Recommendations for monitor/bookshelf speakers

Rar1 makes a good point. If your shelves are closed it might be better to get smaller speakers (that put out less bass and have more rigid cabinets) and complement them with a musical subwoofer, e.g. Rel.

As I reread your original thread, by constructing these built-is will you be turning your 12 x 12 room into a 12 X10 room?

Rich

The only speakers I have ever heard that don't get too much bass bloom close to a wall are Anthony Gallo A'Divas. I've tried acoustically sealed as well as front ported, and they all had too much bass reinforcement. If you are going to put them in the shelves, or very close to the wall...audition some Gallo A'Divas or Reference Stradas.

Hope this helps,
Mot

Thank you for all the recommendations and advice. I wish I could compare all of them in one sitting.

@Rich - Yes, once the shelves are constructed the room will be effectively 10x12. The speakers will be placed between 6 and 7 feet apart, on center, on top of a shelf that is 24 to 27 inches off the floor.

Thanks again, John

P.S. No one recommended Harbeth. I am kind of surprised after all the good things Audiogoners seem to write about them.

Your set-up should work.

What I have just found frustrating with the 'enclosed bookcase/ enclosed bookshelf' type of placement is that the more expensive speakers don't usually perform much better than more modestly priced speakers.

So, I am not surprised that Harbeths are not mentioned ... you will not get your money's worth.

I had picked up Rega Aras for $300 NOS and they performed well on enclosed shelves. Good bass for their size. I also used Energy RC10s ($350) and they performed well, I decided to do a major upgrade and purchased the Spendor SA1 ($2100) and they sounded mediocre, which surprised me since they are sealed boxes and port issues should not be an issue. Also, the Spendors were designed with shelf placement in mind. I then auditioned Totem Mites ($750) and loved them in the store, but they were just so so on enclosed shelves. It is the enclosed aspect that is the great equalizer.

I came across the Ascend Acoustic Sierras and they have given me the upgrade boost that I was looking for. I had them on shelves and recently have moved them to on top of the bookcases. The sound really opened up when I took them out of the enclosed setting.

Rich