Best small footprint speakers

[Wannabe in SF]

I am looking for suggestions on the best small footprint speakers. I have a fairly small living room area where I want to install a flat screen tv and some speakers. My wife is unhappy with the current size of the Paradigm floor speakers that I have and would like to get something with a smaller footprint. Installing in-wall speakers is not an option and I have looked at Speakercraft's AIM 8 series but am worried about the installation charges. Can anyone recommend a speaker that fits my situation?

Wannabe

 

[corysmith01]

Welcome Wannabe. I too, wannabe in SF. Used to live there...in NYC now.

Anywho...how bout some specifics on what you're looking for. You say "smaller footprint" but that's a bit vague. Do you want to stick with floorstanders, but perhaps some that are smaller? Or, do you want bookshelf speakers? Those will have to go on stands, so don't know if that negates them with regards to your smaller footprint requirements. Or, do you want on-walls or satellites?

And, before everyone pounces, what are your goals with these speakers? Mostly movies? Mostly music? Do you have sub to go with your new speakers? What will you be driving them with? What size is the room you'll be using them in? All of this info will help...I'm sure you'll get plenty of suggestions.

 

[Wannabe in SF]

Cory,

Thanks for the quick reply. Let me better describe my situation.

The space I have for my A/V setup is very much less than ideal. The area is rectangular and open with the Living room sandwiched between a kitchen and a dining area (imagine a shoebox divided into three areas with no walls in between).

My system is primarily made up of a Yamaha receiver (RX-V2300) and a Denon DVD/CD player (DVM 2815). Ideally I would like to setup my system to work for both music and movies. The reality is that my room layout makes it very difficult to run wires for the back channel. The wall where I am going to put my Plasma will not allow for in-wall speakers so I am looking smaller footprint speakers, either floor towers or bookshelves on a stand. I likely will keep my current sub, a Paradigm PD-8.

I look forward to everyone's suggestions.

Wannabe

 

[j_garcia]

When you say small foot print, roughly what size is that? What model Paradigms do you have currently?

 

[Wannabe in SF]

I am suffering from the obvious Mars-Venus A/V tension. The wife wants small nice looking speakers (no big black boxes) that don't stick out from the wall more than 8-10". I want a WOW sounding 6.1 system. The compromise is to start with a very good 3.1 system and then add the backchannel later.

I currently have the Paradigm Perfromance series (Titans upfront, Atoms in the back).

Wannabe

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Bummer....

It sounds like you'll be taking a step backwards.

If I was in your shoes, I'd smooth things over with the mrs and keep the speakers. Let her know they'll important to you, and any reasonable person would understand. It sounds like she has 100% veto power over everything that goes into the house. Tell her that you'll like to keep a little 10% sliver for yourself, and keep the black boxes

Is that too much to ask? If you swap the Titans for tiny little replacements, you can kiss your wow goodbye.

 

[jcPanny]

Paradigm speakers

If you like the paradigm's you might consider a pair of their mini monitor or studio 20 bookshelf speakers with a stand for a "smaller footprint" that wont compromise performance. They also have "on-wall" versions of some of their speakers and there are bracket mounting options for most bookshelf speakers.

 

[Nick250]

Maybe someone can jump in here on this, but are there not flat wall mount speakers that might fill the bill here for the OP?

 

[Wannabe in SF]

Maybe someone can jump in here on this, but are there not flat wall mount speakers that might fill the bill here for the OP?

Nick,

Unfortunately, in wall is out given the location of our TV. I was thinking about Speakercraft's AIM-8 ceiling speakers, but have heard mixed reviews and am really worried about the installation expense.

Wannabe

 

[Wannabe in SF]

If you like the paradigm's you might consider a pair of their mini monitor or studio 20 bookshelf speakers with a stand for a "smaller footprint" that wont compromise performance. They also have "on-wall" versions of some of their speakers and there are bracket mounting options for most bookshelf speakers.

JC,

I was also looking at the Axiom M22 Bookshelves. Any thoughts on those?

Wannabe

 

[j_garcia]

Titans are already a very good budget speaker, but I agree with Buckeye_Nut going to a smaller speaker will likely mean compromising the sound some as well unless you move up from that price range. You CAN opt for something that is a little more attractive than the Titans though... Maybe something like the Onyx X-LS in shadow maple? The only problem with these guys is, the center is not yet available.

I agree, NO woman should have 100% veto

How big is this room (loft?)?

 

[jasoneuc]

If aesthetics is super important, why not consider one of the spherical speakers like:

the Orb People's Choice HT (www.orbaudio.com) or Gallo A'Diva (www.roundsound.com/satellite-speakers.htm)

I also have Titans up front, which I plan to replace with Axiom M22's (and move the Titans to the rears until they're phased out for QS4's or similar).

Also, don't confuse IN-wall with ON-wall speakers. Could OW's be possible? Then you have a lot of options...

