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Modestly priced bookshelf speakers for cabin.

I have a small cabin in the country where I spend weekends.

Current system is a 1980's Toshiba 25wpc receiver I got in high school. Bose 2.2 bookshelf speakers that are about 28 years old. They actually sound okay to me most of the time. $14 Sony DVD/CD player from Goodwill.

Even though this 'system' is sufficient most of the time, I've got the hi-fi bug since getting my home system and I've started thinking about slowly upgrading the cabin system on the lowest budget I can.....since I can't really justify doing it at all. ;-)

Rarely do I do any serious listening down there but would like to be able to when I have the chance.

So my first step is to replace the Bose speakers. Looking to spend no more than $350 or so. Is it possible to significantly improve on the Bose at that price? (I'm assuming yes).

The only thing I've even considered is the Klipsch RB-61 IIs or RP 160Ms. Why Klipsch? Back in the 70's my eccentric uncle used to have a massive pair of them that I thought were cool. Open to other options and advice.

Thanks for any advice.


n80
mrdecibel
3,063 posts
 
As a Klipsch Heritage fanatic, I am not crazy about the low end Klipsch. I actually think the lower end Polks are much better, and are always on sale on ebay. If you want, you can also get a small powered sub to supplement the Bose. Considering your source, that is what I would do. Enjoy ! MrD.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
Small Wharfedales are worth checking out for what you need them for. They have a few smaller/cheaper models that play well. Canton, as mentioned above, is another frequently overlooked manufacturer of such speakers.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
Okay, here is a dumb question: How do you hook a powered sub to a 1980's era receiver? It has 'record out' via RCA and it has two banks (A/B) of speaker connections. There is no other line out. No Sub out of course.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
I do not have an answer to sub question but, the way it seems from here, you will be replacing that Toshiba receiver much sooner than you now think.
n80 OP
2,116 posts
 
glupson said: "I do not have an answer to sub question but, the way it seems from here, you will be replacing that Toshiba receiver much sooner than you now think."

I am trying to resist the impulse but you are probably right. But I can hardly bear the thought of not using the old Toshiba. I think I got it in 1980. My Dad got it from his friend who sold Toshiba gear. I think it was a floor model because there was no way I could have afforded it new, although it did come in the original box. I remember seeing it on the cover of some stereo magazine and it got good reviews if I recall. It went with me through college and med school. Pretty amazing to think it has been running all these years. 

It has a loudness button. I like that.

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