Bookshelf speakers

[JonB1001]

I recently upgraded to a rega RP3 TT and rega brio r amp - which are brilliant so thanks for everyone's thoughts on this a little while back.

I couldn't afford new speakers straight away so they are running through my 20 year old Mission 760i's . I'm on the look out over the next few months for new speakers. I've looked into the Q Acoustic Concept 20s and B&W 685 S2s. I'll speak to PJ's in Guildford about testing them out. Any other suggestions for sub £500 book shelf speakers? Also, as regard the Concept 20s, I would appreciate any thoughts on whether the stands are absolutely necessary. Also, thoughts generally about whether either the Concept 20s or the 685s are a good match for the Rega set up.

Future planned upgrades will be the 2m Blue and the PSU but speakers first and they can come maybe next year.

 

[chebby]

I recently upgraded to a rega RP3 TT and rega brio r amp - which are brilliant so thanks for everyone's thoughts on this a little while back.

I couldn't afford new speakers straight away so they are running through my 20 year old Mission 760i's . I'm on the look out over the next few months for new speakers. I've looked into the Q Acoustic Concept 20s and B&W 685 S2s. I'll speak to PJ's in Guildford about testing them out. Any other suggestions for sub £500 book shelf speakers? Also, as regard the Concept 20s, I would appreciate any thoughts on whether the stands are absolutely necessary. Also, thoughts generally about whether either the Concept 20s or the 685s are a good match for the Rega set up.

Future planned upgrades will be the 2m Blue and the PSU but speakers first and they can come maybe next year.

Despite having rear ports, the Rega RS1s should be on the list. (£438 for real Cherry veneer and £482 for piano gloss black.)

Rega claim ...

"The RS1 has an unusually even bass response for a small loudspeaker. It allows them to be mounted directly onto the wall, or alternatively to be placed on shelves or stands. This allows the user greater flexibility in positioning than is normal."

I think it's worth taking them up on the claim.

 

[davedotco]

I recently upgraded to a rega RP3 TT and rega brio r amp - which are brilliant so thanks for everyone's thoughts on this a little while back.

I couldn't afford new speakers straight away so they are running through my 20 year old Mission 760i's . I'm on the look out over the next few months for new speakers. I've looked into the Q Acoustic Concept 20s and B&W 685 S2s. I'll speak to PJ's in Guildford about testing them out. Any other suggestions for sub £500 book shelf speakers? Also, as regard the Concept 20s, I would appreciate any thoughts on whether the stands are absolutely necessary. Also, thoughts generally about whether either the Concept 20s or the 685s are a good match for the Rega set up.

Future planned upgrades will be the 2m Blue and the PSU but speakers first and they can come maybe next year.

An awful lot depends on mounting and positioning. There are some decent budget speakers around if you choose carefully and set them up well.

Concept 20s are designed to work on their own stands and reports suggest that the stands are very worthwhile. They are quite power hungry though and if you have a reasonable size roo the Zensor 3 might fill it better. At this level the choice is about how the various models present the music to you, listen to some options and see what works best.

If PJ are amenable, try the two prefered options at home, set up as you plan to use them.

 

[nopiano]

Those old Missions are still pretty good. I've pressed mine into service a couple of times in the last few years, including on the end of my 150wpc Krell. They were on Target stands but I've also used them on the Foundation stands from my Celestion SL600 (which were nicked, but the stands were too heavy). A bit occluded by today's standards, so be prepared for a brighter more uncluttered sound from 2014 brands. But don't be afraid to resist if you can't find something that really does it for you.

I cannot overstate how important stands and positioning are with 'bookshelf' speakers, even if they "can" be used in other sites. They'll always sound best on decent stands, either aiming at you or past you, depending on their design aims and your preference for the stereo image and treble balance.

 

[Al ears]

I would not dismiss the Cambridge Audio Aero 2 speakers (see RicherSounds shops). Cheap at £250 and quite a stunning sound with their BMR unit, and front ported. Well worth a listen, leaving you plenty of money for a good solid pair of stands.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I have the Dali Zensor 3s, and they are head and shoulders above the Q Acoustics 2020is they replaced.

 

[plastic penguin]

I recently upgraded to a rega RP3 TT and rega brio r amp - which are brilliant so thanks for everyone's thoughts on this a little while back.

I couldn't afford new speakers straight away so they are running through my 20 year old Mission 760i's . I'm on the look out over the next few months for new speakers. I've looked into the Q Acoustic Concept 20s and B&W 685 S2s. I'll speak to PJ's in Guildford about testing them out. Any other suggestions for sub £500 book shelf speakers? Also, as regard the Concept 20s, I would appreciate any thoughts on whether the stands are absolutely necessary. Also, thoughts generally about whether either the Concept 20s or the 685s are a good match for the Rega set up.

Future planned upgrades will be the 2m Blue and the PSU but speakers first and they can come maybe next year.

As you live near Guildford, just down the road from me, give these guys a call and speak to Derek, if available. They are Rega, Focal, B&W, Kudos, Usher, MonoPulse and PMC dealers and very helpful, too. I personally wasn't over impressed with PJs.

 

[audipheonix]

If possible try Usher S520 , they are wonderful little speaker.Comes in nice finishes too.

 

[plastic penguin]

If possible try Usher S520 , they are wonderful little speaker.Comes in nice finishes too.

Yup, still one of my fav sub-£500 standmounts.

 

[JonB1001]

ended up testing the Q Acoustic concept 20s, B&W 685 s2s and then finding a pair of Neat Motive 3s at not very much more than the s2s. No competition in the end. Wasn't expecting to find such a good speaker at the price point I was looking at. I know they've been around for a while, but that didn't seem to matter very much given the quality of the sound they produced. Must admit, I was very disappointed in the Concept 20s. They sounded pretty soul-less. 685 s2s gave a fuller sound, more rounded but even if I hadn't found the Motive 3s I think I would have waited, saved up a bit more and gone for something else. Would have liked to test the Zensor 3s.

 

[nopiano]

Looks like a great choice! Well done for finding a speaker to really enjoy.