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aquajet

macrumors 68020
Original poster
I've come across a pair of Tannoy PBM 6.5 monitors in a local Craigslist advertisment for $200. I'm looking for a good set of bookshelf speakers for my sound system and am wondering what you all think of these speakers in a hi-fi-type setup. I understand that, despite their age, they're pretty popular among audio engineers. What are your opinions? Is that a fair price?

As a side note, I've auditioned some Paradigm monitor series speakers and a set of Celestion F15 speakers. If you've heard these, how would you say they compare? At the moment, I'm more impressed with the Celestions.

Unfortunately, I can't return the Tannoys if I decide they aren't the best speakers in that price range so I kind of have to rely on other's opinions.

I know some of you are knowledgable in this area, so if you want to suggest other possibilities in the $350 range for bookshelf-sized speakers, feel free...
 
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I've been looking at these Yahama's lately. They sound great for the price

http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/pr...owered_studio_monitor_each?full_sku=103530499





My roommate has these

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We use them for DJ use only... and they work great for that purpose. Don't know how well they'd do in the studio.

only 300 dollars for the pair...
http://www.guitarcenter.com/shop/pr...d_reference_studio_monitor?full_sku=102516150
 
No problem with Tannoy a fine UK speaker firm-have you neard the term "over the Tannoy" well it refers to the companies early public address systems. They are one of the great speaker firms out there. We have a Tannoy surround system and they are excellent
 
The recent, small (nearfield) Tannoys however, have not reviewed well in Sound on Sound and other audio mags.

The larger Tannoys are legendary studio monitors with co-axial drivers. The small new ones are pretty much completely different.
 
I would avoid the Rokit 5's - I bought a pair of them as "interim" monitors after I sold my M-Audio BX5's and was saving up for my current Dynaudio BM5A's - which ROCK!

Actually, speaking of the M-Audio BX5's, you would be pretty happy with them. DO NOT get the M-Audio BX5A's though - they have a dark grey color scheme...they just don't sound as good as the original BX5's - they are black monitors with a silver speaker casing.

You can find the BX5's for $200 most likely - probably cheaper.

Anyway, the Tannoy's should serve you well. I'm not familar with that exact model, but I have other engineer friends who have used monitors from them and they love em.
 
Tannoys and speakers like them are reference monitors designed for mixing/mastering. Since they are nearfield and passive used in a studio setting, they might not be the best speakers for general purpose home listening.

Do you have any speaker retailers in your area where you can audition different speakers? If you want the best sound from speakers, unit placement and room treatment are more important than the brand of speakers you're likely to buy. Good luck! 🙂
 
If you want the best sound from speakers, unit placement and room treatment are more important than the brand of speakers you're likely to buy.
hear, hear. and even better -- audition them in your own room, not the showroom. they'll sound completely different in your own room.
 
hear, hear. and even better -- audition them in your own room, not the showroom. they'll sound completely different in your own room.

I might listen to them briefly in a showroom, but I don't dare make a decision based on that alone. I've had a number of sets in my listening room already. Next up on the list is a set of Axioms, unfortunately must be purchased online. But I'm not too concerned as they've got a 30-day return policy.

Oddly enough, my favorite pair thus far (Celestion) is the cheapest.
 
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