Bookshelf speakers, best pair under 100 bucks?
 

I figure someone here might have an opinion about speakers.

I want to change out the speakers I am using for my pc in my office, and I have an old receiver sitting unused, so I thought I would just hook the pc into it, and I could use that for my musical/noise needs, and I could ditch the radio, giving me a bit more space. I do have a powered sub lurking that I am not using either.

I am not looking for perfection, just an improvement over the computer speakers that I am currently using, and using some hardware I just have sitting around wasting space.

What I am looking for on the speakers, they do need to be bookshelf sized, available new, and under 100 bucks. I know there are all sorts of good used stuff cheap on the web, but I don't want to muck around doing that, since I honestly don't have a clue as to what is good, and if it is something that works well.
Links are appreciated!

TIA

I'm a big fan of Harmon Kardon Soundsticks II

KLH is always worth checking out... lots of bang for your buck.

KLH 3-way 125-watt Bookshelf Speakers (Refurbished) | Overstock.com

If you can find these used.

Blueroom Loudspeakers Minipod
Blueroom Loudspeakers Minipod (Carnaby Blue) - Speakers & Speaker Systems - CNET Archive
http://asset3.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d...65-2-200-0.gif

You would have to find the original fiberglass body ones, not the later plastic body ones which were terrible. They sold for $600 new, later versions were half the price and sounded like it.

Is there a location that sells old school stuff? Test it to ensure it works and take off the dust covers to ensure the speakers are not rotted and coming apart!

There is some REALLY good old school stuff out there that will sound MUCH better than almost anything made today, especially in the less than $100.00 range. I bought some (three, they lost the fourth one) JBL bookshelfs for $2.00, spent ~$30.00 on new foam and they sound great!

^^^These look nice...

I have a similar setup for my office computer. Picked up a NAD power amp for $100 off evilbay and had some JBL bookshelf speakers kicking around unused.

Only problem is when someone had some audio they want to analyze they bring it to my desk.

Edit: Stumptown= are you in Portland, OR.?

Pioneer SP-BS41-LR loudspeaker

Pioneer SP-BS41-LR loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

$150

Its little brother is the Pioneer SP-BS21-LR 80 for $80

Why buy new? Bose 201. About $100 craigslist. Great little speakers.

continuing the used vein... in a college town you can often find nice used speakers for a song or for free as those "horrible, stupid" college kids get rid of them at the end of the year

I'm still shocked at what I find at thrift stores and garage sales on a very regular basis. Two weeks ago I picked up a pair of Phase Technology speakers for $20. They were around $1000 when new. Last week I got some Polk RT7s for $20. These were $500 when new. I mentioned in another thread that I got a Pioneer Elite VSX-90TXV for $20. I still have the Athena towers I got a couple of years ago that were basically free after I sold the sub that came with them. I've got the most amazing $40 stereo you've ever heard!

Yep, Portland Oregon, where the state name sounds vulgar, our state animal is a beaver and our state fruit is a pear...

The reason to buy new is that I just don't know enough about what I am buying to buy used.

I would love a vintage look like this,
Vintage Ampex Speakers Wood vinyl

But are they any good? I just don't know, and don't know how to tell.

With new, most likely more people are familiar with them, and I thought I would get a better idea.

I do like the klh posted earlier, but they are out of stock.

go downtown to echo audio on tenth-
listen to some stuff
bring hat you like to listen to that will help-

The guy in that ad said "too many speakers" and it looks like he has a few amps stacked up in the background, I bet he could hook them up for you to listen to. If they sound good to you (and that is all that matters) go for it. Ampex made some good stuff back in the day.

I have a pair of non-functioning BIC bookshelf speakers kicking around I would give you, but you would have to wait until next time I fly up Jet Blue (free checked bag).

A little sanding, stain and soldering and you will be looking and sounding good.

Vintage Polk Monitor 5 Speakers

If you do decide to consider the used route, here are a couple contenders found with a quick search of your local CL:

Wharfedale Bookshelf Speakers
Mission (European) Bookshelf Speakers
M-Audio BX5a 70w Active Studio Monitors
M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Monitor Speakers
KRK Rokit Powered 5 Studio Monitors
Event Monitors Passive
Pair of Fostex PM.04 Powered Studio Monitors (Black)

The powered (studio) monitors in particular would be well-suited for your application, and are better quality than most offerings at "big box" stores at the same price points.

I have some beautiful Polk Audio speakers from around 1990. Some complete stoner was selling them for $200. His brother had gotten them at an army PX, and given them to him. He was "like, ya know, running short on funds....". Amazing sound for jazz, classical, ambient. Bass horns are on the back, so not as great for harder music.

This guys column appears in our local paper and he generally has reasonable advice. Scroll down and you will find some speakers for less then $100 that he has been recommending for years.

Recommended Speakers

If you have the time I would suggest doing some reading then some shopping/listening of older speakers. To me the stuff from the pre digital era sounds the best but, I also only have older analog amplification.
It is very important to match your gear, all analog gear sounds differrent, and digital as well.
If you listen to some speakers on an analog source, you like them and take them home, if you have a digital amplifier it will not sound the same.
Meaning try to listen on similar gear as you currently use.

Hear is a source for more info than you can digest, great help as well.

David

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over your $100 limit, but excellent speakers.

Audiophile Loudspeakers and Subwoofers for Home Theater and Music - Ascend Acoustics, renowned speakers,subs,audio

It'd be my personal preference to shop CL for some vintage stuff. My main living room speakers were sourced this way. Dahlquist brand. Love 'em. The way you evaluate them is to go listen to them.

Those wharfdales above.....they would probably sound very good.