bookshelf v.s floorstandings

[miggs29]

I am in search of new speakers. Should I buy bookshelfs or floorstandings? Also, I currently have JBL's and I was wondering if I should keep them or upgrade???? Any ideas?

 

[mazersteven]

I am in search of new speakers. Should I buy bookshelfs or floorstandings? Also, I currently have JBL's and I was wondering if I should keep them or upgrade???? Any ideas?

Biggest question is what is your speaker budget? Is that budget for all speakers of just the mains? What size is your room? What is this system used primarily for? Music or HT?

What I would upgrade is your subwoofer.

 

[MUDSHARK]

Do you use your JBL for mostly HT or music. What displeases you about them? If HT is most important would a better sub do more for your enjoyment?

In regards to the never-ending debate concerning bookshelf/tower my take is that lower price levels produce better bookshelf speakers than towers if only for less furniture expense to the manufacturer. People go both ways but less than 1,000 a pair would lead me to smaller bookshelves for better quality per dollar. A music only system with towers does make the hassle of a sub largely unnecessary, however.

 

[Haoleb]

I am in search of new speakers. Should I buy bookshelfs or floorstandings? Also, I currently have JBL's and I was wondering if I should keep them or upgrade???? Any ideas?

What you need to really be asking yourself is do i want big speakers or small ones. From my experience you dont get as big of a sound from bookshelves as you do from floorstanders. I own two highly regarded models (at least in certain circles) of bookshelf and floorstanding speakers from axiom and while they both perform well, The bookshelf speakers simply cannot match the floorstanders for an overall performing speakers, As well as sounding like a good speaker, vs a good but large speaker. Of course the floorstanders were about 4 times the price hopefully you still kinda get the idea im trying to get across.

If you are happy with your current speakers then there is certainly no need to upgrade them. I personally owned the JBL ND310 speakers which are large floorstanders in the same lineup as your N26's and really did not find them very impressive. Which is why I upgraded in less than a years time. You can certainly do better than the JBL's but that can be said for nearly any speaker. I would agree however that if your not looking to spend over 1k or so for a pair of speakers then generally I would stick with bookshelves. Most respectable floorstanders are over 1k. A few exceptions here and there but as a whole you can probably get a better set of bookshelves than floorstanders for 1k.

Also, you can probably pick up a set of JBL S38's which are bookshelf speakers that from what i have read are quite good and you will still be able to at least sortof match the rest of your speakers, although from what i understand the northridge and studio series are quite a bit different.

 

[dorokusai]

I've always been a bookshelf fan because when they knock your socks off you never really expect it. A floorstanding speaker has a larger presence and you expect them to perform....better.

I've been disappointed with way more floorstanding louspeakers than I ever have with bookshelves. There's magic in a bookshelf, ego in the floorstander.

Mark

 

[Thaedium]

Can't disagree with what dorokusai said at all really. Excepting that I'm a fan of the Floorstanders myself. Aesthetically I find the floorstanding speaker to be more pleasing, I'm not of the school that prefers their audio equipment to be heard and not seen. I've always felt in my case I've spent thousands on my audio equipment, more then my furniture easily, so it deserves to be the centrepiece of my living room. And I'm a fan of loud music, which I've always felt in my experience was conducted better by a good set of floorstanders over a good set of bookshelfs. Thats not to say I haven't seen good bookshelfs blow away any number of floorstanders.

At the end of the day, its going to come down to preference. There are just too many speakers out there period for one to say definitively that floorstanders are better then bookshelfs, and vice versa. Also, like Haloeb said, expect to pay more for Floorstanders of equal ability to Bookshelfs because you have the added costs of more material and work for the finished product.

 

[John Bailey]

Everyone's ears and listening tastes are different. In my case, I hear more detail in the music and a larger soundstage from bookshelf/standmounted speakers. My listening is 90% classical and I don't listen at loud levels. I also have a small room (9x11) that is used for an extra bedroom and office. There's not a lot of room for those long bass sound waves to bounce around. I do miss much of the deep full bass extension of the floorstanders. However, for my tastes and ears, the bookshelves are the better option. Keep in mind I set my system up for 100% music, so home theatre is not a concern.

John

 

[Halon451]

I just purchased new bookshelf speakers for my HT system, after owning floorstanders of various makes and models over the years. If you go bookshelf, you will need a good sub, plain and simple, but with my new system, I can tell you that it really rocks the house when it needs to, no questions about it. Floorstanding speakers take up more space too, if size is any consideration, obviously. I have found in fact, that in a week or so, I have really grown to like the simple, low profile look of my bookshelf speakers.

