I bought some of these a month or two ago for my 11 year old. We hooked them up to an old Vector Research receiver. I paid $100 bucks for the pair. Worth every penny. Better warranty and sound than any "El cheapos" out there. Don't expect to start crying because they sound so good though, they are just an outstanding value.

$89 for a pair. Nice midrange and highs.

Lack low bass

Last October 2000, I went with my roommate to buy a stereo system for our room. Since I am a college student, my budget was small. I already have a pair of Cambridge Soundwork Satellites for my computer, so I was thinking about using them for rears and buying a pair of larger fronts. It was a hard purchase decision, because I didn't do a good research, and both of us were anxious to get a system ASAP. Anyway, I went to the CSW store and looked around. The staff recommended that I buy a pair of model seventeen with a Basscube 8. The price was low (90 + 180 = $270). I bought them without a second thought.
I have an unexpensive Sony A/V receiver STR-DE445 to drive these speakers. I didn't buy a center speaker, since my primary use for this system is music, with a lot of listening to vocals.
These speakers are the best I have ever bought. I'm not a real audiophile, since my last speakers were a pair of laughable Juster computer speakers. The sound from these speakers is crisp and clear, with good midrange and highs. The vocals that I hear stand out. Watching movies is an awesome experience, and I haven't bought a center speaker yet. Definitely, these bookshelves (as well as the sub) will be the standard that I judge future speaker purchases on.
My room is about 10ftx15ft (small). So my current system fits in nicely for the price and the size. It is the best system in my poor dorm, so everybody comes in to watch movies. I intend to buy larger fronts and make the 17's as rear speakers after saving up.

-CSW model 17 ($90) fronts
-CSW satellites ($30) rears
-CSW basscube 8 ($180) sub
-Sony STR-DE445 receiver ($200)
Total = $500

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Clarity. Tight response. Even bass and midrange. Cheap (if you wait for a hifi.com sale, and they're frequent).

Treble is too strong, but easy to correct.

I have these matched up with a CSW Basscube 8. Supposedly they extend down to 55 hz, but my crossover is set to 80hz, so I can't comment on their bass extension.

First, the bad news. The treble is too strong, as even the manual seems to acknowledge. However, if you set your treble control to -4db the treble response sounds natural again.

On the plus side--some small speakers have a "spike" in the midbass to compensate for their lack of bass extension. Fortunately, these do not. The bass and midrange are smooth. Together with a subwoofer, they make a great sounding system for not a lot of money. You can find better sounding bookshelf speakers, but you would need to pay at least twice as much. Definately a bargain.

I have an old Kenwood bookshelf system. The speakers were starting to show their age, after being hauled to college for several years, and being left in the trunk of my car during all kinds of weather.

I saw the CSW Model Seventeen on sale a couple of months ago, and figured, what the heck? After listening to them in the store with a variety of music, I bought them, and some better wire to hook them up with.

I listened to a couple of tracks on the CD player on the old speakers before pulling the plug. Once I connected the new speakers and turned it back on... WOW! The bass on the old speakers was getting so weak that I had to push the graphic equalizer all the way up, and turn on the bass booster. Right now, with all of that turned completely off, the bass response is very clean. The mid and treble are not harsh at all.

Since the time I bought these, I have listened to all kinds of music, and watched several movies, with the VCR connected to the bookshelf stereo, and I must say that I am impressed!

If you are looking to replace a set of aging speakers, or need some second room speakers, but don't want something big and bulky, look no further!

I would make the Overall Rating 4-1/2 stars, given the choice.

Great bookshelf speaker. Great for vocals.

Weak bass

Friend bought a pair for his bedroom. I Was blown a way by sound. Needed some small speakers for buisness. Room 25X30. Bought two pair. They are awesome. Customers love them. They lack bass, but they are little book shelf speakers. Using a 15yr old receiver 40wts pr channel. Great system for 180.00 bucks. Anybody who wants some cheap bookshelf speakers you can't go wrong.

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