Recommended Classic Bookshelf Speakers?

[Ron Stone]

So what are the classic, recommended bookshelf/mini-monitor speakers? I'd like to get a second system for my small bedroom. Presumably they'll need to be on stands and near the wall, which is perfect for where I want them.

I'm thinking of classic, secondhand speakers like the Boston Acoustics A40 or Linn Kan. (Obviously there's even better stuff like Totem or Dynaudio, but that's out of my price range.) Any others? Please be specific with model numbers or names: "Whafedale" isn't enough to go searching and bidding with.

Thanks in advance!

[Steve Hoffman]

Mini-monitors or bookshelf? There is a big difference!

Mini's would be something like the BBC LS3/5A. A bookshelf would be like an old "large" Advent or Acoustic Research AR3a or something.

[Gary]

A pair of "Large Advents" are conidered "bookshelf"? I thought the "Small Advent" was "bookshelf"?

You must have some Very Large Speakers, Steve! ;)

I've heard and seen the LS3/5A. Great mini speakers, fits nicely on top of tall-ish speaker stands. A tad pricy, though.

My favourite are Tangent RS2's but they are very, very rare. And old (25 years?)

What price range are you looking at?

[Ron Stone]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Mini-monitors or bookshelf? There is a big difference! Mini's would be something like the BBC LS3/5A. A bookshelf would be like an old "large" Advent or Acoustic Research AR3a or something.

I guess I mean "mini-monitor"! I definitely can't put Large Advents in that bedroom.

I recall reading a lot about the BBC LS3/5A model. What were the companies/models for that speaker?

[Steve Hoffman]

http://www.ls35a.com/

[Ron Stone]

Looks like those won't do: the LS3/5A needs to be placed away from the wall.

[Steve Hoffman]

All bookshelf speakers are! None should be up against a wall. Too BOOMY.

[Clay]

IMO
Most of that size speakers sound better when placed away from the wall - like on speaker stands - Yet I bet the LS3/5A would sound better next to the wall than most other speakers would. I want to get a pair so I can see how they sound in my near-field listening room. Plus unlike most other speakers they seem to hold their value.

Of course I also like the vintage EPI 100's and the new baby B&W like the 301's. B&W also makes a really nice small speaker for ~$1k that sounds very good. The Monitor Audio small speakers also sound very good.
I own versions of all of these in this paragraph. All but the EPI would sound better with a mini sub. If you ever get a chance to listen to the EPI 100 with a good amp you will be amazed how accurate and good they sound. And with the long throw 8" woofer in a sealed cabinet it has tight bass to about 45Hz

[audio]

Efhjr was going to sell me his KLH Model 6, but I decided to pass. Send him a PM. They're for sale and I think you won't be disappointed. No offense Clay, but I think these will be a lot less fatiguing than the MA or B&W stuff. I've owned both and the stuff really grates on me after a while. That's just me, though.


Of course, if you want the finest bookshelf of all time, go for the Reynaud Twin. Don't take my word for it, ask Metralla. You know he knows his stuff.

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Ron Stone
I'm thinking of classic, secondhand speakers like the Boston Acoustics A40 or Linn Kan.

If you do go with the A40s, make sure to get a series II. I have a few pair of A40s around here and do prefer the IIs over the original models. On eBay, it's not uncommon to see these going for an average of $60/pair. Just make sure the woofers' foam surrounds are in good condition. (Same with any speaker having a foam surround...they all deteriorate over time.) For what little they cost, it might be worth trying a pair. :)

I use the A40s for small, remote applications (like out on the deck, in summer :) ), but I enjoy the A40-IIs enough that I hook them up just to listen to them in my main system. They throw out a nice image and with something like piano, they sound quite good for the size.

[JohnnyK]

Well, I own the two opposite extremes in bookshelf speakers. I own a pair of Linn Tukan speakers and a pair of Acoustic Research AR3a speakers.

The Linn's are really small and really image like crazy. However, they have limited bass and can be damaged if played very loud. However, If you pair them up with a subwoofer and filter out the bass they can be played real loud. I used them as the front speakers in my home theater for about four years.

The AR3a speakers are a different animal. They are a three way system and are big and real heavy. I used to place them on old Boise "mushroom" speaker stands. The have a somewhat muffled sound compared to modern speakers and they do not image as well as the Tukans. However, they have great bass, not boomy or bloated and they can be played real loud. I now use them as subwoofers.

[sgraham]

"Bookshelf" speakers never work on bookshelves - unless they're surrounded by books completely, becoming, essentially "in-wall" speakers.

[-=Rudy=-]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
All bookshelf speakers are! None should be up against a wall. Too BOOMY.

Maybe someone can refresh my memory, but there was a speaker design by, I think, Allison Acoustics, where the speaker was designed to be placed against a wall and used on bookshelves. Curiously, the cabinet was trapezoidal shaped, and the woofer (8", IIRC) was mounted on top of the cabinet.

Can't recall if they sounded any good, but in their day they were considered good speakers...IOW, something a step above the mass-market speakers, but not quite in the high-buck category.

[Steve Hoffman]

Originally posted by Rudy@A&MCorner


Maybe someone can refresh my memory, but there was a speaker design by, I think, Allison Acoustics, where the speaker was designed to be placed against a wall and used on bookshelves. Curiously, the cabinet was trapezoidal shaped, and the woofer (8", IIRC) was mounted on top of the cabinet.

Can't recall if they sounded any good, but in their day they were considered good speakers...IOW, something a step above the mass-market speakers, but not quite in the high-buck category.

Yes, indeed. I remember those. The only bookshelf speaker to be designed to be placed up against a wall. They also had a normal version as well.

I never heard them though so I can't comment on the sound....

[Ron Stone]

Originally posted by Rudy@A&MCorner

Maybe someone can refresh my memory, but there was a speaker design by, I think, Allison Acoustics, where the speaker was designed to be placed against a wall and used on bookshelves. Curiously, the cabinet was trapezoidal shaped, and the woofer (8", IIRC) was mounted on top of the cabinet.

Yup. I was trying to remember their name, and you just reminded me. Alisons were designed to go against the wall, although not actually within a bookshelf.

There was another company that made true bookshelf designs, essentially cubes with a tweeter in the front and a woofer firing down into the empty space between the cabinet and a small riser. Surprisingly, they got picked up by Montgomery Wards for awhile, and I would have bought a pair on clearance if I could have found some without the tweeters damaged by kids.

[-=Rudy=-]

If they're cheap enough, I'm tempted to get a pair just to try them out.

I guess I can say I listen to "bookshelf" speakers too...my Grafyx SP10s are sort of modeled along the size of a Large Advent, but are a vented 10" woofer with a Philips AD1624 tweeter. I still haven't found a speaker I like as much as these...at least in the price range.

[-=Rudy=-]

AHA!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3039509046&category=14991

The Allison Fours!

What's funny is that they are now considered "rare" and of course, the eBay price is nuts. IIRC, they were priced more along the lines of Polk, Boston, Advent, etc. when new.

[Clay]

My Mom wanted some small speakers that sounded good, so we bought ADS. They are on a bookshelf and sound very good. They are very small ~5"x8". I think they are out of business, yet I am sure you could find some.
I have an ADS subwoofer and it is exceptional.