Bookshelf Speaker question

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.

Based on what I've read so far, I'm narrowing my search to Energy, Klipsch, and Quad. I already own 2 pairs of Polks, both of which I'm happy with. Yeah, Tobias, I guess I meant "monitor", I've always referred to smaller speakers as bookshelf speakers, so thank you for clarifying that for me :). I listen to a lot of rock music, some classical, old hip-hop on both vinyl and CD. So out of the 3 brands I'm considering, which brand offers speakers to suit what I need, which is a good "all-round" speaker?

since i started down this path (and haven't quite finished my coffee), i'll weigh in once more, then shut up. to my ears, the energy will be more neutral, natural presentation, while the klipsch will have more dynamic slam and in-your-face quality (more of a hip-hop speaker). the quad will be a little more polite, and more sensitive to placement/elctronics. all that said, i think you'll be very happy with the energy; if, however you're going to listen to heavier stuff at louder levels, the klipsch would get my vote.
happy hunting--let us know what you get.

I have a second setup very similar to what you are proposing, except in a room with a wood suspended floor. My speakers are the paradigm mini monitors which included upgraded to better crossovers by:

http://audioproz.com/AP.php?Article=12&Tab=Educational

The speakers are time-aligned. The high dispersion tweeters make them sound pretty good throughout the room. My goal was to have a system sound good in virtually any part of the room and these fit the bill. I have not heard the non-upgraded Paradigms.

I have measured the Paradigms using the REW software; they are pretty flat down to about 45 hz in my room without the sub (obviously the Paradigms are ported).

Very pleased with these monitors, especially at roughly $700.