Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

[sweetchaos]

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go!
This guide is for PASSIVE speakers. For ACTIVE speakers go here.
Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section.

Readme:

Spoiler

What market are these recommendations for?
USA, with USD prices listed below

Does this include discontinued speakers?
No, since i'm only counting speakers that are currently sold at major retailers/resellers in the US.

What is the preference score?
The preference score (introduced by Sean Olive) (also sometimes called "Olive score") is the best science-based representation we have on how to classify whether a speaker (either active or passive) is preferred or not. A more neutral speaker will get the best preference score, and will likely win in a blind listening test, comparing two speakers. You can read about it here.

What are the limitations of the preference score?
1. Distortion handling
Amir and Erin (from ErinsAudioCorner) talk about this in their reviews, so you can take a look there.
Distortion handling of a loudspeaker is usually secondary to frequency response. Meaning, a great frequency response and poor distortion handling speaker will still be preferred over a poor frequency response speaker with great distortion handling. A great example of this is the fact that JBL 305P/306P/308P MKII speakers have higher-than-normal distortion, but because of their relatively neutral frequency response, a lot of people still enjoy them.
2. Loudness handling
Amir and Erin (from ErinsAudioCorner) talk about this in their reviews, so you can take a look there.
In terms of loudness handling, I've made a few notes to speakers below.
3. Your own preference for wide or narrow directivity
In terms of directivity, I haven't added this information below, but I could if enough people show interest.

Accuracy of data:
There are a few speakers in this list that weren't measured using Klippel NFS (that Amir and ErinsAudioCorner have), which provides very accurate spinorama. A less accurate (in terms of resolution) spinorama can be made using quasi-anechoic methods as described in this post.
If you see * => We have quasi-anechoic spinorama or similar, but the speaker wasn't measured using Klippel NFS.

Are you biased in any way?
I purchased PSB Imagine X series of speakers before joining ASR. Read into that what you will.

How did you make this list?
I looked at all the speaker spinorama that we have and their computed preference score and compiled this list.
I also mention a few speakers of note, and talk about which speakers to avoid at a certain price point, based on my own understanding.

What is the limitation of this guide?
Blind reliance on measurements can be misleading ‐ one needs to tie those measurements back to subjective perception. Amir and ErinsAudioCorner both give their overall opinion on speakers, so feel free to read the written reviews.

What am I showing?
Top 3 speakers in terms of preference score, plus other worthy picks (explained in the legend).

Exclusions:
I didn't include DIY type speakers (where you buy the kit, install it yourself, and paint the speaker). Instead, only speakers you can purchase from major retailers/resellers in US.

Do you need an amplifier with these?
Yes, since the speakers are passive.

Assumptions:
I'm going to assume these JBL 4367 and similar speakers are "towers" and not "bookshelves"

Limitation of preference score?
Flipflop: "Using vendor data is not just a problem because of potential credibility issues, but also because some of the data, like the R152 spin, uses a higher amount of smoothing, which results in lower NBD_ON and NBD_PIR values, which in turns result in an artificially increased predicted preference score."

What's the difference between Amir's and Erin (from Erin's Audio Corner) distortion charts?
Amir shows "Non-Anechoic" harmonic distortion.
Erin shows "Anechoic" (using Klippel ISC module) harmonic distortion.
They are similar, but not exactly the same.
Erin explained it in this youtube video
Which makes a direct comparison between Amir's and Erin's distortion graphs inaccurate (unfortunately).
Amir talked about why he stopped doing Anechoic harmonic distortion here.

Legend:

Spoiler

LEGEND:

Value	Description
#1	Best rated-speaker in terms of preference score. Update: I set the threshold at 3.0, ignoring speakers below it.
#2	2nd best-rated speaker in terms of preference score.
#3	3rd best-rated speaker in terms of preference score.
Worthy	Worthy picks that either Erin (from ErinsAudioCorner) or Amir measured and recommended. From Amir, I included all "highly recommended panther" award winners, plus the recommended picks (that I chose). Erin doesn't give a 'highly recommended' award like Amir does, but after reading Erin's review or watching the youtube reviews, I get the sense that Erin highly recommends that speaker. Plus I've included a few models that weren't measured by neither Amir or Erin, but still for consideration, since we can predict will be good, based on similar model's measurements.
PS	Preference Score (with no subwoofer added). Value can be negative (for really badly designed speakers) and goes up to a 10 (theoretical limit). Higher is better.
PSwSub	Preference Score (with theoretically-perfectly-integrated subwoofer added). Value can be negative (for really badly designed speakers) and goes up to a 10 (theoretical limit). Higher is better.
LFX	Low Frequency Extension (in hz). This is the bass output at -6db point. This was computed, not estimated. Lower is better.
*	We have quasi-anechoic spinorama or similar. However, this speaker wasn't measured using Klippel NFS (that Amir and ErinsAudioCorner have), so it's resolution is less accurate. Warning: This will artificially boost the preference score higher than if the same speaker was measured using NFS.
**	No spinorama for this specific model. I'm including it because we have multiple other spinorama from the same manufacturer, so it's not a stretch to imagine these will be good.
Red	New speaker added to the table for this price point.

