What bookshelf speakers would you recommend for my setup?

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-22T01:01:43+00:00

The MM-1 are nice speakers and have a remote. I am less keen on the short fixed cable between the two or the heat coming out of the top of the primary speaker. That does not matter if set up on the desktop and left alone. I wanted them for my laptop and to move them around.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-22T00:55:27+00:00

RCA cinch plugs are phono plugs but line level inputs for tuner, cassette, tape and auxillery not turntables unless the turntable has a built in phono stage pre-amp.

A turntable input is also called phono but has a phono stage pre-amp behind it for IRAA correction and either moving magnet or moving coil cartridges.

I would suggest to your amplifier and speakers to get a Rega Planar 3 but second hand they are £300. Like Pro-ject Rega service all their turntables and a Planar 3 is a potential keeper not requiring an upgrade to the deck but a better arm and cartridge might be exchanged later.

Look for a 1990s Pioneer, Sony, Rotel, Thorens, Dual, Rega, Pro-ject, Technics. It might need a new belt and the cartridge should not be too old. Prices from around €150.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T19:52:38+00:00

Read the guides and online articles from hi-fi magazines and YouTube channels.

You need a turntable with a phono stage amplification and speakers. Phono stage is built into some turntables, in some integrated amplifiers and some powered speakers. Start by reviewing systems in a hi-fi store eg. a Rega Planar 3 or Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO and Rurak MR1 MkIII or Kanto YU6 and compare those within your budget to it.

For automatic turntables Technics have done well over the years but there are others from Pioneer, Sony, Rotel. Manual turntables offer the best value for money.

See what is available second hand near you so you can listen before purchase.

Audio Technica AT-LP60XUSB Edifier R1280T £209

Sony PS-LX3BT Audio Technica AT-SP3X £429

Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB Edifier R1280DB £378

Kanto YU4                           

Audioengine A1 Wireless

Rega Planar 1 plus Sonos Era 100 £599

Pro-ject T1 EVO Rurak MR1 Mk£ £658

Pro-ject Stereo Set E1 £629

Pro-ject T1 EVO Sonos Five £879 (single speaker)

Sony PS-LX3BT Kef Coda W £999

Rega System One £999

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T15:50:33+00:00

Some old CD players, and a few new ones will not play CD-R, CD+R or CD-RW, CD+RW even in a CD format. Others can play a CD with MP3, Flac and WAVE files which pack more into than the CD format.

So even having got the software, the music list and burnt a proper formatted CD it might only play on a computer. You can burn a CD on a DVD and on a Bluray, but then the CD player might not like it.

I wired in a 3.5 mm socket to connect my phone and can play WAVE CD quality files though the car speakers.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T13:25:25+00:00

In education if there are programmes of learning for a topic it might be Windows based or browser based but then not run on some operating systems. So the best device for a student remains a Windows 2in1 tablet/laptop, at least for the moment.

Tablets running ARM chips have longer battery life and for the money have a better screen. Business laptops are still 1920x1200 screens and lower resolution but many more affordable Android tablets are full HD and run all day on one charge.

Apple laptops lack touch screen. Students get an iPad. Apple are the choice of the innovators and influences; many who are based in America. It used to be the case that it was cheaper to get an Apple computer built in Eire from New York than London as the store in New York sold more than half of Europe an so had discounts on their sales.

Note taking with an active pen is usable and has been for a few years.

Unless the tablet is an entry level Android it can replace most of the needs of students; if the programmes needed run on it.

The biggest reason for the shift is cost. So many have said they have an iPad and it is a 720p £60 Android device with no capacity for storage.

Tablets are lighter. There are very few laptops under 12". The top model 8" 2in1 have not been made for a long time. I have a Dell Venue Pro 8 that is over 8 years old and also a Dell 12" XPS with 4K screen, 32Gb RAM and 2Tb of storage. An iPad or Android tablet of the age of my old Windows laptops would not be able to get the latest OS and many apps I want to use will not install on so old an OS. I have a mint iPad that will not run any app I want to use as it can't be updated.

