Bookself speaker (2nd) for beginner

[deepblue2010]

Hi,

I am a beginner in DIY audio.
I am building GC amp LM 3875 (audiosector) and now want a bookshelf speaker system for it.
Search for bookshelf speaker on eBay, I found some below that I can afford for:
- Old vintage Marantz LS 1,
- Sherwood (USA) (don't know series, speaker rated 8ohms 90db 100 watts comes with 130mm woofer/13mm tweeter.Box measure W180mm D170mm H300mm),
- NAD ( New Acoustic Dimension)Model : 801MM,
- JBL (USA) 2080,
- Mordaunt Short bookshelf VS200 (Great Britain),
- Yamaha NS330 and
- Jamo Cornet 65II.
- Mission M60i (this one is $100 more than my budget).

Very difficult to find documents of those speakers and reviews. I don't have any idea how to compare the good, the better or the best based on technical parameters. Of course I am on budget (~$200) and someone advised me that for speaker, it is not that you spend a lot of money (within budget) you get the better performance. That really confuses me more.

I also don't have chance to test them. Asking the seller but definitely take time to go from place to place for all of them. I also search for any review that may appear on internet but few can be archived, even one source in Japanese ()

Anyone here have experience, please help me.

Actually, I have Altec Lansing VS2421 (2+1 with built-in amp). Can I use it to test GC?

Many many thanks.
HT

[Adam Bernau]

I can help you with choosing the speakers that i would buy if you specify on which Ebay (USA ?) and if you tell me your budget . If you are not scared to build your own, i can recommend you some good pages with proven contructions.

Regards

[dantheman]

Since you have an amp, for $200 the Behringer B2031P is certainly respectable--a pair that is, new. Plenty right here on this site about it and on my blog.

Dan

[deepblue2010]

Originally Posted by Adam Bernau

I can help you with choosing the speakers that i would buy if you specify on which Ebay (USA ?) and if you tell me your budget . If you are not scared to build your own, i can recommend you some good pages with proven contructions.

Regards

Hi Adam,

I am searching them in eBay at Singapore. I'd rather spend up to $200.

At starting point with limit tool kits and space, I will stick with pre-built speakers but I think some research in papers will help me to improve understanding. Readings from some websites (DIY AUDIO PROJECTS - Do-It-Yourself Hi-Fi for Audiophiles, Decibel Dungeon DIY hi-fi index., hifi on TNT-Audio - Internet HiFi magazine) are very interesting.
I don't mind to read more if you would recommend other sources.

With big thanks.

HT

[deepblue2010]

Originally Posted by dantheman

Since you have an amp, for $200 the Behringer B2031P is certainly respectable--a pair that is, new. Plenty right here on this site about it and on my blog.

Dan

Dan,
Great work. Very detail analysis.
With your recommendation, I will try broaden my search to new speakers. Hope Behringer is in Singapore.

Thanks so much.
Regards,
HT

[dantheman]

Your Welcome. The Infinity Primus line measures very well also and the bookshelves can be had for cheap. SoundStage! Measurements - Infinity Primus P162 Loudspeakers (11/2008)
Infinity Primus P162 loudspeaker Measurements | Stereophile.com
Here's a blind shootout that had some of the contenders in it:
Budget Bookshelf Speaker Shootout 2009 — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Dan

[Adam Bernau]

Originally Posted by deepblue2010

Hi Adam,

I am searching them in eBay at Singapore. I'd rather spend up to $200.

At starting point with limit tool kits and space, I will stick with pre-built speakers but I think some research in papers will help me to improve understanding. Readings from some websites (DIY AUDIO PROJECTS - Do-It-Yourself Hi-Fi for Audiophiles, Decibel Dungeon DIY hi-fi index., hifi on TNT-Audio - Internet HiFi magazine) are very interesting.
I don't mind to read more if you would recommend other sources.

With big thanks.

HT

Hi,

I was looking on SIngapore Ebay and two sets of speakers looked good : Jbl 2080
eBay.com.sg: JBL 2080 is two-way ( made in USA ) (item 300514962848 end time Jan 21, 2011 06:38:39 SGT)

Celestion 5 eBay.com.sg: Celestion 5 Bookshelf speaker, mad ein UK (item 140501810036 end time Jan 24, 2011 16:46:07 SGT)

and finally for 150 this Tannoy 6380 also known as D80 might be not bad. There is one driver described as "cracked" but you can manage to find replacement fo it
eBay.com.sg: Tannoy 638 floor speakers (item 270695109295 end time Jan 23, 2011 11:43:26 SGT)

This page has very good DIY contructions for all kind of speakers : Zaph|Audio

[deepblue2010]

Hi all,

I am sorry for late reply.
After reading all and had a few more serearch together with my brother, we decided to pick JBL J2080 for S$150. It's actually a floor stand, not a bookshelf.
Sound comes out rich, scrisp, low freq is sweat and high is pretty to my ear. And my GC (from AudioSector by Peter Daniel) successfully makes its marvelous mission.
I am enjoying music now!

Thanks all for advices!
HT
PS: I am thinking of chance to compare "this and that"

[qusp]

the nad looked good, as with mission, but cant go wrong with old jbl