Need new, small speakers

[IAmMoen]

I have had a pair Infinity RS-8a's for 7 years and now my fiancee tells me they have to go because they are big and ugly. So. I need some good small speakers. Any recommendations out there? I have a nice sub so that shouldn't be a concern. I like watching movies but I am probably even bigger into music. I have a pair of klipsch quintet speakers but when I do a side by side comparison of them and the infinity's they seem to lack depth and sound muffled.

On a side note has anyone heard of the RS-8a at all?

edit: something like this size would be nice but I won't sacrifice sound too much.

[Midcow2]

Cambridge Audio S30s are great samll speakers!

[Seth=L]

It would be handy to know what subwoofer you do have. I heard the new Boston speakers the other day, and I was actually quite impressed. You would have to run the "looks" by your better half to know if they fit her criteria. The Cambridge S30s look very nice as well, everyone seems to be saying very good things about them. I can't speak for their performance, as I have never heard them.

[jcPanny]

I recently bought some ELT525 bookshelf speakers from AV123 for use as my surround channels. They are pretty compact and the real cherry or rosewood veneer adds to the asthetics.
http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=193&category_id=51&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

The EMP satellites are pretty small but still have a 4" woofer and should offer decent performance.
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1441/22/emp-eca-4-compact-satellite-speakers---black--pair-

Also check out on-wall and inwall speaker options for a compromise of asthetics and performance. There is a special on the EMP on-walls for $99 each. These for the L/C/R and satelite or bookshelf speakers for the surrounds would make a very nice system.
http://store.audioholics.com/section/66209/1/on-wall-speakers

[rnatalli]

ELT525's and CA S30's are both fine choices. If you need really small, Orbs are great. What's your budget?

[GlocksRock]

I hear the Bose cube speakers are really small










































j/k I would never reccomend Bose to anyone for any reason...

What is your budget? I hear the SVS speakers sound really good, check out the MTS bookshelf speakers, I think you will be impressed.

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

[mazersteven]

What is your budget? I hear the SVS speakers sound really good, check out the MTS bookshelf speakers, I think you will be impressed.

http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

Excellent speaker. One of the best under $1000 I have ever auditioned.

But not a small speaker.

[Davemcc]

Small satellites? Orb or Gallo.
Small bookshelves? Era D4.

[GlocksRock]

Mirage Omnisats are also some good sounding small speakers, they also have a very wide soundstage.

[Soundman]

I have had a pair Infinity RS-8a's for 7 years and now my fiancee tells me they have to go because they are big and ugly. So. I need some good small speakers. Any recommendations out there? I have a nice sub so that shouldn't be a concern. I like watching movies but I am probably even bigger into music. I have a pair of klipsch quintet speakers but when I do a side by side comparison of them and the infinity's they seem to lack depth and sound muffled.

On a side note has anyone heard of the RS-8a at all?

edit: something like this size would be nice but I won't sacrifice sound too much.

What you really need to evaluate is your current situation and where your life is headed. Here are some questions so ask yourself:
1) which one has been in the house longer, the speakers or the fiancee?
2) which one will last longer, the speakers or the fiancee?
3) which one can you realistically live without, the speakers or the fiance?
4) if you answered fiancee to any of the following 3 questions, ask yourself what's next on her "things she wants to change list"?(if not, skip to number 5).
5) Who's in control of the relationship?

Just a few things to think about. ;)

[Shadow_Ferret]

:D @ soundman

How about NHT's Absolute Zero?

[Joe Schmoe]

Cambridge Audio S30s are great samll speakers!

You beat me to it!:D
Yes, they are outstanding (and only 9" square X 6" wide.)

[mazersteven]

How about a set of Usher S-520 :D:D:D

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

[IAmMoen]

What you really need to evaluate is your current situation and where your life is headed. Here are some questions so ask yourself:
1) which one has been in the house longer, the speakers or the fiancee?
2) which one will last longer, the speakers or the fiancee?
3) which one can you realistically live without, the speakers or the fiance?
4) if you answered fiancee to any of the following 3 questions, ask yourself what's next on her "things she wants to change list"?(if not, skip to number 5).
5) Who's in control of the relationship?

Just a few things to think about. ;)



:D 1) The speakers
2) The fiancee
3) Next question :P
4) Does my bmi fall under "things"? (its too low actually instead of too high)
5) I am in control... but only when she lets me.

I have an O audio 500w bash amplifier. just google oaudio and it should be the first link. I would put in a link but I don't have 5 posts as of yet. And then a tc2+ 12" sub in a sealed enclosure that I built. I have an excel spreadsheet of all the figures that went into building the sealed enclosure available upon request.

I would like to keep it around $500. The weight of the mortgage will weigh on my conscience otherwise. However if the speakers can manage to blow away my conscience...

[IAmMoen]

How about a set of Usher S-520 :D:D:D



oh and why the :D icon?

[mazersteven]

oh and why the :D icon?

Do google search, and read the review of those Usher S-520's, and you'll understand the :D

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Usher+S-520&btnG=Google+Search

[mazersteven]

More excellent speakers. Not small like the Ushers. But excellent sound quality speakers.

Dana 630
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_25&products_id=32

HiVi D2.1SE
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_23&products_id=69

[IAmMoen]

so I checked them all out. I like the idea of the orbs especially with the fact they come in white (our fireplace, window treatments, and bookcase are all white). The other two I like are the ERA D4's and the ELT525M Mini Monitor's but think the D4's would be harder to obtain.

