Kixo, two excellent choices for good sound with very small footprint. Let us know how it all turns out.
Choosing a Floorstander by Footprint Size
I am helping my mom choose a floorstander with a very small footprint as she downsizes and moves to a retirement apartment.
They don't allow monitors on stands, and the layout of the room and furniture dictates size requirements.
I am looking for floorstanders that are about:
- 36" high
- 5-6" width
- 5-7" diameter
The only two that I have found are:
Indiana Arbour 4.02 (38hz-22000hz, 8 ohms, 90dB)
Monitor Audio Radius 270HD (48hz-35000hz, 8 ohms, 90dB)
The Arbours have been discontinued, though, so hard to find.
The MAs are sold as part of a HT system, but can stand alone. I auditioned them with NAD gear and was impressed with their soundstage and clarity. But they don't hit the bass, and in this situation, a subwoofer is not practical.
Any other speakers I should be looking at? They will be mated to either her current Electrocompaniet components, or more likely to some midrange NAD (integrated, CD, tuner)components. She listens to operas and classical music.
They don't allow monitors on stands, and the layout of the room and furniture dictates size requirements.
I am looking for floorstanders that are about:
- 36" high
- 5-6" width
- 5-7" diameter
The only two that I have found are:
Indiana Arbour 4.02 (38hz-22000hz, 8 ohms, 90dB)
Monitor Audio Radius 270HD (48hz-35000hz, 8 ohms, 90dB)
The Arbours have been discontinued, though, so hard to find.
The MAs are sold as part of a HT system, but can stand alone. I auditioned them with NAD gear and was impressed with their soundstage and clarity. But they don't hit the bass, and in this situation, a subwoofer is not practical.
Any other speakers I should be looking at? They will be mated to either her current Electrocompaniet components, or more likely to some midrange NAD (integrated, CD, tuner)components. She listens to operas and classical music.
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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 |
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. |
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!! |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 ;-) |
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. |
"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. |
