Recommend me a budget Bookshelf Speaker

[RDM]

Budget: $600 (new only, no used as they are a gift for someone)

Location: On top of mid height entertainment unit set against wall (would be about 300 mm space behind speakers)

Room size: 5 m x 6 m (but seated listening position is about 2.5 m away)

Amplification: Harman Kardon AV Amplifier

Duties: AV, CD's and digital (MP3's, streaming)

Music: Rock (nothing too extreme) and some classical

Upgrades: Addition of a subwoofer at some point in the future

 

Would appreciate any recommendations for a short list to audition.

 

I have trawled the web and found the following:

- Monitor Audio Bronze 2

- Polk TSX 220

- KEF Q100 (on sale)

- Klipsch R-15M

- Paradigm Mini Monitor

- Tannoy Mercury 7.1

- Dali Zensor 3 (on sale)

- Wharfdale Diamond 220, 10.1 & 11.1

- Castle Knight 1

- Elac Debut B5

 

Is there any I have missed which would be contenders and which ones listed should I concentrate on?

 

Many thanks for any advice offered on this.

 

Edited December 6, 2017 by RDM

[Batty]

The Castles may be too polite for Rock, I had the Richmond 3s, Great for acoustic stuff and singer/song writer, but tended to get a bit confused with heavier music (Rock ballads were good though).

[Sub Sonic]

I’ve not listened to them, but I’d add Cambridge Aero 2’s to your list to audition.

 

Regards,

 

SS

[Andrews_melb]

I think the Klipsch may not be ideal with this set up, id say with your Amp and wanting to do AV and Music listening id go something really easy to listen too.

i personally love the Monitor Audio range, but havnt heard them with an AVR. 

I like the KEFs too. 

You really need to listen to them, even though they are a gift. Go hear a few of those models and just grab which ever one gets you right into the music.

[wen]

i agree with @Andrews_melb , the Monitor Audio range of speakers is a good start, i also have a pair and love their sound, listen to these first, if the others you have mentioned sound better, use the best one as your bench mark, if not on sale haggle hard for a good price

[RDM]

Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening.

[buddyev]

If it’s going to be up against a wall then rear ports are out - you will need a front ported speaker.

[Snoopy8]

On 08/12/2017 at 6:19 AM, RDM said:

Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening.

Don't forget to bring your favorite music & movies. And listen to them at low volume (can you hear details?) and loud (do they distort?). Your ears are the best judge.

[RDM]

On 12/8/2017 at 9:19 AM, RDM said:

Thanks everyone. I'll get out and start listening.

Thanks for the reminder. 300 mm probably isn't enough space for a rear ported speaker. That helps to narrow down the field.

Thanks Snoop for the "listening low" advice - something I've never considered.

Cheers

Rohan

[Snoopy8]

54 minutes ago, RDM said:

Thanks for the reminder. 300 mm probably isn't enough space for a rear ported speaker. That helps to narrow down the field.

Thanks Snoop for the "listening low" advice - something I've never considered.

Cheers

Rohan

One more thing - when you compare, try to have them at about the same loudness.  Human nature tend to prefer the louder sound; hence you often hear demos played at high volume.

[Guest Eggcup The Daft]

If you can get the KEFs below $600 put them towards the top of the list. They are a class above most of the others here, and are front ported.

[RDM]

Thanks all.

The budget went out the window as usual once we got listening.

”It couldn’t hurt to listen to the next up in the price range could it?”

A pair of KEF Q150’s were what was settled on. 

[Snoopy8]

42 minutes ago, RDM said:

Thanks all.

The budget went out the window as usual once we got listening.

”It couldn’t hurt to listen to the next up in the price range could it?”

A pair of KEF Q150’s were what was settled on. 

Congrats!  And always that way with HiFi to spend more than budget!