[mazersteven]

so I checked them all out. I like the idea of the orbs especially with the fact they come in white (our fireplace, window treatments, and bookcase are all white). The other two I like are the ERA D4's and the ELT525M Mini Monitor's but think the D4's would be harder to obtain.

Sounds like it's time for you to get out and audition now. Take your time and bring material your familiar with. Have fun with it.

[3db]

PSB makes some great soundung smallish speakers;

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Alpha-Series/Alpha-B1-Monitor

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Image-Series/Image-B15-Monitor

[jcPanny]

The EMP on-walls and satelites are in your price range.
Also check out the SVS bookshelf speakers and the AV123 X-series speakers on their b-stock page in your budget.

[jcPanny]

The EMP on-walls and satelites are in your price range.
Also check out the SVS bookshelf speakers and the AV123 X-series speakers on their b-stock page in your budget.

[flippo]

The Omnisats come in white and sound excellent and can be wall hung. Check them out on Crutchfield. They have the ability to fill a bigger room than you would think and the soundstage is very large.

[IAmMoen]

i just talked to her today and showed her the ones I was looking at and when I showed her the orbs she said, "will those even sound good?" She much more likes the idea of the ELT525's on a pedestal so it looks like that size will be the winner.

[GlocksRock]

So if it's bookshelf speakers that you are getting, take another look at the mts bookshelf speakers from SVS, you can even try them out for free for 30 days, you only pay shipping.

[IAmMoen]

So if it's bookshelf speakers that you are getting, take another look at the mts bookshelf speakers from SVS, you can even try them out for free for 30 days, you only pay shipping.

But they are 2x my budget. Ouch.

[GlocksRock]

Start saving up now... They have one of the best tweeters around, and have gotten glowing reviews from everyone. You may even get lucky and find a pair on the b-stock page.

[3db]

But they are 2x my budget. Ouch.

What is your budget? :)

[johsti]

How about a set of Usher S-520 :D:D:D

http://www.usheraudiousa.com/products/loudspeakers/usher-series/s-520-shielded

I'll second your recommendation:D

[IAmMoen]

I would like to keep it around $500. The weight of the mortgage will weigh on my conscience otherwise. However if the speakers can manage to blow away my conscience...

That be my aforementioned budget.

[IAmMoen]

I'll second your recommendation:D

What about the bottoming out that I keep reading about? Or is this something that a normal listener would never push them hard enough to achieve?

edit: I guess if I just set everything up the way it should be and I have my sub set to kick in where the ushers would start to strain that would be best. Now to find where to listen to them, where to buy them, and where to get a good finish.

[mazersteven]

That be my aforementioned budget.

I still like my Dana recommendation. :)

Or

www.ascendacoustics.com

[3db]

For $500, you can get a pair of PSB Image B25s. They are a very neutral speaker with amazing imaging,good soundstage, and great detail. Its an excellent speaker for the money

[IAmMoen]

i definitely like the looks of the dana 630, the PSB Image B25s, and the usher 520s. I have someone actually coming to my place to demo the ushers for me. We will see how I like them. I just wonder if my receiver is going to really hinder the speakers or not. I have a Yamaha HTR5835 and no amplifier. Should I be looking at upgrading that or getting an amp along with the speakers or can I be satisfied now with the new speakers and add an amp or a new receiver later? This audio stuff is wholly new to me. Computers I understand. Audio not as much.:(

[mazersteven]

i definitely like the looks of the dana 630, the PSB Image B25s, and the usher 520s. I have someone actually coming to my place to demo the ushers for me. We will see how I like them. I just wonder if my receiver is going to really hinder the speakers or not. I have a Yamaha HTR5835 and no amplifier. Should I be looking at upgrading that or getting an amp along with the speakers or can I be satisfied now with the new speakers and add an amp or a new receiver later? This audio stuff is wholly new to me. Computers I understand. Audio not as much.:(

Well from what I understand. People that auditioned the Dana 630's heads up against the B&W 805's liked the Dana's better. The Dana's might put a difficult load on your receiver. If you keep the volume levels low to medium you should be fine.

I'm hoping Warpdrv chimes in.

[3db]

i definitely like the looks of the dana 630, the PSB Image B25s, and the usher 520s. I have someone actually coming to my place to demo the ushers for me. We will see how I like them. I just wonder if my receiver is going to really hinder the speakers or not. I have a Yamaha HTR5835 and no amplifier. Should I be looking at upgrading that or getting an amp along with the speakers or can I be satisfied now with the new speakers and add an amp or a new receiver later? This audio stuff is wholly new to me. Computers I understand. Audio not as much.:(

Audition them all and see which one you like best. Then that will tell you what you'll need to upgrdae your amp/receiver. The PSBs are efficient and present an easy load despite being nominally 6 ohms.

[Halvie]

did Saturday Audio sell out of the B25? It is still listed as $299 on their site.

[silversurfer]

This was just posted at AVS and may help to cause more confusion.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1029291

[IAmMoen]

alright so I have emailed the audio insider and it looks like they are out of the dana 630 in anticipation of the 630i's coming out. I think I will put my name down if I can and see if I can snag a pair of those.

edit: thanks silver for really mucking things up now! :) But really I will wait for the 630i's and have them shipped and then bring the ushers in and demo them both.