Inexpensive pair of bookshelf speakers.


I'm looking for a pair of HiFi but inexpensive bookshelf pair of speakers in the $400.00 - $600.00 range for my second listening room. Don't mind buying used. Keepers for life to be paired with Cronus Magnum in an all analog set-up. I only listen to LPs:

Music preference:
Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, Supertramp, Alan Parsons, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Eagles, Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Stan Getz, Herb Albert, Sergio Mendes, etc.

Small listening room (12x10), with excellent acoustic treatment. I've heard great things about the Totem Dreamcatchers at the asking price range but don't know if they are a good match for the type of music I enjoy listening.

Your input will be greatly appreciated.
kiko65
It is a lot to ask, Kiko65, but lots of fun bargain-hunting in this price range. Much more fun, I think, trying to "get lucky" with a $600 pair of speakers than a $6000 pair of speakers (where your expectations can run so high).

From my own personal experience - and I've not owned everything - I keep thinking a pair of the Sonus Faber Concertos, 2nd version (the non-biwire ones). They can rock when they need to, but when you need them to put Diana Krall in the room with you they can pull it off. They can sound pretty, which you will need if you want to enjoy Krall, Norah Jones, Allison Krauss, etc. And when you need to crank "D'yer Mak'er", they won't fall down. That's the only issue at this price range...many speakers will do one or the other well, but not both. The SF Concertos play well with tubes, they won't overload your room, and when you need resolution at lower volumes they can do it. They were $2K new, but I've seen them for around $600 used, albeit maybe not flawless. But on the used market, it's a ton of speaker for $600 and gorgeous if you can find them in the real Italian walnut.
If you're using tube amp, find ones in great condition or fully restored JBL 4312(97db efficient). They were able to SCREAM with 3wpc SET DIY tube amp. I used 6L6 power tube in triode. For solid state I'd second to Totem Model 1.
REGA R1 / RS1 ( used) will fit your budget

Google the reviews ...better still, go audition them.

highly receomended
Silverline Minuets. I've had mine in my living room for years and probably would only get rid of them to get more Silverlines. The new Minuet Supremes retail for $700 I believe and you can buy direct from the company.
How good are the Epic 2s now that Music Direct is selling them at 50% off ($399.00)?

The Cronus Magnum is capable of producing a hefty 100 WPC so I'm not concerned about sensitivity.

I would prefer 8 ohms nominal inpedance (although I could switch to 4 ohms if I wanted), 87db+ sensitivity, and between 45Hz - 20KHz frequency response.