Passive Bookshelf Speaker Options (Poll) - 1k USD Budget

[BookshelfBob]

@BookshelfBob
You mentioned movies and music as your main audio diet. I will urge you to reconsider your stance on using subwoofer. If you look closer at sweetchaos' chart, under PSwSub, all the speakers score much better with a subwoofer, and there's a very real reason for that. A larger driver in general is just that much more capable of moving more air in the lower frequencies and emulate for example that kick drum thump in music or rumbling explosions in movies. You already have an amplifier that can connect to a subwoofer.

Like you, I have a desk set up and space is at a premium. But still my suggestion is: carve out a bit of budget and go for at least a Edifier T5s sub (though some will argue is more of a woofer than 'true 20-30hz' subwoofer). It's affordable enough, more upright and can thus be tucked away more easily. Should not be hard to find online stores with a good return policy for the sub, so you can just acquire one to test for a while before making a decision.

I've done some rough measurements of the sub here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-powered-active-subwoofer.68573/#post-2609438

And with at least an inexpensive sub, you actually don't need big bookshelf speakers to try to reach those 50hz frequencies and gain back a bit more desk space. 4 inchers bookshelves tend to be a good candidate for desktop use.

My problem is more the basic geometry of the layout. I can have a sub but no matter where I position it, there is going to be solid wood in the way. I guess I could put it on the desk directly but I'm going to have vibration problems. I have a corner to shove it into which I'm pretty sure would be good. But again a lot of that is going to be deadened by the wood even if I leave space directly above it

I'm not going to match those perception metrics

 

[terryforsythe]

But I do not really understand how to read anything but the basic response chart.

I would start by watching the first video by Amir that I posted. If you want to delve deeper, you can watch the series by Erin that I posted.

 

[CptKaos]

if its a near field desk setup ( you said 4ft) why not a speaker like a $300 Polk Audio ES15 and a $340 RSL Speedwoofer 10e subwoofer ( add the $100 wireless kit ) if it makes placement easier and still be under budget

 

[BookshelfBob]

if its a near field desk setup ( you said 4ft) why not a speaker like a $300 Polk Audio ES15 and a $340 RSL Speedwoofer 10e subwoofer ( add the $100 wireless kit ) if it makes placement easier and still be under budget

I don't have a problem adding a sub but I would add budget. I'm trying to stop accumulating cheap things. I want to go higher up the diminishing return chain

edit - not even cheap things. Things I may likely want to spend more on later

 

[DatSpeakerTho]

Ascilab f6b no contest.

 

[Matias]

+1 AsciLab, no matter how long it takes.
Buy once, cry once.

 

[CptKaos]

I don't have a problem adding a sub but I would add budget. I'm trying to stop accumulating cheap things. I want to go higher up the diminishing return chain

edit - not even cheap things. Things I may likely want to spend more on later

well, if your handy you can always build your own speakers and subs from quality kits

 

[BookshelfBob]

well, if your handy you can always build your own speakers and subs from quality kits
View attachment 540930

I wouldn't call myself handy....But probably handy enough to complete a DIY sub project myself. I feel like I have seen a lot of very popular sub kits but few speaker kits that seem to be well received. I got most of this info a few years ago when I was also looking for speakers. Bit hazy now.

 

[DatSpeakerTho]

I wouldn't call myself handy....But probably handy enough to complete a DIY sub project myself. I feel like I have seen a lot of very popular sub kits but few speaker kits that seem to be well received. I got most of this info a few years ago when I was also looking for speakers. Bit hazy now.

There aren't really any off the shelf kits that compete with the Ascilab stuff, well there's the Helios but those are 2500$+ and you still have to make the boxes so not really off the shelf. I have a DIY speaker that is effectively just an Ascilab C6B with my own active filters, and looking back, I'd rather have just bought the Ascilab lol.

 

[BookshelfBob]

+1 AsciLab, no matter how long it takes.
Buy once, cry once.

