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Small Wood Bookshelf Speakers

N

nateyaro

New Member
Hey guys,

I've been doing some looking around trying to find a good small pair of bookshelf speakers.
I currently have a set off ESS amt-4's I'm listening through.

They take up a bit more room than I would really prefer and I'm trying to downsize to something smaller but equally crisp (if thats possible)

I do a lot of listening to vinyl (listening on a Marantz 6300 through a Onkyo TX-2500)
I'm looking at changing out the amp and going for something also small like this.

The trick is I want something to match my design esthetic without breaking the bank.
Everything in my house is very mid-century/danish. I have furniture prices similar like the Eames lounger and things of that sort.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should be looking at?

I can add a sub, but would prefer to keep the system as minimalistic as possible.

Please let me know your thought. Thanks everyone!

Budget = maybe up to $300 on the bookshelf's depending on what I make on the AMT-4's
Preference = Wood grain, darker wood with beautiful grain. something oak or walnut?
 
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If you're really planning on using them on a bookshelf, you don't want a rear-ported box like the Phase Technology PC80. A nice pair of used JBL L20T would do a nice job for around one-hundred. A bit more expensive would be the JBL 18Ti.

If you have more room and can work out the cabling, I'm very impressed with my JBL powered monitors, the LSR305. They have an incredible sound for their size but, again, they have a rear-mounted port. You're lucky that there is an incredible supply of small speakers out there these days, many playing well beyond their size. I think I paid fifty-bucks for my Andrew Jones Pioneers. You might want to check out his new Elac line but, again, they're rear-ported.
 
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BMWCCA said:
If you're really planning on using them on a bookshelf, you don't want a rear-ported box like the Phase Technology PC80. A nice pair of used JBL L20T would do a nice job for around one-hundred. A bit more expensive would be the JBL L18Ti.

If you have more room and can work out the cabling, I'm very impressed with my JBL powered monitors, the LSR305. They have an incredible sound for their size but, again, they have a rear-mounted port. You're lucky that there is an incredible supply of small speakers out there these days, many playing well beyond their size. I think I paid fifty-bucks for my Andrew Jones Pioneers. You might want to check out his new Elac line but, again, they're rear-ported.
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Thanks for the reply!

I'm going to be working with a shelving unit similar to this.

Link-shelf-by-Studio-Hausen_dezeen_BN02.jpg


One of the shelfs will be deeper in order to accommodate my turntable.

I've thought about if I should look into powered monitors.
They seemed like they'd generally be heavy. however it could work.

The part that kind of worries me is making sure I get something I'm going to be satisfied with the highs.
The ESS AMT-4's are so clear that it will be a hard challenge.

Is is possible to get a good full range of sound from a small-ish bookshelf?
Will a Sub be required?

Thanks again guys!
 
It looks like you really need really small speakers, not just bookshelfs. I doubt if Dynaco A 25s, a reliable small bookshelf speaker recommendation would fit there. But Metronome 7s would, and would sound great, even if they would not look great. Fried Betas would look better and sound good, as would Burhoe Crimsons. NHT Zeros, Linn Kans, and, of course, any of the BBC LS 3/5as, though the Linns and LS 3/5as might be above your budget. For real cheap, the Radio Shack Minimus 7w is pretty good.
Yes, you might need a subwoofer. The Metronome passive is excellent, but you can find a multitude of cheap powered ones that might suffice.
 
I was wondering :idea: if the "bookshelf" was even popular anymore given the number of "digital ready" speakers out there on-the-cheap... But the two models I had been impressed with were manufactured by Sony and JBL. Now I had always wondered... what type of drivers go into a bookshelf speaker? Well... I attempt to repair the good ones where possible.
I have been surprised what is NOT in a bookshelf speaker... and just how did they survive any harsh treatment..?

I guess I say this to say... go with a reputable pair as they will certainly deliver to your expectations.. and take some abuse along the way .
 
Nat said:
It looks like you really need really small speakers, not just bookshelfs.
Click to expand...

yea... I guess I have an optimistic view of a bookshelf speaker....

I appreciate all of you giving me ideas.

I wish I had money to go buy everything I "want" all at the same time.

I do like the idea of a small system that is composed of two small satellite speakers and a sub.

I just don't want to go to far in the direction of the micro system and lose the warm full tone that vinyl deserves.

Knowing that would your opinion change?
Should I make sure I make room for larger speakers still? Or perhaps just veneer my art-4's so they fit the esthetic better?

Thanks again!
 
I wouldn't write off shoebox speakers without trying them. Plenty of people have been perfectly satisfied with them, and the ones I have mentioned are (to my ears) warm and acceptably full sounding. I find the small ADS and some of the Visonik Davids a little cooler (and the NHTs probably are in that category), but a lot depends on your system, room, and your ears. And if needed, the subwoofer thing is more convincing than I thought it would be.
 
nateyaro said:
Should I make sure I make room for larger speakers still? Or perhaps just veneer my art-4's so they fit the esthetic better?
Click to expand...
I think you may have to make a trade-off in favor of either your aesthetic or your love of music. Only you can say which is more important.

I'd build a room around my favorite speakers . . . but that's me.
 
There area a bunch of Paradigms that punch above their weights, but as far as I know, they are all vinyl black ash covered. Ditto the earlier versions of the Mission 70.
I remember a Mordaunt Short with a red metal dome tweeter that sounded remarkably full, but they were on their sides on the floor which does tend to boost the low end.
 
If you can compromise on design in favor of sound, consider the Elac Debut 5 or 6.

I have not heard them but they seem interesting.
 
AR 4ax or KLH Model 17 for vintage and consistent with the mid century modern look of your shelving.

If those are mounted into the studs, he will be able to put a fair amount of weight on them because it is a shear load. I have a much heavier Cadovius wall unit with numerous components on it. Just going to have to be careful about eh vibrations from the speakers with the TT.
 
It might be more useful to address design considerations. One is to consider running wires through the walls for an uncluttered look. Also your speakers have a 10 inch woofer that goes down to 45 hz. A sub is a necessity to keep the same bass. If you can cross the sub high enough it might eliminate problems with rear porting. It also occurs to me that since you are listening through a Heil tweeter, you might want to consider speakers with unconventional tweeters.

Radio Shack Optimus LX4 uses a Linaeum tweeter and has the right look, but needs a sub. Martin Logan uses Heil like tweeter in their Motion series and some come in a wood finish, but are usually rear ported. New they are priced a bit higher than your budget, but you might find them used for lower. Another possibility are Infinity emits. You might look into an Infinitessimal or or Modulus although a quick search indicate they only come in black.
 
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