Best bookshelf speakers under $2000

[varma_vikas]

Hi guys,

room size-15*10
I have been looking for good bookshelf speakers. somebody suggested for Monitor audio gold series. I am also emphasaizing on the quality material of the speakers.

I need the best quality and sound, budget could be stretched some more.
I do not have space to keep floor standers.
I have decided to go for bookshelf with sub.

I have amp of woodstock 80 watts /channel.
Source- Cambridge audio 651 bd.


Later on if necesary, will go for another amp.
Please suggest.
Are b&w 805 bookshelf really good?
Somebody suggested for ascendo bookshelf which will cost approx 2.25 lakhs(out of budget).

I trust all you tech savvy guys as i have seen the passion for audio on this forum

Any help is welcome.

 

[jai1611]

At that price range, I would recommend an audition of the following (what you like will be your preference):
Dynaudio focus series
PSB Synchrony 1B
Monitor Audio Gold
B&W
Xavian (if your are in Mumbai)

Virtually all of these would demand a better source and amplification so keep that in mind when planning the budget.

My personal favourite out of the lot are the Dynaudio range

 

[saurabh459]

Hey give Genelec 8030a an audition,they are active speakers though, they are really nice.

 

[mpw]

I read about and heard Paradigm Studio 20 with Seismic 110 sub ( dimunitive size
But great performance ) to be a good combo. Please budget for some nice stands.

Jaibir has mentioned some nice choices too.

Paradigms are avbl in Mumbai.

About 2 days back I heard the Kef R300 at Profx. That meets your budget
And is a sweet sounding too. Well constructed and handsome.

Rgds
Mpw

 

[varma_vikas]

I am highly thankful to all of you who gave their time and shared their knowledge and experience.

Thank you
Vikas Varma
Delhi

 

[venkatcr]

Vikas, none of the speakers suggested will make any sense with the amplifier and source that you have. Frankly playing a B&W with a Woodstock 80 watt amp will be akin to taking a Ferrari body and inserting a Maruti 800 engine in it.

If you looking at music only a good CD player, a decent two channel amp, and simple bookshelves for about 50-60K will give you much better sound than what you can get from B&W 805 played by your current amp.

Look at CDP and amps from CA, Marantz, Arcam, Creek, etc. Attach these to a decent pair of bookshelves such as B&W 685 or equivalent from other companies, and you are done.

Cheers

 

[varma_vikas]

Hi Venkat,

I appreciate your suggestion.

I have cambridge audio bd universal player.

Till the time I am not going for high end amp, I wish to use the speakers with woodstock( this is only for the time being as I have planned to complete my audio system BRICK BY BRICK). So still would u like to provide same suggestion?

OR u can suggest that Should I go for monitor audio gold series, that will cost somewhere around 70k.

I also do not wish to go for unnecessary high end gear as I have auditioned the gear costing 10 lakh and it does not sound like somebody should spend that amount of money( amplifier of Belles soloist1 -2.35 lakhs and ascendo floor standing speakers-6.5 lakhs). That was just ok for me. soundstage was good however bass was lacking.I have heard that speakers like B&W demand for very high amplification and does not sound as good as they should.

Most importantly, I wish to go for a quality 2 channel stereo for my movies and music( music is more important, 70%).

I am not fucusing on very high end gear costing money in couple of lakhs.

 

[john_k_antony]

Hi,

If you are in Delhi, you can check out Zu Audio Omen Bookshelves. They are american speakers. I have heard them and they are outstanding. They are well mated with tube amps, but they perform well with SS amps too.

Here is the link - Zu Audio | A Revolution in American HiFi

Thanks,
John.

 

[varma_vikas]

Hi John,

Yes , I am based in Delhi.

Looked at these, the specs are outstanding, First ever seen. Could you please tell wher in delhi I can audition these?

 

[denom]

As per Zu Audio Website:

BBW Distributors
19A Begampur Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, India 110017
Mobile: 09810017130

Call & find out + keep us posted.

 

[Flash]

The B&W 805D retails for around $5000 abroad and I was last quoted Rs 3,90,000 for them here in India, without negotiation ..

I am not too sure if they would fall in your budget.

 

[varma_vikas]

Ha hahahaha,

Absolutely not, Flash

Thank you for your reply

 

[bhagwan]

As per Zu Audio Website:

BBW Distributors
19A Begampur Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, India 110017
Mobile: 09810017130

Call & find out + keep us posted.

