Best bookshelf stereo pair under £200?

[Gray2233]

Demo the Diamond 9.1's if you get a shot and don't mind the look, they're excellent speakers. I had them running decently for a friend on a MINI-AMP that cost all of £30.

Monitor Audio Bronze BR series tends to run on a wet fart too last I checked.

I think Hornet is overstating potential issues.

The above mentioned Q Acoustics are damned good too at that price.

 

[ninjag]

Those q acoustics look really good, but again are 6 ohm - and i'd want the walnut ones which are more expensive than the black ones for reasons.

Dunno if I should discount 6ohm speakers and only look at 8ohm?

I've got Dali speakers (in Walnut ) and I agree (obviously) that they are nice speakers to look at, I do like a nice wood effect speaker. There is some lovely stuff out there though.

One of the main reasons I was drawn to Dali was their wide dispersion, which gives me a little more freedom with positioning them as well as providing a wide listening area and increased sweet spot for when others in the room sitting in different positions and great for music where you can be moving around.

There's a review of your amp here and I noticed the speakers they use are Q Acoustics 5020, which I believe are 6 Ω, 87.9 dB and 25-100 W so fairly similar to the Spektor 2 specs. Peter Tyson has a clearance section where you can find some good deals for a whole load of different brands, especially if you sign up for the VIP which is free. I got my Dali Oberon 5's for £530, compared to the usual £799.

Speaking of floorstanders (I know you are looking for bookshelves but thought I'd put it out there), you could get a set of Spektor 6 floorstanders in walnut for £234 used here, they are even better at 88.5 dB. I find my floorstanders are have a richer sound quality than my bookshelves.

 

[hornetstinger]

Have you had a recent bad experience with Richer Sounds by any chance?

I know more about audio then them. I just get returned blank expressions and gormless look when I ask for advice at the end of the day they're retail staff.

You can tell when someone has a job just for a job, and others that are into the hobby. Similar thing to computers etc.

Demo the Diamond 9.1's if you get a shot and don't mind the look, they're excellent speakers. I had them running decently for a friend on a MINI-AMP that cost all of £30.

Monitor Audio Bronze BR series tends to run on a wet fart too last I checked.

I think Hornet is overstating potential issues.

Perhaps but I damaged a pair of speakers so I errr on the side of caution now. haha 300W into 4ohm. 50/60W should be plenty for most cases- a good 50W not the overblown ratings on some products etc

I've got Dali speakers (in Walnut ) and I agree (obviously) that they are nice speakers to look at, I do like a nice wood effect speaker. There is some lovely stuff out there though.

One of the main reasons I was drawn to Dali was their wide dispersion, which gives me a little more freedom with positioning them as well as providing a wide listening area and increased sweet spot for when others in the room sitting in different positions and great for music where you can be moving around.

There's a review of your amp here and I noticed the speakers they use are Q Acoustics 5020, which I believe are 6 Ω, 87.9 dB and 25-100 W so fairly similar to the Spektor 2 specs. Peter Tyson has a clearance section where you can find some good deals for a whole load of different brands, especially if you sign up for the VIP which is free. I got my Dali Oberon 5's for £530, compared to the usual £799.

Speaking of floorstanders (I know you are looking for bookshelves but thought I'd put it out there), you could get a set of Spektor 6 floorstanders in walnut for £234 used here, they are even better at 87.9 dB. I find my floorstanders are have a richer sound quality than my bookshelves.

3.4db difference...that's a lot.

 

[Gray2233]

Perhaps but I damaged a pair of speakers so I errr on the side of caution now. haha 300W into 4ohm. 50/60W should be plenty for most cases- a good 50W not the overblown ratings on some products etc

You need a pretty powerful amp and a lot of heavy usage to damage a speaker.

Unless the OP has one and is trying to deafen his neighbours he should be fine.

Performance is always going to be variable, it isn't black and white and you know that.

 

[hornetstinger]

You need a pretty powerful amp and a lot of heavy usage to damage a speaker.

Unless the OP has one and is trying to deafen his neighbours he should be fine.

actually it's easier to damage a speaker that doesn't have enough clean power, than it is with too much power. Also not all watts are the same, as impedance comes into it. A efficient speaker but that is very hard to drive doesn't need gigawatts of power but does need one with hefty power supply to drive low imdedance loads.

The most tricky speakers are those that are 3ohm and have <83db senstivity. I think I saw one with 80db sensitivity once.

 

[Gray2233]

actually it's easier to damage a speaker that doesn't have enough clean power, than it is with too much power. Also not all watts are the same, as impedance comes into it. A efficient speaker but that is very hard to drive doesn't need gigawatts of power but does need one with hefty power supply to drive low imdedance loads.

The most tricky speakers are those that are 3ohm and have <83db senstivity. I think I saw one with 80db sensitivity once.

At the level of speakers and amps that we're talking about?

You're doing your old thing that you were often called out for, you're applying extremes to lower end/budget builds.

I do not disagree with you necessarily but you're overinflating issues based upon things those in question will not suffer.

Gods I miss @lucid.

 

[hornetstinger]

At the level of speakers and amps that we're talking about?

You're doing your old thing that you were often called out for, you're applying extremes to lower end/budget builds.

I do not disagree with you necessarily but you're overinflating issues based upon things those in question will not suffer.

Gods I miss @lucid.

Simply just go for more efficient speakers. 84.5db is low.
Better safe than sorry.

 

[sastusbulbas]

I'm sure Lucid was one of the old hifi forumites from some of my past hifi forum days, but could be wrong. Not sure if those were good or bad years lol.

Talking about efficient, no one needs to go scaremongering sensitivity when your talking about £200 speakers driven by £200 amps with 25w of class D amplification. No one should be too concerned at those points, it's not like your thinking of running Boston Lynfields, Apogee Scintilla's or such like from a 1960's Leak Stereo 30 valve integrated, or some 4ohm resistive load from a 100w pmppopeepee rated integrated with less currents than a fruit scone.

 

[Gray2233]

I'm sure Lucid was one of the old hifi forumites from some of my past hifi forum days, but could be wrong. Not sure if those were good or bad years lol.

Talking about efficient, no one needs to go scaremongering sensitivity when your talking about £200 speakers driven by £200 amps with 25w of class D amplification. No one should be too concerned at those points, it's not like your thinking of running Boston Lynfields, Apogee Scintilla's or such like from a 1960's Leak Stereo 30 valve integrated, or some 4ohm resistive load from a 100w pmppopeepee rated integrated with less currents than a fruit scone.

He was an older gent that spent a lot of time correcting things from Hornet and a few others, lovely guy with industry experience.

I chip in here and there but my own knowledge is limited, this section of the forum doesn't really have anyone one could call an expert anymore since his departure. I'd love for someone else to take the role, you certainly seem informed in that regard.

Hornet has a bit of a history of recommending over-specs, AVR setups that cost huge amounts of money vs better soundbars as though anyone has the space or desire. I'm not trying to disparage him, but he really takes the pee when it comes to offering valid information for end users.

 

[Admetos]

If you can find another £50 these Fyne Audio F5e's are on clearance, never heard them but apparently they sound very good for money.

Sensitivity 87dB, 8ohm speaker.

Nearly New - Fyne Audio F5e Bookshelf Speakers - Black Oak

All of our Nearly New products are usually customer returns or Ex Display items and they have been professionally checked by our dedicated Service Department prior to being advertised. All products are supplied with a full manufacturer’s warranty, giving you the ability to buy with confidence...

petertyson.co.uk