Andre28 Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 Can anyone recommend a small sealed bookshelf speaker? I like a pretty laid back top end, and without having heard them yet, the spendor A1 are my top contender (no dealers near me). Not looking for a huge cabinet, maybe around the 11L range.
Bronal Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 Well, I suppose the obvious other choices might be the Harbeth P3SR - https://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/harbeth_p3esr_loudspeaker/index.html or the ATC SCM7 or SCM11, which (I think) are also sealed-box speakers.
Andre28 Posted July 16, 2018 Author Posted July 16, 2018 The Harbeth seem like they would be amazing, but these are about double my budget unfortunately. Will scope out the ATC now, does the 7 and 11 refer to cabinet size?
Bronal Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 On 16/07/2018 at 2:36 AM, Andre28 said: The Harbeth seem like they would be amazing, but these are about double my budget unfortunately. Will scope out the ATC now, does the 7 and 11 refer to cabinet size? Expand Yes. ATCs will take (and need) more power than Harbeths. Don't overlook the possibility of a WTB ad. There was a pair of SCM11s for sale recently - Don't know if they've been sold.
Andre28 Posted July 16, 2018 Author Posted July 16, 2018 Thanks for that. Will be driven by a class D amp, so can't go anything too inefficient (though as far as Class D goes it is fairly decent).
Bronal Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 (edited) On 16/07/2018 at 2:52 AM, Andre28 said: Thanks for that. Will be driven by a class D amp, so can't go anything too inefficient (though as far as Class D goes it is fairly decent). Expand By 'inefficient', do you mean 'insensitive'? If so, you will find that small sealed-box speakers are quite insensitive (around 84/85dB is common) and some (like the P3SRs) can't take much power either. So, if you want to rock your room you will need a fairly muscly amp. The A1s are 84 dB, 8 Ohms and can take up to 100 Watts continuous. The SCM11s are 85 dB, 8 Ohms and can take up to 300 Watts (but a minimum of 75 is recommended). Edited July 16, 2018 by bronal Tidy-up
Andre28 Posted July 16, 2018 Author Posted July 16, 2018 Will only be a tiny nook of a room, so perhaps either will work! Will need to scope out some options closer to $1500. Thanks for the info on the ATC
audio_file Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 The 75W is overrated for the SCM 11, it's not that hard to drive. What amplifier will you use? The SCM 7 is quite a bit smaller, more like the Harbeth P3 ESR and Spendor SA1, D1, S3. The SCM 11 is a medium sized stand mount speaker and larger than all the above. All these are sealed. The ATCs roll off from high up in the bass, so are great if you need to put them against a wall or something. The SCM 11 has CLD technology that the SCM 7 doesn't have, which improves the mid range, but it's no where near the SCM 19's SL technology. The SCM 7 might be a good option for you. 1
Andre28 Posted July 17, 2018 Author Posted July 17, 2018 Cheers for that. I think the 11 will be too big then for where I need it anyway. Will look further in to the SCM7 vs the Spendor A1. I have kind of always wanted Spendor though, so it would take finding them at a bargain to take them over the A1. Will be using a Pro-Ject Maia DS2. It is only just arriving to dealers here over the next week or two I think (some may have them already). The Maia was pretty well reviewed for what it was, then the Maia DS came along which increased the power. I was basically tossing up between the Audio Sprout 100 and the Maia DS (again due to space limitations). I then found out about the DS2 which looks like it will be a good power improvement over all the other ones I had been considering up until that point. It rates 2x 78 W at 8ohms and 135W at 4 ohms.
audio_file Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 I don't know how it would sound together, but it should have enough power for either speaker. 1
Audiofix Posted July 19, 2018 Posted July 19, 2018 Where we don't have a dealer we do offer loudspeakers on an approval basis so if for instance the Class D / A1 combo just doesn't work you can send them back. Kind Regards, Andrew.
Andre28 Posted July 19, 2018 Author Posted July 19, 2018 Cheers Andrew. Am waiting on the amp to arrive, and will try with my current speakers (PMC). In the likely event they just don't work in the very small space they are going, I will likely take you up on that.
Al.M Posted July 20, 2018 Posted July 20, 2018 Kef Ls50 have a smooth top end with incredible mid voice, coherence and imaging, plus good tuneful bass for their size. They need a more power amp say 100w plus or ones with high current. See many forum discussions on these. Used for about $1000. 1
THOMO Posted July 23, 2018 Posted July 23, 2018 How about a Meniscus Audio Kairos kit speaker?Very smooth and refined tweeters in them. They work very well as in a 17 litre sealed box and do not need a lot of power-35 watts seems plenty. Of course you have to build it yourself or get somebody else to do that but they sound fabulous. Certainly the best smallish two I have used and I have owned some very decent ones in the $4000-$6000 price range. 1
Steve M Posted July 23, 2018 Posted July 23, 2018 (edited) ...my suggestion not sealed. Edited July 23, 2018 by Steve M
Honreekea Posted August 2, 2018 Posted August 2, 2018 there are some A1 on Special at audiofix if you are still looking. 1
Andre28 Posted August 3, 2018 Author Posted August 3, 2018 Yes I actually picked these up. So far so good, the sealed design is definitely better for my space. I will miss the PMC but they are rear ported and just not suited to the location.
goldiver Posted August 3, 2018 Posted August 3, 2018 (edited) Legend Kurre 9. Wonderful sound quality, wonderful price, local excellence. Edited August 3, 2018 by goldiver
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