Bookshelf Speaker question

Muzikat, I disagree with your assertion that high-sensitivity bookshelves aren't possible. Look at a Coincident Triumph UHS for an example. (This is one that I could recommend to the original poster, actually).

What kind of music do you tend to listen to, and what are your listening preferences? (Lean and detailed, full and lush midrange, strong bass for a bookshelf speaker, etc.)

I'm not familiar with the Wharfedales, but I have heard the Totems and was impressed by their midrange presence. I think the bass is a little one-note, and there is an exaggeration of the midbass, but the small Totem speakers do sound good to me.

Other considerations besides the Coincident Triumph UHS would include some of the NHT offerings, PSB Stratus Mini's, and Von Schweikert VR-1.

Michael

Check out Polk LSi9's.

I use a pair of quad 11L monitors in a 10' x 10' listening room. I am only running a modded dynaco st 70 (35 watts per channel) and the system has excellent soundstage and musicality.There is also plenty of bass in a small room.

The quads are rated at 86 db and 6 ohm but my 35 watts will run you out of rhe small room.

They also have a beautiful piano gloss finish and can be bought here in non active version for well under your $500 budget.

I have klipsch heresy's, klipsch kg4's and have previously owned a nice pair of early 90's snell acoustics speakers. These quad 11L's are better than any of these speakers. They image very well.

Good luck

Sufentanil,
Read my post, where did I say "aren't possible"?
I realize there are some efficient monitors. They are just not as plentiful.

Hifinewb, you say you are looking for "bookshelf" speakers. Does that mean you actually want to place them on a bookshelf? If so, there are speakers made for that application, even some very good ones, but there are not a lot of them. The best I know of come from North Creek Music, as kits, although you can also get them assembled I believe. If interested, give George Short a call and ask about the entry and mid-level models.

http://www.northcreekmusic.com

If what you want is smaller speakers to be placed on stands a foot or more out into the room, these are commonly called monitors ( because they are sized like the units audio engineers use to monitor their work in mixing studios ). You can get some very nice speakers made for this application too, although as Muzikat says, the high-efficiency ( or high-sensitivity ) designs are rarer. Two I like are Triangle and JM Reynaud. There might be a used pair from either of these companies around in your price range.