What are the smallest speakers that are clean and flat down to 20hz?

Mapman
Yes 20 hz and dynamic range which is why I tend to think larger drivers and speakers for that. But how small can they be?

Mapman

From my experience depends on multiple factors.

1) Appropriate room size - to allow the bass wave to happen.
2) Capable speaker design/boxes. Physics here isn’t as picky about the shape. But the box volume and tuning (pipes in the box) need to be there.
3) Appropriate amps
4- Appropriate EQ.**

Standalone subs provide you with 2 - 3 - 4. This is why audiophile subs came out of the HT and Car domains and dominate 2 channel setups now - imo.

** Meaning controllable cut off points, phase, and DB control to boost as appropriate for music between different genres, and even within the same genre.  Give this to me in a remote control from my listening position or forgetaboutit !   :^) 

Ever see pics of Fully capable speakers you know go down to 20 hz but for some reason there is a sub or two tucked away in the pic? Some problems with this picture. Well you are hardly ever shown the whole room so anyone who has been through this can understand why it is happening. Could be 1) room is too small or less likely - too big 2) speakers have wife constraints and can not be put on the room loading points 3) amps can’t deliver the goods.
3 reasons at the top of my head.

I also agree with what Tim said about the multiple sub effect and room nodes. Some all out designs go one further and place woofers at the top of the tall speaker to deal with room nodes.

Just some thoughts

noble100,

Thanks for those kind remarks.

Yes we are on the same page on what is best. Also with Atmasphere on the size factor.

That is why I ask the question. I prefer simple and small, not large and/or many.

Totem Mani 2 has always interested me in this regard with its unique double bass driver design in a reasonably small monitor package.

For floor standers I feel my Ohm Walsh speakers with 8" driver for smaller rooms and 12" for larger are still my personal overall sound quality benchmark in this regard. There is a newer model the 5015 that adds built in powered subs which I suspect has to push the limits as well. But I’m always looking and wondering. Plus I think its an informative discussion in general.

Barefoot MM27 with two 10 inch woofers, two 5.25" midrange and a tweeter in a compact 20.5 x 9.5 x 15.5 inches cabinet are the closet thing to what the OP claims to want. It is like a bookshelf two way but having two JL fathom 110 built into each speaker - that is four 10 inch woofers!!!

These will easily outperform Ohm Walsh and any other speaker suggested here in terms of low end response, dynamic range and overall clean extreme high SPL - they are without doubt the smallest truly full range speakers on the market.

There are some nice speaker suggestions above and Totem, for example, make great speakers, as do Ohm, but in this rather stringent requirement of smallest and full range there is a clear leader that makes other speakers that "sound big" look like kids toys.

Shadorne Barefoot is one I am not familiar with. Those seem to add the powered subs, in fact 4 separate powered bass drivers per speaker in a small package indeed. hard to argue with that. Thanks for identifying those.

Seemingly a smaller package but would they outperform the OHM 5015? Those go for about 10K. Totally different beasts otherwise but with 4 powered bass driver per speaker could be.   They do show -3db down at 30hz in teh specs though which would seem to indicate the size is limiting them to some extent in regards to low end extension if not low end dynamics otherwise.

Here is link to info on OHM 5015:

http://ohmspeaker.com/speakers/beta/

Specs say +/- 3 db at 16hz.

I have OHM F5s which is same cabinet, same main driver (12"), minus built in 15" powered sub and is ported not sealed.

Also smaller similar Walsh 2s with similar driver but 8".

F5 can be adjusted to room size but is overkill for smaller rooms only.