Suggestions for £200 Bookshelf Speakers

[Alex_UK]

Hello chaps, I know how much everyone loves spending someone else's money... :)

I've found I'm using the dining room a lot recently for work, and in the evenings sitting at the dining table with a laptop. I've currently got a lash-up system of my old Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3 floorstanders which were my main speakers, being run from a Mini-T. I've then got a spare laptop (and Fiio E7 usb DAC/Headphone amp which sounds better than you'd expect) which I can control from my main laptop using Remote Desktop - works brilliantly.

Only problem is, it is all a bit bulky, so I want to get some small bookshelf speakers to run - maybe from my Audiolab 8000S instead of the Mini-T if the little fella isn't up to the job.

So - suggestions please, around the £200 mark - ideally 12" high x 8" wide max, dark wood preferably. I like the "BBC sound" but don't fancy paying a grand for fake LS3/5As and even JR149s now go for £300 or more - Spendor or Harbeth for £200? - I wish... I picked up a pair of 70's B&W DM1s which sounded nice (though a little short in the bass) and these would have been fine except one is rattling. :( If I fix it I will probably use them in the main room, any way.

I've got a few ideas, but what are your suggestions?

[The Grand Wazoo]

They're right under your nose Alex!
Take a wee peek (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16256)

[hoopsontoast]

Keesonic Kubs over on the Wam.

[chelsea]

I have a nice little pair of vieta's from the 80s i think.
Sadly i don't know model number.

£100.

[Alex_UK]

They're right under your nose Alex!
Take a wee peek (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16256)

Yes, I have pondered Ian's Castles a few times when they get a bump! - they're not much bigger than my specification, but they look bigger! will have to think I know they're well regarded. Thanks.

[Alex_UK]

Keesonic Kubs over on the Wam.

Thanks Rob, I'll have a looksee

[Alex_UK]

I have a nice little pair of vieta's from the 80s i think.
Sadly i don't know model number.

£100.

Interesting - I know nothing of Vieta. Will do some googling. Cheers.

[The Grand Wazoo]

A pair of Spendor S20's a little over your budget (& size requirements I think) and some Rogers LS2/A2's here (http://www.hifi-intouch.co.uk/Classified/Speakers/)

[Alex_UK]

Interesting you should mention the Rogers Chris, 'cos I have seen some of those on eBay before and been tempted but the same as these ones they seem to have "whitened" cone surrounds and I worried that might be a problem? http://www.hifi-intouch.co.uk/upload/s_134813584022718.jpeg

[chelsea]

Ah just found a pair.

4060

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENCEINTES-VIETA-B4060-MADE-SPAIN-VINTAGE-/170598833159

[DSJR]

Just give the surrounds a bit of a polish or use some "Back to Black" and they'll be fine ;)

Those DM1's have a fab midrange and its a shame the surrounds have suffered with age :(

[The Grand Wazoo]

That looks like a little 'bloom' on the surrounds - they're rubber, I think, rather than foam. Maybe from a little bit of damp?

[Alex_UK]

Actually - I think they ARE the ones that haven't sold on eBay a couple of times - certainly the same photos. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROGERS-LS2A-2-SPEAKERS-/190746043674?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudio HiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item2c6959a51a&nma=true&si=hVQ4qFViYRJEBzqLAaveeOTIVYo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[Alex_UK]

Ah just found a pair.

4060

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ENCEINTES-VIETA-B4060-MADE-SPAIN-VINTAGE-/170598833159

Thanks Stu, I'll do some reading.

[Alex_UK]

Just give the surrounds a bit of a polish or use some "Back to Black" and they'll be fine ;)

Those DM1's have a fab midrange and its a shame the surrounds have suffered with age :(

Cheers Dave. It is a shame with the DM1s. I'm not giving up on them, just not got the time to play at the moment.

[DSJR]

The Spendor S20's are a reasonable price for you, especially as they're situated in a place you visit regularly? Why a third party would repair the surrounds when Spendor may be able to do this themselves I don't know :scratch:

[The Grand Wazoo]

I'd be thinking hard about those Spendors too, if I were you Alex

[The Grand Wazoo]

LS4a's here (http://www.hifi-forsale.co.uk/moreinfo.php?prod_title=rogers_ls4a&p=speaker&prod_id=7690&offset=60)

[Beechwoods]

It's worth saying Alex that JR149's are probably on the big size, I wouldn't call them 'bookshelf' speakers. 15" high, 9" wide.

