Floor-standing vs Book-shelf from upper line up?


Hello, 

I’d like to ask your general opinion and experience.

Of course, I plan to hear (if possible) both to make the final call, but would like to know possible long-term experience.

A room is about 14ft x 13ft, a dedicated listening room with couple acoustic panels.


My question is, (specifically or generally)

- Floor stand speaker vs A book shelf type speaker from the upper line up

What would be the better choice?

 Technically, the bookshelf would provide enough sound for a room, and it’s from the upper line up, so I think this might be the optimized solution.

At the same time, I personally prefer floor-standing design (not that important), and though there might be slightly more power than I need, I think having slightly more power would not sound like a bad idea.

https://www.marten.se/products/

I compare Marten Oscar Trio vs Marten Parker Duo

Both are relatively new, and the price is basically same...  
“This price factor” (assuming you pay for what you get, especially from the same company) is a tricky thing.

If this were B&W 805 vs 704 decision. It would be a lot easier.

What would you choose?


Happy New Year! :D 
128x128sangbro
I’ll second the Dutch and Dutch 8c as well, if you could swing a pair.  Supposedly stupid good...
Thank you. 

Yes, bass might be overwhelming since my room is not fully treated but only has limited number of acoustic panels in key points.
I will check out Joseph Audio Pulsar 2.

I really like D&D 8c too. I have a different pretty well made active speaker and see the huge benefit of all in one concept when everything is integrated well. 

The honest part is, there is really no way to change anything in this design. (like amp) And, D&D 8c is very good but not my preference perfectly. Also, when I hear D&D 8c, personally, it reminds me good studio monitor speakers. I can go for studio monitors with dead neutral sound. I tried... maybe the best for music work, but not enough fun for me to bring it home for a leisure purpose.  

IMO any generalizations about the two types, with respect to bass or imaging, are just that -- generalizations.  Especially the imaging part. The choice is mostly a matter of (a) budget (since bookshelf speakers generally are less expensive than floor-standers in the same product line) and (b) convenience in placement.

It's easy to add bass extension with a subwoofer(s).
Poor imaging is harder to fix (if it's due to limitations in your speakers).
Although, there are floor-standers with excellent imaging.

A bookshelf or table tends to be a bad place for speaker imaging, so for high fidelity you probably want them on stands positioned out a little into the room. This is tantamount to a pair of 2-piece floor-standers.  My floor-standers do weigh 70 lbs. each, so for those times when I need to move them, I'd have been better off with the stand-mounted version.