Never Buy This Brand:

Spoiler

- In April 2024, a lot of revealing information was released about Tekton (speaker manufacturer).
See these 2 threads:
- Legal fund for Reviewers/Erin? (from Page 1)
- Tekton M-Lore Speaker Review (from Page 13)
In conclusion, this speaker brand should go to the graveyard.
I encourage people to never buy from this speaker brand.

Passive Bookshelf Speakers:

Spoiler

Bookshelves < US$100/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Dayton Audio MK402X (Amir)	3.9	6.3	51

Bookshelves < US$150/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio XT15 (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Dayton Audio MK402X (Amir)	3.9	6.3	51

Bookshelves < US$250/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio XT20 (Erin)	4.5	6.8	48
Polk Audio XT15 (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Dayton Audio MK402X (Amir)	3.9	6.3	51

Bookshelves < US$300/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio XT20 (Erin)	4.5	6.8	48
Polk Audio XT15 (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60

Bookshelves < US$320/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Monoprice Monolith Encore B6 (Erin)	4.7	6.9	46
Polk Audio XT20 (Erin)	4.5	6.8	48

Bookshelves < US$400/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (Amir)	5.4	7.7	51
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39

Bookshelves < US$600/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
JBL Studio 530 (Amir)	5.5	7.4	41
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (Amir)	5.4	7.7	51
Klipsch RP-500M II (Erin)	5.4	7.9	55
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39

Bookshelves < US$650/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk R100 (Erin)	5.6	8.0	52
JBL Studio 530 (Amir)	5.5	7.4	41
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (Amir)	5.4	7.7	51
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39

Bookshelves < US$700/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (Amir)	5.6	7.6	41
Polk R100 (Erin)	5.6	8.0	52
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39

Bookshelves < US$750/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef Q350 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	38
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (Amir)	5.6	7.6	41
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39

Bookshelves < US$800/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef Q350 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	38
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (Amir)	5.6	7.6	41
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$850/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef Q350 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	38
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 (Amir)	5.6	7.6	41
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$1,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.7	8.4	42
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef Q350 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	38
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	45
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir)	4.8	6.7	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$1,400/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef Q350 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	38
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Kef Q150 (Erin)	4.9	7.0	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

Bookshelves < US$1,600/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (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

-Kef Q150 and Q350 are no longer mentioned; since Kef LS50 Meta exists at this price point.

Bookshelves < US$1,650/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (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

Bookshelves < US$1,700/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (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

Bookshelves < US$1,800/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (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

Bookshelves < US$2,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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

Bookshelves < US$2,200/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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

Bookshelves < US$2,400/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	4.3
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$2,500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	4.3
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$4,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
March Audio Sointuva AWG	7.3	8.8	32
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	4.3
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$4,400/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
March Audio Sointuva AWG	7.3	8.8	32
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Revel M126Be (Erin)	5.0	7.2	48
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68

Bookshelves < US$7,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
March Audio Sointuva AWG	7.3	8.8	32
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Revel M126Be (Erin)	5.0	7.2	48
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68
Revel Ultima2 Gem2	**	**	**

Bookshelves < US$8,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
March Audio Sointuva AWG	7.3	8.8	32
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Revel M126Be (Erin)	5.0	7.2	48
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Perlisten s4b (Erin)	5.5	8.1	58
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68
Revel Ultima2 Gem2	**	**	**

Bookshelves < US$9,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
March Audio Sointuva AWG	7.3	8.8	32
Kef Reference 1 Meta (Erin) (Using Long Port)	7.0	8.4	30
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX	6.8	8.6	38
Kef Reference 1 Meta (Erin) (Using Short Port)	6.7	8.4	36
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)	6.4	8.4	42
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	6.3	8.0	36
Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)	6.1	7.7	34
Philharmonic BMR Monitor (Erin)	6.1	7.7	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2	5.9	8.0	43
Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)	5.9	7.9	42
Revel M126Be (Erin)	5.0	7.2	48
Revel M105 (Amir)	5.9	8.3	51
Revel M106 (Amir)	5.8	8.0	46
JBL HDI-1600 (Amir)	5.8	7.6	38
Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 (Amir)(Erin)	5.2	7.4	46
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)(Erin)	5.9	8.0	45
Revel M16 (Amir)	5.6	7.7	45
Perlisten s4b (Erin)	5.5	8.1	58
Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)	5.4	7.4	43
Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)	5.1	7.1	42
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 1723 Monitor THX (Erin) (Amir)	4.8	7.0	45
Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf (Erin)	4.4	7.3	68
Revel Ultima2 Gem2	**	**	**