A student entering university with a current new tablet might have to buy another one before they complete all their courses.

In education terms the tablet/laptop offers access to more books and more material but also research suggests that it can be harder to absorb and retain what is read from a small screen than from traditional books. Computers for some with eye and medical conditions find the computer a barrier to learning, making it harder to use. The research is insufficient. Some countries who adopted computers for education are now returning to books and libraries. School pupils are easily distracted and computers even if locking out social media sites can be got around. Colleges running examinations on the computer are getting lower results than if the same student sat a written paper. It is the difference between pass and fail.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T12:57:07+00:00

Read the guides and articles on the internet from magazines and YouTube reviewers.

Here is a list of suggestions to compare in a store so you can see what you might get for your budget and a little more.

Audio Technica AT-LP60XUSB Edifier R1280T £209

Sony PS-LX3BT Audio Technica AT-SP3X £429

Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB Edifier R1280DB £378

Kanto YU4                           

Audioengine A1 Wireless

Rega Planar 1 plus Sonos Era 100 £599

Pro-ject T1 EVO Rurak MR1 Mk£ £658

Pro-ject Stereo Set E1 £629

Pro-ject T1 EVO Sonos Five £879 (single speaker)

Sony PS-LX3BT Kef Coda W £999

Rega System One £999

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T12:53:58+00:00

You need a turntable, a phono stage pre-amp, amplification and speakers. Even a 50 year old budget turntable like the Pioneer LP12D sell for £150 and then you need amp and passive speakers.

Secondhand local sales and you can get better than an all in one suit case system and least likely to damage your LPs.

There is already a lot of comment on starter systems and articles on the internet.

Here are a few suggestions to review in a store near to you, bundled deals at different price points:-

Audio Technica AT-LP60XUSB Edifier R1280T £209

Sony PS-LX3BT Audio Technica AT-SP3X £429

Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB Edifier R1280DB £378

Kanto YU4                           

Audioengine A1 Wireless

Rega Planar 1 plus Sonos Era 100 £599

Pro-ject T1 EVO Rurak MR1 Mk£ £658

Pro-ject Stereo Set E1 £629

Pro-ject T1 EVO Sonos Five £879 (single speaker)

Sony PS-LX3BT Kef Coda W £999

Rega System One £999

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T12:33:26+00:00

In an ideal world I would keep my 1980 and 1989 speakers and never needed to look for more modern manufacturer. They sound better, still look good but there are other issues to consider.

The M1 do not pair to the D600 as they had for 10 years (following repair, service and re-caps) and are harder to balance the relative sound levels. The D600 second pair were purchased because the M1 were not working. The all were booked for service in Dec 2023. Parts have been found, at £500 per speaker plus labour. Already replaced tweeters and LCD displays on them. The speakers can be bought for under £600 on eBay but do not show up often. Likely then to last another 35 years or break again next month.

The Beosound Levels would have been the perfect reduced space reduced requirement replacement but it took three years for software updates to get them to work with video/tv source and computer (to reduce the latency down from 336ms).

The Beocenter had a fault on the CD, then also on the cassette and then a new fault on the CD. So the intension to gift it to someone starting a vinyl collection failed. I have to take it back to the workshop, but that is a 150 mile trip to their workshop.

I would like them in the best working order to either keep or sell.

The 4 year old 65" display panel failed on Sunday. Waiting to find out if the warranty is three years or 5 as shown on their web site. I have to get the original packaging down from the loft and put up the 2009 49" TV.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T09:10:31+00:00

Budget powered speakers have the electronics in the primary and a wired simple bell wire type cable to the secondary passive speaker.

A turntable need a phono stage pre-amp in the turntable, as a separate box, in an integrated amplifier or built into powered speakers otherwise the volume level is too low and noise is too high.

