Advice for bookshelf speakers


It is time for me to consider getting some new speakers and I'd like some advice.  This is a secondary system where I watch movies the majority of the time but I still like the speakers to sound good on those occasions when I listen to music. I need to replace my left, center and right.  The speakers I am replacing are KEF XQ1s and an XQ2C.  I can live with just a left and right if the manufacturer does not make a center channel.  These will be driven by an AVR, not separates and will have a sub to pick up the lower frequencies.  I have some WAF dimensions that need to be adhered to: 9"-10" from the back wall, no taller than 17" and the left and right tweeters will be 55" apart.  I would prefer there not to be a precise sweet spot since we sit in various areas on the oversize couch facing the speakers.  I'm not really too hung up on budget.  Somewhere between $2-4K total would be where I would like to be.

 

Given the above, I was thinking about sealed or front vented.  I don't think rear vented would be good for this situation but I could be wrong.  I have only done internet viewing and no listening.  I have looked at Salk's website and have also thought about ATC and ProAc.  I've also looked at Ascend (too narrow of a sweet spot?), Fritz (rear vent), Watkins Generation 4 (are these vented?) and others and just wanted to bounce it off this group. Thanks in advance.

dlm110

+1 on Paradigms and their Founder  40B's are more expensive, but higher quality. They are 15% off now on sale.

 

I would consider the Paradigm Founders 40. 

Used they go for $1700ish. New +$1K. Not sure how

close to wall they can be set.

I own the Fritz Carerra 7BEs but they need to be out further than your

WAF tolerances.

AudioNotes Speakers are designed to set against or near the back wall.

I heard a $6k Hemp model at a recent show and the sound was wonderful.

Keep us posted please.

 

 

 

A pair of Vandy VLR's would do the trick. I think there are a pair for sale here on Audiogon.

You can get the Vandy center channel used, too.

Add a Sub 3, and I bet it would give your main system a run for the money.

bob

@fuzztone has a good idea with the Sierra-2EX V2. I have the tower version of those speaker and they're an amazingly quick and musical speaker. Good call.