AudioCircle
Community => Regional Audiophiles => Gateway Audio Society => Topic started by: Cz606 on 6 Apr 2019, 07:43 pm
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A cousin of mine recently moved from a house in St. Louis to an apartment in LA. He loves it there but space is an issue. I recently sent him a Nakamichi SR-2A receiver and he is looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers to pair with it. And when I say bookshelf, I mean small. He has very little space to work with. His budget is likely up to $300, though he’d prefer to keep it lower if a good speaker can be had for less. He’d probably be more inclined to buy something used and will primarily play rock on cd and vinyl.
Anyone willing to share their $0.02 would be appreciated as I don’t know much about small speakers. Thanks in advance.
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The Pioneer speakers designed by Andrew Jones get a lot of good reviews.
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-BS22-LR
Also he designed the Elac B6
https://www.elac.com/product/debut-b6/?r=us
Wharfedale makes some really good stuff for around that price.
http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/diamond-220/
I like my Cambridge Audio Minx - they are not great rock&roll speakers but they are small (size of a can of soda pop)
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/speakers/minx-min-12
Best small speakers I've heard are $3k Trenner & Friedl Suns if he wins the lottery :-) That zebra finish is to die for.
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Modern monitors seem to lack mid-bass body such that they sound thin.
I still love my Ascend Acoustics CBM-170's from 17 years ago (now my LF and RF AV speakers). Very musical and magical imaging with plenty of detail and dynamics. Money went into the guts, not the cheesy vinyl veneer. The new version is available for $300/pair.
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How small is small? How many sources does he use? He might be better off with a pair of powered speakers. JBL LS305P MkII for instance. $220 a pair at the moment.
http://www.jblpro.com/www/products/recording-broadcast/3-series-mkii/305p-mkii
Add an Echo Dot 3 or Echo input and stream Bluetooth from a phone or use a variety of online sources, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Pandora to name a few.
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Hi,
Some good options already mentioned.
Here is another:
Kali Audio (https://www.kaliaudio.com/product-spotlight-studio-monitors)
To the OP: These are active speakers (they already have amplification included).
If you download CLF viewer there is a wealth of data available on both their loudspeaker models. See here for all the available data:
https://www.kaliaudio.com/lp6-technology-frequency-response
Best,
Anand.
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These Boston Acoustics Soundware can sit right on your desktop without stands and also come with wall mounts. I have a pair on my desk and one on my ceiling as a VOG channel. All small speakers will do better with a sub:
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bossoundwareblka/boston-acoustics-soundware-4.5-speaker-atmos-dts-x-on-wall-speaker-black-each/1.html
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bump
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Second recommendation for JBL LSR series speakers. Modern tech has come a LONG way.
The Nakamichi doesn't have preamp outputs, so sell it and get a cheap preamp from Adcom or Onkyo, and you'll be in business!
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Thanks for all the comments and so quickly. I know very little about smaller speakers so this is really helpful.
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My rec is Sonus Faber Concertino Domus (used)
About 88dB and 4 ohms nominal, the xover is a very small PCB at 3.6kHz, drivers are SEAS.
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f65/14/85/08/37/dscf2717.jpg)
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Searching the web those are outside the price range of the OP ($300), even used. Or do you have an inside track?
SF would definitely improve any apartment's decor!
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Unfortunately no, its a rare speaker on the used market, the bass is fast but small, the floorstanding up model Concerto Domus have a bigger bass due the larger enclosure.
You can get similar (lower) performance with Klipsch 8'' two way models, but due the treble plastic horn a tube amp is need to sound sweet.
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And when I say bookshelf, I mean small.
How small is small, BTW? I have seen/read about some pretty ridiculously large "book shelf" speakers. Maybe the mini-monitor category?
For rocking, I think the Legacy Audio brand does great and there are a pair of their Studio monitors on eBay for just a little over the price you're asking about....
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Since your friend likes to rock, I'd suggest something similal to the Dynaudio Audience bookshelves. These are a bit out of his price range. You might get lucky and find some in the $300 - $350 range if you look long enough....but fret not....I've got an alternative.
