Looking to spec a large bookshelf speaker (in the $1000-1500/pr range) for a client; caveat is that the speaker not have a metal/alloy tweeter to avoid even the possibility of a bright speaker (he's found bright speakers to be harsh, in the past).

The options I've come up with so far include the Onix Ref1, RBH 661-SE, PSB Platinum M2 and Canton Vento 802 (the latter actually has a metal tweeter, but reviews indicate that it's quite well tuned and avoids sounding "bright").

Any other suggestions?

Canton not sounding bright? Now that's news!

Sorry, couldn't resist. I actually like Cantons, but at my shop, they are persona non grata - everyone struts a goose step and says "Bright German Speakers Heil!".

Have you considered Dynaudio? or B&W? Can't tell you if they're metal tweeters (never checked) but definitely not bright...

Look at Triad's in-room line. The Silver will fill the bill @ about
$1600 pr.

cant go wrong with rbh...thats all i own in my house

ed

Polk Audio LSi9's are an awesome bookshelf, with fantastic imaging, beautiful tone, and MSRP = $1,149/pr.

I use them all the time, and my customers (and I) think they're fantastic.

Just my $.02 worth

Fred Forlano
Higher Definition

I second the Triad recomendation. All of their speakers have very smooth and natural mids and highs. They are not available through distribution though.

The Polk LSi9 is a shock because it really is a nice high end speaker.

I agree about the upper end RBH monitors also. The 661 SE is a great monitor for music or movies. They do need a pretty good break in period before they sound best though.

There's Ushers's as well. Their X series falls into that price point and they're very smooth sounding. Here's some of their models from our website.

[Link: nextlevelav.com]

Check this link, maybe try a ribbon. If anyone here remembers Apogees and their ribbons, the last thing anyone could ever call them is bright.

[Link: madisound.com]

Not sure if anyone has them on your side of the planet, and what price they would be, but give the Epos range a go. They are a very overlooked speaker.

netarc... A few contenders...

TOTEM

BOHLENDER GRAEBENER

DYNAUDIO

PARADIGM STUDIO 40's

B & W 705's

FOCAL...

Oh!!! what is he going to be using for an AMP & CD / DVD player???
Your client could get great speakers that have mellow detailed non bright tweeter section, but could still sound like dog-food with a bright amplifier... and a bright CD or DVD player.
Personally, would probably steer clear of the Japanese Receivers - Even the better ones, with this client... I'd look at: NAD, ARCAM, CAMBRIDGE or ROTEL Amps or Receivers...
Actually a good amp can sound good with some metal dome speakers... but a bad (bright & thin sounding amp) will only be more more apparent on metal domed or phenolic domed, or cheaper cloth domed tweeters. Being a speaker builder, there are a lot of tweeters made... and they all look alike... but some (tweeters alone), can range from $6.00 to $600.00 each!!! & from the front, look about the same!
Beware!!! There are a lot of speakers with soft domes, that can sound just as bright or tinny as some of the better hard domed tweeters. I won't bore you with the many reasons why (although you could email me)... but a lot has to do with how well the crossover is designed in relation to speaker parts... although the crossover is hidden away inside the speaker box... and the better sounding speakers usually use better quality crossover parts... the less ethical speaker companies might cut corners on the crossovers... Also some tweeter designs aren't based on much listening tests... and are basically units copied by overseas (Far East) companies... that can esily make the parts look pretty cool... but they just don't always sound as good.
Like everything-else a lot of variables, but the speaker lines listed above are nice...
As mentioned in this post PSB's and TRIADs are also very nice... Smooth, non harsh or tiring highs... but not rolled of in the highs either... and they use really good parts... (Canadian & European parts)...
Any chance you or the client could visit a good listening-room type high-end store in you area, bring in a CD or two you know well, and do a little relaxed listening?
Also high-price doesn't always mean that speaker A @$2,500 will be 2 1/2 times better than Speakers B @ $1,000 a pair.
Might also go online to Stereophile or The Absolute Sound, or WHAT? HI-FI (a British Hi-Fi magazine) rated this last year in the general price range you mentioned...
But, again... if you or the customer can find a good (non Giant Big-Box) store and set up a little listening time... that'd be the best. Yeah it's time consuming and a hassle... but they will be living with those speakers for years and years... A afternoon checking out how trhe speakers sound could be time very well spent!
Also have the client decide what sounds good to THEM, not what the sales person is pushing... The client will be living with the speakers - not the sales dude...

B&W's... 800 series or 700 series. The New CM1 line is pretty impressive... small, $1k, attractive, and sound great!

"Personally, would probably steer clear of the Japanese Receivers - Even the better ones, with this client... I'd look at: NAD, ARCAM, CAMBRIDGE or ROTEL Amps or Receivers..."

I'd agree with that for the most part...though Rotel is technically a japanese company as well so its not as black and white as it once was.

cant go wrong with ada amps and rbh speakers this combo is outta sight

Dwoooohhhh!!!

what is that?