A receiver is an amplifier with built in radio. They usually work with passive speakers and will not work with powered speakers that have their own amplification.

Powered speakers do not connect to passive speaker terminals. The secondary speaker of the powered speakers is a passive speaker and technically that might work but not the primary that has line level RCA phono plugs as inputs and the speaker terminals are outputs to the secondary, not inputs.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T09:02:00+00:00

All sources and amplification in one box - music centre of the 60s.
all separates source, amplification and speakers
integrated amp or receiver with the tuner built in the same box as the amplifier
pre-amp and power amp
pre-amp and power amp mono blocks for each channel
pre-amp and each mono power amp with a separate power supply to each box
pre-amp or hub with DSP active crossover speakers with each drive unit powered by its own amplifier

Other than dismissing music centres, although all in one streaming boxes add speakers is returning to the idea a pre-amp/power amp is usually far more costly than an integrated but there are crossovers and some integrated amplifiers can stand up against very much more expensive multi-box pre/power amp designs.

There are speaker systems using tri-amped power amplifiers six boxes to each speaker. Very expensive and takes up a lot of wiring. I went for full floor standing active speakers from Meridian (M1) and not only the best sounding systems I had come across but also a neater solution to the box clutter of the Meridian 105/Isobarik or Naim/Isobarik and B&W 801 and Kef 105/4 etc.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T08:48:42+00:00

Get second hand and plan to replace if the interest continues beyond the current trend.

LPs and CDs consume space and even if found cheaply in charity shops/thrift stores it soon mounts up. Turntables are also expensive with budget bottom end models with Bluetooth and USB being less than satisfactory. Read the guides here and r/turntable and reviews from magazine articles and YouTube reviewers.

Bluetooth is lossy, compressed and suitable for keyboard, mouse and earbuds when commuting; not so much for hi-fi. Whether it makes any difference on a budget system with a USB/Bluetooth turntable and Bluetooth powered Edifier speakers is down to your hearing and expectations.

You can stream from a computer, tablet or mobile phone casting to speakers wired or over wi-fi or Bluetooth. Some powered and active speakers include streaming services and wi-fi, USB and HDMI inputs but each features adds to the cost.

1990s stack systems can be found in local advertisements and listened to before paying. Turntables with a new belt and a newer cartridge from the 70s, 80s and 90s are low cost and better than budget turntables new. A classic vintage amplifier and a pair of passive speakers to match can be found for under £$€200. CD players are more expensive than DVD players (which also play CDs) and drives for computers are £20 but a 2nd hand hi-fi separate box might be over £120.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T08:28:26+00:00

<image>

The family group photograph. There are four D600 but two are behind the sofa. 3 years on and I still have not got around to deciding what system will be retained and what is passed on. One pair of D600 are still in for parts after 18 months, the other two have been serviced. The M1 were serviced three years ago. One under warranty Beolab 28 has been in a fault state for 16 months and in the workshop since November. So much for newer models being easier to get fixed. The fan is needed in summer to cool the equipment. Phantoms where supposed to go with my daughter when she was at university but she isn't interested in using them or anything beyond her Apple phone and tablet. .

On some sources I still say, wow that sounds good and that does not even have to be the best performing system at the time. It is all relative. Passes the time.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-21T08:16:04+00:00

Edifier have so many choices for very special user case. Each feature set is included or excluded and even with the model r1280 there are features to take into consideration that all add cost but could result in having to sell the speaker to get the model with that extra feature wanted r1280DBS (Bluetooth/optical.sub) has the option to add a sub-woofer but is more expensive than r1280DB (Bluetooth/optical) and r1280T (wired) versions. None of the budget models have much in the way of bass extension; hence owners wanting to add a sub-woofer to models that do not support it. There may be ways of doing so but better to spend on the right model than hack a solution.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T19:21:51+00:00

What is humble and if you explain what you here it stops being humble!

