Friends: I would love a bookshelf speaker suggestion: I have come into a used Accuphase e-280 integrated amp which I will use for streaming music in a small den (11 x 11 ft / 3 x 3 meters). I now need to buy bookshelf speakers: I would love speaker recommends from knowledgeable folks here. I prefer warm rich tones, detailed and controlled, leaning toward feeling like "live". . I already have a good subwoofer. I appreciate your time. Thank you.
Buchardt Audio S400 MKIIs should fit your needs. A little over $2,000 a pair, but has free shipping, a 45 day listening trial, and a 10 year warranty. Mads Buchardt stands behind his speakers. Just do a search and you'll find dozens of positive reviews.
I've had mine for a couple of years now and still adore them. They can be placed about 15 to 20 inches from the front wall, so no need to pull them way out into the room. Great imaging, soundstage (width and height), easy to hear musician placement, nice speed, beautiful good midrange, and surprisingly good bass.
87 db at 4 Ohms they need a little juice, but the Accuphase should do just fine
@yogiboy compared with everything with the same characteristics and parameters (not made by an English Duke and out of gold), in the same price range. "Overpriced" is not a subjective term.
It doesn't mean a person can't justify buying it and loving it, it just means that for the same value you can buy "more" speakers.
Used Merlin TSM, preferably a later model. Sealed box makes them easy to locate near a wall and integrate with a little sub if you choose. I run an SVS 3000 micro with mine in a large room with great results. I bought a pair of the little Harbeths in rosewood a while back, just to check them out; they’re lovely little speakers and certainly prettier but far short of the Merlins to my ears.
I’ve owned many bookshelf speakers including Harbeth, Spendor, Falcon, etc.
My favorite shoe box size speaker is the Harbeth P3ESR. You should be able to find a mint used pair in the $1500-$2000 range. BTW, you will find that many have damaged grills and corners because the grills were not removed correctly.
This is one of the many positive reviews on the P3ESR!
Wow, thank you for all responding. I may not buy most of these, but my Black Friday "cyber window shopping" on these speakers on-line has been fun and informative.
For compact speakers, look closely at the Dynaudio or Totem models at or near your budget. Hard to beat these brands at the 5.25” 2 way game! Bison monitors with a 30 day trial may just do it. Great amp, btw. Enjoy.
note: placement is of great importance in any speaker selection, and we know nothing about what restrictions your room layout imposes, if any. Most of us may assume you have the freedom to put stands away from room boundaries to optimize loading, imaging, etc. but that is often not the case. Always bear in mind that the “best” choice is what fits the conditions of use actually in effect.
True Bookshelf Speakers are specifically designed to fit IN a bookcase, either vertically, or horizontally at seated ear level. Depth no more than 11-1/2"; recessed connectors; NO PORTS. (perhaps a front facing port).
IF Vintage, IF Restoration is a consideration, I just renovated a pair of AR-2ax’s (initially: nostalgia for my garage/shop system). They sounded better than all the other small speakers I have. In my office they went, I’m renovating a 2nd pair for the garage/shop. Every thing you need is available.
@dunkinThere’s a pair of Usher Audio Be-718’s for sale right now on Audiogon!
I just checked,and they’re listed for $1950, which happens to be within reach for you, according to your post. I own a pair of these speakers. You will be amazed by them.
I read a ton of reviews before I buy any equipment. If you read just a few of the reviews I bet you’ll want to buy them.
They’re power hungry and like to be driven hard, but if you have some power behind them I bet you’ll be wow’ed by em.
One of the things the reviews tout is the bass response ... more specifically, that they go so low. I still haven’t added a sub because obviously they’re doin it for me without one. I plan to add one, I just haven’t figured out which one I want yet. I can hardly believe how good they sound without one. Truly amazing. It’s a 7 inch woofer, I believe ... I know it’s made in house by Usher, and the reviews said it was their best quality of that particular size cone.
You will need good stands, to make them really sing! I got a pair of super cool ones that believe it or not only cost me like $94 bucks online brand freakin new. : )
Sorry, can’t remember where I got the stands. But I’m sure I can figure it out.
My big pair of speakers, Martin Logan, Summits, cost $11,000 brand new, and these little speakers do strings better than they do. And I’m not kidding. It’s the berylium tweeter. It’s a super special speaker. Speaking from experience here.
@deep_333I could but I don't know what I am talking about.
But to try: there are differences in the sound, design, looks etc. based on location. I wouldn't say it's like wine but I believe engineering has deep connection to the culture.
1. I do not have a budget, but I assume this is well under $2000 purchase, hopefully?
2. I do not have a lot of space for speakers...so smaller is preferred, though I know there might be a sound quality trade off....hence the ask for suggestions.
~100 Watts is enough to drive a lot of speakers. But the room is small so you won't need a beast. The list is long and the budget and used vs. new and cultural preferences (British/American/Scandinavian/etc) would narrow it down significantly
Check out Fyne Audio F500, should be a great pairing with E-280. There is a lightly used pair on sale for $850. My all time favorite bookshelf speaker is TAD Micro Evolution One (ME-1) but that may be out of your budget.
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