I am looking for some high quality, small, active bookshelf speakers that I can put in my narrowboat. It is a small room to fill being a little less than 2m wide. The shelf on which one of the speakers must be placed is only 23cm wide, so the depth of the speaker is the most limiting factor. Mostly I will be listening over Bluetooth.
I previously had a pair of Dali Kubik free speakers. They were fantastic but the amplified speaker died. They sounded amazing and were ideal being a boxy design with only a 15cm footprint – and one could be placed on the shelf on its side. These speakers are no longer produced. I have found one in Germany and one in Croatia but that involves £100 postage plus duty.
So I need to update! Everyone seems to be raving about the Kef LXT II LT’s, but I have seen reviews complaining that they don’t sound good if they are placed right back against a wall. They are 18cm deep so that only leaves 5cm clearance even if the speakers are placed right on the edge of the shelf.
Alternatives are the Ruark MR1 Mkiii’s. I have heard the Mkii’s and they sounded a bit ‘small’ compared to my old Dali speakers. However I will be in a small space by the side of a canal, so I don’t need anything loud enough for a party, so the Mkii’s must be worth a listen. They have the advantage that the base port is underneath.
Bang and Olufsen Beosound Emerge look amazing and their book design would mean that they would easily fit on my shelf. I have heard the B&O’s but only in a wide space of a shopping mall. I was impressed with them at normal listening levels, and reviews suggest they are happiest against a wall. Reportedly they are not so good as volumes are raised. They are also very expensive.
Another way to go would be to pair two wireless speakers. Denon 150NV’s or Bowers and Wilkins Formation Flex might be possibilities, and they would give me the option to add a third speaker in the bedroom, with their multi room option. There are also other desktop speakers that may work.
I would be grateful for your ideas.
I previously had a pair of Dali Kubik free speakers. They were fantastic but the amplified speaker died. They sounded amazing and were ideal being a boxy design with only a 15cm footprint – and one could be placed on the shelf on its side. These speakers are no longer produced. I have found one in Germany and one in Croatia but that involves £100 postage plus duty.
So I need to update! Everyone seems to be raving about the Kef LXT II LT’s, but I have seen reviews complaining that they don’t sound good if they are placed right back against a wall. They are 18cm deep so that only leaves 5cm clearance even if the speakers are placed right on the edge of the shelf.
Alternatives are the Ruark MR1 Mkiii’s. I have heard the Mkii’s and they sounded a bit ‘small’ compared to my old Dali speakers. However I will be in a small space by the side of a canal, so I don’t need anything loud enough for a party, so the Mkii’s must be worth a listen. They have the advantage that the base port is underneath.
Bang and Olufsen Beosound Emerge look amazing and their book design would mean that they would easily fit on my shelf. I have heard the B&O’s but only in a wide space of a shopping mall. I was impressed with them at normal listening levels, and reviews suggest they are happiest against a wall. Reportedly they are not so good as volumes are raised. They are also very expensive.
Another way to go would be to pair two wireless speakers. Denon 150NV’s or Bowers and Wilkins Formation Flex might be possibilities, and they would give me the option to add a third speaker in the bedroom, with their multi room option. There are also other desktop speakers that may work.
I would be grateful for your ideas.
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