£200 Bookshelves

[stanleyk]

I am considering upgrading my Celestion F10 bookshelves, approximaely 150-200 to spend, what should it be spent on? Considering Wharfedale 9.1 as a cheapish upgrade. Will be getting a Beresford soon to help cd player and for online listening. Any thoughts?

(Maratnz 6000ose, NAD320Bee, QED biwire)

 

[the record spot]

I was reminded of these on a similar post the other day. If you have a little time to spare and not in a big rush, try and get a pair, in good condition, of Mission 751 standmount speakers. Were £300 in their day (early to mid-90s), but sing like a winner. I had a pair for a few years and their presentation, detail and bass response was something else. They'll comfortably handle anything out there just now up to at least the Wharfedales and then some.

 

[Anonymous]

Hunt around and find yourself a new or used pair of AVI Neutrons. Superb little boxes that will keep you going on the speaker front pretty much regardless of what you put up them

 

[plastic penguin]

stanleyk:

I am considering upgrading my Celestion F10 bookshelves, approximaely 150-200 to spend, what should it be spent on? Considering Wharfedale 9.1 as a cheapish upgrade. Will be getting a Beresford soon to help cd player and for online listening. Any thoughts?

(Maratnz 6000ose, NAD320Bee, QED biwire)

If you're prepared to go second hand or ex-dem them Epos M5 will fit the bill nicely. Otherwise, Wharfedales are wonderful, likewise Tannoy Custom F1.

 

[stanleyk]

Thanks for the tips, any one of these particularly 'warm' sounding. I find my system a little bright, going to change form silver to copper cabling, but be nice to pair my amp (very happy with) and cd player (possibly the bright part of sysetm, great clarity) to some new boxes

 

[matthewpiano]

Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s. Far better than the Tannoys and with the slightly warm balance you are seeking. They are excellent speakers and will respond well to future upgrades to your electronics.

 

[stanleyk]

Igglebert, very quick look and not alot out there secondhand, any good tips where to look? ebay? just keep looking and searching?

 

[Anonymous]

The Monitor Audio BR2s would probably fit that description of being 'warm', they are about 230, but might be on ebay etc.

see http://whathifi.com/Review/Monitor-Audio-Bronze-BR2/

 

[Anonymous]

There's a pair here but a bit above your budget. There's a pair here. Again above budget but keep looking. Maybe some will appear here.

Not hugely helpful and maybe they just fall outside of budget, but they're very good neutral speakers.

 

[stanleyk]

Thanks for the links, looks like these might be a bit past my budget unless i sacrifice on the Beresford, although am keen to try this out, paticularly as I more towards more streaming listening. Keen to keep below 200 if possible. Will keep looking at the sites you suggested, be interesting to try anything new as celestion were original purchases all those years ago and if not good i can move tehm back as will probably move them downstairs to sit next to tv as part of that setup

 

[the record spot]

Forget the 751s - they don't do warm and fuzzy feeling, very musical speakers though.

 

[stanleyk]

Thanks record spot, so what would in this price range, new or sh?

 

[basshead]

i'd go for wharfedale diamond 9.1, can be got new at ok prices, and there's the nicer looking anniversary eddition if u want to pay the £20 extra:

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3589

 

[matthewpiano]

Apart from the Wharfedales, which I've already voted for, the suggestion of the MA BR2s is worth investigating. They have quite a muscular sound, although with a slightly over-thick midband. Very good speakers in general but I personally think the Wharfedales are better.

The Mordaunt-Short MS902i are incredibly good for the money but you'll probably find them a bit bright with your kit .

Second hand, I'd suggest trying a pair of B&W DM601 S3 which partner very well with NAD amplification.

I think you would find Epos speakers might be slightly too bright for your needs, and the same would apply to KEFs.

If you can find a nice pair of the old Tannoy 6-series (with the funny shaped cabinets) these are excellent and could make a good buy.

I'd still say the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s though. Fabulous speakers.

 

[78finn]

You mention Wharfedale 9.1 - why not audition the next version up i.e. the Wharfedale 9.2. The difference being slight bigger box and bigger bass driver...makes for a fuller sound. I just went through the same proccess as you actually and thats what I chose. Obviously you will have to audition to see if they suit your setup, there not the easiest budget speaker to drive...however I would certainly add those to your list to trial. You can get them on ebay for just within your budget... Well thats my 10c anyway....

 

[Alec]

If i were you i would give more serious consideration to puttin g the DAC money into the speakers, and look into the DAC anew in the future.

Good luck either way. Sorry to say no more but there are already plenty of reccommendations here from people more experienced than me.