Passive Tower/Floorstanding Speakers:

Spoiler

Towers < US$300/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio T50 (Amir)	4.0	5.9	41

Towers < US$450/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Sony SS-CS3 (Erin)	4.4	7.0	56
Polk Audio T50 (Amir)	4.0	5.9	41

Towers < US$500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk XT60 (Erin)	4.8	6.7	39
JBL Stage A180 (Amir)	4.7	6.3	35
Sony SS-CS3 (Erin)	4.4	7.0	56

Towers < US$700/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk XT70 (Erin)	4.8	6.7	39
Polk XT60 (Erin)	4.8	6.7	39
JBL Stage A180 (Amir)	4.7	6.3	35

Towers < US$1,200/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Klipsch RP-5000F II (Erin)	5.2	7.2	41
Polk XT70 (Erin)	4.8	6.7	39

Towers < US$1,300/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Klipsch RP-5000F II (Erin)	5.2	7.2	41
Polk XT70 (Erin)	4.8	6.7	39

Towers < US$1,400/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Aperion N5T (Amir)	5.3	6.9	35
Klipsch RP-5000F II (Erin)	5.2	7.2	41

Towers < US$1,500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Revel F36	**	**	**

Towers < US$1,700/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
Revel F36	**	**	**

Towers < US$2,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**

Towers < US$3,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**

Towers < US$3,600/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**

Towers < US$3,900/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Polk Audio Reserve R500 (Erin)	6.1	7.6	33
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$4,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$4,300/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$5,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$5,300/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$5,500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

See post #2 for more tower speakers

RAN OUT OF CHARACTERS... CONTINUED ON POST #2

 

[sweetchaos]

RAN OUT OF CHARACTERS ON POST #1 ... CONTINUED HERE:

Passive Tower or Floorstanding Speakers:

Spoiler

Towers < US$6,500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$7,700/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$11,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$15,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$16,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$16,500/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.3	7.0	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$17,600/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Revel F328Be (Amir)	6.6	7.9	29
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.3	7.0	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$22,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.6	7.7	26
Kef Reference 5 Meta	6.7*	8.3*	32*
Revel F328Be (Amir)	6.6	7.9	29
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.6	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.3	7.0	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$25,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.7	7.7	26
Kef Reference 5 Meta	6.7*	8.3*	32*
Revel F328Be (Amir)	6.6	7.9	29
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Revel Ultima2 Salon2	6.3*	7.3*	23*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.2	7.6	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$28,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Blade 2 Meta (Erin)	7.1	8.2	26
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.7	7.7	26
Kef Reference 5 Meta	6.7*	8.3*	32*
Revel F328Be (Amir)	6.6	7.9	29
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Revel Ultima2 Salon2	6.3*	7.3*	23*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.2	7.6	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

Towers < US$35,000/pair:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Blade 1 Meta	7.5*	8.4*	23*
Kef Blade 2 Meta (Erin)	7.1	8.2	26
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower	7.0	8.5	31
Kef R7 Meta	7.0*	8.5*	32*
Kef R5 Meta	6.5	8.2	36
Kef Reference 3 Meta	6.7*	8.4*	33*
Revel F208 (Amir)	6.7	7.7	26
Kef Reference 5 Meta	6.7*	8.3*	32*
Revel F328Be (Amir)	6.6	7.9	29
Revel F206	6.4*	8.1*	36*
Revel Ultima2 Salon2	6.3*	7.3*	23*
Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan	6.2	8.1	41
Revel F228Be (Amir)	6.2	7.6	30
Kef R11 Meta (Amir)	6.1	7.5	30
Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (Erin)	6.0	7.8	36
Revel Ultima2 Studio2	6.0*	7.6*	24*
Kef R5 (Erin)	5.9	7.5	33
Revel F226Be (Erin)	5.8	7.9	43
Revel F35 (Amir)	5.7	7.5	39
JBL 4367 (Erin)	5.2	7.6	36
Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (Erin)	5.1	7.5	51
JBL 4309 (Amir)	3.7	5.7	41
Revel F36	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR Tower (AH)	**	**	**
Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH)	**	**	**

2-way vs 3-way Center Channel Speakers explained:

Spoiler

2-way vs 3-way:

Erin released a great video on this on Feb, 2022:

2-way center designs will have terrible horizontal directivity (beyond +-15degrees off-axis to tweeter), meaning anyone else sitting on the couch next to you will have a bad time, while you're having a good time. In other words, a 2-way center channel is for the money seat, directly in front of the tweeter. If you have multiple people listening, get a 3-way center instead, which won't have these narrow horizontal directivity issues.
Example of a 2-way center channel:
The Revel C25 clearly shows the limitation of a 2-way center channel, with narrow +-15 deg horizontal window where the sound power is within +-6db. This makes 2-way center channel ideal for the "main listening position" type of setup.

