Petard Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 For someone forced by circumstances (a recent house remodelling) to confine their 2-channel listening to one fairly small room, completely ruling out rear-ported floorstanders or even standmounts, is there a quality bookshelf speaker that will actually work on a bookshelf? As the space will obviously be semi-enclosed, the issues are presumably many, including porting, but can anyone recommend a quality speaker that could perform under these difficult conditions?
Ross F Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 In days past- yes. Thinking of the Leak Sandwich speakers for example - these turn up on TM from time to time. I think I'm right (someone will soon correct me if I'm not) that the more successful "bookshelf" speakers have been infinite baffle (sealed) cabinets. Are these still around? Is it worth Petard watching TM's Vintage audio section? There's only chassis speakers there at the moment.
Shane Hanify Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Gidday Petard, Any small standmount will suffice - preferably front ported - but if not you can always block the ports. A sealed enclosure would be ideal but these seem thin on the ground these days. With the exception of the baby in the range from Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 - tiny and sealed. That may fit the bill. I've had a listen to this, and although it's lacking in bass, it is a wonderfully clear little speaker. Cheers, Shane.
Petard Posted November 11, 2010 Author Posted November 11, 2010 Low Orbit;138753 wrote: Gidday Petard, Any small standmount will suffice - preferably front ported - but if not you can always block the ports. A sealed enclosure would be ideal but these seem thin on the ground these days. With the exception of the baby in the range from Mordaunt Short Carnival 1 - tiny and sealed. That may fit the bill. I've had a listen to this, and although it's lacking in bass, it is a wonderfully clear little speaker. Cheers, Shane. Thanks Shane and others. The Theophany M3b would have been a frontrunner for a standmount if the room allowed but, as you'll have gathered, sacrifices have had to be made. The sound you can hear is gritting of teeth. And the vintage option is definitely viable - previous speakers remembered with affection have included Linn.
gooki Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Have you seen the S2? It's cheaper than the M3B, has forward facing only drivers, and is not ported to the best of my knowledge.
Paradox1553552678 Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 I'm a fan of the Image 401's and Studio References, which are good looking front ported speakers but they still need a bit of room to sound their best. For near field listening I'm currently using a pair of JohnBlue Audio JB3 s which are a fantastic little single-driver speaker. There is a link to reviews from 6 Moons and others on the JB web page, and they can be easily bought from Oz but there wan't a NZ dealer when I last looked.
Petard Posted November 11, 2010 Author Posted November 11, 2010 Paradox;138769 wrote: I'm a fan of the Image 401's and Studio References, which are good looking front ported speakers but they still need a bit of room to sound their best. For near field listening I'm currently using a pair of JohnBlue Audio JB3 s which are a fantastic little single-driver speaker. There is a link to reviews from 6 Moons and others on the JB web page, and they can be easily bought from Oz but there wan't a NZ dealer when I last looked. Also a fan of anything by Image; hard not to be. The room size will not magically change however. Thanks for the tip on the JB3s - hadn't heard of them, and will follow it up.
Petard Posted November 11, 2010 Author Posted November 11, 2010 gooki;138765 wrote: Have you seen the S2? It's cheaper than the M3B, has forward facing only drivers, and is not ported to the best of my knowledge. Much appreciated, and from left field. These weren't in the mix before now. .
Tedwin1553552753 Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Axent audio had a pair of B&W Studio 1's (fairly sure that's what they where called) Second hand, nice enough condition. Might be worth giving them a bell.
crispynz1 Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Or you could try ATC SCM 7 or SCM 11. Both sealed cabinets. http://www.tagnz.co.nz/index.php/domestic-av/atc-speakers/atc-scm7-compact-bookshelf-monitor.html http://www.tagnz.co.nz/index.php/domestic-av/atc-speakers/atc-scm11.html
davyboy9 Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Try for s/h B&W 805's but as you mentioned Linn try for a demo of their bookshelf spkrs.
B .nordstrom Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 What I have learned over the years Petard is the term "bookshelf" is a misimore eg. most people buy them an sit them on well ... bookshelves, the floor , they work but the sound they play is like putting 91 octane petrol on a drag car .It will run but not up to its potential. So I say if your mate can afford stands, any are better than a bookshelf, Shit a couple of cement bricks will do. Me I have bookshelf ??? B&W 685's on B&W stands and mate they sing well above the price,,, I am listening to them as I type this, Brian.
whale Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 B .nordstrom;138835 wrote: Shit a couple of cement bricks will do. Sounds painful
pagez Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 B .nordstrom;138835 wrote: So I say if your mate can afford stands, any are better than a bookshelf, Shit a couple of cement bricks will do. I agree, even though my mission m31s are fairly entry level (enter sales pitch) the difference proper stands made vs being on their old (actual) bookshelf home was like going from a prius to a supra
fatmansings Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 So going by the comments on placement of book shelves is it fair to assume that your typical metal wall brackets would be definitely not be advised ?
Petard Posted November 11, 2010 Author Posted November 11, 2010 fatmansings;138853 wrote: So going by the comments on placement of book shelves is it fair to assume that your typical metal wall brackets would be definitely not be advised ? They could be a consideration, as long as they fit in with the new plans. Thanks for the suggestion. But the consensus is as suspected: it's always going to be a compromise. On the upside, there are quite a few quality small speakers to choose from, and all recommendations have been appreciated.
Electra Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 B .nordstrom;138835 wrote: What I have learned over the years Petard is the term "bookshelf" is a misimore eg. most people buy them an sit them on well ... bookshelves, the floor , they work but the sound they play is like putting 91 octane petrol on a drag car .It will run but not up to its potential. So I say if your mate can afford stands, any are better than a bookshelf, Shit a couple of cement bricks will do. Me I have bookshelf ??? B&W 685's on B&W stands and mate they sing well above the price,,, I am listening to them as I type this, Brian. Thats why the marketing material / retailers / those in the know will refer to them as "standmount" speakers
Hooster Posted November 11, 2010 Posted November 11, 2010 Harbeth P3ESR http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/harbeth3/1.html
Petard Posted November 12, 2010 Author Posted November 12, 2010 fatmansings;138853 wrote: So going by the comments on placement of book shelves is it fair to assume that your typical metal wall brackets would be definitely not be advised ? And furthermore, the other half is an architect. Takes the WAF component to a critical level.
Ernie1553552694 Posted November 12, 2010 Posted November 12, 2010 You can get close to reference level in-wall speakers if looks are an issue. Or even invisible speakers.
Petard Posted November 12, 2010 Author Posted November 12, 2010 Me I have bookshelf ??? B&W 685's on B&W stands and mate they sing well above the price,,, I am listening to them as I type this, Brian. Going off-topic briefly, I'm with you on concrete as an effective cheap tweak. With my discretionary spending given a severe slap recently, my secondhand Tannoy Mercury MX3s benefited hugely from (a) having 14 kilos of builder's sand poured into the lower chamber of each, and (b) being placed on concrete pavers, lightly sanded and washed. These in turn sit on large screws driven through the carpet into the floorboards, and the improvement in sound has raised a few eyebrows. I think the total cost came to about $23. Added bonus: The pavers almost exactly match the grey speaker grilles, which don't get used anyway, but I lied shamelessly about having planned the whole thing.
Petard Posted November 12, 2010 Author Posted November 12, 2010 Ernie;138948 wrote: You can get close to reference level in-wall speakers if looks are an issue. Or even invisible speakers. That could be a very real consideration. The wiring is already in place behind the walls.
Ernie1553552694 Posted November 12, 2010 Posted November 12, 2010 Well let me know if you want a hand. We're here to help.
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