Compact Standmount/Bookshelf speakers

[gingersmarty]

Hi all,

Following a house sale/move i have been giving some thought to the speakers on my set up. I long ago ditched the shelves of CD's and have gone down the Spotify route for listening to music.

My current set up is Spotify to Dacmagic to Cyrus Pre X vs & X power and finally Epos 12.2. I actually like the sound however i have been contemplating upgrading the speakers, the cyrus probably has more potential.

I am strictly limited to standmount/bookshelf speakers and they need to be up against the wall to the rear. I am not a bass fiend and listen to a wide range of music mostly at lower volumes, any suggestions for possible audition?........budget up to £1500.00 new or second hand.

Or is the general view that ultimately Spotify is the limiting factor.

thanks in advance...

 

[Anonymous]

Well I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't suggest the Spendor SA1. Sealed box (infinite baffle) design that can be placed against a wall with little performance cost. In fact, some will prefer the mid bass boost. They're not known for bass volume but what you do get is very accurate. Their midrange is sublime and holographic, and their treble very sweet. Apparently they work well with Cyrus and they're easy to drive. I love 'em, magical! Oh yeah, the finishes you can get are very nice indeed.

 

[the_dude2]

igglebert:Well I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't suggest the Spendor SA1. Sealed box (infinite baffle) design that can be placed against a wall with little performance cost. In fact, some will prefer the mid bass boost. They're not known for bass volume but what you do get is very accurate. Their midrange is sublime and holographic, and their treble very sweet. Apparently they work well with Cyrus and they're easy to drive. I love 'em, magical! Oh yeah, the finishes you can get are very nice indeed.

you always make me want to buy a pair when you talk about your Spendor's igglebert. Its really worrying for my credit card!!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

gingersmarty:
Hi all,

Following a house sale/move i have been giving some thought to the speakers on my set up. I long ago ditched the shelves of CD's and have gone down the Spotify route for listening to music.

My current set up is Spotify to Dacmagic to Cyrus Pre X vs & X power and finally Epos 12.2. I actually like the sound however i have been contemplating upgrading the speakers, the cyrus probably has more potential.

I am strictly limited to standmount/bookshelf speakers and they need to be up against the wall to the rear. I am not a bass fiend and listen to a wide range of music mostly at lower volumes, any suggestions for possible audition?........budget up to £1500.00 new or second hand.

Or is the general view that ultimately Spotify is the limiting factor.

thanks in advance...

Hi gingersmarty

Your amps can do with better speakers and a couple worth considering are ATC's SCM11 or at a stretch the SCM19's. The ATC's are closed box designs and more importantly are flat and honest which will help with positioning them close to walls without the bass in particular getting itself into a twist.

Btw, if you can accomodate full width components then i would also suggest looking at an alternative pre amp as i think the X power is being held back.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[chebby]

MUSICRAFT:Your amps can do with better speakers and a couple worth considering are ATC's SCM11 or at a stretch the SCM19's.

You never cease to suprise with the variety of your speaker recommendations.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

chebby:
MUSICRAFT:Your amps can do with better speakers and a couple worth considering are ATC's SCM11 or at a stretch the SCM19's.

You never cease to suprise with the variety of your speaker recommendations.

Hi chebby

Your welcome.

I am trying to maintain a level of consistency

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Frank Harvey]

It's a shame that manufacturers aren't consistent....

 

[drummerman]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

It's a shame that manufacturers aren't consistent....

At least one here that is ... very consistent that is.

 

[Anonymous]

i second the ATC recommendation as they are not fussy with placement. For me track dynamics are better on ATCs and timing is a joy to hear.As ATC are a sealed boxed rest assured that they will sound fine even very close to walls.

hope this helps

 

[Frank Harvey]

drummerman:At least one here that is ... very consistent that is.

Who's that then?

 

[Anonymous]

Wilson Benesch Square Ones sound very good and can be placed close to a wall. Work well with Cyrus too.

 

[ID.]

I know it's subjective, but ATC SCM19 compact? In whose book?

I don't even think I'd class the SCM11 as compact.

 

[Anonymous]

The Harbeth P3ESR is another product worth looking into if you can find a dealer. Not heard them myself.

 

[Anonymous]

the_dude2:
igglebert:Well I wouldn't be doing my duty if I didn't suggest the Spendor SA1. Sealed box (infinite baffle) design that can be placed against a wall with little performance cost. In fact, some will prefer the mid bass boost. They're not known for bass volume but what you do get is very accurate. Their midrange is sublime and holographic, and their treble very sweet. Apparently they work well with Cyrus and they're easy to drive. I love 'em, magical! Oh yeah, the finishes you can get are very nice indeed.

