bookshelf speaker help

timfinle -- Mon, 02/20/2006 - 21:45

First my current system:
AVR receiver - Denon avr 4806
dvd - denon 2910
f,l,c, - infinity overture 1s
surround - sonance 8in ceiling speakers

I listen to music 75% of the time versus 25% for movies.

I recently auditioned b & w 805s. They were not in my opinion 4 grand worth of upgrade in comparison to overtures. They imaged a little better and had a better highend. That was about it. We used a denon 2910 with a denon avr 3806 so the comparison was pretty valid.

My question is this and I know I will probably open a can of worms here but I need help. I am willing to spend between 6 - 7 k for l, r, c speakers. They need to be bookshelf. I was reading about a speaker whos model number ends in "be" but for the life of me I cannot remember the manufacturer. Does anyone know who this manufacturer might be and are these speaker any good.? Does anyone have advise on what I should listen to next?

Thanks for your help.

Tom Martin -- Tue, 02/21/2006 - 10:31

In my experience, Sonus Faber has some excellent bookshelf speakers. Not sure if the are exactly right for your budget. You might also look at the Perfect Vision's recommended products list for 2005 which you can find under the "AVGuide recommends" button on AVGuide.com. I think there are some KEFs on that list that are really good and might fit your needs.

CEO and Editorial Director, Nextscreen LLC

timfinle -- Tue, 02/21/2006 - 22:49

Thomas,

Thanks, I will check out the kefs. I did find some interesing reviews on aerial accoustics lr3 and cc3. i am hoping between the kefs and lr3s i will find something better than the overtures

tmartin2 -- Fri, 02/24/2006 - 09:32

I noticed that Usher Audio has several speakers in the Dancer series that begin with "Be" (for beryillium, I think). But they aren't bookshelf speakers.

neil.gader -- Fri, 02/24/2006 - 11:50

You're probably referring to Focal's new Electra 1000 Be speaker. There's floorstander and a bookshelf. Beautiful construction and design and from what I heard at CES highly promising performance. I believe the compact 1007 goes in the $3995/pr range, the larger 1027 for $7495/pr

Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound

timfinle -- Tue, 02/28/2006 - 23:08

Neil,

Thanks man, you hit the nail on the head. The bookshelf speakers I referred to in my previous post is the focal/jmlab electra 1000 be.

Now here is another question for you. How would compare 1000 be to aerial acoustic lr3's? Both are approximately the same price.