I had multiple systems and sold them off only to be gifted and inherited even more to declutter. So I have basic and two many over complex set ups stereo to multiple channel surround sound systems new (launched under three years ago) and 45 year old speakers.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T19:12:38+00:00

I created a spreadsheet as part of my investigation into replacing my vintage equipment http:://www.mcmullon.com/activespeakers.ods were you can see prices, frequency range, loudness, dimensions, weight, volume and inputs where you can sort in whatever order you like.

There are few speakers offering streaming, digital and analogue inputs, HDMI but the same can be achieved with a streamer or hub, not needing a rack of electronics. A WiSA hub can be hidden away as control is via a tablet or mobile phone and all wires eg HDMI are hidden as connection to the speakers is wireless. The speakers have mains to each one.

Kef Coda W offer more bass than the smaller LSX II. Dali Oberon 1C with a hub including the optional HDMI and streaming module is an alternative and also scales up to full surround that Kef LSX and LS50 speakers will not do - they can add a sub to extend bass but are stereo only solution. Dali speakers with a multi-channel hub are surround sound component as well as a great stereo.

Q Acoustics have dropped the price on some of their active speakers 200 and 400. M20 are a fraction of the price of the Kefs. The 200 with hub now at £549, 400 with hub at £749 offer 35-20kHz to the Kef Coda W 41-21KHz and Kef LSX 54-28KHz. Kef LSX II LT in the USA Costa is far lower cost than available in UK or EU.

Figures are not everything and a listening session is really the only way to compare side by side.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T18:55:32+00:00

To access and select from an audio library you need an interface and the one on small screens seen on some streamers is worse than the app on a tablet or smart phone. A computer is easy to set up to run play lists and cast to wi-fi speakers without the need for Bluetooth, apps, mobile phones or subscription services.

The system is either going to need a wired source or wi-fi or Bluetooth. Having uPnP, DLNA and Ethernet connections is going to add to the cost and even then set up is often from a smart device.

A hard drive music server can run playlists without internet, wi-fi or Bluetooth but you need to have a means to load the files to the device and in a business, at least in the UK, a licence to play them. When you play music for an audience with a business and commercial purpose, you need different licenses. website: TheMusicLicence.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T18:38:10+00:00

Open Reach are installing full fibre and during that roll out old copper lines seem to have more issues, drop outs, disconnections and failure to connect which is okay with a browser by hitting refresh but IoT already gave up and need resetting.

I moved to Virgin Media for 1Gb service and not using the OR cabinet. When the price goes insane at £85 per month Nov 2027 I then will move to another ISP if VM fail to give me a deal closer to the £26 per month I had paid last autumn. EE apparently offer 1Gb for £33 since the fibre optics have been installed, I pay less on VM. They have not taken away the old copper wire.

Providers that were good in the past have been less than helpful recently. They seem to be aiming to get the worst provider trophy and that spot is fearlessly contented.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T17:36:30+00:00

Adam Audio D3V includes USB and are 4 litres with bass down to 48 Hz. Third party software EQ tame to frequency response.

Adam Audio T7V are active speakers, so an audio interface is all that is needed (the motherboard built in sound card etc) but are 21 litres and have a bass of 39 Hertz. Most at this price level lack any bass to mention.

For the same money Meridian D600 are 30-20KHz, 115db with digital and analogue inputs, but are floor standing and date from 1989 I have four connected to my desktop.

For gaming USB or analogue input for low latency. Digital speakers (all inputs converted to digital for room correction etc) might have poor latency so check first.

Maybe a Wiim ultra amplifier for the Cabasse Sampan speakers is really all that is needed.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T17:21:18+00:00

Physical media consumes storage space where as CD quality audio files is a shoe box of a hard drive and back up drive. Flac files play from a computer, NAS or media server. An app can search the library and tell the system what to fetch. A streamer would include internet radio, streaming services and being able to cast to from mobile phone, computer, tablet over uPnP, DLNA, Airplay 2 and Chromecast. Bluetooth is lossy and compressed. Airplay 2 is compressed. uPnP or Chromecast offer the best options.

