"Bookshelf" speakers designed to be placed near the wall behind them?

Congratulations. ATC speakers don't get much respect in the US....until folks actually audition a pair.

Oops!  I seem to have totally dropped the ball on this thread - sorry!

I finally found a pair of ATC SCM-11's locally, and they knock me out!  They're smaller than the SCM19's, which allows me to move one easily out of the way when my wife wants to enjoy the fireplace.  But the 11's have such an amazing bass response i'm thinking the 19's might have been too much for this room actually.

So i'm pretty happy with the system now.  Adding a REL T7/x soon, hoping that a little subtle touch of deep bass will bring back some of that immersive feeling i used to have with the Cremonas ...

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions, i'll probably find an excuse to go speaker shopping again some day!

 

@mbo what did you end up with? My similar experience in this area has given me very enjoyable time with the extremely distinct sounding Silverline Minuet Grand (rear-ported but benefit from boundary reinforcement), Studio Electric M4 (acoustic suspension), and Ryan S610 (front-ported, laminar), all within budget. Choice of amp and taste would be determining factors; as you are a past Sonus Faber Cremona owner, I believe the Studio Electrics might be closest to your preferences.

FYI, the Zu Cubes have the concentric tweeters, not the Omen Bookshelf. There are a few folks on here who run Cubes if you search the forum.

I haven't heard Omen bookshelf but I do have Omen DW's which I love.  I would imagine the bookshelf version gives a very big sound like the full size Omens minus the bass extension that the Zu Griewe cabinet loading gives.
My Zu DefHeads are also sealed cabinets rated down to 50hz just like Omen bookshelf.  They sound huge and I don't ever feel the need for a subwoofer for them.

Has anybody heard the Zu Audio Omen Bookshelf speakers?  10" "full-range" driver (concentric tweeter, I believe) in a sealed box enclosure, reasonably priced, sold direct online only as far as I can tell.  Looks interesting!

Maybe a bit late...but  I just got home from THE SHOW in Irvine and it may be sacrilegious, but the ELAC Debut 2.0 front ported bookshelf speakers were excellent....shocking that they are $300.!  I ordered a pair for a second system in the living room.  Check out the reviews and see if you can get a listen.  

+1 @desktopguy

get sealed box speakers. The roll off on a sealed box is better suited to a wall placement. 

mbo,
@ptrck887  here.  I am now in Scottsdale but originally from San Jose.  Heading that way next Sat after a visit to T.H.E. Show on Friday 6/1.  Then driving on to Bay Area for a week of family and a little business.  If interested in some sort of trade I can box them up and bring with.
Thx

Klipsch Heresy 3. Read the many positive reviews. A fun, musical speaker.

Rega  RS1 is very natural sounding and one of the all time best value in audio .

i've frequently reccomended the rega rs1 (current model is the rx1, i think), which is absolutely impervious to placement and a great value. the step up from there would be the paradigm signature, which worked really well near-wall.

mbo The Sea Chest is in Cambria
on my top twenty global list and I have more frequent flyer miles than brain cells.....

Again, many thanks for all the beautifully informed responses!

I now have a short list of three candidates (in descending order of WAF ;^):

Audio Note AN-K se
Aerial 5T
ATC SMC19 v2

Recent suggestions have inspired more research, so the short list may be lengthening:

@yogiboy , @dekay and @kahlenz - I will give Gene Rubin a call.  I know he carries Harbeth and I think maybe Spendor as well.   He's probably the first place I will visit based on proximity, assuming he'll have some suggestions that interest me.

@tomic601 - Yup, i've spent more than I should have from the audio budget at the Hitching Post!  Not familiar with the Sea Chest though, where is that?

@mountainsong - Thanks for pointing out that Triangle offer front-ported monitors.  Those Duettos in the Magellan line look great on paper.  They'll join the short list once I can verify they're priced close to budget.

@ptrck887 - I had forgotten about the Auditors!  That might be a good answer (but I'll bet they're rear-ported).  I often watch movies using my floorstanding Cremonas as a 2-channel AV system.  They throw images from wall to wall - beautiful!  Where are you located?  We might could work something out.  Is there a way to send a private message to a fellow forum member?

@herb19808 - Proac is another great suggestion.  It's very possible they make something that would suit me.  Will check them out - I think there's a dealer in San Jose ...

Thanks to everyone for the input - this has been very helpful!  I guess I better get off my butt and get my Cremonas listed ...

Have you considered anything from KEF? Their reference 1 has a tunable port in the back that might alleviate any near-to-wall issues. 

I have LS50s for my office/desktop setup, and I have to say their driver arrangement is exceptional for near field/midfield listening (which you mention is also something you are considering) 

I think the Proac Tablette 10 is supposed to work well when placed near a wall.

I did a lot of research on this very issue--because my desktop space is limited & my monitors/speakers end up w/in ~8" of front wall of the room w/big picture window.

Found 2 designs that should work:

-- ATC SCM19 Professional monitors: this sealed/acoustic suspension design is not exactly small, but it's spectacular in resolution, listenability, and bass resolution/quality. I am getting better sound w/these (+ Wyred4Sound ST500 amp) than any other monitors in past

-- Wharfedale Diamond 225: a considerably cheaper mid-fi audiophile design that is not sealed (ported bass)--but the port is cleverly designed to fire downward at a bottom plate that's 1/4" below the speaker. The result has been described as far less susceptible to boundary effects that conventional ported designs. They're also described as rather musical, pleasant-sounding speakers.

I've now had 2 ported speakers (powered designs) and 2 sealed/acoustic suspension designs (1 powered, the other passive) in this desktop environment. IMO the ported designs, despite other good qualities, showed clear evidence of boundary effects in the bass. I'll never go back to ported unless it's something like the Wharfedale Diamond.

