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Moving on a sailboat - bookshelf speakers?

I've decided to spend a year on a sailboat. I'm loath to give up my home system as it's about as good as you can get before spending silly money. (LX521s, ATI/Parasound, maxed-out Linn LP12 with Blackbird arm and VdH Frog) All of it is going in storage except for my Ayre QB-9 Twenty powered by my M1 Mac Mini. 

I am interested in opinions on great bookshelf speakers that actually need to live in a bookshelf. (No room for stand-mounted speakers in a 40' monohull sailboat.) I also need a good integrated amp to power the speakers. (I'm leaning towards the Audio by Van Alstine Vision SET 120 Control Amplifier.) 

I think I've got about 18" tall by 12" deep as limitations. Maybe less. (I'll update when I know for sure.) 

What speakers should I be looking at? Various reviews like the KEF but declare that it needs stands. Others declare the sub-$1000 B&W anniversary speakers and don't mention stands. I wish I could fit a pair of LX Minis, but the associated mid/bass tube knocks it out of the running. 

marktrav
recklesskelly
330 posts
 

Get a bigger boat and solar panels, take it with you. No really be safe and I am green…with envy I love being on the water.

mofojo
2,171 posts
 

I never heard the LS50 Meta but have heard the older one. They were ok. Not very good for rock IMO. The Guru won’t be as detailed but I feel more natural sounding. Best thing is it’s more or less made to be right up against the wall. The bass is surprising! 
 

Thing is IMO any speaker made to be out in the room a bit is going to be boomy. 

mofojo
2,171 posts
 

Ohh and congrats on your 1 year sail boat excursion! Sounds amazing. 

mofojo
2,171 posts
 

Ever think about powered speaker with dsp? I hear the KEF Wireless is way better than the passive version. I’m assuming but don’t know for sure that the dsp can fix most issues you would have with the bookshelf placement. 
 

the new Buchart looks awesome as well. Maybe too big though. 

erik_squires
15,677 posts
 

Not sure if you have considered the marine environment's effect

on speakers? There are brands designed for tougher conditions

as you will be experiencing. 

That was my thoughts too.  The salt air is hard on everything, especially home appliances not really designed for the humid/salt in the air there.  I'm afraid I'd go with whatever was most likely to survive.

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