Best Smaller Bookshelf Speakers For Use Exclusively With Ambient Music?

KEF LS50 is what we replaced with S3000 from cheapie chi-fi Edifier, and our mind is blown. We find ourselves gravitating to this hidden gem more than our much more expensive Accuphase / Dynaudio Contour setup in the living room upstairs. 

To answer the previously asked question, the amplification will be provided courtesy of a near mint, 1970's Optonica SM-4646 that is currently being serviced and refurbished completely. This was their top of the line at the time and received multiple very prestigious rewards. 

Original KEF LS50s.  Beautiful detail and midrange.  Can be found used for under $1k.  Hard to beat!

There are a nice pair of Quad S2's also out there. Any idea how they compare with the 12L2? 

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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! 

I have located a desirable pair of the Quad L12L2. I do realize that mrteeves is correct about at least decent bass being needed. How are the Quads in that department? Given the understanding that any small, bookshelf speaker is limited in that regard. 

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!!!

BIC venturi dv-62

inexpensive, not cheap.

 They will usurprise you , give hundred hours for the tweeter to relax….

What about kef ls50 meta

Tannoy Autograph Mini's...

Try Suspended Memories. Steve Roach, Jorge Reyes . Also, Vine Bark&Spore by them.

Just a reminder that electronics is just as important, including very much for tribal/ambient music. And cables.

Any good speakers should be fine. 

Think Eno, Will Ackerman, Sigur Ros, Ludovico Einaudi, Dead Can Dance, Enya, George Winston, etc. 

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'...

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 :)

Love my Sonner's and I have owned tem all SF, Harbeth, Spendor, ....

Used Buchardt S400 MkI, great speakers with an exciting mid bass.....sounds great at lower levels. I ended up  with the new S400 MkIIs, but the MkIs were exciting speakers in their own right

@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. 

Silverline Minuet Supreme Plus

I’d be curious to know what vintage amp you have. I’d also be curious if this will be low level listening to not wake other family members. I’ve had great results with the Sierras from Ascend Acoustics with similar music.

Spendor A1 speakers...used of course...maybe not under a grand...but nice Bookshelf Speakers. 

I would recommend the Lirpa Labs Ambient 1.0.  Designed for ambient music and ambient music only.  Sounds like crap on everything else though.  Could be some deals out there...I don't think they're all that popular. 😉

Pre-owned Harbeth P3ESR Loudspeaker

Seconding Edifier, excellent value and build quality.

I've used them in two smaller rooms...both about 10 x 12, with good placement options, though I found they always sounded good, even with odd placements...also used with MF M2si...

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

I've had the Quad 12L2 for years, and they are excellent...just today a friend commented on their sound of "natural warmth"...currently used with Quad Vena ll Integrated

I would look at Sonos. I know it’s not high end audiophile, but it’s well within your budget and sounds good (I run a pair in my office). 

How about http://www.caintuckaudio.com/

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

Enya was never an ambient. She's all the way pop singer.

I'd look for beoplay active speakers. You can get one or two and synch between them to stream music to both of them. 

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

if a rear ported speaker is okay look at a used Ref 3A de Capo.  detailed, rich sound

while not much thump, I find ambient music often has lots of deep bass...I'm currently using Audience 1+1 and REL T/Zero lll in room same size as yours...I found used for under your price limit...

Ascend Acoustics Sierra2.

SEAS woofer with RAAL ribbon tweeter in a bamboo cabinet. Around 7-8 hundred used. A lot of speaker for the money. There's a pair for sale now on USAM.

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. 

Budget/accompanying  gear and will you be using speaker stands?

DeKay

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.

for powered monitors look at the AirPulse line... on a budget look at the Edifier Pro line... i listen to ambient techno rawk everything and on electronica especially the AirPulse is awesome

Vandersteen VLR's, in a heartbeat.

B

Do you have a budget in mind?

Without knowing any other information, I nominate the Dali Spektor 2. 🤓