Can somebody recommend some -really- good bookshelf speakers

[Eoin]

I'm sorting out a system for a study. It's going to be in a small room and the speakers will have to be bookshelf, so they really will be 'on the shelf'. I'll be close to them when listening. The amp can be a Creek 4040 or possibly an Audiolab 8000A but I'd prefer to use the creek if I can.

Budgets always an issue but if I've got some options I can always decide!

Thanks all,

[PeterW.]

Assuming the basic Octavo-sized book most commonly published, that will limit you to speakers with about an 8" (200mm) +/- woofer.

What immediately comes to mind is the AR4x speaker in that range. A little attention to the crossovers and tweeter pot, and they are also about as bulletproof as they come. They were distributed in GB by their uncounted thousands, so should be reasonably available and reasonably cheap.

http://www.classicspeakerpages.net/libr ... dspeak.pdf

[jackfish]

Since you will be in the nearfield most offerings should work OK confined to a shelf.

The Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 2 comes to mind.

As well as the Totem Acoustic Mite, Dreamcatcher and Rainmaker. Blakers Audio Visual in Brighton. Luxurie in Eastbourne.

[Mark E Smith's Dentist]

I've got a pair of little Rogers LS1 Studio here. They're identical to the speakers in this link: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?um=1&hl= ... ,s:0,i:116
I've been given them to sell, I put them in my computer system on top of the SD-5 floorstanders I normally use and they've remained there for a week - I haven't felt like re-connecting the SDs. They're fast and detailed with remarkable bass for a 5" cone. They measure 14" by 7.5" by 6.3".

PM me if you're interested, they're destined for ebay around 21:00 today.


JT

[Eoin]

I'll probably pass on those if that's alright but a very kind offer.

I'd be after something that works best hard up against the wall, a quick google (I didn't know the speakers) suggests a stand mount at a few inches back is ideal for those.

Feel free to PM me (or just post up) a price though!

Any more suggestions..? Obvious the ubiqutous Warfdale Diamonds are very inexpensive, but I don't know if they're any good.

[duficity]

psb Synchrony B.

[avole]

Harbeth P3ESR. Based on the BBC LS3/5a, sealed cabinet, leave more expensive speakers wallowing in their wake.

The Totems mentioned above are good, but not in the same class.


If you're on a budget then the Dali Zensor 1s are hard to beat. Worth way more than their paltry price, as Stereophile agrees.

[Mark E Smith's Dentist]

If you're on a budget then the Dali Zensor 1s are hard to beat. Worth way more than their paltry price, as Stereophile agrees.

+1 for the Dalis. I heard them at a show, thought they sounded good for the £5-600 I expected them to be and was floored when they said they were going to be under £200.


JT

[Eoin]

Harbeth's look great. £1500 though. I'll check down the back of the sofa for some change..

JT, How would those Rogers fair stuffed on a shelf against a wall?

[KoolJazz101.1]

Focals 706 ... Pricier but nice !

[josephazannieri]

Yo Eoin:

Although not AUDIOFOOL quality, and no magic about them, I have used Dayton Audio BR-1's in my little digital production studio for years, and I have no need to upgrade them. They use a neat little 6 1/2 inch woofer that goes down to about 40Hz, and they have a real solid low end. Available as a kit, for about $150.00 (that's dollars, not pounds). Can't get anything better at that price, unless you can score something off Ebay. There are some modifications available on the 'net which are stated to provide improvements, but I have not done the 'net mods. My crossover network uses stock component values.

And good luck from that (bass) reflexive old guy,

Joe Z.

[Mark E Smith's Dentist]

I think the Rogers are best with a bit of space around them. They've got a little rear port and they'd probably be a bit boomy. Dunno what would happen if you stuffed a sock in them.

The link is here if you're interested: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251143405083? ... 1558.l2649

I'm still using them in nearfield and like them a lot.


JT

[Ottermel]

If you really want GOOD small bookshelf speakers Totem Model One's are your babies (signature Models are even better)!! But, they must be on stands not shelves for best sound and performance (also, they are 4 Ohm)
I know they are not within your budget, but you asked for good ones!!

[13oots2]

Monitor Audio do a good range of bookshelf speakers, probably quite easy to find a local dealer to listen to them. I used to have some RS1's which performed very well indeed, they have been updated with the RX series which use drivers from the previous Gold range.