Bookshelf speakers can work!


I don’t post here much so please take in stride that fact. I’ve loved music systems since I was 10, and I am 67.   I’ve heard many times that speakers in bookshelves are wrong. All I want to say is that I’m listening to a beautiful wall of sound in my space with Von Schweikert VR-1 speakers and an REL sub and the speakers disappear leaving a seamless wall of sound with height, width and depth. For those of you with limited rooms or secondary rooms like mine with long walls in front of you especially with tall ceilings, pick the right speakers properly positioned in the bookshelves and it can be a fabulous soundstage. Pick either closed speakers or front ported ones designed for bookshelves. Fix the height at or slightly above your ear level and at at a 45 degree angle for most speakers to the listening position. Could it be better on stands out in the room?  Absolutely. But it’s still damn good this way too. Don’t limit yourself with dogma!
tgrisham
Yes I have always been partial to stand mount speakers. Course I have used them in modestly sized rooms acoustically treated. One's I have owned (own) provided great soundstage/imaging and dynamics.  

Well suited for those with smaller space and budget. With care towards placement and associated components one can put together a budget system that sounds much more. 
no worries, many paths of sonic bliss in this pursuit

i should probably have said... "bookshelf speakers sound best properly placed, on stands, in room, away from boundaries - but that doesn't mean the right bookshelf models can't sound darned good placed otherwise!!"

cheers and enjoy!!

bookshelf speakers can sound absolutely great, especially if implemented well with supporting subwoofers... but invariably not with the speakers sitting on bookshelves!
This is such a perfectly timed thread. I was wondering if I could put a a  large "bookshelf" speaker where my KEF LS50's currently reside.

Living Room System - Virtual Systems (audiogon.com)

My ceiling is over 25 feet tall in this room.  The sound is rather good in the existing setup, which was very surprising.

You're not getting rear reflection the wall of books is your front baffle. Have fun.
I noticed that on my office system having my large wooden bookshelf which is filled with very thick books, made an improvement to the acoustics. 
Exactly. Use the space you have instead of the space you’re “supposed” to have. Enjoy the music!
You're not getting rear reflection the wall of books is your front baffle. Have fun.
Instead of asking a question, you posted useful information about speaker placement and your personal experience. I certainly hope more folks read what you have written.

At 67, still being able to fully enjoy music is an accomplishment. Hats off to you, Sir! 🎩
Thank you!  Sometimes placing speakers on stands is intrusive in the space. The key is to find the speakers that work well in bookshelves. Just imagine a space in which you have wonderful music and a wall of books!  Talk to the speaker manufacturers and dealers. Try them out. It’s all about the music!  Listen and enjoy!
Don’t limit yourself with dogma!
That is a great point. On-paper issues shouldn’t stop the pursuit of an enjoyable system. It’s not that hard.