The most dynamic & transparent bookshelf

Acousticfrontiers: Thanks for you recommendation. However my budget is limited, with same price I think I can get better speakers, while ATC loudspeakers look a bit traditional to me though, also the frequency response raise some concerns to me, seems not low enough.

Buy a boombox and no more problems.

Wim1983. I agree the ATC look is more traditional. Take a look at the drive units though, and the engineering that goes into them. I'm personally not sure there is anything better around that price point. They solidly outperformed the new KEF Reference 1 standmount according to a client to came for a demo, though he purchased the new Dynaudio active speakers in the end.

The ATC low end frequency response statistics are very conservative, that's just how the company is, but in reality they have the 12dB/octave sealed box rolloff as opposed to the 24dB/octave ported box rolloff so bass actually goes down quite low. On the plus side you get the benefits of extremely accurate bass, as opposed to what you get out of some (not all) ported speakers.

"05-15-15: Wim1983
Zd542: Well, yes audio chain is pretty complicated to begin with, I'll stick with scientific objective way on choosing my gears, that's why I look for budget DAC like JDS Labs ODAC, transparent setup just very important in music listening and analysis (sometimes), everything come later, and I have absolutely enjoy my music collection ever with my current setup, sound quality, sound stage, musical tonal balance, well except dynamic and bass perfection just with a pair of bookshelf speakers, which remains to be craved by most audiophile, having said that we are clear that there is no perfect solution, but a reasonable near perfect solution based on given assumptions is drafted, and I'll start from there..."

We all need to do things our own way, so I respect your decision. But if you'll notice, the discussion always comes back to the same issue. It's the point at which the objective ends and the subjective begins. Unfortunately, the qualities you are asking about won't reveal themselves in measurements. You simply can't measure things like timbre, dynamic contrast, imaging, etc..

I wish I could give you some info that will help, but I just don't know how to build a system any other way.

Acousticfrontiers: Thanks for your clarifications. Though I'm very curious how the bass works without ports? So far I know that Wharfedale Jade 3 also no ports, I'm very tempted to get a pair of it, wonder how the 3-way Aperiodic system works, plus the price and audition is easier in my country. You see with the same price, I can get a floorstander Wharfedale Jade 5 instead, which really tempting to me :)