Which bookshelf speakers are right for me?

[Gnarlynewport]

I want to upgrade from my Infinity Primus 150s that I am using with a Pioneer Elite A-35R 2-channel amp.

I am currently looking at these speakers...

Klipsch RB-61 and RB-81
NHT Zero and Two
Polk RTi6, RTi4, and Monitor 40, and RT35i
and Paradigm, but I don't know where to buy them.

I know there are several more options, but it becomes difficult finding a place to purchase them outside of the ebay or audiogon.

I will be using these in a smaller room, currently about 13x13 feet and in a dorm room next year.

I don't listen to one music genre over another. Classical, Jazz, and Acoustic Guitar is probably where I would want the speakers to shine with a tad aggressive sound.

BTW, I'm new the whole speaker scene. Our friends at Head-Fi recommended this forum to me.

Thanks for your time,

Wyatt

[zombie boy 2000]

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....oni&1179680324

This is about a good a deal as you're going to find on a stellar pair of bookshelves for a small room...
You'll find that they especially shine with acoustic guitar and jazz.

And Welcome to the Forum.

[treitz3]

If you are set on a pair of bookshelf speakers, you owe it to yourself to demo a pair of Focal 807v's. Damn fine sounding speaker. The price tag is around 1K, but if you can find a pair on the used market, they will be considerably lower in cost.

They come highly recommended by me!:D

If not, check out the Polk lineup and some Yamaha bookshelves (if they still make them). Good luck in your search, and test out as many pairs as you possibly can. It will be worth it to you in the end....and remember....good things come to those who wait!:p

[MSALLA]

Klipsch are a very "intense" speaker. I would stay away from the monitor 40's for music. I liked them for HT but could not stand to listen to them playing music. The Rti 6's are ok. I don't know how mush you want to spend but you can't go wrong with a set of Lsi9's.

P.S. Those Totems are a great deal for a very nice speaker. They don't have the bass of the 9's but the sound is awsome.

[AndyGwis]

Gnarls Barkley,

Let me know what you choose and how they sound. I also have the PE A35R and am looking to upgrade speakers, but I'm fearful it won't have balls to run 4-ohms like the LSi7/9 or Totems (I think they are 4-ohm).

Interested to hear what you go with. I have been trying to find a higher end, but not expensive used pair of efficient 8 ohm bookshelf for my bedroom, but haven't come across a winner yet.

Came this close (very close) to getting some LSi7s here last week. . . but, again, 4 ohm 88 sensitivity skurd me.

[treitz3]

FYI, the Focal Chorus 807v's mentioned above are 8 ohm speak's.

[Chicomoralessxm]

Well for sure its a matter of your budget. How much do you wanna spend?
RTi6 are a nice especially for the price. I just bought a pair of Paradigm mini's v5 should have them by monday. But for my second pair of bookshelves I was considering the lsi7 but i would need a new amp personally take a look at the jmlab speakers 807 are like around 900+ the 706 are quite nice and listen to as many as you can before

[Chicomoralessxm]

Just a side question guys does anyone know if the Pioneer Elite a35r has pre-outs??? just wondering

[sucks2beme]

Gnarls Barkley,

Let me know what you choose and how they sound. I also have the PE A35R and am looking to upgrade speakers, but I'm fearful it won't have balls to run 4-ohms like the LSi7/9 or Totems (I think they are 4-ohm).

Interested to hear what you go with. I have been trying to find a higher end, but not expensive used pair of efficient 8 ohm bookshelf for my bedroom, but haven't come across a winner yet.

Came this close (very close) to getting some LSi7s here last week. . . but, again, 4 ohm 88 sensitivity skurd me.

Andy, want to test drive the Snell QBX-20's? Much easier load than LSI's and
warm sounding!
I can check the back of son #2's a35r a little later in the day. He's still sleeping.
Seems Pioneer only posts manuals for current products.

[markmarc]

Andy:
The Totem MITES are 8 ohm, and are amazing for their size. They are rated down to 50hz, and depending on how they are placed can reach it.

[ND13]

LSI 9s

[dipiazza]

Just a side question guys does anyone know if the Pioneer Elite a35r has pre-outs??? just wondering

It does not. I was looking at it a while for myself. went with a Teac A-1d instead. Very happy with the Teac, cant seem to find them anywhere anymore however.

[AndyGwis]

Wish it had pre-outs to make running a sub a bit easier. But, for the money ($100 - $150 used), the PE A35R is a pretty neat little integrated.

Remote, phono, good looks, decent power. . . great for a small bedroom setup.

[Chicomoralessxm]

thats the perfect usage in the bedroom for it. I was looking into it but not pre-outs is a little disappointing

[McCelery]

I just replaced my old Monitor 4's with a near-brand-spanking-new pair of RT35i's in my 8x12 bedroom (had for the Craigslist steal price of $100). I'm really happy with them for the price, but if I had more money to burn I would have looked into something with better imaging and mid-bass. It might be the fact I have no choice but to butt them up against the wall, but the mid-bass is fairly thin and hollow sounding. The initial thwack of kick drums sounds like a cardboard box being hit with a wooden spoon (though the actual ensuing thump is satisfying). And though the resolution is extremely detailed, the RT35i's sound very localized and easy to pinpoint. Short answer: the RT35i's are great but with a better budget I'd look elsewhere. How's that for not ra-ra-ing your own new gear? :)

[cmy330go]

Of the speakers you have listed I would suggest the RTi's (either 4's or 6's) or perhaps the Paradigms. As a general rule I tend to find Paradigm to be a little clinical, and would therefore lean more towards the RTi's.

By your description I don't think you would be happy with Polk LSi's, as they are more laid back than the Infinity's you have now. Plus as mentioned above, they may be a little too demanding for your amp.

If you can I would HIGHLY recommend trying a pair of Energy RC-10. As of right now they are my favorite budget bookshelf speaker. They are simply amazing for their size and price. Wonderfully extended highs without being too sharp. Lows that will shock you coming from a speaker that size, and a nice smooth mid-range. I believe that can be had most places for around $550 new. If that is a little North of your budget, my next pick would be the Polk RTi6.

Hope this helps. Welcome to the forum, and keep us posted of your progress.

[dipiazza]

Try Onix X-ls. I love mine and only $210 new.

[janmike]

Welcome Wyatt. You landed here from a recommendation and I think you owe it to yourself to go and listen to a pair of well driven LSi9's. Do the comparison and see for yourself. Good Luck.

[halo]

Epos ELS-3 LINK

$250 shipped link

[ohskigod]

the LSi9 is a sweet speaker, and in a small room, beefy amplification will not be a huge concern. However, I wouold not describe it is a bit aggresive (one of your requirements)

older RTi series might fit your bill, rt55's are a sweet bookshelf, pretty efficient (91db I think?) definitly lean slightly to the bright side, but not obnoxiously like klipsch and whatnot (my humble opinion)

[Ricardo]

So many options; I'll throw another one.

Von Schweikert VR-1's

You can find a nice used pair for around $500 in Audiogon.
Detailed without being harsh, great soundstage/imaging, and goes low at 40Hz.

[heiney9]

Epos ELS-3 LINK

$250 shipped link

The Epos are excellent sounding speakers but are a bit small. They are very similar to the Lsi-7's except w/o the bottom end. In a smaller room they would work out great or if you weren't a bass hound they'd do nicely as well.

dkg999 loves his Epos, but admits he's not a big fan of deep bass or atleast doesn't miss it when listening to the Epos.