Bookshelf speakers as mains?

madmax
madmax Posts: 12,434
edited April 2007 in Speakers
What bookshelf speaker REALLY performs in sound quality? Just wondering. I've heard the LSi7's and 9's and am wondering how much better it could get if you have the $$ to spend.
madmax
Vinyl, the final frontier...

Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited April 2007
    Just off the top of my head Sonus Faber, Reference 3A, ProAc, Totem, and Dynaudio, of course ;) all make fantastic "bookshelf" speakers that could be used as mains.

    I've heard some high dollar Krell bookshelf's too, but they didn't perform anything like thier price tag would suggest.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    I believe Harbeth boolshelve speakers are one of the best. I prefer floorstanding in my stereo system.
    -?¿-
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  • venomclan
    venomclan Posts: 2,467
    edited April 2007
    Check out the B&W 805.
    V
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited April 2007
    I dunno Chuck....if you are used to floorstanders ala the SRS's, I dunno that you would ever be 'happy' with bookies. I know as much as I liked my LSi's, I just couldn't ever make the migration from floorstanding speakers.

    A couple that I would like to hear though: Reference 3A's and the old Spica T-50's (or whatever they model # was)

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Deadof_knight
    Deadof_knight Posts: 980
    edited April 2007
    the nice thing about bookies is that they turn invisible when not on really
    Ive heard some bookies that are stunning , Green Mountains .....Wow
    :cool: " He who dies with the most equipment wins Right ? "

    Denon 3300 Adcom 535 BBe w/sub out 1 pr 4.6s 2 pr of 4 jrs Recent additions Samsung Lns-4095D LCD, Samsung hd-960 DVD, Monster HT-5000 Power center    ,HPSA-1000 18" sealed DiY home sub.:D
    Black Laquer 1.2tl's w/ upgraded x-overs and Tweets BI-Amped with 2 Carver tfm-35's Knukonceptz 10ga cables
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    Tyler Acoustics Rerefence Monitors.

    For about $800-$900 used, it simply doesn't get any better.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited April 2007
    Early B. wrote: »
    Tyler Acoustics Rerefence Monitors.

    For about $800-$900 used, it simply doesn't get any better.
    Seconded, Thirded, etc. It's my favorite speaker in that price range and a bit above. Certainly doesn't get much better in the mids and highs...though I sold mine to go to fullrange towers (for much more $$$) when a nice opportunity presented itself (Legacy Signature III).
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,664
    edited April 2007
    I forth and fifth that but I like floorstanding speakers.
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2007
    I've got to throw my AAD 2001 monitors into the mix here. I have yet to hear any floorstander or monitor in their price range (1500 to 2000) & well above it that tickled my fancy enough to even consider replacing them. They just do everything right. Tremendous bass (no sub needed here) fantastic imaging, wide & deep soundstage, male & female voices that leave me in awe, they just totally disappear in the room. Maybe someday I'll hear something else that grabs me, but I'm not in any hurry.
    "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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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited April 2007
    Paradigm studio 40's are about the only bookshelves I'd use as mains.
    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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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2007
    Just read all about the AAD 2001's. Sounds like an awesome speaker. Found one for $1500 pls shipping. Looks like it would be worth it. Just browsing right now but I'm tempted!
    madmax

    Edit: BTW, looks like you have a 220w per channel amp hooked up to yours pearsall, how does that work out? Would you want to use more or less?? Do they seem power hungry? How would you describe the high freq range?
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,093
    edited April 2007
    madmax wrote: »
    Just read all about the AAD 2001's. Sounds like an awesome speaker. Found one for $1500 pls shipping. Looks like it would be worth it. Just browsing right now but I'm tempted!
    madmax

    Edit: BTW, looks like you have a 220w per channel amp hooked up to yours pearsall, how does that work out? Would you want to use more or less?? Do they seem power hungry? How would you describe the high freq range?


    madmax,
    They truly are superb speakers. They were designed & built by Phil Jones who is world renowned for his speaker designs. $1500 is a great price, (rosewood or maple?) I have the rosewood finish. Both finishes are stellar in fit & finish. The 220w AVA amp is plenty of juice. I wouldn't go any lower than 100 quality watts. As far as the high freq range goes, it will leave you scratching your head it's so good, along with the lows & mids. These puppies just get it all right. You won't be disappointed in the least if you go for them. Where did you read up on them. They're not too well know here in the States & it is hard to gather info or reviews. If I didn't hear them I never would have know about the AAD line. Boy I'm glad I did. Here's a link to Quest for Sound where I bought them. Good luck!!
    http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_aad2001.htm
    "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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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    madmax,
    They truly are superb speakers. They were designed & built by Phil Jones who is world renowned for his speaker designs. $1500 is a great price, (rosewood or maple?) I have the rosewood finish. Both finishes are stellar in fit & finish. The 220w AVA amp is plenty of juice. I wouldn't go any lower than 100 quality watts. As far as the high freq range goes, it will leave you scratching your head it's so good, along with the lows & mids. These puppies just get it all right. You won't be disappointed in the least if you go for them. Where did you read up on them. They're not too well know here in the States & it is hard to gather info or reviews. If I didn't hear them I never would have know about the AAD line. Boy I'm glad I did. Here's a link to Quest for Sound where I bought them. Good luck!!
    http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_aad2001.htm

    Max --

    I had a single AAD 2002 for a while and used it as a center channel. I gotta agree with Pear. The bass is unbelievable.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • cmy330go
    cmy330go Posts: 2,341
    edited April 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    madmax,
    They truly are superb speakers. They were designed & built by Phil Jones who is world renowned for his speaker designs. $1500 is a great price, (rosewood or maple?) I have the rosewood finish. Both finishes are stellar in fit & finish. The 220w AVA amp is plenty of juice. I wouldn't go any lower than 100 quality watts. As far as the high freq range goes, it will leave you scratching your head it's so good, along with the lows & mids. These puppies just get it all right. You won't be disappointed in the least if you go for them. Where did you read up on them. They're not too well know here in the States & it is hard to gather info or reviews. If I didn't hear them I never would have know about the AAD line. Boy I'm glad I did. Here's a link to Quest for Sound where I bought them. Good luck!!
    http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_aad2001.htm

    Pearsall001 is right. That is a great speaker, and that is a great price. I spent a few hours listening to those at Quest for Sound when I was auditioning amps. They sounded fabulous with both SS and Tubes.
    HT
    Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600

    2 CH
    Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500,
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited April 2007
    Missed that deal for the AAD2001's. I'm going to keep an eye out for a set. Oh well, it will be easier to fund a little later anyway...
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited April 2007
    I'll concur on the Harbeths. sound awesome, but they are pricey as all hell. Try the smaller british monitors, I love my Rogers LS-6's. (excellent midrange, and one of the best speakers I have heard for femal vocals.

    I hear nothing but good things about the LS 3/5, which is based off a BBC design that many british manufacturers made. they are supposed to be legendary for there size. I really want to get an ear on a pair of those.

    In a smaller room, I could roll with them over a floorstander. in a big room, to me, floorstander is the only way to fly though.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • skipf
    skipf Posts: 694
    edited April 2007
    I really like my Lsi-9's. Great sounding speaker. Outstanding mid-high range, a bit weak on bass, but what do you expect from a bookshelf. The bass isn't bad, just not a lot of punch. They are power hungry. I wasn't that impressed when I was running them on a 40 watt amp, but went up to 250 watts and they are amazing. Only rated for 120 watts, but my M-500t hasn't caused them any problems as long as I don't get overzelous with the volumn control.
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