Towers to Bookshelf Speakers

[brett_day]

Currently have polk R50 tower speakers but i am looking to switch over to bookshelf speakers to save on space! However i do not want to give up performance.

What are the best bookshelf speakers that will equal or better the polk R50 that would also cost me t$300 or less? I know thats a tall order, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

[callas01]

Originally Posted by brett_day

Currently have polk R50 tower speakers but i am looking to switch over to bookshelf speakers to save on space! However i do not want to give up performance.

What are the best bookshelf speakers that will equal or better the polk R50 that would also cost me t$300 or less? I know thats a tall order, but any help would be greatly appreciated!

Brett, I will give you 2 suggestions,

1. Energy RC-10s from vanns.com $299/pr

2. PSB Image B25s from saturdayaudio.com or dmc-electronics.com $319/pr

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

PSB Alpha B1 ($217 shipped) Smallest and cheapest, but NOT small or cheap sounding!

" Note: PSB's Alpha B1 at $279/pair is also a "Loudspeaker of the Year Award" runner up. This category is dominated by cost-no-object high performance loudspeakers up to $74,995/pair. "

"I can't remember the last time that a speaker weighing just under 10 pounds dripping wet made me want to listen to so much music. At its humble price, the Alpha B1 is so much more than just a good little speaker - it's an achievement that borders on the surreal"

"I very much enjoyed my time with this unassuming but attractive-looking little speaker. Considering its price, the PSB Alpha B1 is quite extraordinary in its way. Even if not in the market for a cheap mini, audiophiles should buy them for their Bose-owning friends and family, to give those unfortunates more than a taste of what a true highend loudspeaker is capable of."

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...product_detail

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by callas01

Brett, I will give you 2 suggestions,

1. Energy RC-10s from vanns.com $299/pr

2. PSB Image B25s from saturdayaudio.com or dmc-electronics.com $319/pr

Callas, have you heard the RC-10's?

Im looking to upgrading my polk m40's along with a better center speaker. Ive been looking at the Axioms M22 v2 as they have two drivers, which i think would sound great. But the Energy RC10 have good reviews and the price fits my budget better, as i could upgrade to a better center. Also like the reviews for the PSB Aplpha B1.. I see that you're in riverisde do you recommend any local dealers where i could demo the Energys.. I think pacific sales carries the PSB brand, i could possible check them out there.




PSB_Paradigm_HSU, where can i get the PSB Alpha B1 for the price you mentioned?

[kurtis21]

I have the Klipsch RB-61 Bookshelf Speakers and LOVE them! I got them at Magnolia in Best Buy when they were on sale & also had a Reward Zone 12% off coupon! I think I paid $325 when it was all said and done. They REALLY sound phenomenal

[Halcro 1]

a place on audiogon has PSB B15 speakers for 259 .. Dont know how they are compared to the B1s ?? But PSB is an excellent speaker company http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....okshelf-Speake

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Callas, have you heard the RC-10's?

Im looking to upgrading my polk m40's along with a better center speaker. Ive been looking at the Axioms M22 v2 as they have two drivers, which i think would sound great. But the Energy RC10 have good reviews and the price fits my budget better, as i could upgrade to a better center. Also like the reviews for the PSB Aplpha B1.. I see that you're in riverisde do you recommend any local dealers where i could demo the Energys.. I think pacific sales carries the PSB brand, i could possible check them out there.




PSB_Paradigm_HSU, where can i get the PSB Alpha B1 for the price you mentioned?

Yes Pacific Sales should have some leftover Image speakers, they are discontinued, and I know they got the new Image line in too, so you may get a good deal on them.

Where are you located?

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/where-to-buy/

you may want to call around to these places and see if they have them. I haven't heard the RC-10s, but I hear they are more detailed, have a wider sound stage, and a better highs then my C-300s.

AVS Systems I call those guys all the time, they push Jamo a lot(another great speaker co. also owned by klipsch), they mostly do in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, he may bring some in for you, but probably would have to tell him the price you see online.

AV Authority, is now a Ken Cranes, and they dont stock Energys anymore.

There are a few people on here that have the RC-10s though, look at the first page of the Energy thread they are all listed there.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

a place on audiogon has PSB B15 speakers for 259 .. Dont know how they are compared to the B1s ?? But PSB is an excellent speaker company http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....okshelf-Speake

you can get them at saturday audio or dmc-electronics too for about the same or less.

[callas01]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

PSB Alpha B1 ($217 shipped) Smallest and cheapest, but NOT small or cheap sounding!

" Note: PSB's Alpha B1 at $279/pair is also a "Loudspeaker of the Year Award" runner up. This category is dominated by cost-no-object high performance loudspeakers up to $74,995/pair. "

"I can't remember the last time that a speaker weighing just under 10 pounds dripping wet made me want to listen to so much music. At its humble price, the Alpha B1 is so much more than just a good little speaker - it's an achievement that borders on the surreal"

"I very much enjoyed my time with this unassuming but attractive-looking little speaker. Considering its price, the PSB Alpha B1 is quite extraordinary in its way. Even if not in the market for a cheap mini, audiophiles should buy them for their Bose-owning friends and family, to give those unfortunates more than a taste of what a true highend loudspeaker is capable of."

