BOOKSHELF SPEAKER RECOMMENDATION


I’ve set up an additional music system in a spare bedroom, small with wall to wall carpeting.  My current system, all purchased used  on Audiogon or AudioMart, consists of a Hegel 590 integrated amp, an Ayre C-5 Universal CD player, Synergistic interconnects ,Nordost Heimdall speaker cables and Synergistic Research and Shunyata power products.  Currently I’m feeding the cables into a Tannoy D-100 monitor I purchased 30 years ago and which sat in the garage for the last 20 years. It sounds pretty darn good but of course, the bass could be better, the limitation of small speakers.  But as technology for small monitor speakers has advanced over 30 years, I’m looking for recommendations for monitors that sound great but give a little more bass.   I’ve been looking at the Totem Signature One and the Dynaudio 40 Anniversary models, based on reviews.  But I’d very much like to hear the recommendations of this experienced group.  Thanks, appreciate it.

styleman

Alot of bookshelf speaker choices at many different prices.   At the $2K price point, I considered Amphion Argon 1, Musician Knight 1, Buchardt S400 MKII, among a few others.  There are a couple of build kits that compete at that price level for less.

Cheaper options were Elac Carina, Sonus Faber Lumina II, and some others.

Write down constraints, what you need to have in a speaker and what you can do with less of.  Is it for near/mid/far field listening? Efficiency/sensitivity may be important in achieving SPLs you want. Reviews showing measurements might be helpful.

While there are other speakers at much higher price points, the marginal improvements may or may not be noticed in a way that supports the price increase, but that's for someone to decide for themselves.

I wanted a small speaker that would work well enough with my small amplifier and I just picked up a the Dali Opticon 1 under $400 NIB on clearance and its' fine until I find something else, if I so desire.  My constraint is small, preferably no more than 13 in tall but would not have to be too far in the room to achieve its' best sound.  Didn't need alot of bass and no longer play loud but needed enough of the attributes I was looking for.  Its a good listen, was inexpensive and resale won't be an issue, if I need to.

Regardless of price, having decent resale helps in the decision process as well as relative value.  You have a mighty amp and it should have good synergy with most speakers, bringing out the best they can do. You may not have to spend $$$$ to get the sound you want.  But if you have the $$$, there are alot of speakers, so many options up to $8K and even beyond. 

Listen to some of the reviewers on YT and what they have to say, especially Steve Huff and those with some really good equipment. Take your time, enjoy the journey.

 

 

 

 

 

I may have missed the budget portion, I am very smitten with the Sonner Legato Unum. 
 

 

Audel Magika MK 2, not sure if there is a U.S. or even Canadian distributor by now. But it is easy to contact Walter Carzan and get them directly.  Incredible tone, midrange, just a great speaker that delivers in so many ways.

Aerial 5T's are excellent speakers. I have had mine for over five years. Hard to beat.