Small footprint with bass is a tall order!
I had an AX-7 for about 15 years. Drove three speakers with them: B&W DM12 monitors, Thiel CS1.6, Vandersteen 2Ce Sig II. Thiels and Vandies are far better than those old B&Ws. The Thiels probably a bit better resolved and transparent than the Vandies but the Vandies with much more bass making them overall more satisfying. The Vandersteens were slightly veiled in the midrange, that was helped by biwiring with quality cables. The Vandersteens are a crazy value, I don’t think they can be beat at that price but they are large monoliths, so maybe not what you want. Also, the AX-7 will clip with the Vandersteen if you like to listen a high SPLs. With the Thiels, my ears gave up well before the Ayre did.
Another option I considered when I bought the Thiels was the Revel M20. John Atkinson gave them a rave review and he measured and heard bass <30 cycles. So, small footprint and extended bass. I heard a pair driven by a NAD amp. Sounded good but I was happy I went with the Thiels.
I had an AX-7 for about 15 years. Drove three speakers with them: B&W DM12 monitors, Thiel CS1.6, Vandersteen 2Ce Sig II. Thiels and Vandies are far better than those old B&Ws. The Thiels probably a bit better resolved and transparent than the Vandies but the Vandies with much more bass making them overall more satisfying. The Vandersteens were slightly veiled in the midrange, that was helped by biwiring with quality cables. The Vandersteens are a crazy value, I don’t think they can be beat at that price but they are large monoliths, so maybe not what you want. Also, the AX-7 will clip with the Vandersteen if you like to listen a high SPLs. With the Thiels, my ears gave up well before the Ayre did.
Another option I considered when I bought the Thiels was the Revel M20. John Atkinson gave them a rave review and he measured and heard bass <30 cycles. So, small footprint and extended bass. I heard a pair driven by a NAD amp. Sounded good but I was happy I went with the Thiels.