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Best value Bookshelf speaker

I'm trying to decide which bookshelf speaker to acquire. I just purchased a Bob Carver Dominator 8 Sub which seems good. Will hook it up to an old Audio Research D90 and SP-12 pre-amp (tube/SS hybrids). I have a pair of JSE floor speakers that have Dynaudio drivers and have always loved them, but now are too big for my new room- it's a marriage thing!

I've listened to Dynaudio Focus and Vienna Acoustic Haydns and both sounded nice. The VA salesperson said he did head to head comp w/Dynaudio and the VA's were superior.

Any thoughts from anyone?

Thanks.
jamesk58
wdrazek
100 posts
 
You will be able to hear the Polk Lsi9's at a Tweeter if there is one near you. Not exactly a 'boutique' but they do have a few decent brands there. I would have jumped on the Lsi15's at the asking price but wife vetoed the cabinet.
timrhu
2,778 posts
 
Thanks for the info James. It's appreciated when the thread originator posts his results. Enjoy the Focals.
jamesk58 OP
73 posts
 
Welcome Timrhu. I know you like the Polks and I did talk to a seller. He also said great things about the lsi9's but said if I found a pair I already like for a good price just go for it which is what I did.

So far no regrets.
marct
1 posts
 
I have listened to both, and liked them. My recollection of the VA's is that they were tonally very elegant and well balanced, but that they were not particularly well focused. They played big, but without great spacial definition. It could have been the positioning. I really like the focus 140's, though they are more money. You could also listen to the Totem Rainmaker. I find them a little harsh on the high end, but for under $1000, they are a real value. With the right electronics they would probably be fine.
jamesk58 OP
73 posts
 
Marct- did listen to the Rainmakers at the same dealer and same set-up. He just changed over the wires and everything else was exactly the same including listening position.

Did appreciate the Rainmakers. Sounded very nice but both the dealer and I agreed the imaging and soundstage sounded quite a bit more pronounced with the Focals. He also gave them to me for $750 out the door NIB, so I couldn't decline.
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