Downsizing from tower to bookshelf

@immathewj: You must be thinking of my thread about the Eminent Technology LFT-8 loudspeaker, which like the PS Audio Aspen speakers utilizes planar-magnetic drivers, a major point of discussion in that thread. I haven’t heard any of the PS Audio FR models, but p-m drivers are renown for their neutral sound quality, being neither warm nor cold. Another p-m attribute is their high transparency, which Paul McGowan always mentions in his videos about the Aspen speakers.

My attitude about "bookshelf"-sized loudspeakers is that a bookshelf speaker sitting on a stand may occupy no less floor space than does a tower model of the same dimensions (in terms of width and depth). A tower design may use the floor space occupied by the bookshelf’s stand for an enclosure fitted with woofer(s), the tower speaker therefore providing reproduction of low frequencies that the bookshelf is incapable of. The bass bin of the ET LFT-8b measures 13" wide by 24" deep (including the dedicated Sound Anchor bass). The Aspen FR5 measures 8" wide by 13" deep, excluding stand

The PS Audio FR5 utilizes a p-m driver for only the high frequencies (1750Hz and up), while the ET LFT-8 employs a large p-m driver for frequencies 180Hz up to 10kHz (with no crossover filters in that frequency range), a ribbon tweeter for 10kHz up. My argument in the ET LFT-8 thread was that if you value the sq of a p-m driver, the LFT-8 offers more of that driver’s sq than does the Aspen FR5

The Aspen FR5 retails for $3499 (plus another $500 for the dedicated stands), the ET LFT-8b $3200 (including shipping if bought directly from Eminent Technology). Think about it: the Aspen FR5 utilizes a 6-1/2" dynamic cone woofer to reproduce the critical midrange frequencies (all frequencies up to 1750Hz), the ET LFT-8b a planar-magnetic driver (from 180Hz up to 10kHz). Which loudspeaker seems more likely to out-perform the other?

However, the LFT-8---like all dipole-planars--requires space between it and the wall behind it. More is better, with 3' being the oft-quoted minimum distance. My recommendation is 5'.

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.

I would add and research the Neat Petites. Fidelis is the US distributor and Marc was great to deal with. 

I recently ran into the same situation. my room is 12’ x 11.5’ with 10’ Ceilings with a bass issue at around 100hz.

I attended many shows and went through 11 sets of speakers, driving myself and several sellers and mfgs crazy with home trials, shipments and returns. I’ve got a decent system, not the best but decent, check my system’s details if your’e interested.

Anyway, at the Tampa Show I came across AJ from Soundfield Audio who explained to me how I’d be stuck on this merry go round of trying to get some premade speaker to try to sound good in “my room” and that instead I should have a speaker built to the specific needs of my room and the to the sound characteristics I sought.

I took him up on his offer with him making me a pair of his Custom designed MMW1’s Cardioid Stand Mounts, Featuring SB Acoustics Satori TW-29B Beryllium Tweeters, Crossed over using custom internal crossovers utilizing Air Coil Inductors, Mundorf Resistors & Audyn film caps. Mids & Lows handled by Dayton Epique E180 Woofers < 1,2kHz & SOUNDFIELD 8" top firing Subwoofers <80hz, both driven by Hypex Fusion 250w DSP plate amplifiers DSP tuned to correct room’s acoustic shortcomings.

I have to say, finally the search is over and I can sit back and enjoy the music… And you want to talk about piano… You not only clearly hear the notes as if you were there, at times yo can hear the pedals being pushed and fingers pressing the keys. I can honestly say when fellow audiophile friends stop by, I no longer ask how they think my set up sounds, now I actually boast how great it sounds, so much so I’m showcasing an event at my home this January for the Audiophile Society I belong being I’m that confidant how great my set up sounds.

Not to say at the various audio shows I’ve attended I haven’t been blown away by what I’ve seen & heard from all the brands recommended on this thread, but from my own experience of being on that speaker merry go round, I have to say, I’d never consider buying something premade again only to hope it would sonically work out for me.

I met AJ at the Tampa show and incase your’e interested, AJ and Soundfield Audio again will have a room exhibiting at the Florida International Hifi Expo in Tampa this February, so if you go would certainly be worth your while to check them out or just check out the Soundfield Audio website.

This is not some sales pitch and if it comes off that way I apologize, just honestly blown away by what was able to be achieved by going this route as well as the feeling I contributed to the final outcome of how great these things sound by telling AJ exactly what I wanted out of a speaker and he made it happen.

I did the same thing moving from towers to standmounts. Sibilance was important to me. I’ve tried a lot of speakers and my old guy ears can’t stand any sibilance. I tried the B&W 705 S3, KEF 3 Metas along with others and ended up with the Revel M126Be. I love the beryllium tweeters. I suggest using with subs. I have a pair of SVS SB1000 Pros and the combination sounds as good if not better than towers in my 12 x 12 room that opens up behind my listening seat. Agree with buying, trying and returning if necessary. It’s the only way to know how the setup will sound in your particular room in my experience. Enjoy your new musical journey!