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Best bookshelf speakers

I’m building my first high fi system after being more of a portable audio person. I want to start with the speakers. Space is limited so bookshelf speakers are a must.

Preferences:
Balanced and revealing with a hint of warmth.
Midrange most important to get right over highs and lows
Timbre is super important - I listen mostly to acoustic music especially jazz
But I do need some bass as I also listen to some electronic music
Smaller is better but SQ is most important
A speaker that sounds good with different amps but also scalable with high quality sources
Wide sweet spot - I wont have money for a great amp at first but want them to be scalable for later

These speakers have caught my eyes - any thoughts on them?

Ascend Sierra 2s - Ribbon = dispersion limitations?
BMR Philharmonitor - See above. Also massive.
Buchardt S400/S300 - Wary of the sudden hype train and limited info
Silverline Minuet Grande - Limited info
Reference 3A De Capo - This caught my eye as a potential endgame speaker if I could blow up my budget a little. But concerns about BE tweeter as well as some potential snake oil stuff (cryogenic treatment (!?)), exaggerated sensitivity claims and wonky measurements put me off.

What else should I be looking at?

Edit: I could have sworn I had <$2,000 in the title... Anyway, my budget is 2k.

stuff_jones
why0why
21 posts
 
Fortunately we live in a time where there are many brands of amazing bookshelf speakers for under $2,000.  And if you don't mind buying used, there are many more options.  My MO with most purchases is to buy slightly used and get something high end for a great value.  i think you are wise to get some nice speakers and they will only sound better as you improve your other gear.

I just upgraded to B&W 805's and they sound amazing!  I have been listening to master recordings on Tidal this week and it has blown me away.  I kept waiting for a deal and I got them for $1175 shipped on eBay.  They look like new and sound great as well.   
stuff_jones OP
64 posts
 
Used loses you the warranty though, right? Is speaker failure a thing, outside long term degradation of the woofer/supports?

Is there much of a "lemon" risk buying used?
therobert
33 posts
 
+1 on the Ascend Acoustics Sierra 2's. I tried several pairs of pretty serious bookshelf speakers (Monitor Audio GR10's, and GX100's - Dynaudio X12's, and Focus 160's) and the Sierra's came out on top. And they are on sale right now.
2y2ret
1 posts
 
A couple of years ago I went through the same exercise looking for bookshelf speakers up to $2000.00 (Canadian). I took my son with me as I didn't want to trust my ears alone. For several weekends we tested everything we could get our hands on in our living area taking the same music with us to each session. When I started out I was sure I was going to end up with British brand speakers that had impressed me a few years before. I ended up buying "Paradigm Prestige 15 B" speakers. To this day anyone listening to these speakers in my home are blown away by the amazing quality and depth of sound that comes out of them. They cannot believe the music/sound is coming from just those 2 little speakers. Both my son and I kept going back to the paradigms, nothing else we listened to at the price range could touch them in our estimation. They are my forever speakers for music at this stage of my life.
jburidan
672 posts
 
KEF LS50 wired, i.e., without built-in plate amp and not the wireless version. But as with any bookshelf speakers, you'll need a subwoofer if you want low bass. You may be able to find a pair used for $850 - $1,000.

There are technical reasons why the LS50 sounds so good -- the dual-concentric driver acts as a single point source. This is the best possible design IMHO.
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