Great bookshelf or small towers suggestions

@fritznayoan  

I see you are new here and may not realize selling is done through the classified section, not the forums. 

I'm not sure what your budge is, but if you are looking for bookshelf speakers you can hardly go wrong with a set of Legacy Audio Studio HD's, or their bigger brother the Calibre.

 A little over a year ago I was looking to build a system for the master bedroom, and like you, were looking for a bookshelf type speaker. After listening to KEF, Paradigm, Revel, and others I bought the Legacy home. They sound so much larger than what they actually are. I could not believe how they produced such clean and rich music... At the present I have two pairs of the Studios and a pair of the Focus SE's for my main system in the family room.

I don't know where you are located, but if it's anywhere close to Virginia feel free to contact me and come by and give a listen.   

I can get you  Evolution Acoustics MicroOne Loudspeakers for 3000 a pair. 

Check out Source Loudspeakers. John Sollecito of JSE is the owner and chief designer. A small company in South Windsor Ct.. They hand build all of there enclosures. You can call them up and John answers the phone and is happy to talk to you about your needs and the best fit for you system. Made in America and have a 10 year warranty. I have a pair of the 7211's and love them. The website is not fancy but check it out give John a call. 

OP,you said you did like the Focal Chorus 714 but want this to be end game for speakers why not look at the next step,the Aria line?
Right in your budget & everything I'm seeing says these are superb speakers...

In a small room Merlin Tsm are the best I have had. 

Yeah. Thx but not interested in subs at all.  Sux for neighbors in an apt and usually not necessary w halfway decent mains.  Just my opinion.  

Bache, do you have a showroom/workshop I could hear your speakers?  Thx!

hmm, I would agree with sunnyjim and NOT BIASED to say that the Wharfedale Denton sound musical, engaging, romantic, excited, and you feel great when you listen to it, and yet I found that it sound absolutely the best if pair with Fostex HP-A3 DAC preamp & any reputable power amp, the only thing you may consider is to add a sub to cover up the lack of dynamic at some dangerous extreme volume, which I dun think most people need to do that in order to enjoy music. My current thought is the Denton is nothing short of amazing, except if you would like to showcase some extreme dynamic bass sonic, there are better speakers I think, but not at $500 price, and it look as good as any decent furniture you can find.

Try My Sonata -001 30 day no problem return

wolfernyc, in a slight fit of insanity, I did upgrade to the FACT 8 so the demo Twenty.23 pair is available again.  If you like the PMCs you should give Len a call fast.

wow, thanks for sharing your experiences... you are lucky to have access to all these models.  Focal 714 still high on your list when compared to speakers costing 2-3 times more ?

Heard a few more good speakers this weekend. Dynaudio Excite X18, Dynaudio Contour S1.4, Spendor SP3, and Rega RX3 (or maybe Rx5?).

I liked the Excite X18 a lot. Not a ton of bass but amazing imaging.   The Contour had a lot more bass and almost the same imaging.  Overall it did sound better than the X18 but not by much to me.  I didn't care for the Rega's much - and the side speaker might be strange in my layout since one side of the room has an open side wall.

I was surprised by the Spendors since I'd heard them before and did not like them at all the first time.   Of course different room, different equip but both stores are top shelf so odds are one setup wasn't particularly inferior.  I might have to hear them again in the first store again.   

The good news was that there are a lot of small speakers that really sound great.   And having smaller speakers than my sound dynamics would be nice for living purposes.

But what's kind of bugging me is that the stores don't really do the A/B speaker switching thing with the high end gear.  So you hear things 10 minutes apart.  And frankly that doesn't work unless something's glaringly  obvious, which at this level of gear isn't all that apparent. 

So I'm thinking maybe just taking an in home trial of one of the ID speakers makes sense so I can live with them a bit.  I think more dealers would be wise to try to meet that convenience.  

Anyway, I have a few more speakers on my list to hear.  PMC, a few more Dynaudios, Linn 109, and if none blow me away, I'll just take a chance on something mail order and try to get used to them.  If that's the case it would prob be the ascend sierra 2's or towers.

Usually if you expect to get used to something in your system, it never happens and you end up wanting to swap it out.  You should definitely take your time and buy what you like - you'll know it right away when you hear it.

If you like the PMCs, it's a great time to get a deal on the Twenty series since the Twenty5 series just came out.  I am traveling and haven't picked up my demo Twenty.23s yet so thinking about moving up the PMC line a bit because of that.

You should also try to find a dealer that sells NEAT out there.  The Motive SX2 is a very underrated small tower speaker that simply disappears in the right sized room.

