Bookshelf speaker pairing with subwoofer

I have similar listening tastes and a REL sub, but would need more info on the rest of your system to make any recommendation. 

Agreed, more info. Equipment you will be using. 

I assume you mean stand mounted... you're not actually going to position them on a bookshelf. Then, you want compact speakers because of the way they sound? 

I have heard spectacular sounding $15K stand mounted speakers... without subwoofers. 

I definitely would take a trip. I used to live over a hundred miles from a proper city... I'd get up early and drive up for a day of listening. Later, I would make it a point to visit shops while on buisness trips. 

Schiit Freya+ preamp, Orchard Audio mono 150w amps, Denafrips Gaia DDC, Denafrips Pontus 15th DAC, Shingling CD transport and Roon Rock

@m20j201

Not sure what your budget is.

For excellent pairing with subwoofers make sure you pick speakers that come with port plugs- e.g. KEF, B&W, Dynaudio etc. The reason is that the output from the speaker ports is usually low in frequency where it will compete with the frequencies coming out of the subwoofer. What happens when the port output mixes with the subwoofer output is that you can get cancellations in the sound, additions to the bass sounds that can create peaks or be out of phase with each other that will lack clarity and sound hard / distorted.

It is best to plug the ports and let the subs integrate with just the frequencies of the main speaker’s woofer.  Trying to integrate the subwoofers with the sound of the ports AND the woofers is impossible to get right.  

Have you tried using the REL speaker 🔈 pairing calculator that they have on their website. I think this is a useful tool that helps narrowing down choices.

Thanks for the info on port plugging. I wonder is sealed stand mounted would be better with the subs?

I forgot about the REL calculator. I will check it out.

jern loudspeakers mate exceptionally well with rel in fact they make a damping plate for rel

https://jernspeakers.com/accessory/damping-plate/

https://jernspeakers.com/speaker/jern14ds/

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/jern14-es-loudspeaker-and-rel-t5i-subwoofer/

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect NJ

jern importers

Sealed speakers are also an excellent option to match with subwoofers.  The issue us that not many stand mount speakers have sealed enclosures.  ATC for example. 

I had a lot of success pairing my Fritz speakers with my subs.

Consider Harbeth P3ESR for your listening tastes. 

+1 Harbeth P3ESR. I’ve owned them prior to getting a larger speaker. This is one of the many positive reviews!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY

Budget?

Yes…… budget. 
 

500 bucks can get you something descent “normal” people would be amazed with! Not for most of us but…………. some guidance between x and x price wise might be helpful. In my opinion 2k and above gets into pretty good territory. 

These would be very nice. They disappear better then most box speakers.

https://www.audioconnect.com/products/proac-tablette-10-signature

You can start with KEF LS-50s and go up from there. From 60Hz up they are Class A in every regard. They are rear ported and do come with port plugs for subwoofer pairing. From there, you will get maybe something that will play louder, or have a different tonal balance, or cost multiples what the LS-50s cost, but not likely to overall play better.  The next step up would be a 6" 2-way stand mounts, and there's no shortage of those from most high end speaker manufacturers. Beyond that would be a d'Appolito (Mid-Tweet-Mid or MTM) design. These will give you the greatest maximum volume, if that's a concern, simply because they have the speaker surface area to push more air. MTM speakers are also a. It taller and so tend to throw a larger soundstage than smaller speakers, that might be an issue in your good-sized room. I'd Look to Revel, Focal, Dynaudio, KEF, Monitor Audio, B&W, Sonus Faber, ATC, all have different series with increasing costs for the same basic config, but more expensive components, crossovers, cabinet details. SIlver, Gold, Platinum; Good, Better, Besr, if you  will.

So, given your components, typically you would be shopping in the $2K range if you're looking to maximize your current components. But, if looking long term and wanting to upgrade your system in a significant way then maybe $3K - $5K. I would look used... in the less than 7 year range. 

The music room has evolution acoustics mm1 half price with stand1600$.I have some of these they are fantastic and a bargain.they have high dollar components in them ribbon tweeter ceramic mids.enjoy the music

Thanks for all the input. I am going to experiment with different speakers. Up first will be the Acoustic Energy AE1 active speakers. Second, I will try the low budget Triangle BR04. Then maybe the MoFi Sourcepoint 8 or 10. If I am not happy, then a floorstander. See what happens. Personal taste will probably play a big role.

I just picked up the excellent Studio Electric M4  Monitors.     I'm using them with a REL and I think the fact that they also are sealed acoustic suspension allow them to integrate so well.   

Around $3200 and worth every penny.   

Just a thought to post for consideration....
I've an older pair of Polk bookshelf with no port, but a 6" passive cone beneath it's 6" woof with a 1" dome above all....

Not the same as port plugging....a different sort of shift in response, perhaps...? 

@oddiofyl ...I was just thinking about acoustic suspension....in regards to the old AR-3a speakers.... still not the same as a passive, but closer to a defeated port...   🤷‍♂️🙄

My Magnepan LRS+ had a smaller footprint than my KEF LS50 + stands. The KEF is a bit more detailed and the LRS+ is a huge soundstage with depth. The LRS+ also have very little side wall interaction. You just need about 3 feet from the front wall. You also need some power from the amps.

I can also recommend the Studio Electric M4s, an excellent monitor-size standmount.

Depends on your preferences and budget.  I have a pair Revel M126Be standmounts that sound excellent with my pair of SVS SB1000 Pro subs.  They have a rear vent that can be plugged but I removed the plug.  I preferred them over KEF R3 Meta, B&W 705 S3 and SVS standmounts.  

Another option is the Vandersteen VLR-CT.

In my 12x24 room with 8' ceiling and no acoustical treatment yet, I am getting very good results with PS Audio Aspen FR5's on stands paired with an ELAC 3010 Sub...don't usually need the sub for most music I listen to (acoustic, Jam, jazz)...for reggae I turned up the sub to maybe 50%, but otherwise, very sweet and rewarding sound. PS Audio offers a trade-in up to $875 on the speakers making them $2600, plus if you want the stands another $500. They offer generous 30 day in home audition too.

I thought about the PS Audio FR5's. Are they bright at all?

I'd look for speakers with less bass

https://speakerchoices.com/

you are probably right. My Legacy Studio HD speakers clash with the REL's and the amt tweeter is a might much. Toe in and out does not seem to help much.

Q Accoutics 300 would be a great pairing. Sound better than speakers 3x their cost.

Hey @m20j201, look at GR Research X-LS Encore or NX-Bravo. You can build a kit really affordably if you're crafty, or buy pre-built for still an affordable amount. I have their NX-Studios and they absolutely surpass the hype. Honestly given your components and musical taste, you might favor the soft dome tweeter of the X-LS Encore. Worth looking at.

-Lloyd

Totem Acoustic or Sonus faber should be given serious consideration. Verafi Audio is an excellent bang for the buck (Never heard ’em.) Have a set of these Vanguard Speakers (in Bamboo) puppies in my whole house system and like wow.

The Triangles are super bright IMHO. The MoFi SP 8 are not and also very good for the money but may not integrate very well. . The MoFi SP 10 should not need a sub.

I would look for a used or discounted pair of Dynaudio Contour 20i.  Totally smooth / non bright and are designed to use port plugs as an option (they come with them).  I cannot emphasize enough how port plugs make for the best sounding subwoofer integration.  If you are a careful observant listener, subwoofers and open ported speakers can sound excellent but you will also hear compromises too, things that sound worse than without the subs.  Plug the ports and no compromises along with easier integration.