Have you explored the Cremona Auditor M stand mounts?  I had mine about 13" off the rear wall and they were outstanding!  Still own them but not in use as I upgraded to the SF Guarneri Evolutions.  Any interest in some sort of trade?  I've been considering Cremona floor standers for a home theatre / 2 channel system in another room.  
Before my Guarneri upgrade I considered Harbeth Super HL5+'s but to my ears my little Auditors were far better...
Thanks

I have the Harbeth P3esr speakers, and they live about 1' from the wall on SoundAnchor stands.  They sound great (but they do open up a bit when I move them into the room for critical listening).  They are the only Harbeth speakers to use a "sealed box" design (the others have ports), which gives the P3esr speakers quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to placement.

I must add that I replaced the floor spikes on the SoundAnchors with plain steel carriage bolts (round head).  I have a resilient laminate floor (Karndean Loose Lay, specially chosen for its acoustic properties, among other things) over concrete.  Moving the speakers is no big deal, and does not poke holes in the floor!  Moving speakers spiked to the floor can be a hassle.  Costs practically nothing to try!

Look Into triangle. They have very nice and good sounding monitors with front bass port. Key for success.
Regards 

mbo
head to one of two of my favorite places near you: Hitching Post or Sea Chest
drink the audio budget away...

sounds like you could throw  a rock and hit RV at Vandersteen in Hanford...see my Casa Pacifica system pictures for a look at some of the wild veneers available....

glad to see you are having fun in the quest !

Gene Rubin Audio carries the Stirling Broadcast LS3/6.

If he has a pair available for audition give them a try.

Might be a bit over budget with the Stirling stands.

DeKay

Youowe it to yourself to at least listen to the newest Wilson’s (the Tune Tots) - they are stunning!!! Anything else would be a very distant second. Yes, they are above your target, but worth every penny. I am amazed how much can be had with obsessive attention to detail/quality of parts in the cabinet and crossovers.

@mbo
Since this guy is in your neck of the woods, you should give him a call. I’ve bought a few pairs of speakers from him and I live on the east coast!!
https://generubinaudio.com/

Salk SoundScape 7M in a front slot port configuration.

Wow, some great ideas here - thanks!

Thanks, @gsm18439 for reminding me about Audio Notes.  They've been on my must-investigate list for a long time.  I didn't remember that they made a stand-mount - will check it out!

Thanks, @mofojo Guru QM10-2 sounds interesting.  I'll take a look.

Thanks, @mattmiller Totem is another brand i've been curious about.  Not sure the Signature Ones will have enough bottom (unfortunately my living room is not a small room, although I listen in the near- or mid-field) but will check them out.

Thanks, @jb0194 I didn't remember that ATC makes sealed box speakers.  Will check out the SCM19 v2's.  gwizpro's stands sound interesting as well.

Thanks, @yogiboy i've always wanted a pair of Harbeths - maybe it's time.

Thanks, @joey54 Vandersteen is another company i've been interested in and would love to support.  Definitely will take a look at the VLR Woods.

Thanks, @ohlala i'd love to have some Wilson's in my room, but $10k is about twice what I want to spend atm.

And yes, @tomic601 I was thinking I might get some custom Sound Anchors to make up the necessary height.

Lots of good ideas here - i've got my work cut out for me.  Now it's a project I'm excited about.  I live in Central California about halfway between L.A. and San Francisco, I think the nearest hi-end audio dealer may be in Ventura.  So i'll do as much research as I can on the internet.  Then maybe some trips to dealers or perhaps Audiogon will come thru!

Btw, I listen mostly to acoustic jazz and classical, some world, some electronica, very little pop or rock.  I'm afraid I'm kind of a jazz snob. 😎

Our living room is fairly live and bright (hence my interest in the Aerials), with high peaked ceilings.  It's medium large and open plan to dining room and kitchen.  Much of the floor space in the living room is occupied by two grand pianos.  That's why I listen in the mid- or near-field.

Thanks for all the input, it was very valuable!

Crystal Cable Minissimo Diamonds for sure, but pricey. I think they make other much less expensive models. 

Oh, and to heck with JA's review of them. 

Best,

E

Custom Sound Anchors

nuclear attack survivable welded stand !!!!

VLR with carbon tweeter coming soon !!!

Wilson just came out with the Tune Tot, a smallish bookshelf intended for restricted placement options. The price is about $10k, I believe. 

You should look at the Vandersteen VLR Wood speakers. They are designed to be used placed in a bookcase or in close proximity to the wall. They sound great and are reasonably priced. Good Luck!

http://vandersteen.com/products/vlr-wood

Any LS3/5A type of speaker will work. Harbeth, Spendor, Falcon, Sterling, etc, etc, make that type of design!

ATC SCM19 v2 are sealed design and within your price range. An EBay seller “gwizpro” builds very affordable solid oak stands with pedestal dimensions that fit the SCM19 and can be built at custom height to augment the height of your hearth. 

Totem Model One signature editions (they might be called Model Ones) These speakers will blow you away in terms of bass and dynamics with awesome high end extension. With proper stands ,you can place them a foot off the wall and they sound terrific. Driven by a clean 100wpc amp they will provide goosebumps! At around $2000 for the pair Totem Acoustics has been making this speaker for a few decades! Look up some reviews.

https://totemacoustic.com/en/signature-one



Matt M

Guru QM10-2 is really musical and fun. Sound best right against the wall. Not picky about placement. Sound great on all genres. If you can find a pair they will surprise you. Wish I would have kept mine. Look good in an Apple kind of way. 

Audio Note. They are stand mounts that are designed to be placed against the wall.