Smallest Bookshelf Speaker Worth Listening To

I am sure there are smaller, but the ProAc 1SC is a world class speaker, within its frequency limitations, and quite small.

I bought a friend a set of the Axiom Millenium 3Ti bookshelf speakers, I broke them in and gave them a good listen. I thought they were great as the highs were especially nice, very extended without a bit of harshness. They easily bettered a set of Mission 731i speakers I have. As long as you don't mind giving up deep bass these speakers are awesome, plus they retail for only 275.00.

There a quite a few companies that make smaller bookshelf speakers. Off the top of my head:

Pro Ac Tablet
Paradigm Mini Monitor
Linn Tukan
Dynaduio (I forget which model)
B&W DM303

Just to name a few.

After listening to numerous small monitors I can say with confidence that the the ProAc 1SC is in indeed world class....especially w/ tubes particularly Audio Research.

New B&W DM600 series 3. About $300-$350. They can be mounted to a wall.

http://www.bwspeakers.com

There's only one small speaker worth owning, but it ain't cheap - the Dynaudio Contour 1.3SE at $3500 pr. retail. They are, without doubt, the best available sound at twice the price, and they have useful bottom end extension. In a small room, you won't need a subwoofer. In a large room with a quality sub, you'll wonder why people bother to buy large speakers. If money's an issue, then go for the 1.3 MkIIs, which beat out any small monitor for less than $3500. If you haven't heard the 1.3 in either version, you haven't heard good sound.

I really like the Samadhi Acoustics Magic Cube, designed by Dick Olsher with WAF consulting provided by Lesley. The Cube is 7.75" on a side, and it is worth listening to. Whether it's the smallest speaker "worth listening to", I dunno. I don't sell it, but I do recommend it.

I'm really enjoying my Silverline SP12's. A tad over 6" wide by 8" deep and about 10" high. The imaging is excellent and the sound can be absolutely striking on some recordings. There is a rear port however which may be a consideration if you really want to put them on a bookshelf. They are very well finished enhancing the WAF. The sound is consistently well balanced from very quiet background music to loud listening in a small room. Roger Waters' dog is behind my right ear with these babies.

ELAC 310 JET is the smallest of them all and goes down to 40HZ.

There's another $3500 Danish wonder bookshelf that has impressed me more than the Sonus Faber Electa Amators, ProAc 1SC's, Dynaudio 1.3SE's or B&W N805's ever did in my system...they're the System Audio SA2K speakers. See them at http://www.system-audio.com/showpage.asp?siteid=2&id=312

Power handling: 200 Watt
Impedance: 4 Ohm (easy load)
Frequency response (+/- 1.5 dB): 40-30.000 Hz
Sensitivity (1W, 1m): 87 dB
Crossover frequency: 3000 Hz (24 dB/oct. Linkwitz/Riley)
Dimensions (WxHxD) cm: 19.5x34.5x30 (in: 7.7x13.7x12)
Woofer: System Audio W2K (custom Scan Speak)
Tweeter: System Audio TK (custom Scan Speak)
Finish: Maple (real wood). Other finishes available on order

I've had them since the January CES where they sounded incredible with the new BAT integrated. I brought them home and am using a Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and Kora Eclipse preamp with them and don't need a subwoofer to feel the Chinese drums on the final track of the Burmester III CD nor a piano in my living room to bring Melissa Walker to life in my living room on the first track.

Spendor S3/5 $900/pr. and ATC SCM 7 $1100/pr. The ATCs are very dynamic and open.

Try the Vienna Acoustics Hayden. Beautiful build and great sound.

Spendor S3/5 - Audio Physic Anniversary Step - Aerial Acoustics Model 5.

All VERY small, relatively affordable (especially used) and incredibly musical.

Westlake Lc4.75

I've mentioned the Sequerra Pyramid MET-7 monitors before on this forum, and I think they are among the finest small speakers ever made. Richard Sequerra is, of course, one of the great designers in high-end audio, probably best known for his Sequerra tuner. The current version of the speaker is the 7.7, and it's an outstanding performer.

I agree with Sam Tellig on this model. Has lightning fast, crisp highs. A lush midrange and the best part, it retails for $500!! The one problem is that the drivers are so stiff, they take forever to break in.

Jewel Cubes all the way from you know who! (you know im just kidding right?)

Silverline SR-11's or 12's would be my recommendation, Great dynamics for their size, though limited in bass. If you can't afford the Dynaudio's, and don't have the power to drive them either, Silverline is a safe and great sounding bet (I have the 12's).

Todd.

Unbelievable speaker. Great image and powerful bass with good Class A SS. In a small room they simply sound huge and transparent. Not bad to look at,either.

The LS3/5a is 12" tall.

i cant believe no one has mentioned the Totem Model Sig.

I own both the ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures and Response 1SCs and think they're magnificent. Much more refined and bigger sound than I thought possible from such little boxes. I usually run them with a sub, but often turn it off to enjoy the purity of these monitors.

Spendor S3/5, S3 or the JMR Twins...

I second System audio & LS3/5A. The size of S-Audio is inversely proportional to the size of the amp that will drive them to perfection. The cost is comparable! They're supposed to be mega-speakers for a small room -- the idea being that a small room can acommodate the appropriate amplifier...
Audio Physic Steps are also nice, & the Triangle & JMR are pleasant performers for a VERY pleasant price, IMO.

Sequerra Payramid MET-7 ($1,100) link:
http://www.sequerra.com/prosound/data/index.html

Totem Acustics Tabu are wonderful for jazz and classical.

GR Research Paradox 1

Acoustic Energy Aegis 3 speaker active speaker system are 4-6" high. Don't know if these were mentioned above.