2. speakers
  3. 192186-143787

Downsizing from tower to bookshelf

Moving to smaller home and need thoughts on bookshelf speakers. The new dedicated audio room is 12x14 and I plan to use the same wall/floor treatments I currently have in my 14x20 room.
I don’t live near a big city to go and demo, so I’d like to narrow down at least 3 speakers I can purchase and demo in the new room. I’ll send the others back once I find a winner.

Current equipment is;

VPI Scout with Hana SL

Parasound A21

Vincent SA32 Preamp

Elac PPA2 

Dyneaudio Emit 30

My preference is neutral to slightly warm sound with heavy emphasis on holographic soundstage. Price point is maxed at $3,500.
 

I was never really in love with the Dynaudio Emit 30’s but they did provide the neutral holographic soundstage I like. The only negative with the Dynaudio is they didn’t seem very dynamic or musical.i always felt they were missing something in terms of enjoyment. Maybe stepping up a model would help but I’m open to other brand suggestions.

My initial picks are;

Harbeth P3ESR XD

Revel M126Be

Wharfedale Aura 2

Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

 

vette5451

Showing 1 response by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,063 posts
 

I downsized from a 12 x 11 x 9 to even a smaller room. I had the ($1000) Magnepan LRS+ in the bigger room and it was really good. It lacked some details that I was used to in other speakers, but overall, the presentation was so impressive.

In my even smaller room, I have the (used $1000) Magnepan Mini. I use the KEF KEC62 sub with this system and also the LRS+. I am doing near-field listening (see my office2 virtual system). The Mini sound better than the LRS+. The missing detail is there and the soundstage and presentation is the same but in a slightly smaller scale.

You do need power for both Maggies, and I use the Sanders Magtech amp (500 | 900 @ 8 | 4).

BTW - Yesterday I added a barstool to the room and put the KC62 sub on it. It is now at the same height as the Mini panels which are on stands. I think this is going to be my long-term setup. I like the bass this way.

BTW2 - another killer small room setup is the KEF LS50 META + KC62 sub (around $1800 used for both). I had that before the LRS+ and it had more detail than the LRS+ but lacked the wall of sound effect of the Maggies.

More to discover