A total of 5 reviews of this product on Reddit.
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Jbl studio 530, HTD level 3 bookshelf, Ascend Acoustics cbm-170 se, Canton gle 476.2, wharfedale Denton, Emotiva b1+ or t-zero, Chane a1.5 (out of stock), Polk rti a3 or tsi400 or rti a6, PSB alpha p5
Just some options.
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The SVS Prime Bookshelves are probably my favorite $500 speakers. They’re neutral and just great to listen to. They have plenty of detail in the top end and a good amount of bass to make me happy.
A bit cheaper would be the HSU HB-1 MK2. They have a bit lower extension, and the top end is a bit softer. They’d be great to just have in the background all day in my opinion. But if you want to crank them up and jam out sometimes, you won’t be punished at all.
Another good option is the Ascend CBM-170. They’re a touch on the bright side in my opinion, and they don’t hit super deep. What they lack in bass they make up for in midrange.
The Wharfedale Dentons are supposed to be great, but unfortunately I haven’t heard them so I can’t comment on this. I’ve currently got the Diamond 225s at my desk and they’re good. They are a bit on the warm side. The bass seems to be a bit boosted and the top end is laid back, making them super easy to listen to.
Finally, the PSB Alpha P5. I think these are some of the best desktop speakers at the $400 price range. They have an amazing tone that makes vocals really nice to listen to. They dig deep enough where you wouldn’t feel like you need a subwoofer. And they’re just clean all around.
If it were me, I would end up with the PSB or the SVS.
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For mostly music and only some TV/Moives: Stereo recevier with HDMI, DENON DRA-800H ~~$499~~ $349.
Floor standing towers:
- 3 way DCM TP260 ~~$599~~ $259 pair.
- A step up 3 way DCM TFE100 ~~$849~~ $269 pair.
- Boston A250 ~~$599~~ $300 pair or Boston A360 ~~$799~~ $375 pair.
Bookshelf:
- DCM by MTX TFE60-B ~~$579~~ $229.
- Polk LSi M703 Cherry ~~$1499~~ $449. 70% off.
- Ascend CBM-170SE $298 + shipping. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response and a great midrange that many speakers in the price range lack. Internet direct, no middlemen or resellers so compare to $450 retail speakers.
- KEF Q150 ~~$549~~ $299.
- Canton Chrono 502.2 ~~$949~~ $279 or White.
- Wharfedale Denton Walnut or Mahogany ~~$999~~ $499, Wharfedale Reva 2 ~~$699~~ $449, Wharfedale Diamond 225 $~~449~~ $299, Wharfedale Diamond 220 ~~$349~~ $199.
- Boston A26 ~~$399~~ $195 pair.
- Wavecrest Audio HVL-1, and order on sale at Ascend $80 each + shipping, “budget/baby Ascends” from the same speaker designer.
Subwoofer: Sealed SVS SB12-NSD $399.
Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free Speaker Wire then 4 Ways to Strip Wire. Optionally add banana plugs. Already with banana plugs Crutchfield, DFWCableConnection, Blue Jeans Speaker Cable or Blue Jeans at Amazon.
Speaker Placement: Stereo Music Listening and How to position your speakers for great sound.
Bookshelf (misnomer) Speaker Stands: Dayton Audio SSMB24 or Monoprice Glass. Sturdy Monolith by Monoprice Speaker Stands. DIY Custom Speaker Stands.
Audio Guides: Intro to home stereo systems • Zeos Setup Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • r/audiophile Guide to Home Audio • Introduction to Audio Components
Also check out r/BudgetAudiophile.
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Wharfedale are often warm but still detailed. Wharfedale Denton Walnut or Mahogany ~~$999~~ $499, Wharfedale Reva 2 ~~$699~~ $449, Wharfedale Diamond 225 $~~449~~ $299, Wharfedale Diamond 220 ~~$349~~ $199.
Ascend CBM-170SE $298 + shipping. Neutral sound with a linear frequency response and a great midrange that many speakers in the price range lack. Internet direct, no middlemen or resellers so compare to $450 retail speakers. My budget speaker of choice for my living room and compact Ascend HTM-200 on my desk.
Cambridge Audio AXR85 $299 or Cambridge Audio AXA35 $269. Refurbished direct from Cambridge Audio with 1 year manufacturer warranty. A new AXR85 is $399 or AXA35 $349.
SVS SB12-NSD $399. On clearance for $100 less than the SVS SB-1000.
More options:
Polk LSi M703 Cherry ~~$1499~~ $449. 70% off.
Emotiva TA-100 $399. YAMAHA A-S301 ~~$349~~ $269. Onkyo TX-8220 $199. Harman Kardon HK 3700 ~~$349~~ $249.
RSL Speedwoofer 10S $399. Definitive Technology Prosub 1000 ~~$499~~ $299. Boston ASW250 ~~$349~~ $199.
Speaker cables: Crutchfield, DFWCableConnection, Blue Jeans Speaker Cable or Blue Jeans at Amazon.
Speaker Stands: Dayton Audio SSMB24 or Monoprice Glass. Sturdy Monolith by Monoprice Speaker Stands. DIY Custom Speaker Stands. Speaker Placement: Stereo Music Listening and How to position your speakers for great sound.
Also check out r/BudgetAudiophile.
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Your welcome, I almost forget the retro vintage look Wharfedale – Denton 80th Anniversary Bookshelf Speakers $500 pair. Or walnut.
Or look for a used pair of Klipsch Heresy.