Good luck!

 

[3db]

I just purchased new bookshelf speakers for my HT system, after owning floorstanders of various makes and models over the years. If you go bookshelf, you will need a good sub, plain and simple, but with my new system, I can tell you that it really rocks the house when it needs to, no questions about it. Floorstanding speakers take up more space too, if size is any consideration, obviously. I have found in fact, that in a week or so, I have really grown to like the simple, low profile look of my bookshelf speakers.

Good luck!

Floorstanders take up more visual space only, not more physical space unless you have a way suspending your bookshelves in mid air


I can undersatnd the merrits in both and it ultimately comes down to what you prefer.

 

[Davemcc]

I'm quite happy with my bookshelf speaker/subwoofer system. In all the auditions I've done since I got them, I haven't heard anything that's made me second guess that decision.

Placement issues dictated that I go with the bookshelf design, but I'm not missing anything in terms of sound quality.

 

[rnatalli]

I've typically gone bookshelf speakers with a good sub for some of the reasons already stated.

 

[Soundman]

Bookshelves vs Floorstanders. Well, as mentioned before, it's really your preference. I started out looking at bookshelves, but realized that floorstanders really weren't taking up any more floor space. They are a bit more expensive, but found that this can be offset by not having to buy stands. There are good deals everywhere so, I don't think price is as important as your taste in looks. Floorstanders definitely have a fuller sound, so for HT they are the way to go. They just seem to blend easier with a sub, IMO. Another thing to think about is the size of the room. If you have a large room, you definitely need a Floorstander. I tend to like them. I like the presence, it's something to be proud of. When someone comes over, it's a great conversation starter.

 

[jostenmeat]

I'm with Soundman, except I might think that music benefits more than HT from floorstanders. If only for the mid-bass response. Im not talking low bass here. However, in the right room, with a perfect setup, Im sure bookshelves + sub can be fantastic. I'd just worry a little about phase or localization issues a little... but Im no pro.

I think there are indeed many variables. Personal tastes, size of room, volumes obtained, types of music, etc.

And of course, not to mention the budget... it hasn't been mentioned has it? I find that a decent looking pair of stands is usually pretty pricey. This issue becomes a moot point, of course, once the budget gets up there.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I use bookshelves in a huge room and have no issue.

 

[Soundman]

I'm with Soundman, except I might think that music benefits more than HT from floorstanders. If only for the mid-bass response. Im not talking low bass here. However, in the right room, with a perfect setup, Im sure bookshelves + sub can be fantastic. I'd just worry a little about phase or localization issues a little... but Im no pro.

I think there are indeed many variables. Personal tastes, size of room, volumes obtained, types of music, etc.

And of course, not to mention the budget... it hasn't been mentioned has it? I find that a decent looking pair of stands is usually pretty pricey. This issue becomes a moot point, of course, once the budget gets up there.

Good point, I do think towers are important for music too since some people don't like using a sub for their music, in this case a tower would be ideal.

 

[Soundman]

I use bookshelves in a huge room and have no issue.

Hey Greg, I guess it would depend on how loud you like to listen since a tower is going to be able to handle more power, but as far as SQ goes, you're speakers are awesome!

 

[Soundman]

Hey Greg, I guess it would depend on how loud you like to listen since a tower is going to be able to handle more power, but as far as SQ goes, you're speakers are awesome!

Not to mention your killer sub!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I can go loud enough that you wouldnt really want to be in the house but you are correct, I cross over to the sub at 90hz.

Hey Greg, I guess it would depend on how loud you like to listen since a tower is going to be able to handle more power, but as far as SQ goes, you're speakers are awesome!

 

[Davemcc]

Hey Greg, I guess it would depend on how loud you like to listen since a tower is going to be able to handle more power

Would you care to revisit that statement?

 

[fmw]

The difference, of course, is all in the bass. If you are able to integrate a sub to the bookshelf speakers smoothly, the result can be identical to the sound of speakers with larger woofers. I think the subwoofer - introduced only about 15 years ago - has changed everything about the way we think of speakers. The "rules" we had 15 years ago are all out the window because of the sub.

For home theater use, I think the sub is the next most important speaker to the center channel. Once you have one, the size of the woofers in the other speakers becomes relatively unimportant.

My own main speakers, made by Epos, have tiny 6 inch woofers and, by themselves, are very lean in the bass. They are like bookshelf speakers with a longer enclosure. When supported by my sub, however, the sound is exciting and fulfilling. In other words, you can get the job done either way.