What are your favorite non-polk bookshelf speakers

[Conradicles]

Title says it all. After hearing some little Paradigm Studio Monitors that lightman1 let me borrow for a few days, and also seeing a thread about those classic a/d/s speakers, this gave me an idea to add some small bookshelf speakers on stands in my 2-channel rig between the SDA's. I already have plenty of room and amplification. They will be powered by the "B" ouputs of my Denon POA-1500 (150 watts per channel).


No real criteria other than I love Vintage speakers because they can be had on the cheap and usually are built with great quality.
Pictures or links are cool as well.

Let me know what some of your favorites have been over the years.



Eric.

[thuffman03]

I just bought a set of Athena S2 book shelf speakers. They are pretty nice.

[michaeljhsda2]

Paradigm Titans

[Face]

Hot rodded Tannoy Saturn S8LR's.

[treitz3]

Focal 807v's

[Gaara]

By far the Stone Image Audio Rothschilde A2s, they easily bested my LSi7s.

Pic stolen from Zero

[shack]

Vienna Acoustics Hadyn Grand

[dkg999]

Totem Rainmaker and Model 1 SE, EPOS ELS-3, M12, Paradigm Studio Reference 20v3, Spendor 3/5, B&O S45-2, in addition to those mentioned previously.

[Tony M]

I've had plenty of the older avg. stock and some nice upper level sets but these stick out:

The Paradigm Studio 20v3's were outstanding !!!.

I still own some Pinnacle PN8's and other model Pinnacles that sound great.

With less bass output, Boston Acoustics VR-M60's, KEF Q10's too

But the top of my heap (but they're bigger) has to be the ADS L710's....Sooooooo clear...& balanced..... I'm keeping them for life! Most people who hear my L710's ,and can afford to, go on a search for their own, seriously.Just like the SDA's!!!!!

[Conradicles]

Cool Tony, the L710's peak my interest as well. How much would a man have to spend to get a set of those?

[Barefoot]

Hands down the Revel Performa series. More specifically the m20 and it's successor the m22. They're so good, too good even. I've owned both, and both of them are as close to perfect as you can get.

[miner]

The pair that I have been more than pleased with has been the Dynaudio 52SE. Incredible soundstage and bass for a small 2-way. I am considering upgrading to the Dynaudio Special 25.

[Zero]

Lenehan Audio ML1 - ($2500 USD) Fantastic Australian monitors that represent an insanely good value. My review on them can be seen here: http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/l...ker-review.php


Totem Acoustic The One (20th Anniversary) - ($3600 USD) Significantly better than the Model 1 Signatures. What can I say? These things are insane. They replaced my Martin Logan Vantage's and even do a few things that my Wilson Watt Pup's cannot.


Totem Acoustic Mani-2 Signature - ($5000 USD?) The Mani-2's are a bitch to work with. They need a larger space and prefer to be fed with lots of high current juice. However, when you get everything situated appropriately, the Mani-2 is a beast when it comes to tone, imaging, and dynamics.


Harbeth Compact 7 ES 3 - ($3400 USD?) These things are seemingly anti audiophile in that they are not resolution or sound-stage whores. That said, if you enjoy a laid back insight into the musical performance, the Harbeth's are incredibly difficult not to love. They flat out make listening to music fun.


That's on the affordable side of town. My other favorites would include the Dynaudio Confidence 1 ($7000 USD), the Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento ($15,000), and the Wilson Audio Duette ($12,500).

I'd love to get my ears on a set of Magico Mini's. I'd also like to spend more time with the Merlin Audio TSM- Mme. The SIA Rothchild's Gaara listed are bad-ass for the money. The ACI Sapphire XL also represents a good value as well.

Sheesh, there are just too many great monitors out there!

[Ricardo]

Dynaudio Contour 1.3 Mk II.

Beats every bookshelf mentioned here, and many floorstanders too.

Edit: Why? Because I say so.

[Tony M]

The ADS L710's can be bought on Ebay for around 300.00 pr. with cloth grills or up up to 450.00 with metal grills. I was lucky with craigs list...100.00 w/ cloth grills.

Also the JBL L1's were very impressive to me too.

[obieone]

The DT Studio Monitor 350's. They're like the miniature versions of the BP7000 series speakers. Instead of an active sub, they use a passive one. 8" for the 350's, and 10" for the 450's.
VERY sweet sounding!

[cienega]

Paradigm Titans

Couldn't agree more. Pair them up with a decent sub that's not too overpowering and you have a nice inexpensive little setup.

[mantis]

dynaudio contour 1.3 mk ii.

Beats every bookshelf mentioned here, and many floorstanders too.

Edit: Why? Because i say so.

Yeah!!!!! What he said!!!!!!:d

Edit: Now WE say SO!!!!

[kawizx9r]

By far the Stone Image Audio Rothschilde A2s, they easily bested my LSi7s.

Pic stolen from Zero

How much do those go for?

Since making the dive into SDA's, I've wanted to dive into other speakers to know whats out there so I'm reading up on this thread often :D

[Conradicles]

Great info...Keep em' coming...

Also, maybe some more Vintage "giant killer" budget choices say under $200 or $300 on the used market.

Thanks to all!!!

[nguyendot]

Couldn't agree more. Pair them up with a decent sub that's not too overpowering and you have a nice inexpensive little setup.

Have a pair as well - they're awesome little speakers with surprising output.

Have Titans, Atoms, and 5ses currently.

[Midnite Mick]

Best bookshelfs I have heard were the GamuT L3's..They sound HUGE.

Mike

[emoxley]

Allison AL-115 bookshelves.

[Hawkeye]

Dynaudio Confidence C1 hands down to my ears.

Gordon

[WastelandWand'r]

Paradigm Titans-as I have owned them and enjoyed them.
Paradigm Studio 20's, later versions. Convinced friend to buy them and they sounded great. Meatier sounding then the Titans.
Good luck with your search.
Nathan

[Gaara]

How much do those go for?

Since making the dive into SDA's, I've wanted to dive into other speakers to know whats out there so I'm reading up on this thread often :D

These probably won't be the ones then, they are very hard to find.

Retail was $1335 according to Sean's review over on Affordable Audio. I believe the company is now defunct, but I'm not sure on that.

Used I have seen them go from $475 -$750...but I bought my pair on 2007 and didn't see another pair pop up until late 2008.

Also, maybe some more Vintage "giant killer" budget choices say under $200 or $300 on the used market.

Not Vintage but the AV123 X-ls really surprised me. I think I paid $175 for my pair and they really did sound quite good, paired them with a $30 portable cdp and $30 amp and I was shocked at how good things sounded.

Many users/pro reviews consider them modern day "giant killers"

[Conradicles]

Thanks Gaara, looking at the AV123 site now...

[concealer404]

Paradigm Titans

This. :D

The bookshelf that doesn't sound like a bookshelf.

[concealer404]

Have a pair as well - they're awesome little speakers with surprising output.

Have Titans, Atoms, and 5ses currently.

Do you mind threadjacking a little and telling me what you think of the 5ses? I have a chance to get a pair of 7ses for $150 in good shape, and i've been resisting, but i'm starting to think it would be stupid to pass them up. Haven't heard them yet, though.

[mister pig]

Gr Research Neo 2X

Regards
Mister Pig