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"Bookshelf" speakers designed to be placed near the wall behind them?

I'm giving up my beloved (14-year love affair) Sonus Faber Cremonas in order to reclaim valuable floor space in the living room.  Currently they are placed on the floor in front of the fireplace & hearth - our new home has pretty much everything we wanted, *except* an audio-friendly layout in the living room.

My plan is to put a pair of smaller speakers up on the hearth on either side of the fireplace.  Probably will need custom stands to get the tweeters near ear level.  The hearth is 13.5" above the floor and is about 19" deep.

My first candidate was the Wilson Audio Duettes, a speaker explicitly designed for placement in close proximity to the wall behind them, *until* I saw their price - $22k.  I'm sure they're spectacular speakers, but that's well above my retired-guy budget.  I'd like to stay at $5k or under.  So I started looking at bookshelf speakers that are either sealed-box or front-ported ...

And I came across the Aerial 5T - a $4k speaker with a 1" woven ring-dome tweeter, a 6.7" papyrus-blend woofer and a front slot-shaped port.  *And* it's specifically designed to be placed from 2" to 24" from walls.  So that's my current front-runner.

But I'd be interested to hear others' recommendations - I certainly haven't looked at all the possibilities that are out there.  So let me know your thoughts!

Thanks
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ohlala
1,235 posts
 
Wilson just came out with the Tune Tot, a smallish bookshelf intended for restricted placement options. The price is about $10k, I believe. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
VLR with carbon tweeter coming soon !!!
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Custom Sound Anchors

nuclear attack survivable welded stand !!!!
erik_squires
16,051 posts
 
Crystal Cable Minissimo Diamonds for sure, but pricey. I think they make other much less expensive models. 

Oh, and to heck with JA's review of them. 

Best,

E
mbo's avatar
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mbo OP
9 posts
 
Wow, some great ideas here - thanks!

Thanks, @gsm18439 for reminding me about Audio Notes.  They've been on my must-investigate list for a long time.  I didn't remember that they made a stand-mount - will check it out!

Thanks, @mofojo Guru QM10-2 sounds interesting.  I'll take a look.

Thanks, @mattmiller Totem is another brand i've been curious about.  Not sure the Signature Ones will have enough bottom (unfortunately my living room is not a small room, although I listen in the near- or mid-field) but will check them out.

Thanks, @jb0194 I didn't remember that ATC makes sealed box speakers.  Will check out the SCM19 v2's.  gwizpro's stands sound interesting as well.

Thanks, @yogiboy i've always wanted a pair of Harbeths - maybe it's time.

Thanks, @joey54 Vandersteen is another company i've been interested in and would love to support.  Definitely will take a look at the VLR Woods.

Thanks, @ohlala i'd love to have some Wilson's in my room, but $10k is about twice what I want to spend atm.

And yes, @tomic601 I was thinking I might get some custom Sound Anchors to make up the necessary height.

Lots of good ideas here - i've got my work cut out for me.  Now it's a project I'm excited about.  I live in Central California about halfway between L.A. and San Francisco, I think the nearest hi-end audio dealer may be in Ventura.  So i'll do as much research as I can on the internet.  Then maybe some trips to dealers or perhaps Audiogon will come thru!

Btw, I listen mostly to acoustic jazz and classical, some world, some electronica, very little pop or rock.  I'm afraid I'm kind of a jazz snob. 😎

Our living room is fairly live and bright (hence my interest in the Aerials), with high peaked ceilings.  It's medium large and open plan to dining room and kitchen.  Much of the floor space in the living room is occupied by two grand pianos.  That's why I listen in the mid- or near-field.

Thanks for all the input, it was very valuable!

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