$1,500 Bookshelf Round-up

Hello all!

It seems that $1,500 has become something of a price benchmark for decent bookshelf speakers, and I couldn't find a unified thread exploring the multitude of new options out there.

The $1,500 price point is also worth talking about because there are quite a few nice options at that price on the used market.

I would love to hear some suggestions!

 

I'll get this discussion going with my own personal quandary.

I've narrowed my options down to Dynaudio Excite X18 vs. Focal Aria 906.

The Excites get lower (44Hz vs. 55Hz), but the Focals are front-ported, which would work better as I don’t have many placement options. That said, I have heard the Excites, and I like them a lot. I haven’t heard the Focals.

I’m open to some other suggestions—used, preferably.

Just a couple stipulations:
- Nothing overly bright and nothing that could be described as potentially fatiguing
- Common enough to have reviews from reputable publications

 

I'm really digging my ATC SCM11v2 ($1500 used/included shipping)

[edit to add my listening notes]
* highly resolving for musical texture and detail (but not bright at all)
* tight mid bass
* vg soundstage from side to side; speakers can almost disappear
* impactful and fast response
* does need a bit of volume to wake up. I can still have a normal conversation, though at this level.
* can go scary loud and still have cohesive/relaxed presentation w/o soundstage collapsing

 

Thanks for the reply. There’s a pair on eBay for about $1,500 as we speak. Heard nothing but good things.

 

Very different type of sound between the Dynaudios and Focals...of the two the Dynaudio's are more neutral and less fatiguing...the Focals more exciting.

 

I like Dynaudio for just that reason. I’ve heard a number of models at all price ranges (from my tiny Emit 10s up through huge Confidence floorstanders), and none of them ever approached anything I would consider to be fatiguing.

As for the Focals, that word “exciting” makes me nervous.

 

They do benefit if you add a subwoofer to flesh in the bottom end and anchor the soundstage. Still quite good on their own, but really shine with a sub.

 

What about some Buchardts?

I think those are designed/made by some guys who used to work for Dynaudio, but felt they were being held back by the conservatism of the company. So, they started their own company.
.

 

They're a Danish company, so it wouldn't surprise me. The S400 is a great-looking speaker, and the measurements look promising. Problem is, they're out of stock until June, and I don't have that kind of patience.

 

LS50!

 

Is the LS50 found to be not overly-bright and non-fatiguing by most listeners?
Can owners chime in......? It is an obvious candidate at this price level.

 

I've had my Excite X12's for about 5 years now and really like 'em. It's a smallish room, and a 2nd system. They do well; very enjoyable. I've thought about adding a sub but never do get to it and honestly it's fine!

 

Not at all bright. Neutral-warm to my ears.

Strengths include gorgeous midrange, detail, and 3D holographic imaging.

All it is missing is serious bass, but I never felt the need to add a sub.

 

Hmm, bummer. Well, there's the S300, which is also highly regarded. And cheaper.
.

 

Buchardt S300 vs LS50 anyone?

 

I should’ve just said in my OP that I don’t care for the LS50.

 

Definitely would look at used as you mentioned. $1,500 used = $2,500 - $3,000 new. You are basically looking at a level higher in quality and performance.

It's hard to recommend something as it's always better that you listen for yourself to be sure, and what is available used will vary. Also depends what you're driving the speakers with.

I got my PMC TB2i speakers for just over $1,500 (Cdn).

 

There are a pair of X14s, which, AFAIK, are the updated X12. Only $600. That might be enough of an upgrade from my Emit M10s

 

I demo'ed both the Focal 906's and the X18's, and picked the X18's. I'm loving them with my PS Audio amp and pre. They are neutral-ish, with strong bass and very nice airy highs. The Focals sounded kind of thick and slow in the midrange.

The Dynaudios were also much prettier in the striped rosewood finish.

 

Sweet! It’s not gonna get better than someone who put them side by side and picked the Dyns.

Thanks for the input.

 

In all fairness, they were at different dealers, but both on Parasound gear. The dealer with the Focals, the room seemed over treated, which could have contributed to the thick sounding mids, but who knows...

 

Definitely look at:

Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2

SeasA26: Seas A26 10" 2-way Kit Pair (based on the classic A25)
(Drivers alone retail for over $800)

Omega Super 7 Monitor

 

The Revel Performa M22 are stunning and play strong to about 32Hz.. The same mid-bass driver is in the newer replacement Revel speakers at $4K a pair. I suspect the KEF LS50 would pale compared to the Revel.

 

My friend has Focal 936s which I've listened to a lot, I do not find them bright at all. Are you actually putting these on shelves? Because if not, these
Stand Mount
look totally gorgeous and the stands are some of the few attractive ones. The entry price is a bit higher than what you specified but then again it includes the lovely stands. I listened to a 8" 3-way tower with this or similar tweeter; the sound was clear and open and I cannot imagine it would ever be fatiguing. Still in my mind for "someday." As for Dynaudio I've heard their stuff for years, their house technology really concentrates well on open dynamics. Visually I find their models boooooorrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg however.
P.S. to your LS50 "yet"-as a longtime KEF admirer, I was a bit nonplussed to find I was NOT enchanted by those either.

 

I keep hearing about the Sierra-2s, but then every time someone praises them, someone raises concerns about the narrow dispersion of the ribbon tweeter. Although I do want a good ribbon tweeter before I die. I wish Philharmonic Audio didn’t close up shop before I could get a pair of BMRs.