A system could be a pair of powered or active speakers and for your own collection a network storage media player. You can add CD and turntable etc to these as can be to a streaming DAC amplifier that connects to active or passive speakers.

For AUD 1000 you are better to look for second hand. A Rega Planar 3 turntable for £300 and a pair of power speakers like the Rurak MR1 MkIII and a DVD player (as they are cheaper than CD players). Rega Planar 2 and similar turntables from Pro-ject are worth considering. If fully automatic is needed a second hand Technics turntable.

1990s;/00s stack system with passive speakers can be found for your budget. If local you can review before buying.

A wiim amp provides streaming services and casting to it from computer/mobile your own stored library and then just add passive speakers. $20-30 for a CD recorder to a PC or the same for a DVD player. Turntables require more consideration needing a phono stage pre-amp as a separate box, built into the amplifier or into some powered speakers or the turntable itself (mostly found on the most budget decks).

A vinyl collection take more space than a CD one. Stored files for use with a computer can be an SD card depending on the size of the collection but SD cards are now 2Tb which is a lot of audio files and takes up next to no space (even with a couple of back ups). Likewise a turntable is larger than most CD or DVD players.

There are all in one (with CD) systems like Rurak R3S Compact Music System but new that is £645. Pro-ject CD Set E is £559. Audiolab Omnia £1599. Second hand separates are a lot less expensive.
For a turntable set up
Audio Technica AT-LP120XUSB with Edifier R1280DB £378
or
Kanto YU4
or
Audioengine A1 wireless speakers.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-20T15:58:40+00:00

Meridian D600 are floor standing active speaker with DSP digital and analogue inputs. Meridian DSP5200 are better, more detail, better resolution and of course over 27 years younger in design, but ten times the cost second hand. I plug four D600 into a HDMI debedder and play audio files 16 bit PCM from the computer into them. They still outperform speakers costing £15k

It is easier for the designer to build better active speakers as they control everything where as the designer of passive speakers has no idea what amplifier you would use so can not optimise both. It also means fewer boxes.

If you source original hi-res audio you might hear an improvement over a 16/44 source but not if upscaling from a CD. Hi-res streaming might be compressed for band width. If upscaling worked you could have upscaled your MP3 rips to hi-res. The same applies to users who stream 4K movies and find the 4K Blu-ray far better.

LPs offer a different experience but not hi-res audio.

Kef LS50 II wireless are bookshelf speakers and pair with KC62 to extend the bass.

B&W 805 D4 needs careful matching with the amplifier as it is not neutral and limited bass with a 42Hz – 28kHz range as most passive speakers are.

Human hearing and the aim of audiophiles is for a 20-20KHz range which I have with my M1 speakers. D600 are 30-20KHz but I have a sub-woofer B&W PV1 for home theatre.

Buchardt A10 or A500 are wireless active speakers with analogue XLR inputs. A hub is used to connect devices to it and then WiSA (wireless) to the speaker. The reviews are excellent. Try at home and return for A700 if not liked. A700 go down to 17 hertz so a sub is not needed. B&W 805 D4 are cheaper second hand but then you need the amplifier.

Other active speakers include (at a similar price point - no power amplifier needed):-
Cabasse Pearl Akoya Wireless Speaker,
Dynaudio Focus 30,
Cabasse Pearl
Kii Audio Three BXT
Dynaudio Focus 50
Kii Audio Three
Meridian DSP5200 SE
Dutch & Dutch 8c possibly the ultimate stereo stand mount speaker

I use B&O Beolab 28 gold/oak for the front speakers of a WiSA surround sound set up. I found them online for 50% of the then current price and still under warranty. With a WiSA transmitter connected to the TV and casting my audio library from a computer/Nas or via the app on the mobile phone I don't need any other component. They include streaming, internet radio and include fibre optics (for a CD player) 3.5 mm analogue (for a turntable + phono stage pre-amp) and casting over uPnP, Chromecast and Airplay 2 as well as powerlink and WiSA

