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Topic: Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150 (Read 3787 times) previous topic - next topic
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Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Hi.

I'm getting sick and tired of the poor quality of my powered PC speakers, and I really miss the sound of my B&W Solid that was stolen from me years ago. Bought them back in 1997 or so, and to my ears, they sounded good. Of course, they are not available any more, and I haven't found them used anywhere near Norway, where I live (postage from the US will be too expensive, as they are quite heavy).

So, I guess I have to buy a new pair of speakers. I want them to be quite small, maybe about 10" - 12" tall and 6" - 8" wide. Also, it would be nice if brackets for wall mounting are included (just like the B&W Solid).

The amplifier I'm using is a NAD 312 (bought it together with the Solids).

Of course, I want value for money, and that's why I'm posting this. Max price should be $150, but I'll happily pay less if I can get decent quality. They will be used mostly for casual listening to rock/metal/70s prog while surfing the web =)
/Agitator

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #1 –
My brother has a pair of Polk Audio bookshelf speakers that he uses for his rear channels of his surround sound system that sound really good.  I have Polks myself and are quite happy with them.

Newegg has some good deals at the moment.

These are a little bigger than you want, but just squeak in on the price parameter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16882290011

And there are also these, which seem to be the same, just smaller with one less driver:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16882290009

I'm not sure what postage to Norway would be with NewEgg.  That might be a deal breaker.

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #2 –
For that size and budget?
Paradigm Atom, no question.
If you can find them in Norway (even used) with that budget, the Atoms are phenomenal IMO.

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Audible! on
For that size and budget?
Paradigm Atom, no question.
If you can find them in Norway (even used) with that budget, the Atoms are phenomenal IMO.

No one sells Paradigm Atom here anymore, sadly. I've been browsing my price range, and a little above my original price cap, I've found a pair of Infinity Primus 150 for $187. Remember that everything costs way more in Norway than in the US, so alternatives that is in the same price range as the Infinitys in the US, will be in the $170 - $200 range here.

The question is, is the Infinity Primus 150 any good?
/Agitator

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #4 –
The Primus 150 speakers are generally well regarded to my recollection, and the last pair of Infinity bookshelf speakers I bought (6.5" 2-way, decade ago) were quite good.

Currently the Primus 152 (presumably a freshening of the 150) are the third highest rated bookshelf speakers on consumer reports, and the highest rated pair under $200.
Dimensions of the 152 are given as 12.8 x 7.4 x 11.5 (inches).

CR actually rates the Best Buy house brand "Insignia NS-B2111" bookshelf speakers (13.5 x 8.9 x 13.5) just below the Primus 152, and they retail for ~$90. These feature a 6.5" woofer with a KEF-style coaxially mounted tweeter...Norwegian price and availability are of course an open question.

edit:incorrect tense, added link

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #5 –
Neither the 152 nor the NS-B2111 is available in Norway. I guess the 152 might turn up.
/Agitator

Need recommendation for wall speakers, max $150

Reply #6 –
The Primus 150 should be extremely similar to the 152, being in the same series with a similar driver complement.

The occasionally coherent shills at stereophile like the primus 150 rather well. This page (showing physical measurements) is likely the only page in the review worth the glossy paper it was printed on.
Assuming Atkinson's measurements are to be trusted, the speaker has usable bass to maybe 50Hz, which is good for it's size.

edit: clarity