Example of a 3-way center channel:
The Ascend Horizont center shows +-70 deg horizontal window where the sound power is within +-6db. This makes 3-way center channel ideal for multiple people sitting on one couch (or in a home theater type of setup).

2-way Center Channel Speakers:

Spoiler

2-way Center < US$75/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62

2-way Center < US$200/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62
Ascend CMT-340 SE (Amir)	3.7	6.5	64
Polk XT30 (Erin)	3.5	6.1	55

2-way Center < US$300/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62
Polk XT35 (Erin)	4.1	7.0	67
Polk S30 (Amir)	3.7	6.3	55

2-way Center < US$500/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62
Klipsch RP-500C II (Erin)	4.4	7.0	58
Polk XT35 (Erin)	4.1	7.0	67
Polk S30 (Amir)	3.7	6.3	55
Arendal Sound 1961 Center (Amir)	3.0	6.2	82

2-way Center < US$825/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62
Klipsch RP-500C II (Erin)	4.4	7.0	58
Revel C25 (Amir)	4.3	7.5	79
Polk S30 (Amir)	3.7	6.3	55
Arendal Sound 1961 Center (Amir)	3.0	6.2	82

2-way Center < US$1,100/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Revel C205	4.7*	7.3*	60*
Pioneer SP-C22 (Amir)	4.7	7.5	62
Klipsch RP-500C II (Erin)	4.4	7.0	58
Revel C25 (Amir)	4.3	7.5	79
Polk S30 (Amir)	3.7	6.3	55
Arendal Sound 1961 Center (Amir)	3.0	6.2	82

3-way Center Channel Speakers:

Spoiler

3-way Center < US$500/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68

3-way Center < US$600/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60

3-way Center < US$750/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$1,300/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$1,400/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

***To add once I get Preference Score: Philharmonic HT Center (link) ***

3-way Center < US$1,600/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$2,000/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$2,200/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$2,800/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon	6.2	7.9	35
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$5,000/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon	6.2	7.9	35
Revel C426Be	6.1*	7.9*	36*
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)	5.0	7.1	43
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$6,000/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon	6.2	7.9	35
Revel C426Be	6.1*	7.9*	36*
Kef Reference 2 Meta	5.6*	8.0*	51*
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$8,000/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Reference 4 Meta	6.7*	8.1*	31*
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon	6.2	7.9	35
Revel C426Be	6.1*	7.9*	36*
Kef Reference 2 Meta	5.6*	8.0*	51*
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

3-way Center < US$11,500/each:

Name	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Reference 4 Meta	6.7*	8.1*	31*
Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon	6.2	7.9	35
Revel C426Be	6.1*	7.9*	36*
Kef Reference 2 Meta	5.6*	8.0*	51*
Kef R6 Meta	5.5*	8.2*	62*
Ascend Acoustics Horizon Center (Amir)	5.4	7.6	46
Kef R2 Meta	5.3*	8.0*	61*
Revel Ultima2 Voice2	5.3*	7.7*	51*
Revel C208 (Amir)	4.7	7.3	55
Monoprice Monolith THX-365C (Erin)	4.6	7.5	68
Kef Q250C (Erin)	4.4	7.1	60
Kef Q650C (Erin)	3.6	6.1	55

Bookshelf speaker as a center channel:

Spoiler

Bookshelf speaker {when turned 90 degrees} that can be used as a center-channel speaker

Name	USD	PS	PSwSub	LFX
KEF Reference 1 Meta (Erin)	$9,000/pair	6.7	8.4	36
Kef R3 Meta (Erin)	$2,200/pair	6.2	8.0	38
Kef Q350 (Amir)	$500/pair	5.7	7.5	38
Kef LS50 Meta (Amir)	$1,600/pair (or $900 for a single)	5.7	7.8	43
Kef Q150 (Erin)	$300/pair	4.9	7.0	45

All Kef speakers are coaxial speakers, which have great horizontal, and vertical directivity. This makes them ideal to be used as a center channel.
Obviously, you need to buy a pair and sell one.

In-Wall Speakers:

Spoiler

These are the recommended in-wall speakers by either Amir or Erin.

