[genjamon]

As summarized in this discussion (https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177814.msg1875328#msg1875328), I'm setting up a modest living room system for an open floor plan - looking for easy versatile use for background music.  This little Dayton bluetooth tube/SS hybrid integrated is working out great!  Now I just need to optimize the speakers for the space.  I'm currently using my Zu Omen Dirty Weekend speakers, with one placed right up in a corner, and the other just a few inches from the front wall near the front door.  Bass response is a bit tubby as a result.  Similarly, my Andrew Jones specials Pioneer bookshelf speakers were even tubbier in the bass when placed on the same bookshelf as the Dayton amp due to the rear porting of those speakers.

So, do you guys have any suggestions for some nice C&C warm-neutral bookshelf monitors - new or used - that would be happy on a narrow bookshelf or modest stands with only about 6" to work with in terms of distance from the front wall/corner? 

I've been looking at Wharfedale 225's fairly closely.  Or maybe Denton 80th Anniversary Wharfedales.  I used to have some Wharfedale Valdus monitors about 15 years ago that were pretty open sounding and satisfying in a TV system.  And in grad school I had some vintage Wharfedale monitors that looked a lot like pics of Wharfedale 302's I've seen online in these past days - they sat on my work desk up against a wall and had a really sweet midrange for desktop use.  So, Wharfedale's house sound seems to be one that I've been able to appreciate in the past. 

Any other brands I should keep in mind, especially those which you might have compared with Wharfedales?

[sunnydaze]

I absolutely love my Denton 80s.  So smooth and musical and engaging, zero fatigue after 12 straight hours of background listening.  Paired with a Bluesound PowerNode 2i they sound much heftier / fuller than I would expect given their size.  Good thump.  Great synergistic pairing that has you listening to music rather than sounds.

They are rear ported so in theory can't get too tight on the front wall.  But I can't comment directly as mine are setup on a breakfast bar firing into an open layout space.  Fantastic sound for the $$.   

https://www.musicdirect.com/speakers/wharfedale-denton-80th-anniversary-bookshelf-speakers-pr

I paid $500 shipped for my open box / perfect condition pair.  Sometimes MD sells OB as cheap as $400 shipped.

[Woodsea]

https://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html They will need a sub.  I bought one off of craigslist for $40 bucks.  I may just purchase that hybrid tube amp, that looks enticing.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The Denton's are rear ported and you will run into the same bass problem.  Get a front ported speaker or at minimum a bottom ported speaker.  You can always plug the rear ports on speakers with foam or a pair of sox but  you will change the sound and lose bass.  Elacs fit the bill but they are not warm.  I would also consider an 8 or 6 ohm speaker or a 4 ohm speaker with at least 88db sensitivity with that Dayton amp.  The Wharfedale 225 and Evo 4.1's might work

[genjamon]

Yeah, the 225 we’re looking good to me with the bottom porting vs the rear of the Dentons. Those Ascend Acoustics look interesting too. I wasn’t planning on a sub, but could probably make one work. The Dayton has a sub-out, conveniently.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Yeah, the 225 we’re looking good to me with the bottom porting vs the rear of the Dentons. Those Ascend Acoustics look interesting too. I wasn’t planning on a sub, but could probably make one work. The Dayton has a sub-out, conveniently.

If you could do a sub, I would seriously look at the Wharfedale Evo 4.1's.  My son has the 4.4 floor standers and they are superb. They are very refined.  The 4.1's will be neutral with a hint of warmth and they will be very smooth if they are anything like the 4.4's.  They should be a huge step up from the 225's and Diamonds.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

These Triangle Borea 3 speakers are front ported and high efficiency.  They have good reviews.  I have not personally heard them though.  I considered buying a pair for a bedroom system but found a used pair of Monitor Audio Silver Rx1's which are fabulous.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/triangle-borea-br03

[FullRangeMan]

Small monitors are starting at $99 currently at Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/KEF-LS50-Mini-Monitor-Black/dp/B06XS424HJ

[JLM]

I also bought an Ascend Acoustics HTM-200 to use as a center channel years ago, back when center channels weren't mixed with the emphasis they have now.  Liked the design, tightly packed drivers to avoid MTM lobbing.  Had owned Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 and loved them, but the MTM-200 has been a dud and cost nearly as much as the CBM-170.  Fortunately HT is a low priority for me so never bothered to swap it out. 

From my experience front wall bass boom in small loudspeakers doesn't kick in until you get within 10 inches of the wall. 

[Doublej]

You could plug up the ports on your Pioneers and/or Zu's and see if it addresses your issue. However, this approach is not as much fun as buying something new.

[sunnydaze]

These Triangle Borea 3 speakers are front ported and high efficiency.  They have good reviews.  I have not personally heard them though.  I considered buying a pair for a bedroom system but found a used pair of Monitor Audio Silver Rx1's which are fabulous.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/triangle-borea-br03

The Borea 3 were also on my shortlist when I was shopping.  They are widely well regarded.

[opnly bafld]

You could plug up the ports on your Pioneers and/or Zu's and see if it addresses your issue. However, this approach is not as much fun as buying something new.

This is what I would try first.

[Holygeezer]

I'm really happy with my Cambridge Audio Aeromax 2 speakers. They are front ported which work well near a wall. They also use the BMR (Balanced Mode Radiator) instead of a traditional tweeter that allows for better dispersion and a wider soundstage. They sound great from without needing to sit in the sweet spot. The frequency range is 40- 22,000 with a sensitivity of 90db so they are easy to drive. The following link is where I bought mine from on Ebay. There were no issues as they were exactly as described.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/114258178160?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D000b1aa6be8f4b48a7caea88a1db01ce%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D144212112935%26itm%3D114258178160%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DCambridge+Audio&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A57b21d57-1da6-11ec-8cca-0283dcd48bab%7Cparentrq%3A1abbb3e017c0ab8d2a5060c3fffe2eaa%7Ciid%3A1

[Holygeezer]

Oops. My one sentence should have read: They sound great all around without needing to sit in the sweet spot.

[simoon]

I would not totally disregard kits.

You can get a pair of GR Research XLS-Encore for between $270 and $600 (depending on choice of crossover components), and an extra $250 on flat pack enclosures.

https://www.gr-research.com/store/p52/X-LS_Encore_Kit.html

The end resulting sound quality, will surpass speakers at 3-5 times the price.

[Tyson]

I would not totally disregard kits.

You can get a pair of GR Research XLS-Encore for between $270 and $600 (depending on choice of crossover components), and an extra $250 on flat pack enclosures.

https://www.gr-research.com/store/p52/X-LS_Encore_Kit.html

The end resulting sound quality, will surpass speakers at 3-5 times the price.

That’s true, especially when you consider that kit you can even gets the cabinets assembled or even built for you, making them super easy to complete.