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/...product_detail

Brett this is another nice speaker, however, I liked the Energys better then these and the PSB Image better then the Energys... JMO.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Callas, have you heard the RC-10's?

Im looking to upgrading my polk m40's along with a better center speaker. Ive been looking at the Axioms M22 v2 as they have two drivers, which i think would sound great. But the Energy RC10 have good reviews and the price fits my budget better, as i could upgrade to a better center. Also like the reviews for the PSB Aplpha B1.. I see that you're in riverisde do you recommend any local dealers where i could demo the Energys.. I think pacific sales carries the PSB brand, i could possible check them out there.




PSB_Paradigm_HSU, where can i get the PSB Alpha B1 for the price you mentioned?

like callas also mentioned dmc electronics and saturday audio are good sellers with awesome prices. Me personally, Ive only dealt with DMC for my blemished S50 surrounds but to this day I havent been able to find the blemish theyre talking about. Great buying experience!

(Also in In my opinion: Alpha B1 > M22, BETTER FOR CHEAPER)

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by callas01

Yes Pacific Sales should have some leftover Image speakers, they are discontinued, and I know they got the new Image line in too, so you may get a good deal on them.

Where are you located?

http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/where-to-buy/

you may want to call around to these places and see if they have them. I haven't heard the RC-10s, but I hear they are more detailed, have a wider sound stage, and a better highs then my C-300s.

AVS Systems I call those guys all the time, they push Jamo a lot(another great speaker co. also owned by klipsch), they mostly do in-wall/in-ceiling speakers, he may bring some in for you, but probably would have to tell him the price you see online.

AV Authority, is now a Ken Cranes, and they dont stock Energys anymore.

There are a few people on here that have the RC-10s though, look at the first page of the Energy thread they are all listed there.

Have you heard the B25?

Will the B25's be good for front's? I mostly watch movies and tv. Occasional ill hear music. What center would you recommend as well thanks...

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Have you heard the B25?

Will the B25's be good for front's? I mostly watch movies and tv. Occasional ill hear music. What center would you recommend as well thanks...

I used to own B25s. I LOVED them and would still be loving them today if it werent for a crazy deal I couldnt pass up on the Imagines. So if you have the space and money, get a pair of B25s and a C60 center (its big) and you will be blown away for music and movies. I sold my old B25s and C60 to a friend and he constantly tells me how much he loves them over his old set up.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

I used to own B25s. I LOVED them and would still be loving them today if it werent for a crazy deal I couldnt pass up on the Imagines. So if you have the space and money, get a pair of B25s and a C60 center (its big) and you will be blown away for music and movies. I sold my old B25s and C60 to a friend and he constantly tells me how much he loves them over his old set up.

Im between the Energys RC10 with the Mini cc center and the PSB B25s with the c60 center. Price difference is around $50 bucks... And im not sure how you order from Saturday Audio, do i have to call to place order and do they offer free shipping mmm. DMC website doesnt seem to be working so i couldnt check their prices.

I want to demo the PSB's so ill hit up my local store to see if they have some to demo. By the way are the B25's discounted? If so what model replaced them. Thanks.

[PSB_Paradigm_HSU]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Im between the Energys RC10 with the Mini cc center and the PSB B25s with the c60 center. Price difference is around $50 bucks... And im not sure how you order from Saturday Audio, do i have to call to place order and do they offer free shipping mmm. DMC website doesnt seem to be working so i couldnt check their prices.

I want to demo the PSB's so ill hit up my local store to see if they have some to demo. By the way are the B25's discounted? If so what model replaced them. Thanks.

The energys youre looking at are more in line comparison wise with the Alpha B1 & C1 and Image B15 & C40. (5.X inch driver) So if you can get the B25 and C60 for about 50 bucks more than the energys then I say go for it! More value, MSRP for a pair of B25 is $479 by the way. They were replaced by the new Image B6 ($499 MSRP)

You can call Saturday audio and place an order or if you have any questions. I dont think they have free shipping but theyre prices are very competitive with shipping included. Just give them a call and make a reasonable offer.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

The energys youre looking at are more in line comparison wise with the Alpha B1 & C1 and Image B15 & C40. (5.X inch driver) So if you can get the B25 and C60 for about 50 bucks more than the energys then I say go for it! More value, MSRP for a pair of B25 is $479 by the way. They were replaced by the new Image B6 ($499 MSRP)

You can call Saturday audio and place an order or if you have any questions. I dont think they have free shipping but theyre prices are very competitive with shipping included. Just give them a call and make a reasonable offer.

I really hope the PSB would be a huge improvement over my polk setup. Even though i love my Monitor 40s im afraid if i upgrade the center it wont match with M40's.

Im going to check out the nearest retailer for psb speakers see how they sound in person before pulling the trigger. If they're a huge improvement ill definitely get them.

