Small(ish) bookshelf speakers

[Duggeh]

If you unearth something thats a nice read do post it, I was too lazy to go looking. I mention the quads because they are the sane priced little speakers I'd go for, that decision based entirely on how much I like my 21L, how much I like another pair of 21L in a friends setup and how much everyone in the world seems to like the 11L.

The higher budget option is that wacky looking soundlab ministat with the downgrille on the electrostatic driver.

[Fitz]

That ministat certainly looks interesting, too bad it's too big. What I've pieced together for the 9L2 so far is not too positive compared to its bigger siblings, and what I'm finding on the L-ite is mostly just in conjunction with the whole surround setup.

I think I'll keep Quad in mind for the future if I ever need larger bookshelf speakers again, but plan on getting the Totem Rainmaker for now. I don't really have enough in my PayPal balance (which is my hobby fund) to try both right now and still deal with some other upcoming purchases.

[Duggeh]

Do let us know the details of yoru adventures. I had to put my fist in my mouth earlier this evening to not impulse buy those Ergo 2s. It'd be my third set but a new monitor is a necessity.

[Fitz]

Looks like the Epos M5 might be another option for me to consider as well.

[Salt Peanuts]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Looks like the Epos M5 might be another option for me to consider as well.

I've got M5's little brother, ELS3, and they sound pretty nice. Didn't realize M5's are that small.

[Dusty Chalk]

It's too bad these are just a wee bit too big

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Salt Peanuts

I've got M5's little brother, ELS3, and they sound pretty nice. Didn't realize M5's are that small.

Yeah... I'm surprised by how small a lot of speakers are turning out to be.

[grenert]

On the recommendation of this forum, I picked up a couple of Quad 11L monitors. I just measured them, and they were 7.5" wide. Can you spare the little extra space?

They sound fantastic, and are a nice improvement on some Paradigm Atoms. I'll probably add a subwoofer, but I don't feel like bass is wanting. The clean, clean highs are the best feature, in my opinion. Speaking of the Atoms, if you really can't go over 7", they are 6.5" (in version 3, they are up to v4 or v5 now) and inexpensive for good sound quality. Definitely not as good as the Quads, but I was happy with them.

[Fitz]

The problem is there's a (wall-mounted) shelf immediately to the right of the desk, which needs to stay where it is, otherwise I would just let the speakers hang slightly past the edge of the desk. Desk is 37" wide, and the monitor is 22.5" wide, so the absolute maximum is 7.25" without shifting everything off-center. 7.5" would only require a small enough of a difference that I might be able to live with it.

[JBLoudG20]

I could always measure up my Kef iQ3 for you
If that is too big, the iQ1 should fit great.

[Fitz]

I ended up deciding to give the Epos M5 a try, since on second thought I figured the Totem Rainmaker would probably be way too boomy that close to a wall. So far I'm liking them... clear and uncolored midrange, with subdued treble and bass, very AKG-like. Can't really comment on soundstage with them positioned like this though.

[Fitz]

From the manual: "DISCLAIMER: The 4mm plugs used on modern Hi-Fi speaker cables can be inserted into European mains sockets. Needless to say, this is pointless and can be fatal if tried. Make sure that young members of the family are prevented from ever doing this."

[Duggeh]

Your penis can be inserted into a toaster, common sense dictates that it ought not to be done. I recon that the reason that label is there is because there has been at some point a lawsuit over someone very thick doing something very stupid.

[randerson3024]

Oh for fuck's sake - dumpster AR4's - try some Green Mountain Europas. You need a good stand, but they are reasonable.

INDEED

[JBLoudG20]

Originally Posted by randerson3024

Oh for fuck's sake - dumpster AR4's - try some Green Mountain Europas. You need a good stand, but they are reasonable.

INDEED

1. Have you read the thread?
2. Want to give them to him free? Then the cost would be the same, and he would have the 'better sound'

He bought new ones already.

[randerson3024]

Originally Posted by JBLoudG20

1. Have you read the thread?
2. Want to give them to him free? Then the cost would be the same, and he would have the 'better sound'

He bought new ones already.

Busted! I did not read the entire thread.

[Fitz]

What would be the point of a "good stand" for PC speakers used on a desk with limited space that aren't positioned ideally anyways?

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by Fitz

What would be the point of a "good stand" for PC speakers used on a desk with limited space that aren't positioned ideally anyways?

Tyll would argue that there's a pretty large point to be made for using desktop stands for near field listening. I'm inclined to agree with him, given my limited experimentation with raising near field monitors above the desk surface.

[EdipisReks]

Originally Posted by n_maher

Tyll would argue that there's a pretty large point to be made for using desktop stands for near field listening. I'm inclined to agree with him, given my limited experimentation with raising near field monitors above the desk surface.

i don't really think that's what randerson was referring to.

[n_maher]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

i don't really think that's what randerson was referring to.

Agreed, but Fitz's response was sort of open ended regarding stand use so I thought I'd throw in a response that actually addressed something related to the thread.