i am in the market for a good pair of bookshelf speakers under $300 (i am
not setting up a surround sound system). i will be using a Yamaha CR-420
reciever (30 watts per channel) to drive them. i have been disappointed
with everything i've heard at local stores and dealers that fall within my
price range. based on reviews and other online opinions i am considering
the following, in no particular order (havent been able to listen to
these);

KEF Coda 70 - Hooked On Tronics.com $224
Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 - Buy.com $200
Axiom M3ti - Factory direct Axiomaudio.com $275 or $248 for factory seconds

(the Wharfedales are bi-wireable, is this of any import with the Yamaha?)

i'm also considering Paradigm Titan's and a some sweet looking ADS 450,
520, and 620's on ebay. i am familiar with the ADS and know what to expect
from them, they would match nicely with the Yamaha.

any input, advice and/or opinion you can share is greatly appreciated.

thanks,
dingus

There are so many speakers with so many differences in sound that it's
difficult to give advice. You have said is that you like the written
descriptions of several speakers you haven't heard, but ...
How about telling the identity of some well known speakers you have
listened to, what you didn't like about them, and what you want to be
different than what you heard.

Wylie Williams



"dingusmcgee" wrote in message
9.6...
i am in the market for a good pair of bookshelf speakers under $300 (i am
not setting up a surround sound system). i will be using a Yamaha CR-420
reciever (30 watts per channel) to drive them. i have been disappointed
with everything i've heard at local stores and dealers that fall within my
price range. based on reviews and other online opinions i am considering
the following, in no particular order (havent been able to listen to
these);

KEF Coda 70 - Hooked On Tronics.com $224
Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 - Buy.com $200
Axiom M3ti - Factory direct Axiomaudio.com $275 or $248 for factory
seconds

(the Wharfedales are bi-wireable, is this of any import with the Yamaha?)

i'm also considering Paradigm Titan's and a some sweet looking ADS 450,
520, and 620's on ebay. i am familiar with the ADS and know what to
expect
from them, they would match nicely with the Yamaha.

any input, advice and/or opinion you can share is greatly appreciated.

thanks,
dingus

In article ,
(dingusmcgee) wrote:

what i'm looking for is a decent soundstage, imaging and richness in
sound, i understand that i'm not going to get deep bass with this
class of speaker. all this for under $300, am i kidding myself?

Stereophile has relatively recent reviews of cheap speakers by PSB,
Alon, Epos, Paradigm and Infinity. That's one place to look.

Stephen

Stephen wrote:


In article ,
(dingusmcgee) wrote:

what i'm looking for is a decent soundstage, imaging and richness in
sound, i understand that i'm not going to get deep bass with this
class of speaker. all this for under $300, am i kidding myself?

Stereophile has relatively recent reviews of cheap speakers by PSB,
Alon, Epos, Paradigm and Infinity. That's one place to look.

Stephen








I would also suggest the initial poster also carefully consider the possibility
of getting a nice pair of used speakers in good working condition.. Sources
such as eBay and Audiogon are certainly worth checking out to get an idea of
prices and conditions.

Also, I would suggest the poster consider a pair of Magnepan MMG's, which
retail for $ 500/pair new, direct from the factory with a money-back guarantee
if you don't like them. Of course, used Magnepans are often available for less
- and I think (this is my bias) prospective purchasers should at least audition
planar loudspeakers as well as conventional dynamic speakers to see if they
like that type of presentation better.



Bruce J. Richman