I really don't know yet.  I need to do a lot more listening.  Next up for me to go hear are a few PMC's, a Linn bookshelf, and then I'll have to go to another dealer to hear other things like the B&W 805's and Focals again.  I live in NYC so there are a lot of dealers. 

But I tell you I keep coming close to just buying ascend towers with the ribbon tweeters or maybe the Sierra 2's because really, I just hate the hunt and I like what I've read!

Maybe this hobby's not in my bones.  Probably whatever I buy I'll get used to!  :-)

Hey Wolf,

You and I seem to like the same sound. Improved brightness, upfront treble and mids. Which speaker are you leaning towards now?

wolfernyc - Here is the link to the dealer:  http://www.bluemoonav.com/

Ask for Len (the owner)

Odd - I can't figure out how to PM you.   Maybe I don't have enough posts or something?   Anyway, I'd be interested in that dealer if you wouldn't mind.   wolfereeno @ gmail.

Thx!!

The PMC twenty 23's are what he wants me to hear next as well as a large stand mounted pmc that I guess is the 22? 

I'll pm you too.

Thanks!! 

I was at a retailer recently selling a demo pair of NEAT Motive SX3 and PMC Twenty 21 for a great prices (I bought the Twenty 23 demos he had).  He also had some used SF Guarneri Memento and Reference 3A MM DeCapo i for sale.  I'm not affiliated with them but can give you their contact information if you PM me.

I love my Maggie 1.7s, but looking at your room diagram I'd say the layout and available space is as big an obstacle as the WAF thing. When I was shopping for speakers at the time, the dynamic speakers in that price range that best approached the sound and dispersion of the Maggies were the Focal Chorus floorstanders. Even the smaller ones threw a big, well-defined, room-filling soundstage. Sound was fast and immediate, midrange pure and transparent, bass linear and quick. Best of all they have a modest footprint and offer a matching center channel speaker. 

The best deal I know of right now are the 726 V tower and CC 700 V center channel speakers, both in wenge veneer and deeply discounted at Musicdirect. We're talking $1348 for the set of three, down from a list price of $2299, $951 off.

You might be able to find a local dealer, audition them, and negotiate a local deal.

I just don't think I'm that adventurous yet. I just can't see buying something I couldn't hear first.  It is a cool idea though and I admire the DIY ethos. Although I have come close to just taking the plunge on the ascend towers.

I've been shying away from used speakers too.  I owned a pair of used Mordaunt Short speakers and blew a tweeter.  It took 6 months to get the person I bought them from to make a warranty claim for me to replace them..

I did audition a few things. I got a chance to go to Innovative Audio and heard Linn Majik 140's, and 3 different Spendor two ways.  (D1, A3, one fo the classic bookshelves)

The Linn's sounded the best but were too big.  I'd be interested in hearing the Linn bookshelf 109's but they sold their demo pair.  The Spendor towers were 2nd best - lots of bass.  I was very impressed by the two way speakers overall.  

But so far I really didn't hear anything that had the bright high end of the Magnepans or the 805D3's I recall hearing. 

I need to go back there and hear a few more speakers: PMC and hopefully the Linn 109's.  Then I need to try a few other places.

Thx

If you are open to Open Source (kind of) speakers, the Klang Tong NADA will smoke the Sopra's, and can be built floor standing.  Contact Taylor Acoustics.  You should be able to get a pair for under $3k built to your favorite veneer.  The single Scanspeak woofer is deceptive and has TONS of bass.  They won't have the full dynamic range of the larger B&W's, but have a much better treble and natural balance. 

I also like Paradigm as well as Monitor Audio Silver. The Monitor Audio Radius line does very well for small speakers, and measure very well, but are pricey for what you get. 

JBL

If you are buying store brands, Monitor Audio Silver series, no question, especially used. 

If you are up for making it yourself, or having it made, the ZRT's will devastate the B&W's or Focal's in the range.

Add about $900 to the kit part for the good Mr. Taylor to build them for you.

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2.5-way-speaker-kits/zaph|audio-zrt-2.5-way-revelator-tower-pa...

That tweeter uses the same motor that's the basis for the current crop of Magico's. The Revelators are stunning and deep woofers.  If you want to go with a Be tweeter, the Klang-Tong Nada with a single Scanspeak woofer may be your last speakers ever.

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/2.5-way-speaker-kits/zaph|audio-zrt-2.5-way-revelator-tower-pa...

