Decent $300 range bookshelf speaker?

I liked them too. you could probably probably get used M5's or ES-11/14's for 300ish

 

I may be getting a pair of Wharfedales this weekend (Diamond 220; $349/pr.)... if so, I'll report back here in a couple of weeks (or maybe start a standalone thread about them.)

 

Pioneer SP-BS21-LR speakers $80/pair at Newegg. Do a search on them.

 

Just picked up a beautiful like-new pair of Quad 11Ls for $325 on the innernet hi-fi classifieds. Some nice used deals to be had with a little patience and persistence.

 

There are a few pairs of small monitors that are of the premium variety on our local "craigslist"
One pair in particular is priced at less than 1/2 your indicated budget and could probably be had for even less as the seller cannot locate the grilles at the moment (excellent quality pair of JBLs running the "034") Claims to be a one owner pair

When you say "bookshelf", just HOW "bookshelf"? (give me some dimensions)

I have only done a cursory search; if you are interested in any help I will look closely at all that is there

I am in the East Bay near Concord; I will PM you any good candidates, with suggestions as to what to offer, if you are interested, and you can follow up on the leads

There's some decent stuff on the "list" right now for little money

 

Posted this on behalf of a co-worker, will get back on dimensions.

 

+1 on the Quad 11L. There's a nice pair that just came up on the 'Gon, asking $375.

 

@bhazen, did you pick up those Wharfedale's? What do you make of them? I'm thinking of auditioning a set myself.

 

Yes, I did! Very transparent and open ... Sounded "bright" right out of the box, but settled down after some break in. Can be placed next to walls for bass reinforcement.

Another Wharfedale winner; but definitely a different, more upfront presentation than, say, the current Denton.

 

Thank you. I'm not sure I'm looking for an especially "upfront" presentation. I'd just like something a little less brittle sounding than my current Wharfedales.

 

check out wwwaccessories4less.com of the jbl.com web sites.

 

These look quite nice. I've been looking for a small pair of speakers to use as surrounds, but it's hard to find anything that's small, yet has any bass. The specs on these say 50 Hz.

 

I fun

I find the bass more than adequate, particularly since I began using the Lounge phono stage rather than the a Pioneer SX-85o's input which was dying slowly, though it was ample there as well. Have a read of this series of reviews which include the Marimba: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/review-clash-minispeakers
Stereophile also did an indepth Marimba review that proved decisive to my purchase.

 

I heard the Marimba in a hifi shop, and I was very impressed by their imaging ability. When sounds decayed, I imagined them falling to the floor in three dimensional space between the speakers. I agree with the reviewer that said it sounds like sitting in front of the singer. They were being driven by the NAD C316bee integrated amp, and the combo was really nice at $700. I tested them with a variety of music over the course of about an hour, and nothing left me wanting. I guess they get knocked sometimes for being manufactured in China, for their looks, or for their association with Roy Hall, but they sound really good. They're on my short list.

 

Since no one has mentioned them, I'll nominate my Triangle Titus 202 monitors ... (~2002 vintage). These are very easy to drive (I use 8Wpc SETs) and image like the dickens. IF you can find any used (I think they do go for ~$300/pair) they're excellent. Later get a 'fast' subwoofer to fill in the low bass, but the Tituses do go to ~50Hz with good fidelity.

 

Another vote for Ascend Acoustics.