Stretch a little (about $125/pair) for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers

It's impressive when a talented speaker designer such as Andrew Jones takes time off from designing $80,000/pair speakers to come up with a quality speaker costing less than $200/pair. It's even more impressive when he takes the time to revise and refine such an inexpensive design. Jones's SP-BS22-LR is a stunning achievement at $159.99/pair. Its sound is balanced, neutral, and involving, with no significant shortcomings. I'm scratching my head at how Pioneer can produce this level of quality at this price. Every audiophile-even well-heeled investment bankers-should listen to the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR, to hear what's possible for the fiscally challenged music lover.

 

+1 for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR

Nothing but good things for the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR

The Polk T15 is pretty meh
You will enjoy the Pioneer more.

Also for a sub look on parts express for the Dayton Audio Sub-1000, great sub for the price. Even the Sub-800 is great (that is what I use). The Polk PSW10 is also a fair choice for a Sub.

I have a old Lepai amp, they have pretty good sound quality. Just can't turn it up so high without distorting, But it is a pretty small unit and of course lacks some power. A nice Power Brick with plenty of amperage also helps get the most out of the Lepai.

 

I went ahead and just bought the T15s since they were only $60 after tax and all. Seems a pretty good deal coming from Logitech X-540s 5.1 system in a 2.1 setup.

I will look at those other speakers for possibly my living room and the tv though.

 

The Pioneers BS41's are on sale for $100 shipped on Newegg, BTW. And from all of the reviews I've read, they sound just as good, if not better, than other bookshelf speakers 3-4x its price

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406

Also, a pair of the step-down model Pioneer SP-BS21 is on sale for $60, discounted from $129

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405

Do your own research. But everyone who's heard/owned the BS41's have absolutely nothing but good things to say. It's seems to be a killer value. I guess you have these in mind for future reference. I'd definetly shell out the extra $40 for the step-up model though. I did.

Good luck

 

I'm really tempted to just charge those BS41's on Newegg, I'm really close to and just returning these, its only $40 more.

Anyways, while I'm here, I am listening on the speakers I have (T15s) and they do sound a LOT better than what I had, I couldn't really see myself spending more for some though since I'm not an audiophile by no means. I guess they sound good just because I've had crap speakers before.

Still, I am tempted on those.

 

You will be fine with the Polk T15's and the Lepai.

 

+1 for the Lepai and the Pioneers. But make the amp a favour and toss that PSU that came with it in the trash. Just upgrading to a known brand laptop adapter will improve sound quality a lot, and they cost like 15 bucks (a netbook adapter will do).

 

Today's NewEgg Shellshocker sale has the standing Pioneers on sale form $300 to $129. I haven't heard them personally, but everyone is telling it's a steal. It's worth mentioning that you should try and listen to the speakers before buying. Polk also has some excellent options around the same price-point. Some people prefer Polk over Pioneer and vice-versa---it's rather subjective.

Pioneer SP-FS51-LR Floorstanding Speakers Pair:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117403

 

I have the Lepai plus BS-21-LR's in my bedroom. I don't even need a sub to be honest. I couldn't be happier. I've heard the T15's, and I promise you'll enjoy the Andrew Jones speakers much MUCH better.

+1 to the Dayton sub recommendation too. SUB1000 or SUB1200 is where I'd go. Avoid the low end Polk sub, its no better than the Dayton SUB800.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud

I have the Lepai plus BS-21-LR's in my bedroom. I don't even need a sub to be honest. I couldn't be happier. I've heard the T15's, and I promise you'll enjoy the Andrew Jones speakers much MUCH better.

+1 to the Dayton sub recommendation too. SUB1000 or SUB1200 is where I'd go. Avoid the low end Polk sub, its no better than the Dayton SUB800.

What do you think of the BIC F12 sub? It's $200 shipped on NewEgg. Most people on AVS have recommended it over the equivalent Dayton.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by scatlm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud

I have the Lepai plus BS-21-LR's in my bedroom. I don't even need a sub to be honest. I couldn't be happier. I've heard the T15's, and I promise you'll enjoy the Andrew Jones speakers much MUCH better.

+1 to the Dayton sub recommendation too. SUB1000 or SUB1200 is where I'd go. Avoid the low end Polk sub, its no better than the Dayton SUB800.

What do you think of the BIC F12 sub? It's $200 shipped on NewEgg. Most people on AVS have recommended it over the equivalent Dayton.

The F12 or the Polk PSW505 are both solid options and very good at the $200 price point. The Daytons are half the price at $100.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by pioneerisloud

The F12 or the Polk PSW505 are both solid options and very good at the $200 price point. The Daytons are half the price at $100.

+1 I was going to post the same thing.

 

I have the Lepai amp and heard hum? (noise anyway) with the Pioneer SP-BR41 LR using the stock power supply (2 Amp) and playing as loud as I like(some hearing loss though). Switched to the Dayton speakers and stronger power supply, much easier to drive speakers, go as loud as I like.
Then tried the Pioneer's with the better power supply, which became fine.
I tried an old notebook power supply with the Lepai and still got hum. A cheap Computer Monitor power brick, however removed the noise. 12 volt 6 amp. Fewer of these appear available on Amazon, and I do not see the one I paid $8 for.

 

I have a pair of T-15s in a box I used them with my SMSL T-amp for awhile (got mine for $50 on sale...) they are ok..but the Pioneer's suggested are going to be better or the Monitor series of Polks I also had a pair of Monitor 30's hooked up for awhile they definitely sounded better than the T15's

newegg has teh BS41's for $80~ (right now at least) these would be much better than the T15's

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117406

however here is my desk with some of my used speakers finds I have $80 spent (well +15~ish on surround repair kit for one of the sets) on buying all these speakers total... so used speakers I really my preference
(Monitor Audio Silver S1, NHT SuperZero, Optimus Pro-X5, Realistic Minimus 77's) ($11.25, $50, $10, $10 cost for speakers respectively)
http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/atarione/media/SAM_0728_zpse2794027.jpg.html
(in fairness the DCM Timeframes not on desk (corner) cost another $20 (amazing speakers btw)

I also just bought some mini advents i just bought for $5 (spent another $15~ buying a surround kit for these ..sound very very good).

The MA's only cost $11.25 because they looked like heck when I got them

https://imageshack.com/i/nau092j

and while I was working on them:
https://imageshack.com/i/0nh5lgj

of course used depends on luck / leg work and research and finding something in a condition you can live with ... so not for everyone certainly but a good way to get nice speakers for little money if thing go well

(also pictured in teh before shot of the MA Silver's :: JBL L1's $40 // Kilpsch KG2.5's $50 and Bang & Olufsen RL60.2's $60)