Bluesound Powernode speaker selection, need advice

[1UkranianGuy]

Hello all, I'm planning to build a system around a Bluesound Powernode, using bookshelf speakers and a sub. Been doing a bunch of research on bookshelves and narrowed down to 2 candidates - Buchardt P300 or Golden Ear BRX. Basically I'm looking for the best possible speaker choice (bookshelves only) up to $2K. Midbass/treble and good staging is a priority, since bass will be handled by a REL T/9x.

I know sound is subjective but would love to hear any recommendations, comments and experiences, especially from those who own or have listened to the speakers mentioned. Much appreciated!

 

[sweetchaos]

Golden Ear BRX:

Spoiler

We don't have spinorama for Buchard P300, but we do for Buchardt Audio S400 MKII:

Spoiler

The Buchard, IMO, is a better designed speaker.

Here's a few more options that you haven't considered:

Passive Bookshelves < US$1,800/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	36
Kef R3 (Amir) (Erin) [Discontinued on Feb 2023, replaced by R3 Meta]	6.6	8.3	36
Philharmonic BMR v2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	6.0	8.0	42
Revel M16 with sealed port [readme] (Amir)	5.9	??	??
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)	5.7	7.8	43
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)	5.7	7.8	43
Revel M16 with open port (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39
Arendal Sound 1723 Bookshelf S THX (Erin)	4.8	7.6	62
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

From my thread.

 

[ivayvr]

Hello all, I'm planning to build a system around a Bluesound Powernode, using bookshelf speakers and a sub. Been doing a bunch of research on bookshelves and narrowed down to 2 candidates - Buchardt P300 or Golden Ear BRX. Basically I'm looking for the best possible speaker choice (bookshelves only) up to $2K. Midbass/treble and good staging is a priority, since bass will be handled by a REL T/9x.

I know sound is subjective but would love to hear any recommendations, comments and experiences, especially from those who own or have listened to the speakers mentioned. Much appreciated!

I did not hear the Buchard P300 but I really was not impressed by the Golden Ear BRX. I was listening it against Revel M16 and there was no contest. BRX was unremarkable as far as I am concerned.

 

[1UkranianGuy]

I did not hear the Buchard P300 but I really was not impressed by the Golden Ear BRX. I was listening it against Revel M16 and there was no contest. BRX was unremarkable as far as I am concerned.

What is your opinion on the Revel M16's? Is that what you're using now?

 

[ivayvr]

I am not using it. I was just at the store looking for a sub and I saw the Golden Ear BRX on the stands and asked to hear them. I was not impressed and told the salesmen so. He was hoping for a sale and asked me if I wanted to hear something really good and that is how I ended up hearing the M16s.
For last 4-5 years I was using powered speakers. Currently I am using Genelec 8020D with their 7040 sub.

 

[1UkranianGuy]

Also looking into the ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62's, some good reviews on them. https://www.elac.com/category/bookshelf-speakers/uni-fi-reference-ubr62/