Again, those Scanspeak woofers have amazing bass. Especially if you are going to go with a sub for movies, one of these woofers in a ported cabinet will stun you.

Dali makes some great bookshelf and small floorstanders, with matching centers, that include a ribbon tweeter

I didn't care much for any of the low to mid level Golden Ear speakers I heard at Lyric Audio.  The Triton 1 was Ok but too  expensive and large for me. The Magnapan and Focal 714 were far better sounding for what I was after.  Given that the magnepan won't fit and I'm on the fence about the Focal's I'm still looking at things that compare to the B&W 805D3 and am interested in various ribbon tweeter speakers.  Just haven't been able to get to hear any yet.

I'm not a big fan of sub woofer systems.  But they do look interesting.  Thx

Another great option, though a bit more expensive than the Grand Tetons is... the Nola Brio Trio - also superb in all respects - with that famous Nola hybrid open baffle sound.  

That's some review.  But they are waaay to big.  Thx 

Hi Wolfer,
     Read this review for the open baffle hybrid from Tekton. Sounds like everything you are looking for (musically), and they are presently on sale. They do offer a trial period. http://hometheaterreview.com/tekton-design-sigma-ob-floorstanding-speakers-reviewed/?page=2
I have their Pendragons and I love them, but they are huge, and they will cause your neighbors to riot.

I have the rs5, along with one sealed sub, the svs sb1000.
Yes the rs5 are absolutely awsome... Detailed but never bright, very fluid midrange, decent bass, great imaging. But i have had them for 5 years, and i am always curious to hear what other speakers do.
focal is big in france, and the chorus 714 is sold 900 euros in places like hh gregg, bestbuy, and so on... That’s why i am curious to see if they are in par with good british gear in terms of definition and tonal balance, and curious to hear the focal sound.

which regas do you have?  People seem to rave about them.  What are you looking to improve?

Thx!

the closet dealer is 3hrs from my house unfortunately.  When i will have cash, i'll order a pair of 714 and see how they compare to my regas.

Out of curiosity I looked around, and it seems the 716 has a higher list price, but the 714 a higher selling price. maybe manufacturer incentives. One uses dual 5 1/4 the other dual 6 1/2 so maybe a very different sound.

I did like the Focal 714's. I heard them next to the magnepan .7's and various golden ears (which I didn't like) and they sounded good - great for the money.  I will give them more of a listen. I'm not sure what the diff is between the 714 and 716 other than for some reason the smaller speakers are more expensive though.  

The wavetouch looks interesting. But it seems to be very directional and living space wise, I'd rather have something that has a narrow sweet spot.

Without question my favorite speakers in this category are the... WaveTouch Audio Grand Tetons.  Few speakers at any price sound better (professional reviewers' and show opinions, not just mine) - they do it all, for a "pauper's price."  And they're efficient as well.  

I've got several superb speakers, all of which are virtually as "good as it gets" - and the Grand Tetons are right there with them.

And... they offer a trial period - nothing to lose by proving me right.

http://wavetouchaudio.com/products.html

It's quite a surprise that the focal 714 did stand out against the others you've listened to... Such an inexpensive speaker.
I am thinking about getting a pair, but there's no dealer around me.
what did you like about them? Midrange definition, forward or laid back, bright?
i am worried that at this price point they would sound boxy.

There are a few Toem's you should check out.  Great sound-to valuse ratio.  I was also very impressed with the Atohm speakers while I was at the Munich Hi End Show.

I've been very interested in the Sierras.  I just wish I could hear a pair here in NYC.   That said, based on what I've read, if I was going to take a risk on something i haven't heard yet, they'd be at the front of the list.

I don't think I can fit the Sierra Horizon center in my setup though.  Just too big.  Would have to use a sierra 1 or 2.

I'm going to start to hit the stores for demos soon.

I have the sierra towers (w/ Raal tweeter) from ascend acoustics (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRT/srt.html)
I'm very happy with them.

'Enjoy the Music' wrote:  "The midrange on the Towers...is a main event. Inner detail is fantastic...(http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0312/sierra_tower_speaker.htm)"
I couldn't agree more.

I demoed the following speakers in my room:
Magnepan Super MMG
ZuAudio Soul
Tekton Lore-S
Sierra Towers (Raal)

The Sierras are (by far) the most accurate (based on my REW room measurements) and more importantly: Sound right through their full range.

