Why are you limiting yourself to a bookshelf speaker? A decent floorstander won’t take up any more space than a bookshelf on a stand...you should listen to Paradigm’s Premier 700F=$1600/pr, or if you have to have a bookshelf, listen to the Premier 200B = $998/pr.
Best bookshelf speakers
I’m building my first high fi system after being more of a portable audio person. I want to start with the speakers. Space is limited so bookshelf speakers are a must.
Preferences:
Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth.
Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows
Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz
But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music
Smaller is better but SQ is most important
A speaker that sounds good with different amps but also scalable with high quality sources
Wide sweet spot - I wont have money for a great amp at first but want them to be scalable for later
These speakers have caught my eyes - any thoughts on them?
Ascend Sierra 2s - Ribbon = dispersion limitations?
BMR Philharmonitor - See above. Also massive.
Buchardt S400/S300 - Wary of the sudden hype train and limited info
Silverline Minuet Grande - Limited info
Reference 3A De Capo - This caught my eye as a potential endgame speaker if I could blow up my budget a little. But concerns about BE tweeter as well as some potential snake oil stuff (cryogenic treatment (!?)), exaggerated sensitivity claims and wonky measurements put me off.
What else should I be looking at?
Edit: I could have sworn I had <$2,000 in the title... Anyway, my budget is 2k.
Preferences:
Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth.
Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows
Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz
But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music
Smaller is better but SQ is most important
A speaker that sounds good with different amps but also scalable with high quality sources
Wide sweet spot - I wont have money for a great amp at first but want them to be scalable for later
These speakers have caught my eyes - any thoughts on them?
Ascend Sierra 2s - Ribbon = dispersion limitations?
BMR Philharmonitor - See above. Also massive.
Buchardt S400/S300 - Wary of the sudden hype train and limited info
Silverline Minuet Grande - Limited info
Reference 3A De Capo - This caught my eye as a potential endgame speaker if I could blow up my budget a little. But concerns about BE tweeter as well as some potential snake oil stuff (cryogenic treatment (!?)), exaggerated sensitivity claims and wonky measurements put me off.
What else should I be looking at?
Edit: I could have sworn I had <$2,000 in the title... Anyway, my budget is 2k.
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- 174 posts total
So I didn't hear much if any mention on Usher, Spendor, Vienna,or Totem. Some very good stuff there. But so much depends on the electronics you have with them. Currently auditioning a set of Boxers (Nola) myself. Such a difference from the KEF 350s which have their strengths and weaknesses. About to switch power sources though which will change the game yet some more. Might be best to audition a set up unless you love the adventure of upgrading and researching and testing. Then by all means buy one thing at a time. But enjoy the process don't let it become a drag or whats the point. I love the auditioning part so maybe in 10 years I will have what I want, but not likely. (insert smiley face here) |
Given the range of costs of the speakers you mention and especially your preferences: " Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth. Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music Smaller is better but SQ is most important" Seriously take a look at the Omega Super Alnico Monitor. Midrange is just beautiful; timbre is outstanding - acoustic music (including jazz) is wonderfully rendered; not the deepest bass but more than enough (enough to enjoy a Mahler symphony or the National). Slightly bigger than your other choices, but in the ballpark of the choices you listed. I selected these over Harbeth 30.1s after some lengthy, in home, auditioning. Includes a 30-day money back guarantee, thoughts of which completely vanished once the speakers adequately broken in. These replaced my Spendor BC-1s and Spendor s5e. https://omegaloudspeakers.com/collections/monitor-speakers/products/super-alnico-monitor?variant=321... |
@ihor I looked at the Omegas - I love the idea of simplicity and midrange purity. But I heard the single driver struggles with more complex music - is that true? Just a general observation - why are speaker demos usually done with really simple music? Like this, for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1LFGvRtPlw |
- 174 posts total