The Aperion Audio speakers are remarkably similar sounding to Dyn's. I've got several pairs that I use(d) for home theater and music duties. I've got the 632 LRs and for a bookshelf, they rock really well. I turned on a buddy to them and he set us a system with the 532's and they are 95% as good.
eBay has a pair for $179. That's a sreamin' deal. If I were looking for something similar and knowing the quality of sound, I'd jump on those in a heartbeat.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aperion-Audio-532-LR-2-way-Bookshelf-speaker-Pair-L-R-Speakers-black/323763949177?hash=item4b61d5ce79:g:coIAAOSwn6dbZlPv
Here's an article I wrote about the 632s eons ago...http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0307/aperion_audio_632lr_634vac.htm
Oh, don't worry about the rear port. You can use a port plug or an old sock. Then again, if he's a rocker, he'll (probably) like the extra bass. Honestly, you won't find anything (much) better sounding for the money.
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Sorry I missed the question how small is small. They don’t need to be tiny and self powered. He does have to dodge some of the vintage bookshelf speakers that look more like monitors. I should have said by small I mean what I generally see when looking at modern bookshelf options.
I think pretty much everything recommended would work. He has his turntable and the receiver on a small table and I think the CD player sits below. Bookshelf speakers flanking them on stands would probably work.
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Boston Acoustics on closeout.
6 1/2"
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosa26gba/boston-acoustics-a26-6.5-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-gloss-black-each/1.html
or if that is too large: 5 1/4"
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/bosa25gba/boston-acoustics-htmla25-5.25-2-way-bookshelf-speaker-gloss-black-each/1.
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If used is okay, then I have a soft spot in my heart for some VERY good stand mount speakers...the ERA D5. These speakers were the brainchild of Jim Spainhour and David Solomon (Signal Path International) and designed by Michael Kelly (Aerial Acoustics). They're beautiful to look at, have depth below 50Hz and can handle lots of (rock) power. They're not made any more, but I did find one set for sale. You can find quality professional reviews all over the net. Look them up! I have no link at all to this seller and cannot speak to the condition of this set....but I strongly suggest you get in touch with the seller and find out more about the individual speakers' condition. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Era-Design-5-Bookshelf-Speakers-Audiophile-Complete-In-box/233178461774?hash=item364a84f64e:g:8W4AAOSwoixcmQhX&frcectupt=true It seems to be in your friend's price range. These sold for $900 new.
Good luck with your search. Unfortunately, you'll get as many suggestions here...mostly good ones...as respondents (also good ones, lol).
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I would like to add, if you can find any Affordable Accuracy speakers from Philharmonic Audio, your friend should jump on them. They come quite highly regarded for sickeningly cheap prices. Unfortunately, for a variety of sad reasons, new sets of these are not currently available.
http://www.philharmonicaudio.com/
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I would look at the Wharfedale Diamond 225's. Good reviews and sound. Both Sterophile and TAS gave great reviews and What HiFi loves the smaller 220's. I own a pair of the older Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's and they very good. The 225's are supposed to sound much better.
https://www.musicdirect.com/the-absolute-sound-award-winners/wharfedale-diamond-225-bookshelf-speakers
Also, Dali Zenor 3, Elac B6.2's, Monitor Audio Bronze 2, KEF Q300 if you can find a used pair
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JBL Studio 230s are around $300 when on sale and they are a giant killer. 1" horn loaded tweeter, 6.5" woofer in a rear ported cabinet.
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I would second the Ascend 170's. Surprisingly good for the price. They image well and don't suffer from the lack of fullness of many others but at the same time don't sound 'chesty'.
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(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=193043)
These are getting some fabulous reviews right now.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/klipsch-reference-premiere-rp-600m-loudspeaker
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These speakers get a good review as well...
https://www.svsound.com/collections/prime-series/products/prime-bookshelf (https://www.svsound.com/collections/prime-series/products/prime-bookshelf)
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A few months ago I picked up a pair of Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers for < $300 shipped. Sonically and visually impressive. Not too easy to find, but worthy of consideration if you do find some available.
