Seeking Bookshelf Recommendations

We have about same power, 50 watt class A audio hungary. Be careful on efficiency you don’t want any regrets. I had pulsars with this amp sounded very nice but better with more power and current. 
 

I like the reference 3a Decappo’s and Reflectors  with the 50 watts very much. Little more efficient. Not sure if 92db is correct but easier to drive. 

+1 Buchardt S400 Mk II which I believe it has been recommended.

If your amp is tube my choice is Omega Alnico. If your amp is solid state T least 100 w I go with Borensen x1 . Kef meta is a good one.

I like several of these suggestions.- especially the Harbeths and the Magnepan LRS+. I’ve got both and a few more, but these are my choices.

Of these I prefer the LRS+ because with the right electronics there are few competitors <10+ times its cost. The detail resolution, staging and imaging are as good as it gets at any price (provided you’ve got the right electronics).

It’s not a “bookshelf speaker” - but, it’s light and easy to move and nothing really compares. And they’re great in a smaller room, because they’re small.

What you might do… is… get a pair to fill in until you decide what you want… and… then either keep the or sell them when your think you’ve found the answer.

They’re easy to sell, if you decide to do that.

You won’t be disappointed!

If the budget is 3k and you have pre-existing good amplification and subs, the Magnepan LRS+ would be a bit of a nobrainer for a 1000 bucks (as others have suggested). Traits of magnepans are well known.

Hmmm, another good option could be the Emotiva XT3 floorstander for 2000 dollars (Made in Tennessee!!). This seems to be a fairly unique speaker (for this price) with a very high level of resolution, clarity, imaging capabilities and significant bass output/extension that could remind you of some expensive speakers. You may not even need your Rel subs (which are not some infrasonic miracle, to begin with) in a smaller room.

What’s the fascination with a bookshelf anyways? After you put it on some stand, it takes the same footprint as a floorstander and you have to deal with a goofy rickety thing known as the speaker stand! (not to mention that some woofer in these goofy 2-way bookshelfs has to play up into the midrange, drops resolution/clarity, wimpy soundpower, increased distortion, etc). Bookshelf speakers are not the greatest idea unless you spend big bucks on a bookshelf to overcome some inherent disadvantages.

I use stand mounts cause a floor stand speaker would overwhelm my listening space.  My stand mounts can overwhelm it as well at volumes above 80db.  While a stand mount and floor stander might take up the same footprint the stand mount doesn’t take up the same space visually in the room.  Floor standers would feel much larger in my room.  My speaker stands are neither goofy nor rickety either. I’m not fascinated by stand mounts it is just a practical trade off given the constraints of my room. 

This thread has taken off a bit in the few days I’ve been away. Thanks for all the suggestions. At this point I’ve kind of narrowed it down to Pulsars, Fritz Carreras, or Reference 3a de capo be. Out of the three I’m leaning towards Fritz but a lot cans depend on what pops up at a good price really. The Magnepans and other open baffles are very intriguing to me and I hope to play with them one day. With my current room though I think it could work out or it may not.  I’d rather go with more of a sure thing I guess. Anyways I’m really digging on the Fritz and may just have to check out the Pulsars another time. 

Overloading a room with a larger speaker is a myth
 

Maybe.  Maybe I don’t mean overload but I certainly don’t have the space to take advantage of what a floor standing speaker would provide.  I just know when I turn it up past 80db or so it’s just too loud for my room, or maybe just me, and I prefer it at a lower volume.  I have treated my room and it measures well outside of some bass treatment I need to tame a bump at 50hz.  The stand mount is just easier to integrate imho.  I would love to have some floor standers, however, I think I’d just be spending money to have speakers I can’t get the most out of due to my small room.  I’m certainly open to being convinced that I’m wrong and could find a three way stand mount that can work in a small space.

@brylandgoodman you will not be disappointed with the Fritz.

Regarding the size of the room... the LRS+ requires a room about 10 x 10+. Their sound is optimized in about a 7’ equilateral triangle with the speakers about 2’ from the rear wall. And, because of the small size and light weight you can move them back and forth out of the way very easily.

