World's best small speaker?

It depends on what you call small. I haven't had the opportunity to try any really expensive speakers in my rig. I just never thought it was worth it. In my system, I'm limited to about a 12.5" overall height and they have to sit on shelves in an entertainment center.

After a lot of shopping around, I settled on the Silverline Minuet Supreme Plus. It is very small, with a midbass driver in the neighborhood of about 3.5". This little speaker doesn't do everything, but it does what it can very well, without doing very much wrong.

It is also very forgiving in terms of placement.

Best is very subjective. Not too happy with Magico - way too expensive IMHO and it has a sound that polarizes - many think its brittle - but some love it.

My favorite small speaker is the Lenehan ML1 Reference. But again it polarizes; check out the following review:
http://www.stereomojo.com/LENEHAN%20ML1%20REFERENCE%20SPEAKER%20REVIEW/LenehandML1ReferenceSpeaker.htm

One reviewer - best mini-monitor he ever reviewed - he wants to shout it far and wide how good it is - another - ho hum.

Sorry there is no way to answer your question - you must go out and listen to stuff - that's the only way.

And when you do that make sure you post about it so others can benefit. You wouldn't know that many people are less than enamoured with Magico for example unless people post about it. From the reviews you would think its the greatest thing since sliced bread.

It is a very very sad fact that reviews of products like the ML1 I posted are virtually non existent yet anyone that listens to gear with others knows someone can love a bit of gear and another, listening to exactly the same thing, can walk away shaking their head. And measurements wont help either - the ML1 measures pretty close to flawless - as does the Magico - but sound entirely different.

Thanks
Bill

So far the best small speaker I have heard is the High Emotion Audio Bella Twin. It is 16 ohms, about 93 db 1 watt/1 meter, honest to 36 hertz and has a tweeter that is easily one of the best in the world (its a sort of bending-ribbon driver with a dispersion angle of 120 degrees to both front and rear), crossed over at about 2KHz. The cabinet is well made and very non-resonant. It employs passive rear-firing radiators and seems to work best placed about 1.5 to 2.5 feet from the wall behind it.

This speaker is easy to drive, extremely accurate but non-fatiguing, very fast, and due to the tweeter has the a very wide sweet spot. If you hear it on this speaker its real, if you don't hear it on this speaker its either not there or its deep bass. We can drive it with 30 watts with ease. IMO the biggest weakness is that the dynamic range is limited by the excursion of the woofers; they do make a sub for it which I have not tried.

This speaker is an excellent monitor due to its extreme accuracy and the ease of driving it. We use a different version of this speaker as a near-field monitor in our recording studio.

Please try Franco Serblin Accordo. You will be surprised how exceptional they are.

@Milimetr, have you heard he Accordos? I am thinking about upgrading my SF Auditors to perhaps some used Guarneri Mementos or the Accordos. I would love to hear your thoughts on the Accordos.

There's no question about the little Silverlines, they're great, I've owned them. Just by chance I bought a pair of Tetra 120u's, they also deserve the best. Both very outstanding. Man, if I had choice...that's a tough one.

KEF LS50 and its only $1500

Another vote for the Serblin Accordos.

It's a little late for a comment, but l just bought a set of Accordos. I purchased them without hearing or seeing them in person. Let me tell you there everything l expected and more.there brilliant with the crossovers inside the stands,the looks,the solid walnut cabinets are exquisite. I love the way a silk tweeter and a cut paper midrange sound...l use them for near field listening. Mostly female vocals..piano.jazz l would describe them as having a very delicate, refined sound...there a personal speaker for only the finest recordings.....l think they could hang with the finest small speakers ever made...lf you like a hot tweeter and alot of punch these are not for you...lf you like seductive warm sound that makes you cry these will do it...

"Best" in Hi-Fi implies that the product has a lot of visibility, a lot of reviews and a lot of hype. Looking at the speakers above, I know that I'm not playing in the same league with my setup. The word "best" is an invitation to be dishonest with yourself. Do you get the best measuring speakers, the most expensive or the most engineered? Like someone already said, it's subjective and you have to get out there and listen. 

However, I have a similar experience as @vinnydabully with my tiny transmission line fullrange driver (Yeah this makes audiophiles cringe) bookshelf speakers from Poland (from a brand absolutely nobody cares for). And I also listen in near-field mostly. No crossover. I added a REL T5x sub for more bass performance. Am I really missing out compared to other speakers far more expensive? 

 

It's all what you prefer...one popular audio reviewer said the Kef LS50 meta will go down as one of the most significant audio products ever produced...and l agree...l own a set...Trombone shorty sounds better on those than the Accordos....but play Diana Krall, no match...lve spent time with Borresen speakers, MBL, those things will do amazing things ..its what you like... I prefer the Accordos..l would describe them as modern old school at its best.....they have the most unique cabinet that only Franco Serbin could have created....there so attractive you could use them as a focal point in a room...IMO