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Elac B6 2.0 is probably worth looking into.
I’ve also read good things about the Q Acoustics 3020i (like the Elac, also a newly updated version of an already great bang for buck bookshelf)
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I’ve also read good things about the Q Acoustics 3020i (like the Elac, also a newly updated version of an already great bang for buck bookshelf)
When I was looking a little while ago I couldn't find any 3020i for sale, only the 3040i I think. On their website it says out of stock:
https://www.qacoustics.com/3020i-bookshelf-speakers-pair-qed-xt25-speaker-cable-2m-6-5ft-pair.html
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Amazon has them in stock
Q Acoustics 3020i Bookshelf Speaker Pair (Graphite Grey) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C4V26N1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7UKSCb1JCSF0R
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Haven’t heard the new Kiplsch RP600m’s but I highly recommend the previous version of that series, the RP150M. I owned them for almost 2 years and they sounded great with a wide variety of amps. They are not bright, the bass and midrange are very good and they’re very dynamic. I liked the 150m better then the 160m. The 150m was Warmer sounding. They imaged well too. Klipsch really did a great job with that reference premiere series.
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Since your friend likes to rock, I'd suggest something similal to the Dynaudio Audience bookshelves. These are a bit out of his price range. You might get lucky and find some in the $300 - $350 range if you look long enough....but fret not....I've got an alternative.
The Aperion Audio speakers are remarkably similar sounding to Dyn's. I've got several pairs that I use(d) for home theater and music duties. I've got the 632 LRs and for a bookshelf, they rock really well. I turned on a buddy to them and he set us a system with the 532's and they are 95% as good.
eBay has a pair for $179. That's a sreamin' deal. If I were looking for something similar and knowing the quality of sound, I'd jump on those in a heartbeat.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aperion-Audio-532-LR-2-way-Bookshelf-speaker-Pair-L-R-Speakers-black/323763949177?hash=item4b61d5ce79:g:coIAAOSwn6dbZlPv
Here's an article I wrote about the 632s eons ago...http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0307/aperion_audio_632lr_634vac.htm
Oh, don't worry about the rear port. You can use a port plug or an old sock. Then again, if he's a rocker, he'll (probably) like the extra bass. Honestly, you won't find anything (much) better sounding for the money.
I'll second the Aperion recommendation. I've heard a few of their bookshelf speaker models and they pretty easily outperformed their pricing. (But the ERA D5s might just be a tad richer.)
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I'll second the Aperion recommendation. I've heard a few of their bookshelf speaker models and they pretty easily outperformed their pricing. (But the ERA D5s might just be a tad richer.)
You've got my endorsement too on Aperion. Although I've not heard any of their bookshelf models I do have the 5C and 4C centers. Performance and build quality is ridiculously good for the price.
Open box pair of 5B's for a sneeze over the $300.
https://www.aperionaudio.com/collections/open-box-closeout-speakers
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The ELAC's are a good buy for the $$$. Andrew Jones is an excellent designer.
I am a fan of the older BBC monitors. You'll pay an arm and a leg for a decent pair of LS3/5a's no matter who made them, and they are light on bass. A better bet is a pair of Spendor 3-way's with that magical 8" woofer. The Spendor BC1's or SP1's are great - I love my pair. The BC1's are prone to bextrene woofer issues at their age, but they can be re-coned. The SP-1's use polypropylene in their woofers and will last forever if not abused. Spend some time on Audio Mart (US or Canada), or Audiogon and they pop up every month of so.
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A better bet is a pair of Spendor 3-way's with that magical 8" woofer. The Spendor BC1's or SP1's are great - I love my pair. The BC1's are prone to bextrene woofer issues at their age, but they can be re-coned.
I'd be concerned that re-coning the 8" woofer would change the sonic signature such that the result would no longer sound much like the original, since this driver's response in the BC1 extends to 3 kHz and would be responsible for the lion's share of the voicing—that is unless the cone and surround are pretty much identical to the original in performance characteristic.