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Recommendation about speakers with limited space behind

Hello all, this is my first post. I see that there is real expertise here, so I hope some of you don't mind spending some time helping a noob.

(This paragraph is background story, you can skip it to go to the actual question). When I was little, my parents had a great hi-fi system and I used to enjoy the great sound. It really made a difference. Unfortunately, in more recent stages of my life, I have never had good quality systems for several reasons (the proliferation of mp3, economic factors, lack of space, etc.) But now I would like to build a decent system. Probably not as good as that one (I don't have the space for it), but as good as I can. For that purpose I'm looking at amps, etc., but the part of the setup where I have the most doubts is the speakers.

In principle, I would really like the speakers to be Monitor Audio, mainly because my parents' speakers were that brand and I loved the sound. Probably this doesn't make much sense because those speakers were from the 80s and whatever I buy now won't have much to do with that, but I have a soft spot for them.

The great problem is space. The speakers would need to be placed on a bookshelf. I know bookshelf speakers are misnamed and a bookshelf is not optimal, but that's what I have for now (I don't think I can negotiate a better space with the partner - I prefer to not spend too much negotiation points in this and save them for the inevitable future subwoofer instead). The bookshelf space is about 32 cm deep and 33 cm high.

In this space, in principle I could fit the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or the Silver 50 (unfortunately the Bronze 2, which would seem ideal as they are front-ported, don't fit). Both of these speakers are back-ported. The Bronze 1 is 20.5 cm deep, which would leave around 11 cm of clearance to the back of the shelf, which I guess is not much (from what I have read, people seem to recommend more). The Silver 50 is higher range but it's 27 cm deep, leaving 5 cm, even worse.

So my questions are: (1) placing any of these speakers in such a space would just be somewhat suboptimal but they would still sound good if it's the place I have, or it would be sacrilege comparable to mixing champagne with water and drinking it to the plastic glass? Does it make sense at all or would I be wasting my money by placing them in such a place? (2) can the port bungs mentioned in both speakers' manual help?, and (3) provided I buy one of these models, which should I go for? I'm OK with paying the extra money for the Silver 50 over the Bronze 1, but obviously if they're actually going to sound worse (due to having less room behind, 5 cm vs. 11 cm, and also less room on top if that matters) it wouldn't be worth it.

Thanks in advance.
kalikrates
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,570 posts
 
@kalikrates, 

SONOS is a great alternative to conventional stereo system. We are now talking lifestyle audio and there is none better than SONOS. 

I own SONOS playbar with a sub in my two TV rooms. Never felt the need to add rear speakers cause playbar is more than adequate of relaying the 2 ch stereo and movie soundtracks in 3.1 surround mode. Nevertheless, with playbar you have the ability to add rear speakers for a true 5.1 surround system. 

I also own a pair of Play: 3 with a Sub in my study for pure 2 ch listening. I love the simplicity and great sound of SONOS for everyday casual listening. 

If you want to build your system around SONOS AMP using your own bookshelf speakers then that’s the way to go. 

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jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,437 posts
 
I ran KEF LS50s on a small media credenza. I used some Herbie's saucers to decouple them a bit without stands.  This was not an ideal setup but it worked great for television, which was the sole purpose. I did, however, listen to music occasionally and it was very good but not great.  I also have Wharfedale Dentons (I actually kept them over the LS50s) on a mid century credenza in my second system.  They do just fine on a shelf.  Again, this is not ideal and it won't allow the speaker to do its best job. But I wanted to just drop a note to say that it can be done. 

Any chance you can try a small floorstander? Or put a bookshelf on a stand that works the best for you?  Once you hear it you may move your room around just to keep them. 

BTW, I love Monitor Audio.  They make great products.  Some of their tweeters are really smooth sounding. 
scottaudi
3 posts
 

+1 on the sealed case (no rear ports) in this situation. I use Harbeth in a cabinet for both my home entertainment rig and also my workstation. M30.1 in the big rig, and P3ESR in the workstation. They both sound terrific. Check the dimensions for your bookshelves.

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