Best pre-made bookshelf speakers for $250?

[lunchmoney]

So if you had $250 to spend on pre-made bookshelf speakers as the mains of a modest HT system, medium sized room, maybe a sub eventually but full range for now...

What would you buy?

Thanks

[lunchmoney]

What do you guys think of Emotiva speakers?

[john trials]

I haven't listened to these, but they seem pretty good for the price:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/p...lr-loudspeaker

[generic]

http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B203...tudio+monitors

Can anything top them in this price range?

[jsr]

The Berhingers have gotten raving reviews everywhere.

Another one that I've not seen a bad thing said about is the Energy RC10 which is often at $250 on newegg.

[johnastockman]

So if you had $250 to spend on pre-made bookshelf speakers as the mains of a modest HT system, medium sized room, maybe a sub eventually but full range for now...

What would you buy?

Thanks

The Pioneers mentioned have received some good comments from some of the forum members, as the Behringer monitors as a great SQ-for-your-dollar speaker. I think Johhny Richards has some good things to say about one of Infinity's model lines also, but I can't recall which one. I sure would like a chance to compare the Emo's speaker offerings. I think if the person was not a speaker-DIYer, they could be very happy with the Pioneer or the Behringer. Wasn't the Pioneer designed by a noted speaker-guy? Let us know what you choose and what you think.




John A.

[generic]

The Pioneers are on crazy sale again at Newegg. You could get 5.0 for $250 right now. If you only want, need stereo bookshelves, then the Behringers would be hard to beat. Or, I guess I should say, if they can be beat for $250, I wanna know about it.

[mattsk8]

I've heard very good things about those Behringers from a bunch of different online sources, but never listened to them myself.

I have heard those Pioneers and wasn't that impressed, kind of meh sounding. Still a bit confused about the Pioneer's seemingly good reviews.

I have a pair of these and they sound awesome, but I also like Polk's sound http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018QRO9A/...hvptwo=&hvqmt= Very nice sounding speakers.

I've never heard these, but it seems to be a good deal... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290203

Edit: Just thought I'd add that a good friend has those Energy RC10. They're good speakers, they sound great; but I think the Polks have a little more 'body' in their sound IMO.

[Brewski]

I think Johhny Richards has some good things to say about one of Infinity's model lines also, but I can't recall which one. Let us know what you choose and what you think.

John A.

I think it's the infinity primus speakers Johnny was comparing DIY performance against and they've had decent reviews in the past so they'd probably not be a bad option. I'd probably look at the primus bookshelf options in that range if I was going to go store bought. I think my order of preference at $250.00 would be 1. design a speaker - build DIY designs I'd heard, 2. Buy a Kit speaker and 3. look at used/new speakers for sale in the range. Given your time constraint I think your either down to option two or three.

Benchtester made a good point on the ZA 5.2 in the other thread. You could temporarily build them as they were and then plan an upgrade project for them later where they'd get a better cab and better tweeters. The tweeter that was in them could eventually be used for surround duty etc.

If you're trying to make the $250.00 price range I'd at least listen to the infinity primus speakers to see if they fit the bill.

One other option I just saw was the possibility of going with the swope flat pack at
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/flat-pa...flatpacks.html $12.50 each and then getting the parts to build the swopes $173.39. That would pretty much take the project down to gluing and painting.

Best of luck
Jay

[lunchmoney]

The Pioneers are on crazy sale again at Newegg. You could get 5.0 for $250 right now. If you only want, need stereo bookshelves, then the Behringers would be hard to beat. Or, I guess I should say, if they can be beat for $250, I wanna know about it.

The sale ended a few days ago.

Anyways, I ended up ordering them on Amazon for $149. If the endless glowing reviews are to believed, then they're still a deal. Couldn't pass them up.

I'll report back after I set them up in the gf's house.

Thanks John for the recommendation!

[craigk]

the audioengine P4 is very good, and iusually am not a fan of polk but the Polk Audio RTi A1 for just a few more dollars are pretty nice as well.

[generic]

The sale ended a few days ago.

Anyways, I ended up ordering them on Amazon for $149. If the endless glowing reviews are to believed, then they're still a deal. Couldn't pass them up.

I'll report back after I set them up in the gf's house.

Thanks John for the recommendation!

They have codes again, up and running today. Expire the 27th.

[Kevin G.]

I see those every other week for the 50.00 tag...

[lunchmoney]

They have codes again, up and running today. Expire the 27th.

Aww crap. The coupon code I saw said it expired. Maybe I can cancel the amazon order.

EDIT: Nope, the BS41's don't have the code up... the smaller bookshelves do, but not the BS41's

[Whitneyville1]

For $150, there's no way to top the BS41's. For $250, I'd have suggested buying BR-1 kits and modifying them into Classix II's, which would be 90% doable (thin cabinet a bit small, but workable) and fit in the budget.

[Fast1one]

I can attest to the sound quality of the Behringer B2030Ps. They are very true to the recording and sound very good in my home theater system. I am using five in a 5.1 setup.

I will say that they are not perfect. Mainly, the smaller B2030p version definitely needs a subwoofer, but don't sound too bad without one. Also, their imaging is two dimensional with little depth, though that could be my setup. I have the surrounds and mains on stands and the center on the equipment rack. Even in two channel mode the soundstage is pretty flat.

As a result of the soundstage, I'm going to build a set of Sunflowers next month. But I will always keep the Behringers. They are an excellent reference.

[nigelb]

Ok slightly more $ but still under $300.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html

I've heard these and believe they're unbelievable value. The waveguide is a plus; when moving about the room the sound doesn't really change. Voices are very clear and nuanced.

[NickJ]

I'll report back after I set them up in the gf's house.

I convinced a friend of mine to buy the Pios during one of newegg's sales. They aren't bad, but I am not really all that impressed with them. You will have to let me know what you think. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I found them a little muddy, and for lack of a better word unengaging.

Last week I bought some HK speakers from the late 70s off craigslist for 10 dollars and I think they sound more engaging than the pioneers, I am probably still going to tear them down and use the cabinets for a different build though.

[spasticteapot]

I like the Infinitys.

[lunchmoney]

I convinced a friend of mine to buy the Pios during one of newegg's sales. They aren't bad, but I am not really all that impressed with them. You will have to let me know what you think. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I found them a little muddy, and for lack of a better word unengaging.

Last week I bought some HK speakers from the late 70s off craigslist for 10 dollars and I think they sound more engaging than the pioneers, I am probably still going to tear them down and use the cabinets for a different build though.

I'm not expecting miracles for $150... But relative to the price the reviews are VERY good... partly I got them out of curiosity, I'd like to see what can be done for so cheap... someday I'll build her a nice pair of speakers... If she plays her cards right