Real "Bookshelf" speaker 4 bookshelf or wall-mount

If you're talkig about (actually) putting bookshelf speakers on a bookshelf be prepared to kill your soundstage and just about everything else a high quality speaker has to offer. I own the M20s. Can't imagine (yeah I can) putting these babies on a bookshelf. peace, warren

Linn Kans, Katans or Tukans will work well for your application and are very musical speakers.

Does putting "bookshelf" speakers actually on a bookshelf necessarily kill everything a high quality speaker has to offer, or is that only true for bookshelf speakers that arn't really designed for bookshelf or next to the wall applications? It seems to me that there are many instances where the only place to put a speaker is on a shelf or on the wall. Have high end speaker manufacturers totally ignored this marget segment, or is it impossible to design for (which doesn't seem likely)? The Revel M20's mentioned apparently have a "External Placement Compensation Control for optimizing the loudspeaker’s response for flush-mount, bookshelf, or stand-mount applications". So it seems at least Revel have thought about it. Are they alone?

Lotusm50:

The worst scenario ... putting a speaker on a shelf inside a bookcase or wall unit or even on top of an armoire, for that matter, will pretty much kill the soundstage of the speaker. Sealed/acoustic suspension speakers will work out better than bass reflex speakers (whether you plug the ports or not) ... but the placement is very far from ideal. I have this situation today with two of my systems. The sound is still good and enjoyable... but I am not taking full advantage of all that the speaker has to offer.

An open shelf makes for a somewhat better situation, but it is still a real challenge for the loudspeaker. Also, most shelves are not at a proper height for "sweet spot" or "critical" listening ... they are usually higher.

Granted this is a real world problem for bedroom or office systems ... but it is not a market segment that many manufacturers have actively pursued. I can name some speakers that may work ... but not many speakers. Granted most audiophile speakers will sound good ... but not great in these types of set-ups. .

I would not spend major dollars. I would still keep with a sealed box design (think NHT SB 2 or SB 3) or possibly, a front ported speaker design. Some of the Gallo speakers (single & double) may work out really well here. They are at least designed for this type of duty.

Good luck, Rich

Thanks Rich, you're dead on. I just didn't have the time, at the time, to go into it. peace, warren