How big is the area where they will sit(height,width & depth)?What kind of electronics will they be driven by?Whay kinds of music will he mostly listen to?What is the budget?
Help Select an True Bookshelf Speaker
My son loves his music, and TV, and is not what we would describe as an audiophile. We are in search of speakers that are actually made to sit on bookshelves. So many speakers are rear ported and would not work well. Who out there is using, or have heard, models that are suitable for shelves. Oh, he does not want to break the bank.
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You could look for an acoustic suspension speaker. I think ATC makes them as well as Harbeth, Falcon Acoustics, Spendor, Buchardt. Not sure if all those are sealed but without the port you won’t need to be so fussy about placement. Bass will not be as deep but generally it’s punchy and of high quality. No idea what break the bank means so I’m not sure if any of the manufacturers listed have a model that is in your price range. |
I liked these little Wharfedale 225’s in the bookcases of my office. They are vented, but it is a slot at the base, so they work in a bookcase. I used them with a single sub, just enough that they didn't sound small, the combo sounded darn good horizontal at seated ear height images best wharfedale 225 on sale, $299. free shipping mine in my office, my son has them now I changed to a larger classic, AR-2ax: 3 way, 10" woofer, no sub: just fits on a shelf, no port, has level controls for the tweeter and mid, they sound fantastic, I restored a 2nd pair after these these seem ready to enjoy find some nice AR-2ax, close enough to check/pickup or use UPS Pack and Ship
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Sorry for the lack of detail. I experienced a little brain fade. These will go in a great room of his house, firing out about 18-19 feet, with plenty of outside breathing room. He is using a mid-fi AV receiver at around 75 Watts/Channel. His music tastes are mostly classic rock and blues. He would prefer to stay within $1,200. Thanks for the responses to date. You guys are the best.
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I’ll second the Triangle Borea BR03. I currently have a pair of these on stands, but being front ported they are equally suited for shelves. They are a really great looking speaker especially with grilles off. Bit of an old school throwback looking speaker. The great part is they are easy to drive and won’t tax even the most modest of receivers. |
that large space, I would go for larger speakers, reminder the AR-2ax have 10" woofers. more efficient an advantage, depending on what he buys, be ready to try adding a sub or stereo pair of subs located in-line below the speakers, as it is both primary and overtones of bass notes that give directionality and establishes and maintains imaging. ....................................................... blocked rear ports: IF you find some nearby (avoid pay for shipping) great speakers with rear ports, as mentioned, just stuff them closed. not little speakers with ports, they need them, and not big enough for that space anyway. I have two sets of blocked rear ports due to their current locations. main system, 15" woofers, rear port was open in prior location with no rear wall behind, closed them when I moved here with a rear wall and nearby corners. video system: rear surround speakers, rear ports stuffed, they lay on their backs, fire up the slot between the back of the sofa and the wall 6" behind.
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Only alternative for a true bookshelf speaker with no rear port: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA8_1PFUAaU&ab_channel=CharlesKeng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwpIYFWDfQ8&ab_channel=MyHifiNews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up6ZpOGt66E&ab_channel=CharlesKeng https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQYP2Qm2pAw&ab_channel=MinhHoanVu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFRAoSSsv8g&ab_channel=MyHifiNews https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDYgTI-czog&t=51s&ab_channel=TMRAudio With a rear port / passive radiator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DgNqgVGrTo&ab_channel=HiFiFan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apn-LzZEBdY&ab_channel=StereoChannel But may need a sub(s) with either to warm it up a bit...
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One of the most lauded 'true' bookshelf speakers today is the new EPOS ES-7N. Front ported and with a switch to enable bookshelf positioning. Product of the year from What HiFi 2024 $2195 USD $2895 Canadian $ https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/epos-es-7n This is a Karl-Heinz Fink design (he owns the brand) and Karl-Heinz is one of the busiest speaker designers out there.
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. I had these Sonus Faber Veneres on the shelf at one point and worked great. The slotted port is on the front of the speaker.
