Small speakers for a project, looking for a few traits together.

[minusorange]

I'm currently in a house so tiny that I can play stuff on my iMac in the next room when I need tunes in the livingroom where I read, but of course, the sound is lacking.

Given that the place is indeed that small, size is a huge consideration for the following project, and I need some recommendations for the speakers for it.

The room is about 10'x16'

The amp will be a pocket-sized T-Amp 2x25

The source will be either an Archos Internet 5, or a Dell Streak

The tunes will be a mix of 320k MP3 & FLAC, usually Jazz/Nu-Jazz/Samba/Worldbeat and house music

I'm looking for a pair of *small* bookshelf speakers, and I'm not expecting any miracles or feats of physics, acoustics, etc, I'm realistic that the sound won't be perfect.

Desired traits:
3"-4" drivers
85+ s/n
sub $150 msrp (hopefully)

Maple/tiger finish would be swell, but black will do just fine.

Thanks alot in advance for any useful recommendation or guidance on this.
- Minus

 

[krzywica]

MCM has some decent stuff. I have owned the 50-908's and they are very good entry level speakers.

50-908 $37 Review here.

50-6075 $120

The Speaker Company also has very nice stuff..

Bookshelves $46-$130

EMP would be your best option IMO. I currently have an EMP front sound stage for my main HT area and love it!! Listening to Jack Johnson's BD right now actually and am amazed at the detail and imaging....

E5Bi's $200 special deal that has been going for some time and will not last much longer.

 

[minusorange]

MCM has some decent stuff. I have owned the 50-908's and they are very good entry level speakers.

Thanks a lot for the leads, I've been checking them out.


Anyone else like to chime in? I'm trying to avoid silk tweeters.


Thanks again!

 

[WmAx]

Those T-Amps are an especially bad choice to use with small speakers. Small speakers in fact have the lowest efficiency - thus requiring MORE power than most larger speakers to reach the same SPL. But if this is only for background noise, not seriously listening, then the T-Amps will be fine.

Want a really good compact speaker? Search down a mint condition slightly used KRK Rokit 5 (G1, not the new G2) 2 way. It's self amplified, has incredible SQ for the price. HERE is my in depth measurement/analysis. Combine this with an active crossover and pair of subs, and you will have an incredibly high SQ for low $$.. and very compact system. I recommend Behringer CX2310 crossover ($90) and the Dayton 10" powered subs - now on near half off sale for $80 each. Get two of the subs, not one. You will benefit greatly with 2 - in having coherent bass as you cross from the subs to mains. The xover is NOT optional, either. I recommend adding a common cheap $3 bed pillow inside each sub. This will force a smoothed, gradual roll off for 'tight' bass perception.

-Chris

 

[MidnightSensi]

Pick up a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers. They are 200 bucks, active, and sound great.

 

[WmAx]

Pick up a pair of Audioengine A2 speakers. They are 200 bucks, active, and sound great.

Not to shortchange the A2 - but the KRK ROKIT 5 G1 is substantially superior.

-Chris

 

[fightinkraut]

In case you're interested a buddy of mine is selling his KRK RP6CL SE for $300. Here's a recent ebay auction that ended with some good info.

Not sure how much the RP5 G1 goes for, but I thought I'd throw the above out there in case you're interested. I really wanted to keep them but I simply didn't have the room, now I'm hoping to pick up a pair of Audioengine A2's until I have more space, which won't be for a few years.

Basically just listen to WmAx...he knows his stuff.

 

[MidnightSensi]

Not to shortchange the A2 - but the KRK ROKIT 5 G1 is substantially superior.

-Chris

The KRKs are a lot bigger though, and they are ugly. It sounds like the OP is looking for a very small speaker for nearfield use in his living room.

The finish is nice on the A2s. It's this very understated semi-gloss with nice looking hardware on the back. Also the KRKs new are significantly more than the Audiogon A2s.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Energy makes great bookshelf speakers, with a neutral sound that is good for music. You can get their Energy RC-Mini in cherry for $99 w/ free shipping from vanns, two of these would be a great investment;

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542331797/energy-rc-mini?s_c=site_search

A couple reviews;
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en/products/rc-mini-reviews/

 

[WmAx]

The KRKs are a lot bigger though, and they are ugly. It sounds like the OP is looking for a very small speaker for nearfield use in his living room.

The finish is nice on the A2s. It's this very understated semi-gloss with nice looking hardware on the back. Also the KRKs new are significantly more than the Audiogon A2s.

Being a 5" 2 way... it is not large; in fact it is very small. The G1 is not ugly and has a high grade satin black finish. The G2(the new one you are probably looking at is not what I recommend - it appears to be a downgrade in every way from the G1).

-Chris

 

[MidnightSensi]

Being a 5" 2 way... it is not large; in fact it is very small. The G1 is not ugly and has a high grade satin black finish. The G2(the new one you are probably looking at is not what I recommend - it appears to be a downgrade in every way from the G1).

-Chris

They are a lot bigger than a A2 and are fine for a studio but not fine for a living room. The aramid/kevlar cone stands out and the logos wouldn't be appropriate for a living room where someone plans to get laid.

OP is looking for tunes while he reads in his living room.

 

[minusorange]

Thanks again guys. I've got 2 KRK Rokit 5s in my backroom, definately looking for something more like the AV123 Onix's that EAGLES was selling on the FS section a while back.