High end bookshelf speakers for Small room
I have to downsize my listening room. Looking to get a pair of bookshelf speakers for a room size 13x14 which has furniture carpet and I plan to do some acoustic treatment if needed. Would love to get some subs as well. Currently I have rels510 which might be too much for this small room..
My audio chain - Aurender N20, dCS Rossini + clock, luxman509z amp.
Music preference - Acoustic, rock, pop, piano, instrumental.. pretty much different genres.
Sound preference - bold close to you vocals, clean detailed sound. Slightly warm is fine.
Current candidates - TAD ME/CE, Joseph audio pulsar2, dynaaudio, Sonia Faber..
Any inputs here are much appreciated.. thanks in advance
With respect to your initial list, I've had the pleasure of listening to pairs of Dynaudio C1 Platinum, Heritage Specials, and the older non-20i version of the Contour 20. I think any of these might be great candidates, but some seat time might be needed to sort them for yourself. The tweeters are wonderful. I have not yet heard any of the other lines, but Joseph Audio would be on my short list to seek out.
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Based on what you described you are looking for sonically, the Alta Audio Alyssa’s check all the boxes, they’ll fill the room with sound and likely not need a sub. Lots of great options provided in the thread covering speakers in a wide budget range. Out of all the speakers mentioned, the Fleetwood Devilles look amazing. I’ve never heard them but have only read extremely positive reviews, comments. Lot’s of choices offered up, good luck. |
Someone else mentioned this as well but the PS Audio FR5 is well worth a listen. It beat out to my ear many a larger speaker when I head them demo'd at Axpona in the spring and they are getting very good reviews. |
Just like several other speaker makers I noticed the woofer looks too big for the cabinet on the Maxima Amator and bulges into the corner rounding area of the cabinet. I have never liked that look. Why can’t they just make the cabinet bigger to accommodate the driver size. Is this done on purpose as they think it’s a good look ? |
Look at the ATC bookshelf range: https://atc.audio/hi-fi/loudspeakers/entry-series/scm7-mk3/ Great imaging, very accurate - which is why so many recording studios use this brand for monitors. Good value for $ too. |
There are many great speakers that have already been mentioned (I’ve heard amazing things about the Fleetwood Devilles). But here are two more for your consideration: 1. Raven Audio Corvus Reference Monitors - I am currently running these in my system and after researching/auditioning several speakers, these were by far the best - transparent, liquid mid range, dead center image, and especially excellent with vocals. They are on the big side for bookshelves, which gives them the ’disappear in the room’ quality of bookshelves AND the resolution and clarity of floor standers. Finally, because they use a sealed enclosure, you can put them right up against a wall/bookcases which is really important for me considering my listening room is 12X12 and filled with bookcases. These speakers are used in recording and mixing studios around the world... I can’t recommend them enough. 2. KEF LS50 Metas - While typically not thought of in the same tier as some of the other speakers on this thread, I think you have to give them an audition. These are amazing speakers for their size (especially if you’re running them with subs in your system). While I ended up keeping the Raven Audio Studio Monitors, I had a hard time letting the LS50 Metas go (especially considering their price!). I think these might be the best value for dollar in the entire Hifi universe. Completely transparent and extremely cohesive sound. Here is my full review of both speakers: good luck! |
I be not heard many of the speakers mentioned but did really enjoy the TAD compact Evolutions the couple times I listen to them. Incredibly full range & “live music” sounding for such a small speaker. They’re probably about the most pricey of those mentioned but if you can afford them, I would try to give them a listen. |
For a compact room, the Dutch & Dutch 8c speakers, which are specifically designed to be placed close to the wall, would be a solid choice among all class-A recommendations. Considering your excellent digital front-end setup, the D&D 8c could allow you to streamline your system by moving the Luxman out of the way, creating more space for your music listening. In a smaller space, simplicity can truly enhance the beauty of your setup. For its sonical characteristics, carefully review the followings: https://www.stereophile.com/content/dutch-dutch-8c-active-loudspeaker-system https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/dutch_dutch_8c/
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Definitely the Sonus Faber Maxima Amator. Though a floorstander, it is very slim, only a couple inches taller than a bookshelf on stands and takes up less floor space. You won’t need subs (which will clutter up and may overload the room) with these as they will do a hearty low C (32.7 Hz). More neutral than the other SF standmounts mentioned here without losing the gorgeousness of their smaller brethren. It mates beautifully with Luxman integrateds as my experience with my L-590AxII will attest. And the speakers are stunningly beautiful. |
Hi, I can tell you from experience the Fleetwood Deville SQ are a great choice. They look good, sound amazing, very well balanced and you can listen for hours without any musical fatigue.My wife and I just love them.After many years of trial and error with gears and cables coming and going,finally I have reached my goal where we get totally engaged in our music sessions. My system is as follows, Shindo Masetto and Shindo Montille CV391,Weiss 501 DAC with Aqua LinQ transporter Shindo Mr.T, Synergistic Research switch,Wand 14.4 Master and all my cabling AC and interconnects,speaker cables, Luna Rouge (Red). This fo me was the best synergy I ever got with my system. You will not regret your choice with the high quality gear you have as well. Cheers!
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I haven't heard most of the speakers mentionned in this thread so I'll suggest the one I own and loved very very much for the eact quality you are looking for: |
I have a 509Z paired with these: Fritz Carrera BE Specifications (fritzspeakers.com) Call Fritz and ask his recommendation. I gave up my Harbeth SHL5s for these and am not looking back. I also use an Aurender A20 for streaming/DAC. My analogue system is a Thorens TD-1601 with an Ortofon Cadenza Blue which is nearly a perfect match for the phono stage in the 509Z. |
Borreson is pretty nice even with the Chinese made cabinets on those entry level models... But I personally try to keep China stuff out of my hifi and my golf bag, I have enough Chinese made crap that I can't avoid Look at JMR (Jean Marie Reynaud) out of France, they have some great stuff and I have a older pair for my desktop system, they sound so musical and non fatiguing, very smooth and I like that they are front ported (at least my Trente's are)... Underrated really Or maybe the Kef Reference 1 Meta, but those are up around $9k list without the stands |
It’d be most helpful to know what speakers you’re using now and if that’s the sound you’re trying to replicate. That said, you’ve already got some great options. Given what you’re looking for ProAc would be near or at the top of my list along with Sonus Faber and possibly Harbeth, and QLN is worth a look too. Best of luck. |
My favorites: Legacy Calibre - you lose nothing to a floorstander: ProAc Tablette - spooky imaging https://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/products/?category=proac_tablette
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I do NOT equate any "slightly warm"speaker with "bold,close to you vocals"... |
