Klipsch Heresy IV vs. The World!

Omega's should be on your list for sure, different sound albeit. I am a staunch supporter of small business. The Pi recommendation is really in your wheel house. Also similar, Audiokinesis has some offerings that you may like. Again the designer, Duke LeJeune, designs speakers based on horns and high efficiency. Check out James Romeyn's site, he is the distributor for Audiokinesis. Or, just reach out to Duke, he is extremely welcoming and knows his sh_t.

@scotandholly thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check those out. Also talking to Louis at Omega about my needs. Hard to pull the trigger on speakers you haven't heard that have almost no reviews. 

Well I didn't get in before you pulled the trigger.

If the Devore's don't stick around... I would try Wayne Parham at Pi Speakers in Bella Vista, Arizona. He has a few models that fit your request. They are custom made and you have options on driver choices based on your budget. They are built well and are efficient enough for your Manley kit.

That all checks out. Just got a pair of o/93 but not sure if they will be able to stick around. They sound amazing but looks massive next to the little Heresys. If I can't make them stick I will probably try a pair of REL T/zeros with the Heresys.  

I just added a "slim" sub to my room and it works great, you can slide it under a sofa, wall mount, or stick it in a corner:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=35847

For 300B you'll need either gigantic speakers to get full range sound or subs.  There's no way around the physics of watts / speaker size / bass.  You only get to pick 2.  If you keep the 300b, and want a fairly small cabinet, you are going to need subs if you want decent bass. 

OP

Does anyone know of a shorty speaker that offers world class performance?

HERESY IV https://youtu.be/Q2wJ1T2JoCY?t=68

DV Orangutan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0noojjZDbP4&t=70s

Wavetouch bookshelf speaker https://youtu.be/UhHeVwQ__yQ?t=48

JBL 4349 https://youtu.be/t5d1ynxqC-Y?t=145

Alex/Wavetouch

Interesting on the ratings. Lots of snake oil out there.

Ah, good points. In recent comparisons I've found the DeVore 93db rated speakers to require significantly more drive than the theoretically 99db rated Heresy.

Yes just have to try them and see. Buy used, open boxes 40% off are not too hard to find either. Music direct has open boxes that are returnable but there might be a hefty restocking fee so read the details (I have bought from them without issue). I don’t care for the looks of the JBL, their grill is pretty bad too with old school pins. They sound fantastic though.

Keep in mind Klispch uses 1/2 space testing which is basically corning loading the speaker in a room when testing so take 6db off their efficacy rating. They are probably more like 93db not 99. It is a small foot note on their spec sheet.

so they are more like 93db not 99. The JBL is 91. So if the Klispch uses 5 watts (super loud by the way) the JBL would be using 6.5 watts.

for what it is worth I own a 90db speaker and a 93 db speaker and the meters on my McIntosh amp are basically in the same spot on both when listen (if those are to be trusted?).

Anyway I am only guessing on the 4349 but I chose the 4367 over the Cornwall IV even though it is a much higher cost.

the drivers in the 4329 are next level compared to most everything in their price range and honestly the duel diaphragm compression drive might be one of the highest tech drivers on the market.

both speakers have some measured issues. The 4349 has a hole near the crossover and the Klispch is pretty riddled with resonances through the entire frequency response, a little tipped up in the highs and rolled off in the bass.

https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/klipsch_heresy_iv/

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jbl-4349-review-studio-monitor-speaker.22686/

@ajelec the JBL 4349 seem like real contenders. Much less efficient than the Klipsch which limits amplification options significantly. And as you point out, not the prettiest. I've heard most of the heritage line and properly amped they are all pretty amazing preformers, especially the like of the Klipschhorn, that obviously much too big for my space. 

The JBL 4329 on their stands are about the same size. They don’t look as good nor I have I heard them but hearing the entire Klipsch line and owning the JBL 4367, there is not a doubt in my mind the 4329 is much better. A few pairs use on audio mart.