The Omen Bookshelf is designed for those of us who need speakers on a shelf, but still insist on great sound. Omen bookshelf offers a similar level of performance as the floor-standing Omen but with a little less in the bottom end.

Omen Bookshelf delivers on the performance, all that Zu driver goodness and machined aluminum suggests. Our objective for the Omen series is simple, create and build loudspeakers that sound amazing, are happy with the majority of amps, with great looks, and at a price that lets every working music head on Earth afford them.

This is sold by Mr. Gunbir in New Delhi.

US $'s 1500/- is the price.

You should manage it under 1 Lac - I assume.

I have not heard this model, but the top end I have auditioned & they were nice.

This speaker may just be 'better' than the Monitor Audio - Gold.

Worth a listen for sure...

The specs are here :-

http://www.zuaudio.com/docs/OmenBs1-A_Specs.pdf

 

[musicbee]

+1

Monitor Audio - Gold
KEF - R300 (really liked the sound).

 

[jls001]

You can also consider the Morel Octave Signature. It has a claimed frequency response of 20-30,000Hz (40-18,000Hz 1.5 dB).

Spec sheet here: http://www.morelhifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Octave-signature.pdf

Used to be stocked by Boom-a-rang. Don't know if they still sell them.

 

[pkr]

+1 MA GS10.

I think they are selling for 63K at AudioPeople.

 

[afj]

if you dont mind increasing your budget a bit take a look at the usher be 718 diamonds Usher Audio > Dancer Series Loudspeaker > Be-718 Diamond DMD . last i heard they were retailing in india for around rs1.25 lakhs

 

[dinyaar]

Hi guys,

room size-15*10
I have been looking for good bookshelf speakers. somebody suggested for Monitor audio gold series. I am also emphasaizing on the quality material of the speakers.

I need the best quality and sound, budget could be stretched some more.
I do not have space to keep floor standers.
I have decided to go for bookshelf with sub.

I have amp of woodstock 80 watts /channel.
Source- Cambridge audio 651 bd.


Later on if necesary, will go for another amp.
Please suggest.
Are b&w 805 bookshelf really good?
Somebody suggested for ascendo bookshelf which will cost approx 2.25 lakhs(out of budget).

I trust all you tech savvy guys as i have seen the passion for audio on this forum

Any help is welcome.

Hi Dont think this amp will cut it with quality, transparent speakers. Since you are open to replace the amplifier there are tons of options for book shelf speakers in your budget.
B&W 805s not the new 805D is generally available PRE OWNED in India & on audiogon for around the 1L to 1.25L range. Much much better than 685 and the likes. LESS BOXY. Will need quality amplification.
Ascendo is a very different sound. Have U heard it? I guess you are referring to the single driver BS. I think its the C5.
Totem Rainmaker is a decent BS for 50/55 K. Lovely tone but wont play loud and if one expects solid low end this will dissapoint.
ATC SCM 11. Another good option. With a good powerful amp this can sound marvellous.
Usher BE 718 Pre owned should be well within your budget too.

Naturally U will have to budget for a quality stand too.
There are many more options too. All comes down to what your ears feel is good sound & the kind of music you listen to. Monitor audio and the likes are just average all rounders that are nothing special in my opinion but the plus is that they are very easy to drive and one can partner with average electronics & still GET BY!
Rgds

 

[dinyaar]

The B&W 805D retails for around $5000 abroad and I was last quoted Rs 3,90,000 for them here in India, without negotiation ..

I am not too sure if they would fall in your budget.

Not worth it at all in my opinion. I think the price including all levies is over 4 Lac!!! Many better options for this kind of money
The new PM 1 seems a good option or a used 805 signature. Both are much much cheaper.
Rgds

 

[Asit]

The ATC SCM 11 is a nice suggestion from dinyaar. But it needs clean power, and little integrateds will not deliver it. This is a wonderful line of thought, but the rest of the chain needs to be as good and compatible.

If the OP has a chance, please audition the 'Mini Maggies' from Magnepan (link here: Magneplanar Mini Maggie). These are, for some reason, advertised as computer speakers, but they can be comfortably used with regular amps, and are wonderful and musical. These are made specially to suit smaller rooms like people have in places other than the US. I have heard these speakers with Naim Supernite and also a little budget amp (Teac integrated at around USD 600). They are good. One should be able to audition these in Bombay and they should come well under the OP's budget. I have been a fan of Magnepan speakers since the mid eighties.

Regards.