Looking for bookshelf speakers

Just remembered these active Audioengine A5s that I see in Wired all the time. $329 a pair; possibly worth checking out. I don't quite believe some of the specs (5" woofer - 50 Hz at -1.5dB? I'm calling bullshit), but they might do the job.
 
Well if you want a receiver, Yamaha is what I recommend. Their stuff sounds great has nice features and is just really solid. Look at their HTR lineup, and pick on that you can afford and has the features you want. Don't worry about the prices on their site, they are way overstated, do a Google search to find the real price.

If you want a discrete amp I'd look at the pro/stage arena. The home arena tends to be made more for high end types and thus too much money. A good choice would be a Samson Servo 120. You can get an original 120 for like $100 now that they Servo 120a is out. It sounds good, has volume controls on it, and will put out enough power for your speakers. Also it is pretty efficient, doesn't generate much heat at idle at all. As I said earlier, eBay is a possibility if you don't mind buying used. Snag a used Hafler P1500 or something.

Also I'd be happy to sell you a used Samson Servo 120 if you want. I'd like to get a Servo 120a (since I want the 5-way binding posts instead of the push spring terminals) so I'd dump my 120 for $50 if you are interested.

Given the cost of the Super T amp (about $130) I'd really look at a nice Class AB amp instead. They aren't quite as efficient, but it shouldn't be a big deal especially since they don't output a lot of heat unless they are operated loud. It really is just worth it, in my opinion, to get the greater amount of dynamic power. That way if you are watching a movie with big booms, or listening to some good classical music with timpani and such you don't end up clipping out your amp (which sounds awful).

Given that you can pick up a Servo 120 for less (about $100 new) or a Yamaha receiver for a little more (about $150 new, supports 5.1 channels) that's really what I'd do. I think you'll be happier in the long run.
 
phide said:
Just remembered these active Audioengine A5s that I see in Wired all the time. $329 a pair; possibly worth checking out. I don't quite believe some of the specs (5" woofer - 50 Hz at -1.5dB? I'm calling bullshit), but they might do the job.
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Those look pretty nice, based on these audioholic reviews they perform better than the X-LS.

audioengine a5 review: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/lifestyle-desktop-and-portable/audioengine-a5

onix x-ls review: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/bookshelf/onix-x-ls/?searchterm=x-ls

Edit: After reading the a5 review, it looks like they would be perfect for my pricerange and for use with my computer, any thoughts on that?

Edit 2: They even come with a 3-year warranty, free shipping, and 30-day free audition -- these are looking pretty hard to beat for this price range.
 
That's actually quite surprising. You might want to consider hopping over to the AVSForum and see what the folks there think. It might devolve into a debate about Bose, clocking jitter, iPods, the X-Meridian, lobing, or half a million other things, but you might get some good advice amidst the mess.

dandragonrage said:
It's quite possible in active speakers that are electronically compensated when measured vs the input (key word!) voltage.
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An interesting point, and it makes me a tad...uneasy. That sort of strange feeling in the pit of the stomach that signals the release of neurotoxins of the unpleasurable variety.
 
Sycraft said:
Well if you want a receiver, Yamaha is what I recommend. Their stuff sounds great has nice features and is just really solid. Look at their HTR lineup, and pick on that you can afford and has the features you want. Don't worry about the prices on their site, they are way overstated, do a Google search to find the real price.

Given the cost of the Super T amp (about $130) I'd really look at a nice Class AB amp instead. They aren't quite as efficient, but it shouldn't be a big deal especially since they don't output a lot of heat unless they are operated loud. It really is just worth it, in my opinion, to get the greater amount of dynamic power. That way if you are watching a movie with big booms, or listening to some good classical music with timpani and such you don't end up clipping out your amp (which sounds awful).
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I dont have experience with the Super Tamp, though I've held one in my hands if that makes a difference... hehehe... cute device though.

I've played around with the regular Tamp and I will suggest against it. I've clipped it and through my speakers, atleast, I've been able to hear a weird lowlevel distortion - perhaps not distortion but a weird sound quality/characteristic of the amp. It's a nice little amp, able to play a few watts, but I would agree, read more about the Super Tamp AND reviews from people who've used it before getting one. You just may be better off with a decent receiver, both in SQ and overall flexibility in the long run.

:)
 
How were you using the T-amp? Again, I'm recommending it for speakers that are practically right next to you, not for a home theater. And not for a subwoofer.
 
I second the recommendation of Yamaha receivers. I've owned several, including the one in my sig that powers my PC audio system. I'm about to upgrade my home theater with a new Yamaha (2700 or 861). I've compared the top-level Yamaha, Denon, HK, Pioneer and several others. For me, the Yamaha line just sounds better than all the rest.
 
Mr. Wolf said:
I second the recommendation of Yamaha receivers. I've owned several, including the one in my sig that powers my PC audio system. I'm about to upgrade my home theater with a new Yamaha (2700 or 861). I've compared the top-level Yamaha, Denon, HK, Pioneer and several others. For me, the Yamaha line just sounds better than all the rest.
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I love my Yamaha, beautifully clean and exciting sound.
 
The T-amps are ok, but there is a slight problem with bass. I got a BPA-1, which is $60 over budget for you, but they added a ton of bass. If your budget is around 100, you should get the super t-amp (which reviews say fixed the bass problem) or you could get a receiver. You could look for a used marantz or h/k for around $100 on ebay or something.
 
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