Name	USD	Amir/Erin recommendation and my notes	#-Way, Woofers	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Revel W893 (Erin)	1.1k/each	-Erin recommended for L-C-R duty (for a moderate budget). See Erin's video	3-way, 9" woofer, 3.5" midrange	5.8	7.2	30
KEF Ci3160RL-THX (Erin)	2k/each	-Erin HIGHLY recommended for L-C-R duty (for a high-end budget). See Erin's video -THX Ultra2 certified. -Discontinued since 2023-11-16, since Ci3160RLM-THX were released.	3-way, Dual 6.5" woofers and 6.5" midrange.	5.7	7.6	39
Monoprice THX-365IW (Amir)	400/each	-Amir didn't give a recommendation b/c he didn't listen to it. -However, looking at the PS and spinorama, it shows a well-engineered speaker for a low-end budget. -THX Ultra certified.	3-way, Dual 6.5" woofers, 2" midrange	5.6	7.6	41
Revel W553L (Amir) (Erin)	500/each	-Erin recommended for a low-end budget. See Erin's video. -Amir didn't give a recommendation b/c he didn't listen to it.	2-way, MTM design, Dual 5.25" woofers	4.8	7.3	54
JBL Synthesis SCL-6 (Erin)	1.65k/each	-Erin HIGHLY recommended for L-C-R duty (for a high-end budget). See Erin's video	2.5-way, Quad 5.25" woofers	4.5	7.0	52
Kef Ci5160RLM-THX	3k/each	-Announced on 2023-11-16. They will likely perform better than Kef Ci3160RLM-THX. -THX Ultra certified	3-way, Quad 6.5" woofers, and 6.5" midrange	**	**	**
Kef Ci3160RLM-THX	2k/each	-Announced on 2023-11-16. They will likely perform better than Kef Ci3160RL-THX that Erin reviewed. -THX Ultra certified	3-way, Dual 6.5" woofers, and 6.5" midrange	**	**	**
Revel W126Be	1.75k/each	-Announced on 2023-09-07. They are based on PerformaBe series, so will have exceptional performance.	2-way, 6.5" woofer	**	**	**
Revel W226Be	2.25k/each	-Announced on 2023-09-07. They are based on PerformaBe series, so will have exceptional performance.	2-way, Dual 6.5" woofers	**	**	**
Revel W228Be	3.5k/each	-Announced on 2023-09-07. They are based on PerformaBe series, so will have exceptional performance.	3-way, Dual 8" woofers, and 5.25" midrange	**	**	**

In-Ceiling Speakers:

Spoiler

Name	USD	Amir/Erin recommendation and my notes	#-Way, Woofers	PS	PSwSub	LFX
Kef Ci250RRM-THX	2.5k/each	-Announced on 2022-09-28. This model is the only Kef in-ceiling speaker with Meta material. -THX Ultra certified	3-way, 10" woofer, and 4" midrange	**	**	**
Revel C128Be	1.5k/each	-Announced on 2023-09-07. This is based on PerformaBe series, so will have exceptional performance.	2-way, 8" woofer	**	**	**

On-Wall Speakers:

Spoiler

During Erin's video review (8min:45sec time) of the Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf, he also included measurements of the same speaker, mounted on-the-wall.

What was the result?

This shows a huge null created at 400hz (for this particular speaker)(but will vary between 200 to 600 hz for other speakers).
The reason is due to the cancellation of frequencies between the front of the speaker to the back of the speaker (ie the wall) it's mounted on. This creates the null, which you can't fix with EQ.
The speaker's directivity also gets altered and the null is also visible.
Horizontal directivity:

Vertical directivity:

Here's Erin discussing this problem on Daily Hifi on youtube.
Basically, don't mount speakers on the wall.
Instead, mount speakers in the wall.

Changelog:

Spoiler

CHANGELOG:
- 2021-11-20: Launched
- 2021-11-20: Removed JBL Arena 120, since it seems to be discontinued. I made a mistake adding it originally.
- 2021-11-20: Added links to reviews by Amir and Erin
- 2021-11-20: Added center-channel speakers
- 2021-11-21: Highlighted center speakers that are 2-way in red, this way you can tell them apart from 3-way speakers. Once more 3-way speakers get tested, I'll probably separate into 2 tables (best 2-way and best 3-way).
- 2021-11-21: Completely missed Polk S30. This was due to an error in my pricing spreadsheet. I've added it, and it becomes top pick under $150/ea, $300/ea, and 2nd place under $350/ea
- 2021-11-21: Added Revel M106 to Worthy Picks, under $2200/pair
- 2021-11-22: Added missing worthy picks for towers, bookshelves. Overall, previously "highly recommended" speakers are now carried forward in price brackets. This expands the number of recommendations as you go up in price brackets.
- 2021-11-23: Added Black Friday deal, JBL Studio 530, which becomes #1 pick under US$250/pair.
- Added upcoming reviews
- 2021-11-24: Added Emotiva Airmotiv T2+ (retails for US$1000/pair), reviewed by Erin. PS is 5.8, It's ranked #2 place for <$1000/pair to <$2000/pair, 3rd place <$2600/pair.
- 2021-11-25:
- Removed preference score of lower than 3.0. Below this score, the level of performance is really not up to par with the rest of the speaker recommendations. So we can make this "line in the sand" as a requirement to make it on this list. As we test more speakers, their position will be filled with better performing speakers. In other words, this is mostly a temporary requirement that we can make until more speakers are tested.
- The following budget speakers were removed: 1. Jamo S807 (tower) 2. Micca MB42X Mark III (bookshelf) 3. Dayton Audio B652-AIR (bookshelf) 4. Pioneer SP-EC73 (center)
2022-01-03: Separated 2-way vs 3-way center channels. Added example of use cases for both 2-way and 3-way center channels. Added Revel C25 to list.
2022-01-07: Added March Audio Sointuva
2022-01-16 Fixed Revel F226Be pricing
2022-01-16 Added Monoprice THX-365C as "Honourable Mention" to 3-way centers.
2022-01-16 Added Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UC52 (Erin)
2022-01-16: Added Polk XT centers and XT towers
2022-01-17: Added Kef Reference 4C
2022-01-18: Added Arendal Sound 1961 Bookshelf
2022-02-17: Added Kef Blade and Reference Metas
2022-02-28: Added Kef Q150 and Arendal Sound 1961 Tower (forgot to previously add)
2022-03-19: Added Monoprice Monolith THX-365C
2022-03-24: Added Ascend Acoustics Sierra-LX (pre-order for US$1400/pair) (spin provided by Ascend Acoustics)
2022-03-31: Added "Bookshelf speaker (when turned sideways) that can be used as a center-channel speaker"
2022-04-18: Added Kef Q250C, JBL 4367.
2022-05-08: Added Pioneer SP-C22 and Kef Reference 1 Meta
2022-05-28: Added Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 (Amir gave it the golfing panther award)
2022-05-29: Added Monoprice Monolith Encore T6 and Monoprice Monolith Encore B6
2022-06-21: Added Arendal Sound 1723 Bookshelf S THX (review by Erin)
2022-06-21: Added Response Linearity tests by Erin
2022-06-21: Highlighted new speakers for each price point in colour red.
2022-06-22: Added Philharmonic BMR v2 (with PS of 6.1). Removed BMR v1 (with PS of 5.4)
2022-06-26: Added Q/C issues found on June 2022, for March Audio Sointuva
2022-06-27: Added Kef Q150 (review by Erin), since I felt this coaxial speaker by Kef should be on the worthy list.
2022-06-29: Added PSwSub = preference score, when a perfectly-integrated-subwoofer is added, to augment the lack of bass in the speaker.
2022-06-29: Used spoilers to shrink sections down.
2022-06-30: Added Kef Q650C (review by Erin). Eventhough PS is lower than Q250C, it can handle more power, and can be EQ'd to taste, plus it's a coaxial, so recommended.
2022-06-30: Added Kef Reference 1 and Kef Reference 3 and Kef Reference 2C. Eventhough they are discontinued when the "Meta" versions came out in Feb 2022, they can still be found at some places, so I think I will leave them mentioned...at least for a year beyond it's discontinued date.
2022-07-01: Added In-wall speakers recommendations
2022-07-01: Today, pierre released data (PS, PSwSub, and LFX) for Philharmonic BMR bookshelf v2 (from Erin), so seeing how well-engineered the bookshelf is, and the previous AH review of the tower, I'm adding BMR tower to 'worthy list'
2022-07-04: Added Wharfedale Linton 85th Anniversary (review by Erin)
2022-07-10: Removed Infinity speakers since they haven't been in stock since Feb 2021, which I can consider as discontinued (R263 and R253 towers, RC252 and RC263 center, R152 and R162 bookshelf)
2022-07-25: Added Klipsch RP-5000F II tower (for US$1200/pair) (review by Erin).
2022-07-26: Added Klipsch RP-500C II center (for US$500/each) (review by Erin)
2022-08-02: Removed "#1,2,3, worthy" and RL columns, to simplify the tables. This also reduces the number of characters