[kingofgrills]

Here are my favorite current bookshelf speakers I recommend you audition:

Monitor Audio's Bronze Reference 2 - fantastic bang-for-the-buck speaker. Offers much more detail and it has a fantastic weight to it. Plus, the sound, build, and finish rivals that of speakers costing hundreds more.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/produ...br/br2/reviews

Paradigm Mini Monitors

http://www.paradigm.com/en/paradigm/...-1-14.paradigm

If there's any way you can swing this one budget-wise, I would absolutely recommend the following:

B&W 685. Read the reviews then check out the speaker.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/displa...301&terid=2447

Also, when switching to bookshelf speakers, make sure you have a fantastic subwoofer with a lot of articulation and detail. That will be essential, especially in the upper-bass, because that will be the area lost in the transition to bookshelf speakers.

[arrt vandelay]

the b25s or rc-10s would probably be great choices. i think of these 2, i would go for the psb's, as i would think they will have slightly more output and bass extension with the bigger woofer. you can also find the brand new psb b6's on ebay for $369 shipped...

also consider axiom. they have a very well reviewed bookshelf...the m3($330,b-stock-$300). its performance is probably akin to the psb's and energy's. if you can bump up your budget a bit, i'd really suggest going for the axiom m22's($470, b-stock-around $425). they're a bit larger than other bookshelves, but it gets awesome reviews. i'm thinking about buying some m22's for a 2 channel set up. the great thing about axiom is you get a 30 day trial to use their speakers in your own set-up. if you don't like them, just send them back, and i think you'd be out only $30 for shipping them back...

just be sure to factor in the cost of stands, and make sure you keep the sub...

[callas01]

Originally Posted by Atticus

Have you heard the B25?

Will the B25's be good for front's? I mostly watch movies and tv. Occasional ill hear music. What center would you recommend as well thanks...

I have heard the T55s and they were very nice sounding. Compared to the RC-50s from Energy they were about equal.

Originally Posted by Atticus

Im between the Energys RC10 with the Mini cc center and the PSB B25s with the c60 center. Price difference is around $50 bucks... And im not sure how you order from Saturday Audio, do i have to call to place order and do they offer free shipping mmm. DMC website doesnt seem to be working so i couldnt check their prices.

I want to demo the PSB's so ill hit up my local store to see if they have some to demo. By the way are the B25's discounted? If so what model replaced them. Thanks.

The RC-10s and the RC-LCR would be the better compliment to one another. However the RC-Mini C would work well too. The B25s were replaced with the B6 I believe.

Originally Posted by PSB_Paradigm_HSU

The energys youre looking at are more in line comparison wise with the Alpha B1 & C1 and Image B15 & C40. (5.X inch driver) So if you can get the B25 and C60 for about 50 bucks more than the energys then I say go for it! More value, MSRP for a pair of B25 is $479 by the way. They were replaced by the new Image B6 ($499 MSRP)

You can call Saturday audio and place an order or if you have any questions. I dont think they have free shipping but theyre prices are very competitive with shipping included. Just give them a call and make a reasonable offer.

just because of the driver size doesn't mean that they are not capable of reproducing the same sounds with the same depth and accuracy and what not. Think of the Totem staffs, they are a single driver 5.5" that out produce many other speakers, the C-300s are better then polk monitors, I even liked them better then the Alpha T1s too, and only have a single driver vs multiple drivers. Size of the drivers, matters some, but its not the be all of what makes a speaker good or better. It is how it is used and what it can do.

Like we were talking in the PSB thread about the Imagines v the Images T6. there is a lot that goes into making a speakers good or better. The RC-10s are on the same level as the B25s.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by arrt vandelay

the b25s or rc-10s would probably be great choices. i think of these 2, i would go for the psb's, as i would think they will have slightly more output and bass extension with the bigger woofer. you can also find the brand new psb b6's on ebay for $369 shipped...

also consider axiom. they have a very well reviewed bookshelf...the m3($330,b-stock-$300). its performance is probably akin to the psb's and energy's. if you can bump up your budget a bit, i'd really suggest going for the axiom m22's($470, b-stock-around $425). they're a bit larger than other bookshelves, but it gets awesome reviews. i'm thinking about buying some m22's for a 2 channel set up. the great thing about axiom is you get a 30 day trial to use their speakers in your own set-up. if you don't like them, just send them back, and i think you'd be out only $30 for shipping them back...

just be sure to factor in the cost of stands, and make sure you keep the sub...

I was also looking at the m22's read about them last night, they seem great but a little bit to pricey. My Polk Monitor 40s are about the same size as those and i have two stands for them. I like the 30 day trial they offer as well. I want to hear some PSB's first though. I also like the PSB design over the axioms. But ill see what i end up getting.

[Atticus]

Originally Posted by callas01

The RC-10s are on the same level as the B25s.

I could save some money if i go with the Rc-10s if they are similar to the B25's. I just stopped by pacific sales but they were closed today. Ill try again tomorrow, hopefully they have some PSB speakers i could hear.

If i land a good deal ill pull the trigger on some PSB's.