Small speaker advice

[MattGoose63]

OK, so I'm looking to put together a very small, very simple system. I want to have an easy way to have ambient music playing in my house when we have guests over or when I'm up early with my kids.

I tried the Sonos Play:1 and loved the ease of the system, but did not like the price for performance balance.

My restrictions are these - I have a very, very small place to put the speakers and I don't want to throw a lot of money at this problem. I have a separate stereo system for "real" listening, so this is purely auxiliary.

I have to put the speakers on top of my kitchen cabinets. I was able to get the Play1 in there - but only on the side. The Sonos is 4.7" wide - that's pretty much as big as I can do. Maybe a little bigger. I'm not opposed to putting a speaker on its side (I know) but think that I may be limited to satellites.

I am going to use Chromecast Audio as the source, and I read an article by Steve Guttenberg recommending the Dayton Audio B452 and Lepai 2020A+ for a ~$60 system.

I don't mind spending a little more - but I'm not going to throw a lot of money at this.

If the speakers come in white, so much the better (otherwise I am going to spray paint them).

Any suggestions on speakers that fit the bill would be awesome!

Thanks!!

 

[Seth=L]

If you are planning to paint the speakers I'd suggest going on eBay and getting a pair of Realistic Minimus 7 speakers. The cabinets are all metal as are the grills (which can be removed with patience).

 

[MattGoose63]

I would definitely prefer not to have to paint the speakers!! But, I would like to have them in white, if possible.

I need to measure exactly what I can fit... I found the Roth Oli RA1, which might slide in. But it is a bit expensive....

Any satelites that might fit or be worth it?

Thank you!

 

[markw]

some measurements would be helpful.

As for the minimus 7, they came in black, white and silver but when dealing with was discontinued over 30 years ago, what's available may limit your choices.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have 4 pairs of RBH MM-4 in white lying around, without getting used, but I think even used ones would be above your budget

 

[MattGoose63]

I have 4 pairs of RBH MM-4 in white lying around, without getting used, but I think even used ones would be above your budget

What would a reasonable price for those be?

It's not so much that I have a budget. It's more that I realize some of the limitations that I have. The source for these will be ok, at best, and I'll have the speakers lying on their side in a very restrictive space.

 

[MattGoose63]

some measurements would be helpful.

As for the minimus 7, they came in black, white and silver but when dealing with was discontinued over 30 years ago, what's available may limit your choices.

I have just so slightly under 5.5" to play with. I think I could get a speaker that was 5.25" wide snuck in there.

Thank you!!

 

[markw]

I have just so slightly under 5.5" to play with. I think I could get a speaker that was 5.25" wide snuck in there.

Thank you!!

Height is 5.5 and width is 5.25? Is depth an issue?

But, from what I can see, your choices will be extremely limited,

 

[MattGoose63]

I need to put the speakers on top of the kitchen cabinets. The space between the cabinet and the ceiling is just under 5.5".

I figure I need some wiggle room, so call it 5.25.

That means that I'm very likely going to have to put a speaker on its side rather than upright. I don't have depth limits.

 

[markw]

So, width and depth isn't an issue? As long as one front dimension is < 5.25"?

 

[MattGoose63]

Bingo.

The Sonos Play:1 fit in there, but had to lay on its side.

 

[markw]

you're still being obtuse. I have no fargin' idea what the dimensions of that sonos speaker is. Do you know how to use a ruler?

These will PROBABLY fit but until you're more forthcoming, that's it from me.

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-Bookshelf-Speakers-3-5-Inch-Tweeter/dp/B00DP5NH5C/ref=sr_1_19?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453342991&sr=1-19&keywords=small+speakers

with your stated price range, I'd be looking at computer speakers.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

What would a reasonable price for those be?

It's not so much that I have a budget. It's more that I realize some of the limitations that I have. The source for these will be ok, at best, and I'll have the speakers lying on their side in a very restrictive space.

I might part with a pair for $150+shipping. Bear in mind these little devils have metal case and weigh at 4lbs each
Client, ex-AH Editor in Chief, was fairly impressed by them here:
http://www.audioholics.com/soundbar-and-satellite-speaker-reviews/5-1-speaker-shootout/5-1-shootout-rbh-ct-and-aperion-intimus
These were $250/pr brand new

 

[MattGoose63]

you're still being obtuse.

These will PROBABLY fit but until you're more forthcoming, that's it from me.

with your stated price range, I'd be looking at computer speakers.

http://www.amazon.com/Micca-Bookshelf-Speakers-3-5-Inch-Tweeter/dp/B00DP5NH5C/ref=sr_1_19?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453342991&sr=1-19&keywords=small+speakers

Im sorry - I don't know how to be more clear.

My kitchen cabinets are 5.5" from the ceiling. I don't think I can find a speaker that short, so I think I have to put the speaker on its side. In that case, what we normally call the width becomes the limiting factor. If the width is less than 5.5", then height and depth are not issues.

For example, the JBL Loft 30 is 8.25 x 5.125 x 7 (L x W x H). Because the width is less than 5.5", I think it will fit.

I just don't know anything about that speaker or if there are any better options out there. They are $50 on Amazon right now.

 

[markw]

Those JBL's are a good buy. Jump on them.

 

[Seth=L]

I would definitely prefer not to have to paint the speakers!! But, I would like to have them in white, if possible.

I need to measure exactly what I can fit... I found the Roth Oli RA1, which might slide in. But it is a bit expensive....

Any satelites that might fit or be worth it?

Thank you!

You can get the Realistics in white.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realistic-Minimus-7-pair-Speakers-White-40-2045-/391363514190?hash=item5b1f154f4e:g:cYwAAOSwys5WU2Sn

They are great sounding speakers for the price and their size.

Get some LA's Awesome and wipe those down and they'll be good as new white.

I don't know of any speaker that size that can has that low of a frequency response (lower bass). I've had a pair of the white ones before and I wish I still had them. In fact I may get another pair. They're just good speakers to have around.

 

[MattGoose63]

Those JBL's are a good buy. Jump on them.

Am going to grab a pair for the basement - the white Realistic's make life too easy (don't have to paint them!).

Thank you for your help!!!

 

[MattGoose63]

You can get the Realistics in white.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Realistic-Minimus-7-pair-Speakers-White-40-2045-/391363514190?hash=item5b1f154f4e:g:cYwAAOSwys5WU2Sn

They are great sounding speakers for the price and their size.

Get some LA's Awesome and wipe those down and they'll be good as new white.

I don't know of any speaker that size that can has that low of a frequency response (lower bass). I've had a pair of the white ones before and I wish I still had them. In fact I may get another pair. They're just good speakers to have around.

OK, bought and on the way.

Will the Lepai 2020A+ power them adequately?

Off to Walmart to get a Chromecast audio!!

 

[Seth=L]

OK, bought and on the way.

Will the Lepai 2020A+ power them adequately?

Off to Walmart to get a Chromecast audio!!

Should be fine for chamber levels of output (low to lower medium levels).

 

[MattGoose63]

Should be fine for chamber levels of output (low to lower medium levels).

Is there something in the under $50 range that is worth moving up to?