2022-08-19: Added "On-Wall speakers" section and why you shouldn't use them. Removed BMR monitor from bookshelves that can laid on it's side for center-channel use. It will likely have issues with directivity, which I hadn't considered before.
2022-08-23: Added Klipsch RP-500M II. 3rd place for <$600/pair. Missed previously.
2022-09-28: Added Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. Measurements from vendor.
2022-11-04: Added Aperion N5T tower. 3rd place for $1400/pair.
2023-02-14: Added Kef R3/R5/R7/R11/R2/R6 Meta
2023-05-11: Removed Response Linearity links to simplify the table. Added Kef R2/R3/R5/R6/R7/R11 Meta, data provided by Kef. Updated scores for 'KEF Blade 1/2 Meta'.
2023-06-28: Removed R200's (previous non-Klippel NFS PS was 6.3, but now with Klippel NFS PS is only to 5.2, which doesn't quality to remain on my list.
2023-07-05: Updated Kef R3 Meta, data provided by Erin.
2023-11-24:
Added:2
-Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor S THX (Erin)
-Arendal Sound 1723 Monitor THX (Erin)
-Ascend Acoustics Sierra Titan (vendor)
-Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Tower (vendor)
-Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2 (Erin)
-Philharmonic Ceramic Mini (Erin)
-March Audio Sointuva AWG (Warkwyn)
Important Note:
-Data from March Audio Sointuva AWG came from Warkwyn (a USA company that provides Klippel NFS measurements for a fee), so this source is trusted.
-Data from Ascend Acoustics (vendor) are trusted, because of the similarity between Erin's and Ascend Acoustic's measurements, as I've shown here.
-Which is why I'm not doing the typical * (asterisk) next to these
2023-11-25:
Found the difference between March Audio speakers:
-The Sointuva WG is the original version with paper Purifi. (link to website) (the one Erin reviewed)
-The Sointuva AWG is an updated version with aluminium Purifi. (no link to website yet) (the speaker that we have spin from Warkwyn)
2023-11-26:
- Seeing how March Audio removed Sointuva WG from their website, this seems to be discontinued. So I removed this from my table.
- March Audio added the link to purchase the new Sointuva AWG on their website now.
2023-11-30: - Added review link for Elac DBR-62 for Erin. Forgot to previously.
2023-12-03:
- Added Philharmonic BMR HT Tower (AH). Didn't realize that Philharmonic released a new tower (BMR HT Tower), since the previous tower was BMR Tower. Similar names caused me to miss it until now.
- Added placeholder for Philharmonic HT Center, for 3-way centers, which was launched on 2023-11-23 (link). Waiting for PS, PSwSub, and LFX to update post.
- Added 2 in-wall Kef speakers (Ci5160RLM-THX and Ci3160RLM-THX), since they were announced on 2023-11-16.
- Added 3 in-wall Revel speakers (W126Be, W226Be, W228Be), since they were announced 2023-09-07. They are based on PerformaBe series of speakers, so we can expect exceptional performance.
- Added 2 in-ceiling recommendations (Kef Ci250RRM-THX and Revel C128Be).
2023-12-04:
- Renamed "Philharmonic BMR Mini-Monitor (v2)" (which is what Erin called the speaker on his website) to "BMR Monitor" (which is what PhilharmonicAudio.com website currently says).
- Added Buchardt Audio S400 MKII (Erin)
2023-12-07: -Missed previously adding Kef R5 Meta
2023-12-19: -Updated PS for Revel M126Be, based on (Erin) review
2023-12-22:
- Added links for Kef LS50 Meta (from Erin)
- Added previously missed Arendal Sound 1961 Center (review by Amir, which he gave golfing panther award to) to 2-way MTM
2023-12-31:
-Seeing how Kef just removed R3 non-meta from their US website, I've removed all R non-meta and Reference non-meta from my table
-Removed Revel M16 with sealed port. Unnecessary.
2024-01-01:
-Added "PROMO UNTIL" to indicate whether there's a current sale
2023-01-14:
-Added Wharfedale Aura 2 (Erin)
-Updated PS of Kef LS50 Meta (by Erin), went from 5.6 to 5.9
2023-01-16:
-Added Sony SS-CS3 (Erin)
2024-01-28:
-Added Ascend Acoustics ELX Ribbon Horizon (data from mfg) to 3-way centers
2024-02-04:
-Removed all Emotiva Airmotiv speakers, since they were discontinued and replaced with a new series. Link
2024-02-06:
-Updated Kef R5 Meta (from Erin's review). PS is now 6.5. Previously PS was 6.8 (from Kef).
2024-04-11:
Added a 'NEVER BUY THESE':
- In April 2024, a lot of revealing information was released about Tekton (speaker manufacturer).
See these 2 threads:
- Legal fund for Reviewers/Erin? (from Page 1)
- Tekton M-Lore Speaker Review (from Page 13)
In conclusion, this speaker brand should go to the graveyard.
I encourage people to never buy from this speaker brand.
2024-04-15:
- Updated spins for Kef Blade 2 Meta (Erin), Kef R11 Meta (Amir)
- Added Polk Audio Reserve R500 tower (Erin)
- We now have 3 Klippel NFS scans for Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 V2. First is by vendor with PS of 6.7, then Erin reviewed it with PS of 6.4, then Amir reviewed it with PS of 5.9. Seeing how much variation there is, I decided to take the average of these 3, which is PS of 6.4. There is still some variability with Klippel NFS, but I think the average of 3 makes the most sense.

