My Recommendations: Best Speakers Under $1000

Summary

The speaker shares a personal list of the top six bookshelf speakers under $1,000, ranked based on subjective impressions and objective performance. Each model's strengths and weaknesses are evaluated, including their sound quality, radiation patterns, frequency response, and room placement recommendations. The list covers the KEF Q150, Polk R200, Klipsch RP-600M2, ELAC DBR62, Ascend Audio Sierra 1 V2, and Kali Audio IN-8 V2. The speaker offers detailed comparisons and provides insights into speaker design choices like on/off-axis response and vertical/horizontal dispersion, along with suggestions for optimizing placement.

Takeaways

• 🔊 The speaker list is based on subjective impressions, overall look, intrinsic value, and performance, with an emphasis on linearity and sound quality.
• 🔄 On-axis refers to sound directly from the speaker, while off-axis describes sound at an angle away from the speaker's direction.
• 📉 The KEF Q150 (ranked #6) has good linearity and wide vertical dispersion but suffers from a sharp, electronic treble and narrow horizontal dispersion.
• 🎼 The Polk R200 (ranked #5) offers good linearity and wide radiation up to 5kHz but struggles with weak bass and narrow dispersion above 5kHz.
• 🎤 The Klipsch RP 600M2 (ranked #4) provides good bass extension but sounds hollow in the lower midrange, especially for vocals.
• 🔊 The Elac DBR62 (ranked #3) has a noticeable bass bump and is a good choice for sidewall absorption. However, its vertical dispersion is limited to about ±10°.
• 🔌 The Ascend Audio Sierra 1 V2 (ranked #2) delivers excellent linearity and neutral sound but has low sensitivity and requires good amplification, with limited vertical response.
• 🎛️ The Cali Audio IN8 V2 (ranked #1) offers excellent bass and midrange response with powered speakers, but has some diffraction issues and requires toe-out for optimal performance.
• 📐 For most speakers, toe-in (or out) positioning is important to adjust treble and response according to room acoustics.
• 💡 Sidewall absorption can improve sound quality by reducing diffraction, especially for speakers with wider horizontal radiation.

Q & A

What criteria were used to create the list of top speakers under $1,000?

The list was created based on subjective impressions of overall look, intrinsic value, and objective performance, such as linearity, radiation patterns, and base extension.

What does the term 'on-axis' and 'off-axis' mean in speaker placement?

'On-axis' refers to the speaker being pointed directly at the listener, while 'off-axis' refers to the speaker being angled away from the listening position.

Why is the KEF Q150 placed at number six on the list?

The KEF Q150 is ranked sixth due to its good linearity and wide vertical dispersion, but its treble can sound sharp or electronic above 8kHz, and its bass drops off quickly below 50Hz.

What are the pros and cons of the Polk R200 speaker, ranked fifth on the list?

The Polk R200 has excellent linearity and wide radiation up to 5kHz but suffers from weak bass and limited vertical dispersion. It performs best when placed close to walls.

What makes the Klipsch RP 600 M2 a strong contender at number four?

The Klipsch RP 600 M2 has good linearity and bass extension but lacks presence in the lower mid-range, which can make vocals sound hollow. It's recommended to EQ this range for better performance.

Why is the Elac DBR62 considered a favorite speaker?

The Elac DBR62 is a favorite because of its bass bump around 100Hz, giving it more 'thump.' It offers solid bass performance, meaning a subwoofer may not be necessary for some setups.

What are the main drawbacks of the Ascend Audio Sierra 1 V2?

The Sierra 1 V2 has low sensitivity, requiring more power to drive them, and has a limited vertical response. However, its estimated in-room response is nearly perfect.

Why is the Kali Audio IN-8 V2 ranked as the number one speaker?

The Kali Audio IN-8 V2 ranks first due to its excellent bass extension, neutral sound, and powered design. It offers great performance at $800 per pair, eliminating the need for an external amplifier.

What is 'horizontal radiation' in speaker terminology, and why is it important?

Horizontal radiation refers to how sound spreads outward horizontally from the speaker. Wider horizontal radiation provides a larger soundstage and a more even sound distribution across a room.

How does sidewall absorption improve speaker performance, as mentioned in the review?

Sidewall absorption helps capture energy in the upper mid-range frequencies (around 2-4kHz), reducing unwanted reflections and diffraction, which can lead to a more neutral in-room sound.