BEST SOUNDING PAIR OF BOOKSHELF SPEAKER Under $1000 (New) & $500 (Used)

AVTONY2510
AVTONY2510 Posts: 31
edited June 2012 in Speakers
I'm looking to find the best sounding pair of bookshelf speaker for
music & home theater under $1000.00 (new) & $500.00 (used) prices are for the pair...

I have a really great velodyne subwoofer & an emotiva xpa-2 amp.
That will drive an bookshelf speaker you guys recommend for me...

Ps i listen to music 80% & h.t. 20%
Post edited by AVTONY2510 on
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Comments

  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited June 2012
    There is no definitive "best" of anything. There are way too many variables involved. The "best" you can hope for is to find something that works well in your system. You can then say it's the "best" for you until you find something you think is better !!!!
    That being said, I'd opt to spend the $1000.00 on on a pair of damn good used speakers, you'll get much more bang for your buck, IMHO of course. I'm not going to recommend anything because I feel speakers are the most personal part of the sound equasion and you really should hear them before you buy them. Good luck in you hunt.
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • falconcry72
    falconcry72 Posts: 3,580
    edited June 2012
    decal wrote: »
    ...I'd opt to spend the $1000.00 on on a pair of damn good used speakers...

    Same.:wink:
    2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's

    Living Room: PC > Marantz AV-7703 > Emotiva XPA-5 > Sonus Faber Liuto Towers, Sonus Faber Liuto Center, Sonus Faber Liuto Bookshelves > Dual SVS PC12-Pluses

    Office: Phone/Tablet > AudioEngine B1 > McIntosh D100 > Bryston 4B-ST > Polk Audio LSiM-703's
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,463
    edited June 2012
    If you have a Fry's close by, you can get a pair of cherry RTi-A9's for less than a grand right now, and the A5's for about 550.00
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited June 2012
    DSkip wrote: »
    If you're 80% music, you should be all over the LSi9. They can be had on Polk's ebay store anywhere from $500 to $600. Damn good value at that price.

    Agreed, the Lsi9 refurbished is the way to go for mostly music and for what you have budgeted. You'll have extra cash to mod the '9's which will bring them up to a different level of speaker. What preamp/ receiver will you be using? This will also make a major impact.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited June 2012
    DSkip wrote: »
    If you're 80% music, you should be all over the LSi9. They can be had on Polk's ebay store anywhere from $500 to $600. Damn good value at that price.
    Yep! And the 7's ain't too shabby either!
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  • AVTONY2510
    AVTONY2510 Posts: 31
    edited June 2012
    nooshinjohn

    BTW I ASKED ABOUT BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS, THE 2 POLK MODELS
    YOU RECOMMENED ARE TOWERS...
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  • AVTONY2510
    AVTONY2510 Posts: 31
    edited June 2012
    bklynNupe

    I'M USING AN ONKYO TX-NR1008 RECEIVER W/PRE-OUTS & AN EMOTIVA XPA-2 AMP.
    FOR THE FRONTS & I ALSO HAVE A ROTEL RB-1080 AMP. (NOT IN USE) ANY SUGGESTIONS?
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited June 2012
    Here's a Bookshelf speaker

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAIR-LSi9-Cherry-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-Polk-Audio-/360448180951?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item53ec62c2d7
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2012
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Yep! And the 7's ain't too shabby either!

    I can attest to that, and your Onkyo just might be able to "drive" those, whereas it will probably choke a bit on the larger LSi-9s without an external amp?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited June 2012
    AVTONY2510 wrote: »
    bklynNupe

    I'M USING AN ONKYO TX-NR1008 RECEIVER W/PRE-OUTS & AN EMOTIVA XPA-2 AMP.
    FOR THE FRONTS & I ALSO HAVE A ROTEL RB-1080 AMP. (NOT IN USE) ANY SUGGESTIONS?

    I've have not listened to your receiver, I would image it's pretty good.
    Once you decide on your speakers, I would also test the emotiva against the Rotel. See which one you prefer.

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited June 2012
    Didn't see you had an external amp. In that case you're good with the Lsi-9s.

    Might also want to consider a "used" set of Totem Rainmakers--in that price range--only used?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • pietro944
    pietro944 Posts: 720
    edited June 2012
    The Golden Ears Technology Aon 3's;8 Ohms Nominal with Folded-Ribbon Tweeter-$1,000/pr....I've heard 'em,but can't afford 'em........yet:wink:
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  • jayman_1975
    jayman_1975 Posts: 672
    edited June 2012
    A pair of Monitor Audio RX 2 would sound great and they are sexxy as heck!
    Onkyo TX NR 5008 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Oppo BDP 93 modified by The Upgrade Company
    Arcam CD37
    Monitor Audio Gold GS 60
    Revolver Audio Music 5 towers.(surround)
    Vandersteen V2W
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  • bklynNupe
    bklynNupe Posts: 728
    edited June 2012
    AVTONY2510 wrote: »
    I'm looking to find the best sounding pair of bookshelf speaker for
    music & home theater under $1000.00 (new) & $500.00 (used) prices are for the pair...

    I have a really great velodyne subwoofer & an emotiva xpa-2 amp.
    That will drive an bookshelf speaker you guys recommend for me...

    Ps i listen to music 80% & h.t. 20%

    Here is a steal for you. I've never heard the '7's but they receive high regards like the 9's. These seem like a no-brainer and sure not to last.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?132559-Naked-Lsi7s-235-shipped

    emotiva xpa-2
    emotiva xpa-3
    Denon 3312ci
    Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
    Samsung LN46A650
    SVS PB-12-NSD sub

    Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
    W4S ST250
    Lsi 9 (mods)
    W4S DAC-2
    Mac Mini
    Audio Aero Prima CD player
    Pro-Ject debut
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited June 2012
    Best sounding bookshlef speakers are Dynaudio Contour 1.3 models. Another stellar bookshelf is the Audience 52se which I saw on the gon for 975.00 used.
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/dynaudio-52se-special-edition-52se

    The Totem Rainmaker suggestion is also high on my list but the Mites are incredible especially for the used asking price here
    .http://app.audiogon.com/listings/totem-mite-excellent-condition-lightly-used-w-grille

    Polk LSi models are nice but I don't think they are in the league of above but I saw these you might like. Worth a look as they are very nice.
    http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=polk+lsi&_dmpt=Speakers_Subwoofers&Form%2520Factor=Bookshelf&rt=nc
    But I if I was looking for bookshelf speakers and had your budget I would also strongly consider these.
    http://app.audiogon.com/listings/b-w-bowers-and-wilkins-cm5-wenge-good-condition-w-stands
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited June 2012
    I also agree with Dynaudio audience 52SE. The Stand4 is a must with these though.
    [
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  • pyrocyborg
    pyrocyborg Posts: 524
    edited June 2012
    Totem Dreamcatcher or Mite. If you got a dealer near, you should take a look. And I do not say that because they're from Quebec... :P Those speakers sound great expecially for their price, and I only took the LSi7 over the Dreamcatcher because of the 175$ difference... It's not a sound everyone would love, but I did and the Mite or the Dreamcatcher are probably my next purchase. :mrgreen:

    http://totemacoustic.com/en/find-a-dealer/US/
    Speakers: Polk Audio LSiM 705, LSiM 703, LSiM 704c
    Receiver: Denon X3500H
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,008
    edited June 2012
    If Dynes are up your alley....

    http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/ele/3068647739.html
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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