"They don't allow monitors on stands, and the layout of the room and furniture dictates size requirements."
Audio police, eh? :^)
OHM Micro Walsh sound like a perfect fit. Big sound, small footprint, and largely omnidirectional meaning things hold together coherently from most any listening position, not just a small "Sweet spot".
Totem Arro or larger model if possible would be another very good but more conventional option. |
there are some nice "highend" wall mount speakers available if those would be allowed |
Second the Totem Arro suggestion. Attractive to look at, sound great, and about the best bass response you'll get with a speaker that small. |
You might check the Definitive Technology "Mythos"
series or, if you could find a pair, the Athena WS-100. |
You might try Totem Arrow 5.1"x33.5".7.1". Received positive reviews and are attractive. While not currently available on AGon, they appear regularly. |
You might want to check on some of the offerings from Role Audio. I haven't heard them, but they would fulfill the requirements with regards to size, specifically the Sampan model. |
Tannoy DC4T should work for you. Size is about perfect for what you are looking for.
Also, not sure of the exact size, but I believe the Totem Arros (and perhaps the Staff) may fit.
*Tannoy dealer disclaimer* |
small footprint can be blown by wind. |
Aerial 6, B&W XT/4 or XT/8. |
Also Vienna Accoustics Mozart. |
Yeah, that is something else you might want to take into consideration is that small footprint speakers are easily tipped over, which is why, I'm assuming, that they don't want bookshelf speakers on stands. Maybe you could put a pair of bookshelf speakers on a shelf? Or dresser? Otherwise, the first that came to mind for me were totems.
Good luck! And visit your Grandma often ;-) |
Something 3 feet tall with only a 5" x 6" footprint seems like a "falling down disaster" waiting to happen. Any speaker with such a small footprint would need outrigger feet to create some sort of solid balance. The smaller Totem speakers have great sound and solid physical design. You may also want to look at the smaller Paradigm models. Good Luck, and best wishes to your Mom as she enters her new environment. I hope it all works out well. |
Have you also thougth of the Golden Ear Trition 2? |
Thanks everyone for your recommendations. The OHM Speakers really intrigued me as she will be sitting much of the time off-axis from the sweet spot, so the wider the sound stage, the better.
She can put bookshelfs on an open credenza, but I think she would prefer floorstanders.
For those who question the stability of these mini-towers, I have the same concern. Some have platforms to rest on to expand their footprint.
I have put several of these speakers on the short list, including the OHM MWT, Totem, and Vienna Acoustics. The are all in the $1001-1500 price range I am targeting.
One complication is that I am in CA, and she is in Honolulu, so no dealers where she is, and shipping is very expensive. (But thank you Crutchfield, which offers free shipping to all 50 states!)
I will revert with my findings. Thanks again to all who made recommendations. |
Check out Axiom Audio M50s. I set some friends up with a mid-fi system and they were quite respectable. |
Taller than suggested but BG Radia FS-420's at about $5000/pair are unobtrusive. Dipole might not be the best choice if close to the wall. |
There's another speaker that nudges the footprint size a bit, but they're a little shorter at 33-7/16" tall. They're about 7-1/4" wide and about 9-3/4" deep. They are supplied with plinths and easily adjustable feet that widen the stance and thereby save you around $250 in outriggers. They are the Monitor Audio RX6 at $1250/pair retail. I've auditioned them and they sound wonderful with good bass extension and excellent top-to-bottom tonal balance.
For a really small footprint floorstanding omni--in addition to the Ohm Micros--*was* the Mirage OS3 FS, but those don't seem to be available reliably anymore. Pity; they sounded great as well, though they would benefit from a little sub. |
03-02-13: Rsjm80
Have you also thougth of the Golden Ear Trition 2? Another good suggestion, though the Triton 2 is $3K/pair. However, they also make the smaller Triton 3 at $2K/pair, which would be plenty of speaker for the space, and it's 2" shallower and 4" shorter than the Triton 2's. |
I would easily second the vote for Monitor Audio's RX-6, but they don't come up that often on AG. In addition shipping to from California to Hawaii would be expensive (I know I live in Honolulu) Two MA's RX-6 boxes weigh in at 45 lbs each, and can't be shipped USPS
Your best bet is the Totem "Arros" as mentioned. They are packaged in one box and I believe can be shipped via USPS Priroity Mail. Good Luck!! |
KIXO,
ANOPTION FOR THE OHMS IS OFTEN REFURBS FROM OHM THAT USE THE OLDER PYRAMIDAL SHAPED CABINETS THAT ARE WIDER AND HEAVIER ON THE BOTTOM RATHER THAN BRAND NEW VERTICAL CABINETS. THESE USUALLY COME IN FOR LESS THAN NEW AS WELL. BOTH MY PAIR USE REFURBED CABINETS. YOU HAVE TO CONTACT JOHN AT OHM AND ASK TO SEE WHAT HE HAS AVAILABLE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME. AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT CAN BE DRIVER SITS LOWER AND OFTEN MORE OPTIMALLY FOF SEATED LISTENING COMPARED TO COMPARABLE SIZE NEW CABS. LARGER CABINETS MEANS MORE VOLUME AND LOWER BASS EXTENSION ACCORDINGLY. |
There are two GoldenEar dealers in Hawaii--one in Honolulu (Oahu) and the other in Kihei (Maui). They are custom dealers without a storefront, but you can call for an appointment and audition and they sell to the public. The Triton 2 tower would be a good match for your needs, especially since you can adjust the bass output to the room size.
At Home Theater
Honolulu, HI
808-593-2070
Dealer Locator
Electronic Design
95 East Lipoa Street
Suite 207
Kihei, HI 96753
808-214-1440 |
The Ohm Walsh Micro Talls are great sounding speakers with and their dimensions are 6"x6"x 36".I am sure your mother would be very happy with them. Omega Speaker Systems and Hornshoppe also make some efficient small floorstanders that are very fine speakers as well. |
You might want to take a look at canton towers. I think their lineup might offer you answers |
Nobody mentioned Silverline Preludes, and let's keep it that way. I have a pair of these, they are pretty damn skinny, and they sound great, but I won't mention them. |
Yes Wolfie, please, if you aren't going to add anything to the thread, just keep quiet ;-)
Besides, I bet those silverlines sound awful once you get them home from best buy! |
|
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I made a decision -- sort of. I bought a used pair of Totem Arros in perfect condition and I also ordered a pair of OHM Microwalshes.
Whichever speakers my mom doesn't like, I will take! So we both win. |
Kixo, two excellent choices for good sound with very small footprint. Let us know how it all turns out. |
