Very small, warm and dynamic speakers


I am setting up the bedroom/office system. This will be mostly for Spotify when not attending meetings, and for late night music such as jazz, indie folk, lo-fi etc. Ideally I wanna get a Totem Model 1 Signature, but I can't find good, used ones. My Budget for this is $1000, and the speakers will be powered by a Leak Stereo 130.  The speakers have to be placed on my desk, close to the walls, so they shouldn't be huge and rear ported. Size matters in this case, but should still be highly resolving and dynamic speakers. But I am ok with them being warm and musical, essentially it's OK for them to be colored. I am actually looking for that British style of sound.
nitewulf

Showing 5 responses by nitewulf

@david_ten , how have you been? I'm doing well considering the global situation.  For this pair of speakers, to be honest, I want something very small and sweet sounding, basically like the Totem Model 1 SEs, or similar sounding speakers. I'm ok with bass trailing off at 60hz or treble rolling off at 14KHz, as for resolution, I've found "well made" two way monitors to always be very resolving. The constraints are either they have to be front ported or be portless, I think that's really the main issue.

@hoytis, yes the current model, but older ones may be within budget. I've heard one way back when I first got into the hobby, and it sounded quite nice.

The problem is I am not seeing any applicable speakers for sale in used condition so I may have to opt for a new pair, which is absolutely fine, but it limits my options.

Would love to check out a P3ESR or a Spendor S3/5.
@david_ten , yep those look good, I am currently using tiny single driver speakers actually. I am also interested in the smallest model by Omega. I will have to look into that.
@calvinandhobbes, I haven't heard the base Model 1, but the Model 1 Signatures, yes.  That was a special speaker, some of the best holographic imaging I have ever heard - that's why I keep looking for a pair. 
I will look into the Dali Minuets as well. I do like Dali speakers.
After a lot of searching, I was able to setup my bedroom/office system.

https://imgur.com/ShhbnpO

https://imgur.com/nqQjoty

https://imgur.com/Rc5K1nN

https://imgur.com/7LoFAOG

I wasn't able to find the Totems in the condition/color I wanted. I wasn't able to get any of the British stuff within budget either: Harbeth, ProAc etc.  

I was always intrigued by Audio Physics, and heard a pair of Joachim Gerhardt Sonics Arkadias when I stepped into the audio world. The Arkadias sounded amazing but I was influenced by a dealer into buying Dynaudios, which was a mistake. 

So I searched out his recent designs, currently he collaborates with a furniture builder who builds the cabinets and Joachim Designs the speakers. These are essentially the current versions of the Sonics Anima speakers. I snagged a pair in Zebrano finish. But initial setup wasn't proper, just by the monitor on my desk. Too close to the walls and to each other. They sounded too boomy, I definitely needed to put them on stands. 

Fellow Audiogoner Terry built me the wonderful stands to my specification. Not only do they look beautiful, they complement the room, the speakers and now I was able to set them up more properly. Not perfect positioning mind you, as typically I would give them more space on the back, but that's just not possible in my bedrom. And this is a work meeting, conference calls and listening to music while working setup, so practicality applies.

However, they sound amazing now. Completely disappear. Amazing nuanced, details just emanate from them when all is quiet, at night. They are a bit warm, just like I prefer, and these small speakers do not go down super low. But boy do they sound good, and fill up the space. And they are driven very well by the 45 WPC Leak Stereo 130, which itself is a great kit for this kind of setup. Spotify -> Bluetooth -> Amp -> Speakers. Done.