[DSJR]

Back in the day (1975), they were DEFINITELY bookshelf miniatures :lol:

[Beechwoods]

Bigger houses, bigger bookshelves!

[Alex_UK]

Cheers Nick - probably a little on the large side, but if I could get a pair at £200 I'm sure I could live with the consequences! :)

[Macca]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JBL-Control-1-Pro-Compact-Speakers-in-Black-Brand-New-Boxed-Pair-/251175215361?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudio HiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item3a7b35a101

All the minature loudspeaker you will ever need brand new boxed. The only reason these are so cheap is because they make zillions of them, same as the sl1210/1200. Stan Beresford is also a fan. Not as pretty as Ian's Castles, i'll grant you.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've recently had my old love of AR speakers rekindled by playing some 44BX's that I got from Ebay for a tiny sum.
Thinking about your need for something to go on a shelf, some vintage AR's might be just the thing sealed boxes). If you're up for a bit of refoaming, they can be had for very little money!

[Canetoad]

Chris, I have a set of AR18s speakers and recently bought a set of AR28s. Surrounds on woofers had gone on both. Just now I am listening to the refurbed AR28s and they sound very musical indeed! I'd love to get a set of AR6 some time...

They are easy to site as well because they're sealed. :)

AR18s might be worth trying.

[RichB]

With a Mini-T amp it has to be a pair of Mission MX1s... well under budget which leaves more cash for some nice cable or even more tunes. I know Mission are a bit of a dirty word on here having sacrificed any credibility they may have had over the last 10-15 years on producing rubbish AV kit but I'd honestly say unless you've heard them with the Mini-T then dont knock them. Its a fun and lively combination.

[DSJR]

Chris, I have a set of AR18s speakers and recently bought a set of AR28s. Surrounds on woofers had gone on both. Just now I am listening to the refurbed AR28s and they sound very musical indeed! I'd love to get a set of AR6 some time...

They are easy to site as well because they're sealed. :)

AR18s might be worth trying.

AR6's were very nice and very much better than cheapo old 18's :)

[walpurgis]

Agreed, the AR6 was a bit special. The bass extension was exceptional for such a compact cabinet.

[The Grand Wazoo]

And there's a pair on Ebay right now!

[DSJR]

I genuinely didn't know, but the 7, 6, 2ax, 3a and 10 pi models, let alone the MST and rather naughty LST models were very popular with us I remember. Not sure why, but the AR5 and 4 models didn't seem as popular at the time.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Earlier this year, I stupidly let the offer of a free pair of MST's slip through my fingers through a stupid misunderstanding.
Bugger, bugger,bugger!

[spendorman]

I rather like B&W DM4's, especially on classical music, can be bought for less than £200

[DSJR]

At this rate, I think Alex had better give up his dining room into a vintage HiFi museum :lol: I reckon his dear little Avatars have taken the rest of the house over :) - in fact I KNOW so.......

[DSJR]

Earlier this year, I stupidly let the offer of a free pair of MST's slip through my fingers through a stupid misunderstanding.
Bugger, bugger,bugger!

Oh no!!!! And of course now, the very few that might turn up on the UK used market are going to fetch even more stupid money than they probably already do, refoaming or not :(

[walpurgis]

Anybody interested in a pair of compact vintage AR speakers should look out for the AR4xa. They seem to last forever as they have doped cloth roll surrounds which don't rot away. They also sound pretty decent too, I've had a couple of pairs.

[Jason P]

I've said before, but Dali Lektor 2's are remarkable speakers IMHO. Front ported so easy to site, and punch wayy above their weight in terms of bass and sound staging. Bugger to find secondhand though as people tend to keep em...