 

[More Dynamics Please]

Infinity R263 that has best score for towers under US$2600/pair has recently been on sale for US$400/pair.

 

[sweetchaos]

Infinity R263 that has best score for towers under US$2600/pair has recently been on sale for US$400/pair.

I know right? The Infinity's have crazy value way above their price point.

We need more precise measurements for it though, as the spinorama we have is from Infinity.
I do hope Amir will measure it soon!

 

[beaRA]

You might be right. I found the price on the JBL website, but didn't see that they're sold out.

I think the same is true for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR. I can only find it from a 3rd party seller on Newegg asking 2x MSRP.

 

[sweetchaos]

I think the same is true for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR. I can only find it from a 3rd party seller on Newegg asking 2x MSRP.

Even though they are overpriced currently (I remember last Christmas they were on sale), you can still buy them from newegg 3rd party.
So I'll leave them here for now.
I'll set up an alert to notify me if they ever go out of stock, so I'll remove them then

 

[beaRA]

This is a great resource btw! Such a shame the price of the Neumi BS5 went up $10 so we still have to see that awful Dayton Audio B652-AIR on the list. I understand why you didn't put it there, but it may he useful for people to know that the Sony SSCS5 is often available in that under $100/pair category.

 

[sweetchaos]

Thanks.
Yes, a $10 difference would have put the BS5's on #1 spot for under $100/pair category.

Tracking price drops gets time consuming and tedious. I'll try to maintain this list as best as I can, since I have direct links to each speaker, it's just a matter of checking them once in a while and updating this thread.

 

[sweetchaos]

Improvements:
- Added links to reviews by Amir and Erin

 

[Tom C]

This list highlights how difficult Revel F208 is to beat. Maybe there’s a pair in my future….

 

[sweetchaos]

Improvements:
- Added center-channel speakers

 

[sword]

Improvements:
- Added center-channel speakers

Center channels are not sold in pairs.

 

[sweetchaos]

Improvement:
- Highlighted center speakers that are 2-way in red, this way you can tell them apart from 3-way speakers. Once more 3-way speakers get tested, I'll probably separate into 2 tables (best 2-way and best 3-way).

 

[stumper3819]

I know right? The Infinity's have crazy value way above their price point.

We need more precise measurements for it though, as the spinorama we have is from Infinity.
I do hope Amir will measure it soon!

Unfortunately, that line may finally be discontinued. I've been waiting for the 263 center for quite awhile. All 10 speakers are currently showing sold out.

 

[tecnogadget]

What would be the R2C PS if you compute it from the WhitePaper data instead of Erin’s measurement ? Im still very suspicious of that 2kHz dip, which doesn’t make sense at all (it really looks like an intruder) and haven’t seen that neither on my in-room measurements of two different samples (speaker placed vertical and horizontally) nor from other users. Great work for pulling out this ranking .

 

[sweetchaos]

Are you doubting Erin’s measurements? Shocked pikachu face.

Do you mean from here?

D'Appolito Style Coaxial vs Single Woofer (R2C vs R3)

You can ask the same question then how would 2way coax beat the actual point source one Full Range driver in a box that doesn't have to fake it, of course FR is more limited in spl and has higher distortion. FR doesn't controll anything, 2way coax doesn't controll the directivity in midrange...

www.audiosciencereview.com

No, there’s not enough data to computer the pref score.

 

[NYfan2]

I expected that the Philharmonic BMR and BMR tower would also be in the list, is the PS not high enough or are we missing the data to rank them?

 

[sweetchaos]

Philharmonic BMR has pref score of 5.1 with Lfx of 46. So, it didn’t make the top 3 rank for < $1700/pair.

BMR tower was measured by Audioholics recently, but Audioholics didn’t provide us with the spinorama, so we can’t compute the preference score.

 

[flipflop]

I guess it's worth pointing out that the "Preference Score" is the predicted preference score and not an actual preference score gathered from listening tests.
Saying that the "value [ranges] from 1-10" is not entirely correct either. Sure, the speakers recommended in this guide all fall into that interval, but there's no theoretical minimum as we've seen with for example Bose 141 and Magnepan LRS receiving scores below 0. A max score of 10 also assumes a LFX of 14.5 Hz.

Using vendor data is not just a problem because of potential credibility issues, but also because some of the data, like the R152 spin, uses a higher amount of smoothing, which results in lower NBD_ON and NBD_PIR values, which in turns result in an artificially increased predicted preference score.

 

[beaRA]

Looks like you are missing the Polk S30 in the under $300 category.