Finding cheap bookshelf speakers

February 17, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

Q. What do you recommend for bookshelf speakers under $100 now that Best Buy’s Insignia NS-B2111 is no longer offered?

B.M.

A. It seems we finally have a sub-$100 successor to the late, lamented Insignia NS-B2111. The Dayton Audio B652 bookshelf speakers sell for only $50 per pair on Amazon.com and they are getting lots of good reviews. I’ve not been able to test them yet but have been promised a loaner pair for review once they catch up to consumer demand. Given the $50 price and positive reviews, I’d say they are a safe bet. See them at www.daytonaudio.com.

2013 International Consumer Electronics Show follow-up: Over the next few weeks in addition to Q&A, I will discuss new products and developments from the 2013 CES.

I recently wrote about the uproar from the “Best of CES” awards, in which CBS forced the editorial panel of their online subsidiary CNET to disqualify the DISH Hopper with Sling DVR because CBS does not approve of the Hopper’s commercial-skipping technology. It was later leaked out and confirmed that CNET’s editors had unanimously voted the Hopper with Sling as the winner. The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has responded by firing CNET as the judging panel for the awards and announced the DISH Hopper with Sling as a co-winner of the “Best of CES” award along with the Razer Edge gaming tablet.

In a bluntly worded statement, CEA President Gary Shapiro said, “We are shocked that the ‘Tiffany’ network which is known for its high journalistic standards would bar all its reporters from favorably describing classes of technology the network does not like. We believe that the DISH Hopper DVR is fully covered by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios Inc. The simple fact is making television easier to watch is not against the law. It is simply pro-innovation and pro-consumer.”

The more I think about CBS meddling in the selection process to change the outcome, the more offensive the entire affair is to me. My hat is off to the CEA for taking decisive action to protect the integrity of their show and correct a situation that was an injustice on many levels.

My next report regards television safety. Did you know that in the U.S., every three weeks a child is killed by a flat-panel TV flipping over? I was shocked when I learned this statistic at the show, and also learned the statistic does not include injuries to children, adults or seniors, nor pets that are killed. It was confirmed by another industry representative who remarked, “Yes, it is becoming a problem.”

The best way to ensure your large television is secure is by mounting it on the wall or on a stand that has a pillar mount. If your TV is placed on a stand you can secure it with a safety strap. Sanus is one of my favorite companies for stands and accessories and they sell anti-tip safety straps starting at $20 or less. At the very least, that $20 could save your expensive television, not to mention the priceless life of a child or beloved pet. Learn more at www.tvsafety.org.

Contact Don Lindich at www.soundadviceblog.com and use the “submit question” link on that site.

2013 McClatchy-Tribune News Service