 

[jcPanny]

Bookshelf speakers

The Axiom M22's are a good option for bookshelf fronts. However, you will also need the Axiom center channel for a good tonal match across the fornt. Thus, sticking with paradigm and your existing (or an upgraded) center channel might be cheaper.

The orb's are much better than Bose or other satellite type speaker, but a full range driver can't match the performance of a good 2-way bookshelf speaker like those from Paradigm, Axiom, PSB, Onix, etc.

 

[tomd51]

On Wall (not in wall) Options..

Axiom's got a few options for on wall speakers here, ranging in price from $440-650.00 a pair. These are on-wall versions of their bookshelfs and looking at the specs, they don't seem to lose much in the FR department. Good WAF as well, but a bit pricey...

For something a bit more affordable, OneCall has some Boston Bravos (first version, not the latest) on sale here for approx. $250.00/pair. These are almost identical to the newer models, but are half the price. In fact, I just picked up a pair of these to replace a blown surround (don't ask... ) and they are a great solution for smaller form factor speakers. They also have refurbed PA430s for approx. $300/pair. These also have a nice WAF, should sound very similar to the Bravos and coupled with a decent sub (which the Bravos should be as well), would make a nice setup for the money... -TD

 

[littleb]

I have Axiom's M22s. They do have a small footprint, but you will need stands. If you would like to stay with a floorstander might I suggest a pair of PSB T45s. The matching CC won't cost a mint, either. I've heard them, I liked what I heard and they are nice looking speakers and you won't need stands. I believe they are front ported, as well. You could place back to the wall and they might just disappear and she won't even see them.

 

[warpdrive]

I'm not a big fan of Axiom

Monitor Audio makes good stuff in general which I've liked a lot. Never heard these model but maybe worth checking out http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/products/radius/series/r225.htm

The Energy RC-10 are well reviewed as great bookshelf speakers
http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=269 They even come with port plugs in case you want to back them up against the wall.

An audiophile favorite is Totem Acoustic
They released the new Tribe series which has had favorable comments (on wall mount)
http://www.totemacoustic.com/english/products/homeTheatre_tribe.htm

 

[rgriffin25]

Check out the Energy Take Series. http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-line.php?id=6
They take very little floor space and they are very versatile.

 

[cornelius]

Hey wannabe - check out the Ohm MicroWalsh Talls! These speakers are very small, but with a room filling sound. I ran around comparing mine to everything (from Maggies to Paradigm Studio 100s) and they always came out on top - especially when considering size and a very reasonable price.

http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/walsh/micro.html

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I am suffering from the obvious Mars-Venus A/V tension. The wife wants small nice looking speakers (no big black boxes) that don't stick out from the wall more than 8-10". I want a WOW sounding 6.1 system. The compromise is to start with a very good 3.1 system and then add the backchannel later.

I currently have the Paradigm Perfromance series (Titans upfront, Atoms in the back).

Wannabe

Hold on here. Your bookshelf system is already pretty small. Your fronts are only 10-3/4" deep. Your surrounds are only 8-3/4" deep so placing the atoms up front will gain you 2" for free but pushing them against the wall might not be good for their sound quality. They are rear ported right?
http://www.paradigm.ca/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/ParadigmModels/Performance/PerformanceSpecs.htm

Speakers designed to be mounted on or in wall is the only other way to really down-size. Unless you buy something like one of the totems and they are not cheap.
http://www.totemacoustic.com/english/products/floorStanding_arro.htm

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/todd28.htm

Why can't you mount in wall? Is the wall brick or block? Are you Renting?

SBF1

 

[3db]

I think Tom D smacked her right on the head

Axiom's got a few options for on wall speakers here, ranging in price from $440-650.00 a pair. These are on-wall versions of their bookshelfs and looking at the specs, they don't seem to lose much in the FR department. Good WAF as well, but a bit pricey...

For something a bit more affordable, OneCall has some Boston Bravos (first version, not the latest) on sale here for approx. $250.00/pair. These are almost identical to the newer models, but are half the price. In fact, I just picked up a pair of these to replace a blown surround (don't ask... ) and they are a great solution for smaller form factor speakers. They also have refurbed PA430s for approx. $300/pair. These also have a nice WAF, should sound very similar to the Bravos and coupled with a decent sub (which the Bravos should be as well), would make a nice setup for the money... -TD

with on wall speakers suggestion. Its sounds to me that your spouse doesn't like box speakers and none of the bookshelves and tower speakers mentioned (Including PSB Image T45s which I own ) would sound good up against the wall. So your option is on-wall; speakers that are designed to mount on or stand against the wall.

Totem has Tribe, B&W make some nice on walls as well. I think that is your only option or get a new dwelling, or finish the basement if you have one.


About your rear surrounds, if you have a basement, consider drill holes thru the floor and running the length of wire along the basement ceiling, drilling a couple of more holes near the walls that you want the speakers located. I did that and it worked quite well.

Good luck