Bookshelf Speaker question

I did some research and the wharfedales i was considering are $350 new and the totems are $525. Have any of you had experience with these brands? Are they worth it or should I just search for Energy or Klipsch as most of you are suggesting. Id like some advice on good cable in the $50-100 range. That may be a longshot, but I'll ask anyway. Thanks for the posts keep them coming I'm learning a lot here.

the wharfedales are well regarded entry level speakers--i haven't heard them enough to comment reliably.--i have owned totem rokks and heard the dreamcatchers, which are an update--they're excellent, well-balanced and probably a couple of notches above the wharfedales on the audio food chain. my concern, again, is that you're amp wouldn't drive 'em to their full potential, especially at the lower frequencies--they're relatively power hungry. hence, my earlier recommendation for the more efficient energy, klipsch, etc. just my opinion, of course--buy what sounds good to you.

Muzikat, I disagree with your assertion that high-sensitivity bookshelves aren't possible. Look at a Coincident Triumph UHS for an example. (This is one that I could recommend to the original poster, actually).

What kind of music do you tend to listen to, and what are your listening preferences? (Lean and detailed, full and lush midrange, strong bass for a bookshelf speaker, etc.)

I'm not familiar with the Wharfedales, but I have heard the Totems and was impressed by their midrange presence. I think the bass is a little one-note, and there is an exaggeration of the midbass, but the small Totem speakers do sound good to me.

Other considerations besides the Coincident Triumph UHS would include some of the NHT offerings, PSB Stratus Mini's, and Von Schweikert VR-1.

Michael

Check out Polk LSi9's.

I use a pair of quad 11L monitors in a 10' x 10' listening room. I am only running a modded dynaco st 70 (35 watts per channel) and the system has excellent soundstage and musicality.There is also plenty of bass in a small room.

The quads are rated at 86 db and 6 ohm but my 35 watts will run you out of rhe small room.

They also have a beautiful piano gloss finish and can be bought here in non active version for well under your $500 budget.

I have klipsch heresy's, klipsch kg4's and have previously owned a nice pair of early 90's snell acoustics speakers. These quad 11L's are better than any of these speakers. They image very well.

Good luck