Go on, you know you want to

you always make me want to buy a pair when you talk about your Spendor's igglebert. Its really worrying for my credit card!!

 

[Anonymous]

I have really enjoyed listening to B&W 805s in a friends NAIM amped and DAC'd system. These are a little larger than many bookshelf speakers, but have a lovely and engaging sound. Nice lookers with that Nautilus stance. Worth a try?

Myself, I have been won over by the Dynaudio Focus 110 actives in my setup. They have that ability to draw one in to listening and yet no be tiring for extended periods and at higher levels, whilst at the lower (normal) levels fill a room suberbly with an astonishingly large and enveloping sound from relatively small boxes. Rear ported which allows the box to 'breathe' but they can be baffled if you need to get more than 6" to rear for placement. Nice build too. Thoroughly recommend a listen.

 

[gingersmarty]

Thanks for all the suggestions,

I have arranged for a weekend home demo of the SA1's tomorrow, ill let you know how it goes.

With regards to the pre amp, i don't have the space for full width, however i do have a spare psx-r in the cellar i might be able to squeeze in, any thoughts as to which to add it too(pre or power).

Regards

Sean

 

[Anonymous]

I'm going to have a stab in the dark here. If the preamp is the weakest link then add it to that. Power isolation may provide greater resolution and a lower noise floor.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

gingersmarty:
Thanks for all the suggestions,

I have arranged for a weekend home demo of the SA1's tomorrow, ill let you know how it goes.

With regards to the pre amp, i don't have the space for full width, however i do have a spare psx-r in the cellar i might be able to squeeze in, any thoughts as to which to add it too(pre or power).

Regards

Sean

Hi sean

Your welcome.

I too would recommend you add the power supply to the pre amp.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Add the Proac Response D1 to your list as well.

Just got mine today and they sound great, just have to run them in for an age before the drivers give a little. The SA1's are great also so you will be listening to very good speakers.

 

[gingersmarty]

Hi guys,

End of search!!

The SA1's have absolutely blown me away, we all have the odd moment in our pursuit of better music reproduction when a set up transforms what is being heard to another level, i have spent the last 3 days on that level, the SA1's are blistering fast speakers and as all have commented they have a mid range and top end that are "magical", while they don't have the bass grunt, it takes nothing from the experience and what comes out is as defined as i have heard(in my limited experience). i have a pretty wide taste in music but the highlights have included Faithless/Florence + the machine. Anyone with limited space should seriously consider this option if funds allow. They are as close to a rear wall as it is possible to get with no compromise.

All i need now is a good deal from somewhere, i would pay full whack if i had to but would rather not.

Oh and 1 more thing i had to demo using QED silver anniversary, my rumour 2 cables are not long enough, any suggestions to sensible speaker cable.

Thanks again.

 

[the_dude2]

Thanks for your thoughts, I listen to music similar to what you do so its nice to know they sound good with it. The credit card is worrying again!

I have my eyes (ears?) on the Spendors or the Dali Minuets (due to positioning constraints (bookshelf) and a small room) and eventually partnering either of them with Musical Fidelitys M3i amp or the out going Roskan Caspian M1. Probably. Must hide the credit card i think!!

Many thanks.

 

[John Duncan]

gingersmarty:All i need now is a good deal from somewhere, i would pay full whack if i had to but would rather not.

Did you get the home demo from a dealer? If so, it's a bit rude to go elsewhere for the sake of a few quid, no?

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:gingersmarty:All i need now is a good deal from somewhere, i would pay full whack if i had to but would rather not.

Did you get the home demo from a dealer? If so, it's a bit rude to go elsewhere for the sake of a few quid, no?tbh thats what i was thinking ..

 

[gingersmarty]

Hi All,

Audio t kindly let me demo the speakers and the fella was very helpful throughout, we were already talking of some discount as i was taking them away with me, i'm sure we can sort something out as they are in the middle of the current sale, i agree it would be rude and generally its a trait i dont have.

Regards Sean

 

[Anonymous]

They're engaging little blighters, the SA1s. Glad you enjoyed them. They get even better when put on their matching stands. The sound becomes more natural, a little more open and the bass seems to improve (at least, as compared to when on some half filled Apollo A6s). What amp and source did you use?