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Looking for good bookshelf speakers less than $1k

I spend a LOT of time at my desk and want to upgrade my speakers, new or used would be ok.

My system is Jriver/Flac > Schiit Uber Bitfrost > NAD c356bee > B&W 601s2, and utilizing a Velodyne Impact 10 sub to supplement the bass.

Desk is 4'x5' and will be up against a wall in the family room. The speakers should work well on a desk really close to the wall. (the Revel M20 flush mount switch and high frequency control sounds like a good idea).

They probably should not be rear ported since they are so close to the wall?? And since they are so nearfield they should sound good with low volume, and I usually listen at lower volume anyway, but I like to crank it once in a while. I like a bit of a warm sound, however the B&W 601s2's are a little too warm and not much detail or bass slam.

I listen to a large variety of music with a huge interest in The Blues. Also listen to Jazz, Rock, anything acoustic, Indie, Alternative, Folk, Classical, Avantgarde.

My main system doesn't get used much since I'm at my desk most of the time. It's in a dedicated audio room. (Sony SACD 777ES > First Sound Presence Deluxe Mk II > Plinius SA100 MkIII > Von Schweikert Audio VR4->VR5).

TIA for any suggestions.
128x128audionut22
audionut22's avatar
audionut22 OP
43 posts
 
Thanks Chrshanl and Mapman for your input. Could anyone describe what happens when a rear-ported speaker is placed within a couple of inches of the wall, (probably with some toe-in as well), so I know if I definitely have to rule them out? On my 4' x 5' desktop the speakers front baffles will be approximately 4 feet to my ears so the speakers pretty much have to be very close to the wall.

I just had a thought, I do have the option of placing the desk so it wouldn't have to be up against the wall. I would be facing out into the room, instead of facing the wall... Hmm? Then it seems rear ported, or not, it should work...
TIA.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,389 posts
 
You'll get generally get more bass reinforcement close to the wall with rear ports as you will with any speaker. You generally would not want to go flush or even very close against the wall and obstruct the air motion through the port. That would limit the bass levels. Not to say that might not be desirable and sound better even in some cases. Generally, it is just not a good idea to fully obstruct the air motion through the port.

The main downside of placement too close to wall in all cases is early reflections from the wall that smear the soundstage. Its more an issue at higher frequencies though and not really an issue at the lowest frequencies handled by ports though. Some speakers might be designed to be placed close to the front wall and still control or avoid early reflections. A lot of speakers designed for "bookshelf" or near wall placement are this way. Nowadays, many small speakers are designed to go on stands aways from walls rather than close to walls or on bookshelves. It was much more common in years past.
audionut22's avatar
audionut22 OP
43 posts
 
Thanks for the explanation Mapman. I plan to use the current orientation for new speakers. The rear inside of the speakers are within an inch of the wall and the rear outside is about 6 inches from the wall. They are toed in with the tweeter leveled off directly at my ears about 4 feet away.

I believe that space should give a rear ported speaker a little room to breathe. And I could easily hang some acoustic material on the wall which should break up some of the early reflections hopefully maintaining most of the soundstage.

The list of possibilities has shrunk, (a little bit:). Some I have been considering in the $1500 or less, (as always I raise the $ bar once researching), category are some model of these:

LS50
Fritz
Spendor
Dynaudio
Acsend Sierra
Vapor
Totem
Ref 3A
Harbeth P3 ESR

Another I have not heard of is Selah which some have high regard for. Anyone have any experience with those?

TIA to any who have input on these, (or others)!
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,389 posts
 
Hard to beat the small size and band for the buck of the KEF ls50s but I think most of the home audio speakers you identify are designed to perform best on stands with some distance from walls. Not to say they might not sound very good still otherwise, but...

Have you considered any pro active monitors? That is where I looked recently for the most compact and cost effective solution to use on an office desk or shelf. Check out amazon Guitar Center, or anyplace that sells pro studio gear for many options there.

Audioengine active monitors are popular in these parts as well for cases like yours.
audionut22's avatar
audionut22 OP
43 posts
 
Well, I found a smoking deal on the LS50's and HAD to get them:)! I'm very impressed initially, however I will withhold judgment until 200+ hours burn-in.

When first set up, my desk was facing out into the middle of the room and they had an unbelievable spacious and deep soundstage. However out of necessity I have had to place my desk up against the wall:( Unfortunately, as has been said, the sound stage suffers.

I am now looking into some sort of acoustic material to hang/tack onto the wall behind the speakers as well as pulling the desk away from the wall a few inches in the hope of regaining some of the stage and depth.

Can anyone recommend some type of acoustic panel ~ 5' x 2'?
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