Bookshelf Suggestions?

I am looking for Bookshelf Speaker suggestions. I am on a very tight budget at the moment and am able to spend no more than $200. I am fairly new to the "Audiophile" world. Maybe tips or suggestions of brands and what to look out for and becareful of. Thank you!

 

I've been happy with the affordable Andrew Jones Pioneer speakers:

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

 

I have the same ones, they're very nice for the money. Probably the best you'll do under $200.

 

Nice thank you very much!

 

Haven't heard them but Andrew Jones has the Elac B4 coming out this year at a similar price.

 

Used pair of LSR305's. I sold my pair a month ago for under $200. Check amazon marketplace, ebay, and the usual Audio sites. If you can't find a pair or won't buy used, I'd recommend a pair of Chane A1rx-c speakers - good budget speakers.

Edit - Chane's seem to be discontinued and none seem to be under $200 at the moment.

 

Although I have never heard them, I think I would look at these Overnight Sensations Kit from Parts Express. One guy liked them better than his JBL 305s which have lots of fans. And you get to build them, maybe tweak them a bit for some extra $.

Link http://www.parts-express.com/overnight-sensations-mt-speaker-kit-pair--300-706

 

The B4 will be $180 new when they come out. I have the B6 which I found for a little bit more. I would recommend the B6, but they're a bit too much for a desktop setup.

 

Affordable Accuracy Monitor http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

 

I like the Infinity Primus P163, they're a little bit more than the Pioneer Andrew Jones and also larger IIRC (tho you can sacrifice some bottom end and opt for the P153 too), but they're also front ported which can help with placement... (rather than rear ported) And nicer looking if that matters, still <$200.

I've heard the Pioneer AJ bookshelves plenty, though not at home, but I'm actually using the humble Pioneer AJ floorstanders in my living room. I'd say the Infinity P163 are probably a little brighter but they seem to image better as well.

I'm actually about to move the Infinity to my bedroom and switch over to the aforementioned JBL LSR305 powered speakers at my desk... Not sure if this is the speaker version of headphone mid-fi purgatory but we'll see. I did it for convenience as much as SQ tho, wanted to get rid of the desk amp.

Edit: How are you gonna run/power these? Off an AVR? Small desk T-amp? Makes a difference, EQ and room corrections are pretty prevalent on AVRs and they can correct some faults that might be more glaring without it. Are they gonna be on a desk? Stands? Can also make a big difference...

 

At that price point I'd buy used. Energy RC-10, C-3 or C-2s, or PSB B25s, might be available for $200 if you're lucky.

I'd check your local Craigslist. In fact, if you say where you're located I could make suggestions from there. If you're really lucky, good tower speakers sometimes go for under $200.

 

I'd second pretty much every recommendation above that suggests buying used at that price point.

BUT, if you absolutely must have new, the Energy CB-20s may be a good value at your price-point and an alternative to the (very well regarded) Andrew Jones options. It seems the CB-20's are no longer available at some retailers but a quick search yielded some options at well under $200 delivered. Given their (presumably) soon to be discontinued status you may find them for much less.

I have a pair in my home gym and I'm very pleased with them. The port in the rear allows for some flexibility if you find the bass lacking, manufacturer specs are that they go as low as 60hz but I find that there is a sweet spot about 8" from the wall (in my room and at moderate "work out level" listening volumes) where I could swear they go deeper without sounding boomy. At higher volumes and/or closer to the wall (with no port plugs) they will sound off as would any rear ported bookshelf.

I recently added an old energy subwoofer to my gym set up and plugged the ports with some foam insulation and I'm actually very thrilled with this very neutral set up. The subwoofer is handling the crossover to the CB-20's at about 80hz.