Without knowing any other information, I nominate the Dali Spektor 2. 🤓
Best Smaller Bookshelf Speakers For Use Exclusively With Ambient Music?
As the title says, these speakers will be used in a small room (10x12) exclusively for listening to ambient music. Think Eno, Will Ackerman, Sigur Ros, Ludovico Einaudi, Dead Can Dance, Enya, George Winston, etc.
This is an important purchase as I listen to 2.5-3 hours of this music, six nights a week, to wind down from stressful work days.
Thanks for any assistance with this.
I have a pair of Totem Mites with a matching small subwoofer. Beautiful, punchy, natural sound… perfect for listening at any volume. I use them in my office… but if I were looking for what you are… I would buy them again. I use an relatively inexpensive tube integrated to power them… magic and relaxing. |
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The budget would be $1000.00 or under, new or preferably used. Yes, the speakers will be on stands. The integrated amplifier in the system is a completely refurbished, rare and classic vintage model. And please remember to take into account the music that I pointed out will be played by this system. There is not a lot of bass, but the requirement for a wonderful, golden midrange and highs is critical. |
Totum Mite (already mentioned) is worth looking into as well as Totum Sky. Sonus Faber Lumina I or II might work depending on the amp. I like the small Silverline and Reynaud speakers, but did not see any for sale on the used market. There is one pair of Reynaud Twins MKII listed as "pickup only", but the ad has been up for 6 months (I'm 99% certain that they are my old pair - per the pics/slight damage to one back corner).
DeKay |
Another good small room speaker the comes to mind is the Quad 12L from maybe 20 years ago. I see a pair for sale here @ A'Gon currently. I tried them briefly with one of my vintage Pilot PP EL84 amps and also a Musical Fidelity X-A1. They sounded very nice with both, but better overall with the MF (which is smooth/open sounding SS with 6X+ the power - the Pilot is maybe 10-12 real watts). There is also an "L2" version for sale here, but I'm not familiar with that model.
DeKay |
How about http://www.caintuckaudio.com/ |
jl35: What size room do you use them in. The earlier version I tried was good in our living room, but kind of draw dropping, considering the price, when I tried them in our spare bedroom (approx. 12 X 16). The spare room had the advantage of them being symmetrically placed (without other door openings/rooms in the mix). The living room is an odd "U" shape including the dining area/kitchen, and also considerably larger in volume.
DeKay
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@ddd1 i'm not sure about the Lirpa Labs. He may not be able to get those things through the door. And by now, I'm sure the price has skyrocketed. |
I listen to a lot of the music you listed. DCD can have tons of bass depending upon the track. Do you have to have stand mounts? A small tower occupies the same space and will give you more extension. Otherwise, I’d look for a three way standmount like a Kef R3 or something from Elac. Considering your musical tastes I’d add Cusco and Andreas Vollenweider to the mix :) |
I have a set of Fritz speakers that have been very satisfying. https://www.fritzspeakers.com/Fritz%20Carbon%206%20Technical%20Specifications.htm The grills are held on magnetically- classy. I listen to Steve Roach a lot; his music is more along the lines of Eno rather than Enya! Try 'Dreamtime Return' or perhaps 'Early Man'... |
Thanks for the many helpful recommendations. TheQuad recommendation sounds like a great option. There is a pair of Quad 12L's currently for sale. How much do those differ from the 12L2?
Also, I was all set to buy the Sonners that you linked as I read the review, until I got to the end and saw they were almost $5k!!!
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" I have a set of Fritz speakers that have been very satisfying. https://www.fritzspeakers.com/Fritz%20Carbon%206%20Technical%20Specifications.htm The grills are held on magnetically- classy. I listen to Steve Roach a lot; his music is more along the lines of Eno rather than Enya! Try 'Dreamtime Return' or perhaps 'Early Man'..." Thanks Ralph. I will certainly consider the Fritz speakers if I can find a pair near my budget. And Dreamtime Return and Steve Roach are longtime favorites of mine too! |