My next two bookshelf models for demo lusting...
After reading some online reviews and information, coupled with the recent issue of TAS, I have two bookshelves that I'd really like to get my ears on. And they are polar opposites from a design standpoint.
Most folks already know but I'm a real bookshelf nut and really tend to go out of my way to hear them if at all possible. There's something special about a speaker that you don't expect much from, that when it blows you away, it's simply much more satisfying than a floor stander. You expect a floor stander to sound better and I don't know how many times I've been left underwhelmed and disappointed.
While they may not be that exciting to you folks, I figured I'd post a couple links. If you have any new bookies that have caught your eye, please feel free to post here as I'd love to hear your thoughts and actual ownership opinions. I'm talking more of within the last year or so....not something from 5-7 years ago, know what I mean?
The high end:
http://kef.com/html/us/showroom/flagship_hi-fi_series/LS50/overview/
The low end:
http://www.paradigm.com/shift/powered/index.php
I've always been a KEF fan and these I'm just in love with but it would cause me to change my entire computer rig setup. I'm currently running Quad Active 12L's for my near field monitors which brings me to the Paradigm Shift series. Both of these are going to occupy my time at some point but the KEF's are just drop dead sexy and I can't wait to hear them.
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Most folks already know but I'm a real bookshelf nut and really tend to go out of my way to hear them if at all possible. There's something special about a speaker that you don't expect much from, that when it blows you away, it's simply much more satisfying than a floor stander. You expect a floor stander to sound better and I don't know how many times I've been left underwhelmed and disappointed.
While they may not be that exciting to you folks, I figured I'd post a couple links. If you have any new bookies that have caught your eye, please feel free to post here as I'd love to hear your thoughts and actual ownership opinions. I'm talking more of within the last year or so....not something from 5-7 years ago, know what I mean?
The high end:
http://kef.com/html/us/showroom/flagship_hi-fi_series/LS50/overview/
The low end:
http://www.paradigm.com/shift/powered/index.php
I've always been a KEF fan and these I'm just in love with but it would cause me to change my entire computer rig setup. I'm currently running Quad Active 12L's for my near field monitors which brings me to the Paradigm Shift series. Both of these are going to occupy my time at some point but the KEF's are just drop dead sexy and I can't wait to hear them.
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CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
Post edited by dorokusai on
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Those KEFs look sick!
Would love to hear them... heck I would like to hear the BLADE- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
The Paradigm caught my eye too as I liked the KRK Rokit's I listened to and these look like they are going to be better. That and they would sound great with my Audio GD NFB-5 I just bought
.... "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Mark,
I've heard nothing but good things about the LS50. Randy B on the AVS forums said they were one of the two best mini-monitors he's ever heard and he has been in this hobby longer than some of us have been alive. -
I'm with you on the bookshelf speaker. There are a number that have surprised me, but unfortunately, most recently, I've been on a "vintage" binge.
I've always liked most of the KEFs I've heard, but these are really compact!
The price on the Paradigms though is "killer". They're sexy too! I could get excited there (closer to my price range, and I picked up some two way Paradigms recently (8" two ways, my first real extended listening as far as Paradigm is concerned, not bad).
It will be interesting to see this thread unfold.
cnhCurrently 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] -
Mark,
I've heard nothing but good things about the LS50. Randy B on the AVS forums said they were one of the two best mini-monitors he's ever heard and he has been in this hobby longer than some of us have been alive.
Thanks Matt, that's good news indeed.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
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Sounds like a fun time awaits. Those two models are really at different ends of the spectrum. Your findings should be interesting. Let's not take too long now. A fellow KEF lover awaits the review."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Since I have returned to bookshelf monitors, I don't see myself ever going back to towers. The increase in imaging and midrange quality far out-weigh any advantage in bass depth, IMO.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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Since I have returned to bookshelf monitors, I don't see myself ever going back to towers. The increase in imaging and midrange quality far out-weigh any advantage in bass depth, IMO.
Maybe you just never had the right towers bro. :cheesygrin:
Individual tastes are the driver here, sure are some sweet bookies on the market these days and those Harbeths are on my to get an ear on list.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 -
I've owned some pretty formidable towers; AR9Lsi, Infinity RS-IIIb to name a few.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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Kef.I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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They were formidable...back in the day.I've owned some pretty formidable towers; AR9Lsi, Infinity RS-IIIb to name a few."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche -
...If you have any new bookies that have caught your eye, please feel free to post here as I'd love to hear your thoughts and actual ownership opinions....
LSiM703's!!!:biggrin: Ever heard of'em???
Seriously though, I love these things.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