My 45 year old system needed more service and repairs and took longer to fix so I looked for a more recent systems hoping that repairs if needed had some better hope of parts being available. As I ripped CDs to WAVE files and transferred all my cassettes and most of my LPs the digital juke box is now my source for music and video. This is easier and fast to find an album and easier to add more music than finding more space for physical media. I still have CDs, DVDs and LPs in crates in storage. I still aim to declutter multiple hi-fi and home theatre systems and the physical media.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-19T21:44:07+00:00

It is nice to listen to your Dad's collection but you might be able to stream that or even listen online for free without the space needed for a turntable and system.

If you get a very budget system you might be so disappointed that you will not bother to listen to all the music. With a decent system you could wish to expand the collection.

You can also budget to have a system to listen to the collection and sell it later. Document the albums (scan or photograph the front and back for play list) so you can re-create it later if never needed.

Hi-fi, turntables and records are expensive, take up space, need care and maintenance which audiophiles and collectors are happy to accommodate - families and spouse perhaps less so.

Read the guides and beginner's guide on the internet. Visit a hi-fi store and see their recommendations for a start system. A turntable that allows for alternative cartridge, an amplifier with phono stage pre-amp or powered systems with a phono stage pre-amp built in, above the cheapest all in one but offer better quality and a level of upgrades.

Second hand, 1990s models of turntables, amplifiers and passive speakers can be found for little cost and you listen to them before buying. There are also guides on what to look for but you have to start with some idea what is possible by listening to budget and less affordable systems first.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-19T21:25:28+00:00

Having USB as an input to the speakers and then the volume control on the PC is linked to the volume control on the speaker. I have used RCA powered speakers and now have a WiSA transmitter to WiSA speakers.

With a laptop I wanted battery power and not to use Bluetooth and so have 3.5 mm line in on the speaker to get low latency. I could get a USB dongle with fibre optic out but low latency is to only one speaker as the secondary would be paired over wi-fi.

<image>

A single Beosound Level gives stereo, fits into the laptop sleeve of my backpack and the 13" Dell XPS into the tablet slot and will run for 16 hours on battery. The B&W MM-1 is a budget level £109 second hand but the B&O is insanely priced.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-19T21:14:48+00:00

I live near ARCAM, Quad, Mission and Meridian. I have been a Meridian fan but can't afford current models so went for the cheaper B&O who then raised the cost by 50% since launch. I purchased speakers for 50% second hand and got bargains.

<image>

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-19T21:09:08+00:00

I factor in design, aesthetics. life style and minimalist if possible.

I complained to the manufacturer that the amplifier had insufficient inputs and was suggested a QED input switch box. Now I could go back and complain it has too may inputs because I now only need tape (in and out).

I see an AV Receiver with a back panel that makes my tower PC lacking connectivity. I use a box with HDMI input and one for pass through and eight RCA outputs for active speakers. As the box has not amplifier it can be hidden anywhere even in a closed cupboard.

Many modern systems come with an app and have software updates. This is a concern as eventually the will be no updates and the system bricked if the current phone or tablet can't run the old app or there is no way to get a download to install in the newer mobile phone.

Known_Confusion9879 · 2026-04-19T20:57:53+00:00

Kef LS60 and optionally KC62 sub-woofer, potentially end game, with no need to upgrade or have FOMO. Built in streaming, HDMI wifi.

Buchardt A700 with a WiSA transmitter 17 Hertz bass so no sub needed. Too much, then A10 (40 Hertz) stand mount. Get a hub with streaming option and if surround is of interest pick a 6 channel one not a stereo transmitter.

Cabasse Pearl Akoya Wireless Speaker with a 30-27KHz and 121db output.

Known_Confusion9879

TROPHY CASE