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Since this rabbit hole was gone done in the Bargain DAC Suggestions thread, and since sub-$500 is a popular price point for many people buying their first pair of speakers, I thought a fresh thread might be warranted to suggest and discuss various sub-$500/pair passive speakers.
I think it'd be interesting to discuss both bookshelf/standmount models and some floorstanding models, since different people might have different sized rooms or bass preferences, or might be planning to integrate subwoofers etc, while all basically having the same goal of putting together a decent value-for-money passive speaker based system.
Without having looked at or listened to the whole field by any means, my opening suggestion is the $300-350/pair Wharfedale Diamond 220 (some measurements here).
As I said in the other thread, these speakers measure remarkably well for a budget speaker and seem to have no obvious flaws.
My only cautionary comments would be that, as a neutral measuring speaker, they would best be listened to at moderate volume levels. For low volume levels, and particularity for background listening, something with a bit of built-in "loudness" might be preferred. Also, they have a 5" woofer so they're not at all capable of low bass (the -3dB point seems to be about 80Hz).
In other words, these will be suited to involved listening (I hate the phrase "critical" listening but that's what I mean, as opposed to background listening), either standalone in a very small room, with subs in a small-medium sized room, or as surrounds.
I've never heard these speakers so my comments are based only on the measurements, which come from a reliable source (NRC Canada). But please feel free to comment with subjective impressions too
I think it'd be interesting to discuss both bookshelf/standmount models and some floorstanding models, since different people might have different sized rooms or bass preferences, or might be planning to integrate subwoofers etc, while all basically having the same goal of putting together a decent value-for-money passive speaker based system.
Without having looked at or listened to the whole field by any means, my opening suggestion is the $300-350/pair Wharfedale Diamond 220 (some measurements here).
As I said in the other thread, these speakers measure remarkably well for a budget speaker and seem to have no obvious flaws.
My only cautionary comments would be that, as a neutral measuring speaker, they would best be listened to at moderate volume levels. For low volume levels, and particularity for background listening, something with a bit of built-in "loudness" might be preferred. Also, they have a 5" woofer so they're not at all capable of low bass (the -3dB point seems to be about 80Hz).
In other words, these will be suited to involved listening (I hate the phrase "critical" listening but that's what I mean, as opposed to background listening), either standalone in a very small room, with subs in a small-medium sized room, or as surrounds.
I've never heard these speakers so my comments are based only on the measurements, which come from a reliable source (NRC Canada). But please feel free to comment with subjective impressions too