I was in your position last year and did a lot of listening. I use my Marantz as a pre-amp through a Parasound A52 so I have a little more juice flowing. (After you get your speakers chosen and shake some extra funds loose in the future, you might just add a 5-channel amp to your system.)
Before I talk about my choices, let me say that getting all 5 speakers with the same voicing may have been the single best thing I have done. I had been stereo only, then added a pair of surrounds that, even though the same manufacturer, were voiced differently. Then I added a very nice center, but it was also voiced differently. So I looked for a set of 5 speakers, a 5.0 system.
I set my price target at $3k, but eventually moved up to $4500 for the setup. It seemed to be cost-effective - more than i could afford, but I wanted these to be my last speakers.
I tried Monitors, Paradigms, Totems, Goldenears, Quad, Klipsch, and a few more, bringing several home for a weekend. None of these were what I wanted, which you described pretty well for me. After moving up that last chunk of change, it was a face-off between a Paradigm Gold, the B&W 805D3, and Dynaudio Excites. I ended up with the Excite X34 floorstanders, X14 standmounts and X24 center. 
Four things caused me to make that decision. First, I heard no phase-shift, they were clean and articulate with classical, jazz, and vocals - they sounded like the artists when I heard them in person. Second, the floorstanders are diminutive in size and the WAF was better than a standmount. Third, they have a really great dynamic range - they will rock on without sounding like they are shouting (the others shouted) (I use my Radio Shack level meter to know when it's loud because a good speaker can play louder without sounding bad). Fourth, and what set them apart from the B&W, was their ability to sound musical at low volumes. I didn't have to crank them to some thresh-hold to get them to "speak."
In assessing all this now, three months later (I am happier each passing week), I think I like 2-way speakers better, and first-order crossovers. I know intellectually about phase shift distortion, and each crossover introduces that element, especially if it is more than first order. I am particularly sensitive to tweeters, and the Dyn's neo??? led the B&W diamond??? for clarity and dispersion (imaging).
SO, I'd recommend getting a 5.0 system, and that you listen to the Dynaudio Excite series.

I think you're barking up the right tree...given that you are happy with your electronics, and that you would like these to be the last speakers you ever want to buy (wouldn't that be nice!), I would buy the best speakers you can find and afford that have the sonic signature you like.  Chasing cables is not the way to go, I completely disagree with anyone who sends you cable shopping given your parameters.  And your turntable and CD player are fine.  You don't have a big room, so unless you end up with some low-efficiency speakers I don't see the Marantz being a problem.    It's the speakers...not that there's anything wrong with them, they may be perfectly fine for others, but they don't have the sonic signature you like, so find speakers that do.   With your budget you have so many fantastic options, many of which have already been mentioned.

I actually like your idea of going after some 805D2, or even the 805 Diamond or 805S.  They're easy to find on the secondary market, and if you didn't like them after a few months they'd be a breeze to sell.  I don't know that there's another speaker on the market that's easier to sell, or that holds a larger percentage of original retail value, than the original B&W 805.   You could buy a pair, listen for a year, and if you didn't love them you could resell them for what you paid or very close.  Wilson Benesch Arcs are another option, more transparent and a little less boxy than the 805, but harder to find.   I've been where you are, in a space that size, looking for the sonic signature you're looking for - if you liked the 805D3, I think you should go in that direction and don't be afraid of an older 805.

I bought some Wharfedale Denton 80th Anniversary speakers. They are wonderful and better many of more expensive speakers. More information can be found here:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/wharfedale-denton-80th-anniversary-a-non-professional...

good luck with with your hunting/purchase. 

What is you budget ?

The mini Maggie system is better than any box speaker in the same price range. 

Thx all. 

One has to start upgrading somewhere and for me the speakers seem to make sense as a starting point. They're almost 20 yrs old and I know their sound well. I'd certainly like to keep well below my budget if I can. Since I need LR and a center channel it won't be cheap no matter what. I also don't want to get on the upgrade merry go round.  I'll probably die with whatever I get. (I live in a 5th floor walkup! So when they carry me out, they can take the speakers too.)

There's nothing particularly substandard about the CD player or turntable. And the AV sources are what they are these days: Apple TV and the Cable box.   The receiver might not be the best but it doesn't seem to be a bad one.   I'll upgrade it eventually when the inevitable must have AV feature pushes me to.

I am looking into various speakers you've all recommended.  The Sierra 2's or perhaps the towers seem interesting as do many of the others.  But not being able to hear them first is a problem.  So I am thinking of looking for something used but that I've already heard or can find nearby, like the Sonus Faber's. 

The speakers don't need to be tiny.  The 300ti's on stands are taller and wider than many floor standing towers.  But being a small apartment, if they don't need to be big that would be great.

Thx