Try looking ay Tekton Design. They have just what you need at a price that is sane.
Highly reviewed also.
Highly reviewed also.
Small monitors/bookshelves for classical music
I currently own KEF iQ5 floorstanding speakers and ROTEL RB980BX Power Amp. I listen to classical music(Bach, Mahler, Wagner, etc). Though KEF iQ5 lacks deep bass, I am completely fine with that when listening to classical music.
I am seeking to buy a pair of new/used monitors/bookshelf speakers. I want a truly "bookshelf" speaker which can be put on a desk or even a bookshelf. I will not put them on stands. Neither will I pair them with a subwoofer. But I will pair them with this ROTEL RB980BX. ROTEL RB980BX is very powerful, 120W/ch. I can spend below $600.
After doing multiple painful searches online and on this forum, I have several potential speakers/monitors in mind.
PSB Alpha B1
B&W 686 or 685
Paradigm Mini
I am seeking to buy a pair of new/used monitors/bookshelf speakers. I want a truly "bookshelf" speaker which can be put on a desk or even a bookshelf. I will not put them on stands. Neither will I pair them with a subwoofer. But I will pair them with this ROTEL RB980BX. ROTEL RB980BX is very powerful, 120W/ch. I can spend below $600.
After doing multiple painful searches online and on this forum, I have several potential speakers/monitors in mind.
PSB Alpha B1
B&W 686 or 685
Paradigm Mini
27 responses Add your response
SF Cremona Auditors. They make real magic. I have the original ones & never heard the current Ms but if was looking for speakers in the size range you describe (or any size range, as my little Auditors are that wonderful) I would give the Ms a listen based on my love for the originals. I don't even have the stands for them and they are still awesome, despite being warned to the contrary. I have them on these little "Polywood" tables I got on Amazon. |
The Von Scheikert VR1 is an obvious choice for a used speaker in your price range. And you have to be quick when they show up. A better choice for a small speaker that can sit near a back wall is the Polk Audio LSi7. I have owned both, along with a few other nice small monitors, and the Polks are my favorite. They make music better than any under $500 speaker I have owned. |
The positioning of any speakers you get will hinder their full potential, so it's wise not to be spending a large sum of money for speakers for this use. Your list so far seems well thought out and good value speakers. Some other speaker suggestions are Usher S520's which are among the best speakers for their price that I've encountered, and will do classical well. Also, PSB Stratus Mini's are the best bang for the buck bookshelf speakers I've encountered yet. Some of the NHT offerings are solid, as well. Good luck, Michael |
KEF 103.2 would be a good choice.I recently picked up a pair of KEF 1.5 's which I found better than PSB Alpha B1 in a den situation. but a 1st row presentation re the PSB darker mid-hall sound. Like you,I am a classical fan,having owned Paradigm Mini and Atom in the past IMHO they are voiced for rock and too rough for classical. The absolute best small speaker I've heard that can be found for your money is the Silverline Minuet. |
Here's another excellent choice for your situation and music taste. Mirage OMD5 sold by Vanns, brand new. A subwoofer could always be added later if needed. |
Let's try this again. Mirage on Audiogon |
Oops, missed your price point Hl10027, sorry. Quad 9Ls (or 12Ls) actives are nice if you have preamp-outputs somewhere in your system. I have both on computers & like them a lot. The 9Ls can be found for about $500 used and are very silky and well defined at at the same time. They can even be driven right from your source with their own remote volume control. |
There not hard to resell at all. It's a very desirable speaker. Eric at Tekton Design is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds. His speakers have put a lot of the ones that have been mentioned here on the 'for sale @ AGon" list. He also has a 30 day return policy. I'm not connected in any way to Tekton Design except through ownership of his products. Have a great day. John JW Audio |
I will second the Mirage OMD-5s. I use these in several different systems, and they are truly wonderful speakers. They sound especially good when running with hybrid amps. Tube pre/solid amp. In addition, if you give them a bit of room they are really impressive. I run them 2.5' from the back and side walls, and the soundstage is remarkable. If only I had that space for my OMD-28s. :-D I've been trying to find monitors that will replace these, and haven't found anything I like better. Got them at vanns for $160 each. |