[seoirse2002]

How about Rogers LS-5?
Not too big and sound great...not that easy to get though

[julesd68]

The best bookshelf speakers I have heard are my old Chario Syntars which were even better than the wonderful Royd Merlins I had once. They are so good that I would never sell them, but there is a mint looking pair of Chario Silhouettes on ebay to consider - these are a newer model than my Syntars -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chario-Silhouette-100-Speakers-Well-Looked-After-Perfect-Working-Order-/160913261782?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudio HiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item25772d84d6

[Alex_UK]

Cheers Guys. I nearly bid on a local pair of Lektor 1's... Rogers of some description are definitely on the list (anyone ever tried the weird looking DB101?) and I also saw those Charios and thought they looked interesting... Thanks again, more food for thought. :)

[The Grand Wazoo]

....anyone ever tried the weird looking DB101...

I remember them being quite well reviewed but I think they sold very badly. I think someone may have bought the large quantity of remaining stock & is still trying to shift 'em.
I heard a system sporting a pair once. I wasn't impressed, but that may not have been their fault.

[Alex_UK]

Cheers Chris. From what I've found out they listed at around £400 which is why they tanked, and although the price was dropped significantly (£250 ish I think) it was too late. I've seen them go for around £70 so at that price might be worth a punt, as they would be shifted on again easily enough I guess.

[Macca]

No, don't do it! - they are dismal sounding things.

[istari_knight]

http://www.mhennessy3.f9.co.uk/rogers/db101.htm

Tweeter mounting is similar to some Vienna Acoustics IIRC :)

[DSJR]

(I'm going to get slaughtered for this :lol: ) - How about ditching the external amp(s) and getting some precision active speakers for around £200. Plenty to choose from and I bet a lot would out-perform most conventional botch-ups really well? I've heard the behringer's a couple of times (the ones with conventional dome tweeter) and they're not bad at all and surprisingly solid for such an inexpensive model.....

[Alex_UK]

(I'm going to get slaughtered for this :lol: ) - How about ditching the external amp(s) and getting some precision active speakers for around £200. Plenty to choose from and I bet a lot would out-perform most conventional botch-ups really well? I've heard the behringer's a couple of times (the ones with conventional dome tweeter) and they're not bad at all and surprisingly solid for such an inexpensive model.....

Well Dave, you might recall I originally planned on some M-Audio actives fo this job, but that got scuppered. I had a PM suggesting similar, but I've also been looking at the Epoz Aktimate range... built in usb dac on the Micro, and ipod dock for fuss-free background music. Could be worth a look and would be very neat.

[Alex_UK]

Right - these are unquestionably what I want - how fantastic is this - speakers made from 100 year-old whisky barrels! And they will match the room perfectly! (A Japanese theme with dark wood and dark red accessories!) Just got to find a pair... and at the right price... Can only find the "Pure Malt" light wood ones, and they're £420... :(

http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/42/99/161/S-A4SPT-VP/page.html


The wood has absorbed the whiskey, creating a distinctively smooth and rich acoustic quality, unlike that of any virgin wood.

Seriously, you couldn't make it up, could you!?

[Krisbee]

Hmm, suck on wood?

There's a pair of Epoz Aktimate MAXI speakers for sale on the wam right now. Asking £300 but open to offers. (No connection to me).

[Alex_UK]

Hmm, suck on wood?

There's a pair of Epoz Aktimate MAXI speakers for sale on the wam right now. Asking £300 but open to offers. (No connection to me).

Yes - thanks - advertised here, too, and very tempting - but I think they'd be a step too far in size and cost. Thanks, though.

[julesd68]

A pair of Chario Syntars just turned up on ebay - they are just sssoooo good!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chario-Syntar-100-Walnut-Speakers-/150942683244?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudio HiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item2324e2906c

[DSJR]

I remember these and thought these babies good as I remember. Didn't the bigger ones have ports in the bottom? So long ago I'm afraid.......

[julesd68]

The Syntar floorstanders had downwards firing bass drivers but I prefer these smaller standmounts with the downwards port - superior imaging, and surprisingly enough I thought their bass performance was actually better ...

