Versatile, non-fatiguing speakers for a small room under $1500 used or new: advice needed!


Hi, first post here! And not a very original one, my apologies!:)

So after years of listening to music through miscellaneous mid-fi solutions, I am finally thinking about dipping my toes in hi-fi audio and putting together a dedicated stereo setup. Currently I am looking at speakers, and my head is already aching from the abundance of options, so I am looking for suggestions from you guys, primarily from those of you who have had first-hand experience building a stereo in a small room like mine and achieved results they are happy with.

My room is pretty small (approx. 13’ x 10’), and I will be placing my speakers along the long wall. My listening position will be 6 feet away, give or take; plus the speakers will have to sit fairly close to the front wall. 15 inches from the back of the speaker would be nice, but if needed, I definitely I could move them out farther into the room (up to 20 inches from the back of the speaker), for listening sessions and then move them back again. There are several rows of shelves , filled with CDs and stuff, in the middle of the back wall above my head (not wall-to-wall though) - would that work as dispersion? I’m thinking of applying some room treatment behind the speakers, and on the right-hand side wall as well (if needed) - on the left hand side is a window covered with thick curtains.

Budget: under $1500 used or new.
I listen to all kinds of music, primarily rock of all eras and subgenres (blues/folk/prog/hard/art/psych/indie, etc), jazz, blues, classical, acoustic, singer-songwriters, female vocal, 80s new wave/post punk, some heavy metal. So the speakers need to be as versatile as possible. As someone who likes rock music, the bass is important, but I live in an apartment (neighbors!), so I have to find the right balance there as I don’t want to overload the room - the bass has to be there but under control and not boomy. I want as big a sound as possible in my small room without overpowering it. In general, I’m looking for engaging, non-fatiguing, dynamic sound with good midrange and tone, with enough punch to rock out when needed, nuance to play softer, more sparse types of music, and resolution so the details in fast complex passages don’t get lost or smeared. Not a fan of excessive brightness, sibilance, or harshness in the upper midrange.

I’m primarily looking at standmounts, but maybe certain smaller floorstanders would be fine? I’ve seen opinions claiming floorstanders are the way to go, regardless of the size of the room. What do you think would be preferable in my situation - apartment with neighbors, 13’x10’ room, long wall positioning, distance to speakers about 6 feet, maybe less?

Thanks!
mermaid_smiles
I auditioned a number of speaker systems through my upper-tier C-J pre-amp, C-J amp, and Lampizator DAC tubed system and I keep coming back to the almost-crossoverless design of the Gallo Reference 3.1 (which is now discontinued).  You can get a similar sound profile (fast response, huge soundstage, non-boxy, non-fatiguing output) with a pair of Gallo Strada 2 speakers combined with the Gallo TR-3 subwoofer (the latter outputting very taut, controlled bass). The physical footprint of this system is very small-room friendly while providing a full, uncolored, dynamic sound that excells in near-field listening.  And the Stradas look pretty dang cool on their optional floor stands. Buying used can get you pretty close to your $1500 price point. Good luck!
Grab a pair of Spendor SP2/2.  Great sound and you'll be laughing all the way back to the bank!
Totem Hawks have a small footprint and tremendous bass. Should be able to pick up used in your price range.
@ab2ab

Grab a pair of Spendor SP2/2. Great sound and you’ll be laughing all the way back to the bank!


So true!!! ... I still have my 30 year old pair of sp 2/2 preludes... they are worth what, $500 the pair these days?

i thought of selling them, but they are in my second home study, driven my a lowly sonos streaming amp... when i listen to them, i just smile... like our best comfort food from our childhoods, makes one feel instantly warm fuzzy comfortable... they just sound good, elicit broad smiles, you just listen to music - no hifi bs, it is whole, natural, warm and dimensional
mermaid_smiles
Re: the Wharfedale EVO4.2, I was considering them, too, but bumped up to the 4.3, saving the cost of stands and putting it into a second midwoofer. I've turned my sub off with the 4.3s. And, if you're worried about the size, check the specs; they are small form "towers" - smaller footprint than the standmounts they replace.