Admittedly - that’s not as convenient a bookshelf speakers on a bookshelf or table, but it’s no less convenient than bookshelf speakers on stands.

And... there is absolutely no comparison in the sound quality. Not even close...

I have the Fritz Carrera BE's..  I bought the Pulsar graphene's to upgrade from the Fritz's.  The Pulsars sounded really good, but for the price difference, it didn't seem to be that much of an upgrade. I traded the Pulsars in for the Perspective graphenes, now there was a difference, as it should be for almost 5 times as much as the Fritz's. I still have the Fritz's  in my office.  I cannot get rid of them.  They are so good, especially for the price.  Highly recommended. 

I’ve talked to a guy that had gone from the de cappo to the Fritz and preferred the Fritz. I have never heard the Fritz but have almost bought a pair a couple times. Talked with Fritz on the phone super nice guy don’t think you can go wrong with his speaker and resale is pretty easy. Find a used pair.

Regarding the size of the room... the LRS+ requires a room about 10 x 10+. Their sound is optimized in about a 7’ equilateral triangle with the speakers about 2’ from the rear wall. And, because of the small size and light weight you can move them back and forth out of the way very easily.

Admittedly - that’s not as convenient a bookshelf speakers on a bookshelf or table, but it’s no less convenient than bookshelf speakers on stands.

And... there is absolutely no comparison in the sound quality. Not even close...

100% agree, I have mine in a 12 x 11 x 9 room + 4 extra feet from a closet.

Agree. ATC speakers are superbly crafted, and accurate. Imaging is excellent.

ATC are heavily used in recording studios. You can add a sub later to extend the bass: e.g, Dynaudio 18s

I have had the JA Pulsars and a REL T10X sub for the last five years. Both in piano black. A superb combo. Will play very big for their size. Have decided to simplify my life and my audio system. 

@bubinga I've never heard of REL T10X. I have dual T/9X. Are those an older model?

Don’t sleep on Reference 3A, they are spectacular!

Hmm, perhaps a used pair of Alta Alyssa speakers (32hz to 47khz +/- 3dB).

Another great thing about Fritz is you get to talk to the guy who makes the speakers, and he's happy to talk for hours about speakers or anything else and happy to answer any questions you might have... 

Given your quest, I support the Fritz recommendations. I use both the LRS+ and Fritz Carbon 7SEs in my 11x15' room. You would need different amplification for the LRS+s.

OP with your tube amp Omega speakers will work well.If you are not for the looks the Tekton impact monitor loves tubes. If you live in the Chicago area you can try my Tekton monitor impact.

Great thread.  👍   LRS's are awesome in the right application but not what I'd recommend.

I've had the Carrera be's, original tweeter and revised, and I've heard pulsar.  For the money go fritz.  Fritz is awesome to workwith as well.  Honestly, he's the best 👌.   He knows drivers and crossovers well and builds fantastic cabs.  He does it all himself.  I'd even consider any of his other speakers too, not just the Carreras.  

ATC might work well for you too.  SCM 11?

I would seriously consider the PS AUDIO FR5. They have gotten excellent reviews.

By the way... if the LRS+ really is not an option... the best stand mount monitor / "bookshelf" speaker I think I’ve heard is the Legacy Calibre. It’s a semi-open baffle, dipole speaker that sounds a lot like the other Legacy speakers (e.g. Aeris, Focus, etc.), all of which are simply "world-class" with few competitors.

I’ve got the XD version (internal amplification, but can be used with external amplification). Makes for a very clean installation with just a good streamer / preamp / integrated on the shelf / desk - very life-like, big sound!

It rivals the sound of the LRS+... I think I like the balance of the LRS+ better - a bit lighter mids and bass with a very open, airy sound. The Calibre has an equally open / airy sound but with more weight and slam in the mids and bass. Which the LRS+ can have with the addition of subs.  Just depends on what you prefer and how much you want to disturb the neighbors....