "any" form of amplification (doesn't require gobs of power) and comes in many models and sizes.

From L420s to L710s (smaller to large bookies).

A "budget" bookshelf that sounds decent and can supposedly be taken to "another" level with crossover mods is, believe it or not, the fairly inexpensive (and last speaker designed by Henry Kloss for CSW) the Cambridge Soundworks Model 6. An acoustic suspension two way, 1 3/4" integral cone/dome tweeter, 8" woofer. Surprisingly good for the price. But boxy and taller.

http://store.cambridgesoundworks.com/dp/B0034ZZ5W6

I have a pair of these, and let me tell you, they can "hang" with LSis without breaking a sweat!

cnh

falconcry72

Lietuvis91 wrote: »

Many if not all of these are ported speakers...

I'm aware. he said he would prefer a sealed design. He may be able to do better within his given budget if he abandons that preference.

ambiophonics

@cnh

I like your idea of going vintage as long as I don't run into issues finding parts/service info. The issue with my current speakers is I don't know who made them, most likely a kit speaker, and the polydax woofers and tweets are getting hard to keep going.

I looked at a few of the suggestions so far and honestly they're not in my budget at this time. If I bought something today it would probably be in the 100-300 range but I was thinking about saving up for something that really nice that fit my needs which would open the budget up to whatever. That being said, if I spent 3k+ on speakers I would probably need to upgrade my pre-amp, amp, cables, ears, etc...

I'm going to do a bit of research on vintage A/D/S speakers as i've heard of them but never looking into them much.

cnh

IMO. A great choice. I have a pair of L520s that are one of my favorite bookshelves. But if you have the space go for the 3-way L710s--supposedly better mid-range because of the added mid-dome.

No problem on parts here if the speaker is in good shape. The woofers have rubber surrounds so they're like Polk monitors and SDAs-they don't rot. And upgrading crossovers--those parts are readily available. You're good. The only question is whether or not you'll like that A/D/S sound. But you will certainly be able to find them in the 100-300 range if you look.

Have fun!

cnh

ambiophonics

cnh - how would you describe the A/D/S sound?

ambiophonics

so I was able to pick up a pair of A/D/S L520 - series II this weekend for a pretty good price locally. The cabinets aren't in great shape, the bottom corners have split a little but the cabinets still seem to be sealed. I was surprised they were covered in vinyl as I thought the A/D/S speakers had a real veneer finish. They look like they'd be quite easy to recover so perhaps that will be a future project...

Anyway, I've hooked them up and they really do sound great. They dig deep enough that I don't see the need for a subwoofer and they image extremely well. Thanks for all the advice!