I asked in another thread to be put on a waitlist at the suggestion of Pop. 50/50 Amir didn't see or I don't have enough rep for to qualify to go on a wait list. I am willing to wait but there is obviously a limit there. And if he can sell them faster than he can make them i may not get a pair for quite a while. I would probably have already pulled the trigger if I could

 

[BookshelfBob]

There aren't really any off the shelf kits that compete with the Ascilab stuff, well there's the Helios but those are 2500$+ and you still have to make the boxes so not really off the shelf. I have a DIY speaker that is effectively just an Ascilab C6B with my own active filters, and looking back, I'd rather have just bought the Ascilab lol.

Seems like a huge % of the people align on these ASCI lab products.

I see they have a Facebook group with estimated timelines. But it looks like it hasn't been updated since Q1

I'll try to be patient and get an update on timeline. Make a choice from there. I can't handle these TCL TV speakers much longer.

 

[RPG]

I asked in another thread to be put on a waitlist at the suggestion of Pop. 50/50 Amir didn't see or I don't have enough rep for to qualify to go on a wait list. I am willing to wait but there is obviously a limit there. And if he can sell them faster than he can make them i may not get a pair for quite a while. I would probably have already pulled the trigger if I could

You should contact Amir, et al, directly through the TestedAudio.com website rather than here. I received a response fairly quickly.

 

[BookshelfBob]

You should contact Amir, et al, directly through the TestedAudio.com website rather than here. I received a response fairly quickly.

Will do, good idea. I got distracted by the facebook page

 

[terryforsythe]

+1 AsciLab, no matter how long it takes.
Buy once, cry once.

The AsciLab F6B Bookshelf is $835/pair, so it is within the budget. It may be the strongest offering in that price range.

AsciLab F6B Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests and detailed measurements of the AsciLab F6B stand mount speaker. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $835 for a pair (shipping included). In black, the F6B seems formal with a very clean design. It feels solid with sense of precision. Compared to...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[BookshelfBob]

For anyone reading this later wondering. Amir almost immediately responded and said currently a new shipment of the F6B was slated for towards late July.

The price has gone up however to 995 it looks like.

Edit - That 995 includes the tariffs etc. So maybe has not gone up.

 

[terryforsythe]

I asked in another thread to be put on a waitlist at the suggestion of Pop. 50/50 Amir didn't see or I don't have enough rep for to qualify to go on a wait list. I am willing to wait but there is obviously a limit there. And if he can sell them faster than he can make them i may not get a pair for quite a while. I would probably have already pulled the trigger if I could

Amir is the U.S. distributor. He liked them so well after he reviewed them that he worked out a deal with Ascilab to distribute their speakers.

Normally, I would advise extreme caution for a review by the distributor of the product, but in this case at least the initial review was done before Amir became the distributor and, perhaps more importantly, the data speaks for itself.

 

[tw 2022]

Those do look like they belong on the list.

My only concern is they are small and with no sub the bass response will not be enough.

they have decent bass extension and good mid bass .. they may well be plenty for you..but that is subjective..one thing for sure: it's going to be tough to beat the clarity or finish...

 

[Matias]

Maybe stretch and get the C6B instead? Same tonality but better distortion specially on low mids. It is available right now for 1.3k usd.

ASCILAB C6B

High-performance bookshelf speaker with upgraded ceramic woofer. Computer optimized directivity to reduce room dependence and widen sweet spot. Our most popular product. Tariff included. Price is for a pair. Modern Gray color is gorgeous but has a $300 premium. *Speaker grills and colored...

testedaudio.com

 

[JohnnyNG]

well, if your handy you can always build your own speakers and subs from quality kits
View attachment 540930

AFD!!!

 

[terryforsythe]

Maybe stretch and get the C6B instead? Same tonality but better distortion specially on low mids. It is available right now for 1.3k usd.

ASCILAB C6B

High-performance bookshelf speaker with upgraded ceramic woofer. Computer optimized directivity to reduce room dependence and widen sweet spot. Our most popular product. Tariff included. Price is for a pair. Modern Gray color is gorgeous but has a $300 premium. *Speaker grills and colored...

testedaudio.com

Here is Erin's review - he really likes that speaker.