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Great Small Room Speakers for $3-5k

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade from my current speakers (Zu Audio Omen) in my small room (13x10x7: WxLxH) and willing to spend $3-5k. I'm looking for a slightly more transparent speaker than the Zu's and also a smaller speaker. I'm open to new and used speakers. So, I've turned my attention to bookshelf speakers and small footprint floorstanders. I have a Rel subwoofer to buttress low end. Most of my listening these days focuses on blues, soul and R&B, classic rock, and alternative hip-hop. 

My system is: Rogue Audio Sphinx v3, Bluesound Node 2i, Rega P3 TT, Rel T7/X sub.

My nearest Hifi shop focuses on Harbeth, Spendor, and KEF. So far, I've liked the Harbeth P3ESR and Compact 7s and the Spendor A4. But, I'm curious to get other suggestions. I've been interested in the Devore Fidelity O'Baby but are just above my price range and can't be demoed right now.

Does anyone have experience with those aforementioned speakers in a small room? What else should I consider for a smallish room in this price range?

nickamland
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nickamland OP
11 posts
 

Thanks for the input so far. I’ve never heard Joseph or Fritz but I don’t think any local dealer has them in store. The aesthetic of B&W has never really appealed to me. I’ve been curious about the MoFi SourcePoint 10, though its large physical size might make it feel out of place.

There seems to be a bit of confluence around the Harbeth P3 and the KEF LS50.

In full transparency, I bought a pair of the KEF LS50 last year and in the end, liked the Zu speakers more. But, this was not the LS50 Meta version and I didn’t yet have a sub. I think I should demo them side by side with the Harbeths.

I left a demo a few weeks ago excited by the Harbeths until I read this review from Darko which painted them as dainty and polite. My musical focus right now is not really on vocal, acoustic, or jazz, so that waned my excitement. Ultimately, I haven’t been in this audiophile game long and haven’t listened to that many speakers. So, I’m feeling weary about making an uninformed or inexperienced decision.

Has anyone had experience with the Harbeth P3 or LS50 and the Chartwell Audio LS35a or LS6? Or with the Devore O’Baby? Or the Triangle Comete? What are your takeaways?

Am I going about this wrong?

joey54
431 posts
 

I would add the Vandersteen VLR CT to your list. It's an exceptional bookshelf speaker that allows for many different placement options. Good Luck 

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rar1's avatar
rar1
1,746 posts
 

Hi Nick -

Funny thing, I just changed my system around to a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3, Zu Audio Omen Bookshelf Speakers.  TT is a Technics 1500 with a Ortofon Blue and PS Audio SACD Transport and Gain Cell DAC.  

What I like about the Omen's is how energetic and alive they sound.  They also work out better than most speakers that I have owned because I have them placed on top of some bookcases, mostly to keep the cats away from them.  But granted the Omens do have some size to them.

The Omens replaced some Golden Ear BRX monitors.  They worked well with the Rogue.  Placing them on top of bookcases is not an ideal way to treat them. Worth a look.  

Rich 

 

 

 

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