Great Small Room Speakers for $3-5k

Hi Nick -

Funny thing, I just changed my system around to a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3, Zu Audio Omen Bookshelf Speakers.  TT is a Technics 1500 with a Ortofon Blue and PS Audio SACD Transport and Gain Cell DAC.  

What I like about the Omen's is how energetic and alive they sound.  They also work out better than most speakers that I have owned because I have them placed on top of some bookcases, mostly to keep the cats away from them.  But granted the Omens do have some size to them.

The Omens replaced some Golden Ear BRX monitors.  They worked well with the Rogue.  Placing them on top of bookcases is not an ideal way to treat them. Worth a look.  

Rich 

OP- I’ve owned Harbeth P3esr, M30.1, and KEF LS50. I now have Fritz Carrera BE in my second system and in my opinion it’s a better speaker than the aforementioned. I haven’t tried the LS50 Meta though. If you contact Fritz, he can send you a pair for auditioning. He has a really good return policy. The speakers are hand made in the USA and imo provide the best value for bookshelf speakers up to $5k

+1 to @joey54 for recommending the Vandersteen VLR CT.  It’s an excellent bookshelf size speaker designed to go close to the wall, so you get more space in your room.  I think the Mofi will be too big for that room. I have the KEF LS50 Metas and it’s an amazing speaker that just gets better as you upgrade your system.  If anything, budget for another REL sub.  Stereo subs are a big step up and will actually help to improve bass in a smaller room.

The problem with tiny speakers like this is that the sub crossover needs to be high. I had the regular LS50 with SVS sub and they were unsatisfying for all but the lighter stuff. No Zep for you! Even though your room is small, choosing speakers that extend lower in the bass will increase your odds for successful sub integration. You have to consider what the subs are doing above the crossover frequency. If the crossover is too high, the subs will affect frequencies well above that and you will hear the sub trying to play stuff it shouldn’t. ie. if you set the sub to 80Hz, the sub does not stop on a dime at 80Hz...it messes up what’s above that. You can see that for yourself by shutting off your main speakers and playing music through the sub at the loudest levels you listen at.  Do a frequency sweep and you may be surprised at what the sub is doing when it isn't being masked by the main speakers. Also you can have a very dynamic sub but if the speakers are small, the dynamics of the sub don’t match the dynamics of the speaker which is another problem. Go big or stay home! Try to find standmounts that extend -3dB to 40-45Hz or lower.  If you do, you might find you don't even need subs for music.

@ddd1  - I appreciate that response. That's what alluring about the KEFLS50 Meta and KC62 option - it feels easier to dial that in. 

And, what's also alluring about getting a slightly bigger speaker such as used Harbeth 30.1. There's a pair on Audiogon for ~$5k with Tron Traegar stands. Buying a new P3 (used pairs seem rare) plus nice stands reaches that amount anyways.

Does anyone have an opinion on the new P3 vs. used 30.1 given my size room? Also, thanks to those with the continued suggestion of Vandersteen book shelf speakers. I'll look to see if they have a home trial.