What budget speakers you like to see reviewed?

[Chemlexiha]

I would love to see the Mackie mr 624's checked out, they seem to have little hiss, prehaps sets them apart from the competition.

 

[MZKM]

I was looking through measurements on SoundStage and noticed the Energy C3, it measures very well, originally $500/pair, I see someone selling a single used unit on eBay for ~$110 shipped:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Energy-Spe...173379?hash=item5db830efc3:g:kI0AAOSw2KVfnMx~

Would be cool to see how a $500 model from over a decade ago compares to the offerings of today. If not, they have a $200/pair model for sale on Amazon, 4.7/5 with just 32 reviews over 12 years, the matching $200 center is also a 3-way, so that’d be very good if that also measured well, as the only other cheap 3-way I know is the Emotiva C1+.

 

[Beave]

I was looking through measurements on SoundStage and noticed the Energy C3, it measures very well, originally $500/pair, I see someone selling a single used unit on eBay for ~$110 shipped:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Energy-Spe...173379?hash=item5db830efc3:g:kI0AAOSw2KVfnMx~

Would be cool to see how a $500 model from over a decade ago compares to the offerings of today. If not, they have a $200/pair model for sale on Amazon, 4.7/5 with just 32 reviews over 12 years, the matching $200 center is also a 3-way, so that’d be very good if that also measured well, as the only other cheap 3-way I know is the Emotiva C1+.

The C-3 and little brother C-1 often appear on Craigslist, OfferUp, etc, for under $100/pair. I'd like to see measurements on each too, especially the C-1 since the NRC has already done the C-3.

I own a pair of the C-3s. I think they're pretty good for their age & price. I've preferred them over a few newer and more costly bookshelf speakers I've owned, including the newer Energy RC-10s, which have muddy upper bass and some problem in the midrange.

 

[MZKM]

Energy RC-10s, which have muddy upper bass and some problem in the midrange.

https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/energy_rc_10/
600Hz-900Hz is boosted and has high distortion; EQing that down should help a lot.

 

[DaftBunny]

I add my vote to the already mentioned Wharfedale EVO 4.2 and Denton 85th anniversary. Really wonder how these two compare as they are similarly priced where I live!

 

[akarma]

Their coaxes (e.g. the current FX50, FX80) would be interesting as well.

FX50

 

[okok]

everyone said Amphion is so good so good, and they are passive

 

[sweetchaos]

JBL 308P MKII

Reason:
Currently for US$400/pair, but was on sale for US$270/pair btw Dec18 - Dec31, 2019.
I predict this model will be on sale again in the next 2 months.
To take things further, you can build a 5 channel system for only US$675...incredible value!

It will be nice to have the measurements (particularly the distortion graphs) before the sales start.

 

[0800 Dub]

Acoustic Energy AE100.

 

[Muelli]

RCF Ayra Pro.

 

[thewas]

RCF Ayra Pro.

Some fresh but unfortunately rather limited measurements of the biggest RCF AYRA PRO 8 of that series:
https://prosound.ixbt.com/monitors/rcf-ayra-pro8.shtml

 

[MZKM]

Some fresh but unfortunately rather limited measurements of the biggest RCF AYRA PRO 8 of that series:
https://prosound.ixbt.com/monitors/rcf-ayra-pro8.shtml

A 4dB dip @2kHz ain’t great.

JBL 308P MKII

I don’t think much, if any, acoustic improvement has occurred over the 1st gen; here is the 1st gen:

 

[richard12511]

A 4dB dip @2kHz ain’t great.



I don’t think much, if any, acoustic improvement has occurred over the 1st gen; here is the 1st gen:

I would be surprised if Gen 2 isn’t significantly worse, based on what we saw with the 305, and what I’ve seen with my own measurements.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Agree with everyone quoted above. Chane measurements need to happen.

Has there been any update on a Chane speaker review? BufordTJustice is affiliated with them and in Seattle I believe, he may be willing to lend it for review.

 

[Putter]

I would like to see the Cambridge audio Minx Min 12 tested. These use Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drivers. I am very curious to see how the highs hold up and is the radiation is as good as I think it is.
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/gbr/en/products/speakers/minx-min-12

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/cambridge-audio-minx-s325v2-speaker-system
On the plus side, sound is disbursed so evenly horizontally and vertically that the distinction between on- and off-axis response all but disappears. This phenomenon applies here to frequencies above about 800 Hz; below that point, the driver has a more conventional pistonic movement. Shift around the sofa all you want: The sound will move with you. To anyone weaned on ordinary speakers, this can seem like a miracle.

The BMR seems to have solved the dispersion issue both horizontally and vertically. These would seem like ideal speakers for Auto Eq systems given that you wouldn't have frequency response errors due uneven radiation at different frequencies from the speaker. I'm not saying that they have solved all speakers issues now and forever, but am curious if I've missed any drawbacks to this idea. I also recall that Dennis Murphy decided they made a great midrange but were not ideal for the high frequencies when he designed the Philharmonitor.

 

[amirm]

JBL 308P MKII

It is measuring as I type this....

 

[Dennis Murphy]

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/cambridge-audio-minx-s325v2-speaker-system
On the plus side, sound is disbursed so evenly horizontally and vertically that the distinction between on- and off-axis response all but disappears. This phenomenon applies here to frequencies above about 800 Hz; below that point, the driver has a more conventional pistonic movement. Shift around the sofa all you want: The sound will move with you. To anyone weaned on ordinary speakers, this can seem like a miracle.

The BMR seems to have solved the dispersion issue both horizontally and vertically. These would seem like ideal speakers for Auto Eq systems given that you wouldn't have frequency response errors due uneven radiation at different frequencies from the speaker. I'm not saying that they have solved all speakers issues now and forever, but am curious if I've missed any drawbacks to this idea. I also recall that Dennis Murphy decided they made a great midrange but were not ideal for the high frequencies when he designed the Philharmonitor.

Their limitations as full range drivers are pretty obvious from the Soundandvision measurements. Things get dicey above around 5 kHz, and this is readily audible. But between 500 Hz and 4.5 kHz, they're pretty much unmatched. For me as a speaker designer, the main issue is purely marketing. How do I convince people that a driver this inexpensive deserves to be part of a top-of-the-line monitor?

 

[amirm]

For me as a speaker designer, the main issue is purely marketing. How do I convince people that a driver this inexpensive deserves to be part of a top-of-the-line monitor?

No problem in my book. I look at the driver in a speaker same as what DAC chip is inside a DAC. Don't care as long as it performs and it is implemented well.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

No problem in my book. I look at the driver in a speaker same as what DAC chip is inside a DAC. Don't care as long as it performs and it is implemented well.

As well you should. But you don't have to reply to emails from people who expect a $300 Accuton instead of a $15 BMR. Actually, I would have used the Accuton if it (1) wasn't discontinued, and (2) sounded as good.

 

[thewas]

Their limitations as full range drivers are pretty obvious from the Soundandvision measurements. Things get dicey above around 5 kHz, and this is readily audible. But between 500 Hz and 4.5 kHz, they're pretty much unmatched.

I guess also the reason why the quite good German loudspeaker manufacturer Nubert uses them just as midrange drivers in their TOTL series
https://www.nubert.de/nuvero-serie/510/
Measurements:
https://www.nubert.de/downloads/test-2015-08-nuvero-60-stereoplay.pdf
https://www.nubert.de/downloads/test-2016-11-nuvero-110--stereoplay.pdf
https://www.nubert.de/downloads/test_2015-6_nuVero_140_stereoplay.pdf
https://www.nubert.de/downloads/test-2017-06-nuvero-170--stereoplay.pdf