Reddit mentions of Wharfedale - Diamond 10.1 (Cherry)

http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA101-CHR-WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-CHERRY/dp/B0079XG53W/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5

http://www.amazon.com/Emotiva-Mini-x--100-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B008O37FOE/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1381788414&sr=1-2&keywords=emotiva+amplifier

Look into these options:

• Wavecrest Audio HVL-1 (use discount code 'jman' to get 15% off): http://www.wavecrestaudio.com/products/hvl-1-two-way-loudspeaker-pair Review here: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/72159-wave-crest-audio-hvl-1-speaker-review.html
  
  
• EMP Tek R5Bi: http://emptek.com/r5bi.php Review here: http://hometheaterreview.com/emp-tek-e5bi-bookshelf-speaker-reviewed/
  
  
• Philharmonic Audio Affordable Accuracy speakers (modified/improved versions of the acclaimed Pioneer BS22's): http://philharmonicaudio.com/ Tough to beat at $165 a pair; More info: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/1505634-new-affordable-accuracy-monitor-philharmonic.html
  
  
• HTD Level 2: http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers A review here: http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-reviews/68348-home-theater-direct-htd-level-two-system-review.html
  
  
• Sony Core Series: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-core-series-5-3-way-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5721014.p?id=1219148662428&skuId=5721014 Review: http://www.cnet.com/news/sony-new-affordable-core-series-speakers/
  
  
• Teac LS-H265: http://www.amazon.com/Teac-LS-H265-2-Way-Speaker-System/dp/B004R929AY Review here: http://www.cnet.com/news/teac-ls-h265-the-little-speaker-that-could/
  
  
• NHT SuperZero: http://www.nhthifi.com/Bookshelf-speaker-SuperZero-2-1?sc=12&category=5060 Review: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/nht-superzero-20-speaker-system
  
  
• Wharfdale Diamond 10.1 http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA101-CHR-WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-CHERRY/dp/B0079XG53W
  
  
• Chane A1rx: http://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-loudspeakers/A1rx-c
  
  
• Ascend CBM-170: http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html
  
  
  
  
  

Speaker quality scales with your budget. Much more so than any other part of your system.

Adding a $100 power amp to $400 speakers is reasonable. But looking at the rest of your setup, you may want to visit an audio showroom (if there's one local to you) and audition some speakers, to get an idea how $400 speakers compare to more expensive speakers.

That said, I personally have Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers ($300) and KEF Q100 speakers ($550 reduced to $250 on clearance) and I like the KEFs best.

The KEFs are paired with a Yamaha AV receiver ($220), and the Wharfedales are paired with an SMSL SA-50 ($62) amp.

I also have a pair of Edifier R1280T powered speakers, and they aren't in the same class, at all. There are definitely better choices for powered speakers.

Well I assume you already have an amp or receiver then? Those monitors are pretty common recommendations, but you could get some pretty insanely good passive speakers for $300.

Since you already have an amp, I'd take advantage of that if you want the most bang for your buck. For $300 you can get some REALLY nice passive speakers or some monitors that are simply solid. You are almost in Wharfedale diamond territory. Or some Boston Acoustics

And if you aren't producing I still think you wouldn't be taking full advantage of what monitors provide with xlr connections and whatnot. Even if you are producing, just use some neutral closed headphones..

Another common pair in that price range are the Audioengine A2 powered. Oh hey they even have a passive P4 version!

But you can get some kick ass passive speakers for under $175 even. Pioneer, Fluance, Yamaha, Infinity, etc. Then you will still have the budget for a subwoofer. Which is really what you need to make the whole system rock.

You'll probably want to look into speakers then an amp in that order. Speakers tend to be the most subjective and personal piece of the setup, so get those squared away, then figure out what to drive them with.

For speakers, check out:

• Pioneer SP-B22 ($129/pair)
  
  
• PSB Alpha B1 ($299/pair)
  
  
• Wherfdale Diamond 10.1 ($299/pair)
  
  
• Klipsch RP-160M ($399/pair)
  
  
• Polk RTi A3 ($399/pair)
  
  
• DefTech ProMonitor 1000 ($439/pair)
  
  
• B&W 686 S2 ($499/pair)
  
  
• PSB Imagine Mini ($499/pair)
  
  I'm partial to Bowers and Wilkins myself.
  
  For integrated amps, look at:
  
  
• Pioneer Elite A-20 ($299 on sale right now)
  
  
• Onkyo A-9010 ($299 also on sale)
  
  
• Yamaha R-N301 ($299) or for a bit more A-S301 ($349)
  
  
• Cambridge AM10 ($349 – analog inputs only)
  
  
• NAD C316BEE ($379 – analog inputs only)
  
  
• Cambridge 351A ($399 – USB DAC)
  
  
• Harmon Kardon HK3700 ($349 – USB DAC)
  
  
• Onkyo A-9050 ($399 on sale – includes phono preamp)
  
  
• TEAC AI-301DA ($399)
  
  
• NAD D3020 ($399)
  
  With a simple computer and two bookshelfs setup, I really like the NAD D3020 or its bigger brother, the D7050. The Cambridge 351A is probably one of the better options in this range, however.
  
  Also, you might find you like powered speakers like Audioengine A5+ ($399) and HD6 ($749). AE has a great sound and features a built-in DAC. If you can demo them, see what you think.

Probably not. There's a handful of amps out there that will drive both, but they're generally pretty pricey. Does your headphone amp have speaker out?

And yeah, a home theater receiver would have a speaker amp.

Bookshelves are generally passive. There's a lot in the $300ish range that are quite nice

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/hb-1.html
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cbm170/cbm170.html
http://www.chanemusiccinema.com/chane-arx-loudspeakers/A1rx-c
http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA101-CHR-WHARFEDALE-DIAMOND-CHERRY/dp/B0079XG53W
http://www.amazon.com/KEF-C3-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B001HV9A1G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410138114&sr=8-3&keywords=Kef+bookshelf

If you've got a DIY streak in you, http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-B2031P-Ultra-Linear-Reference-Monitor/dp/B000LQ2ABK/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1410138018&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=behringer+truth+2031p are great - but you need to open them up, redo the seal in some places, add some more acoustical stuffing, and so on.

For $1k you are looking at probably having to compromise somewhere. I would suggest going second hand as you will get considerably more bang for your buck. Letting us know where you would make it easier to make suggestions as not everything is available everywhere. If you don't care for bass then you will get better value with stand-mounters. I would just go for a speaker that isn't bright and maybe get an old EQ unit to trim off the top if you find it annoying later.



Basically you are looking at:

Speakers: $350 (i.e. Wharfedale Diamond 10.1).

Amp: $300 (hopefully something decent, second hand with a built in phono-stage)

Turntable: $300 (second hand again)

Stands and cables: $50 (second hand for stands and Monoprice for cables

Im not against the E6s, but the bass comments and needing to keep 10" from wall will be difficult as I will likely have to put these on a simple wall mounted shelf and turn toward me. Shelves mounted on each side of my couch. Hows about these?
http://www.amazon.com/Wharfedale-DIA101-CHR-Diamond-10-1-Cherry/product-reviews/B0079XG53W/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=recent#R2KJ88OFOFMNQX

Well, if you were looking for two channel I would do something like either this Yamaha or this onkyo. For speakers that would leave you 150 ea, for something like these wharfdale diamond speakers, which are a part of a larger series so you could expand them in the future to use these for surrounds and get a larger set like the Wharfdale 230's

If you want a surround sound system, you could always just pick a receiver like this Yamaha RX-V379BL or Denon AVR-S510BT