[Alex_UK]

Thanks Julian, I have them on watch. :)

[Alex_UK]

Well, I retrieved my £8 Wharfedale Diamond IV's from hifi Dave's, and they are surprisingly good with the Mini-T, a Fiio E7 as USB DAC/Pre, and Jriver Media Center playing FLAC or Spotify Premium:

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/uu259/Alex_Steel1969/IMG_9542_zpsec87ff2e.jpg

(The laptop is normally on the rack and controlled either by Remote Desktop from another notebook or my iPod Touch.)

Could do with a bit more bass, but these little speakers have no right to sound as good as they do.

[Audioman]

I would suggest the Celestion 3 from late 80's. Lovely little speaker. I think these could be very good away from the wall on tall stands rather than on a shelf. They are really solidly built and quality speaker terminals. Kevlar mid/bass and metal dome tweeter. Should be obtainable for a fraction of the £200 budget.

[Alex_UK]

Thanks Paul - I would like to try some Celestions as the Ipswich factory is a stone's throw away from here - but the whole point of the exercise is to save space so stands wouldn't work really. I'll keep an eye out for some, though, as often wondered if they are any good. :)

[daytona600]

little Q acoustics are crackers 2020i or 2010i well under your budget £ 130 new
niece & nephew both use a pair with small valve amps , with nice cable & stands
or mini Ushers S520s little belters at the price if you can get a pair 2nd hand

Or save up £ 1050 for the superb stirling LS3/5a for the real BBC sound

[Audioman]

Thanks Paul - I would like to try some Celestions as the Ipswich factory is a stone's throw away from here - but the whole point of the exercise is to save space so stands wouldn't work really. I'll keep an eye out for some, though, as often wondered if they are any good. :)

My comment about stands really applies to any 'bookshelf' speaker but they certainly benefit from being at least a few inches away from the wall.

[Rare Bird]

Hi Alex
I have two of those Dell Lattitude 'D620' laptops & the wife has one too, very reliable they are.

[DSJR]

Thanks Paul - I would like to try some Celestions as the Ipswich factory is a stone's throw away from here - but the whole point of the exercise is to save space so stands wouldn't work really. I'll keep an eye out for some, though, as often wondered if they are any good. :)

The Ipswich factory WAS quite close to you mate, but is now a housing estate with Celestion Drive and Ditton Close as two of the streets therein.....

I echo the need to lift the Diamonds off the sideboard top a few inches. Dave offered some black dense foam as I recall and, if you trim a blockboard slab (chopping block etc) to size and stick the 2" foam to one side, you'll decouple the speakers nicely and their low mass won't cause bad rocking either. Might be the best and cheapest bodge out there.

Hope you can add "those" other Diamonds to the list next week too please ;)

[Alex_UK]

I echo the need to lift the Diamonds off the sideboard top a few inches. Dave offered some black dense foam as I recall and, if you trim a blockboard slab (chopping block etc) to size and stick the 2" foam to one side, you'll decouple the speakers nicely and their low mass won't cause bad rocking either. Might be the best and cheapest bodge out there.

I put some "feet" on them (the clear "blobs" designed for kitchen doors about 7mm high) which improved them but I still wasn't 100% happy. Decided to try the Audiolab 8000S with them instead of the Mini-T, remembering that the little chip fella really didn't get on with my old Super Diamonds. Ah, that's better - I think the secret to getting Diamonds to sing is giving them a decent amount of power?


Hope you can add "those" other Diamonds to the list next week too please ;)

Was hoping to sort the others out this week but my meeting plan changed - will see what I can do next week Dave, sorry. :(

[Marco]

Yes, I have pondered Ian's Castles a few times when they get a bump! - they're not much bigger than my specification, but they look bigger! will have to think I know they're well regarded. Thanks.

I've heard those first-hand in Ian's room, Alex, and they're superb!

You'd probably have to spend three times that amount to get the same quality, in terms of cabinet finish and sonics. Their sound is somewhat 'BBC monitor', too, in the best sense of the description, but with no lack of 'pzazz', to coin one of Jerry's phrases! ;)

Off their stands, placed on a shelf, they're also suitably dinky. Really, dude, it's a no-brainer.

Marco.

[Alex_UK]

Hmmmm... more food for thought! Cheers for the input, I'll have a think on it, though I've made myself a promise nothing else new until I shift some kit of my own, as I have far too much stuff doing nothing. :)