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Smallest bookshelf speakers for a stereo setup? - Page 3

post #31 of 40
5/18/07 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duggeh View Post
http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/2480

The Quad L-ites are supposed to be brilliant for the size. Or really small size for their brilliance. Whichever you prefer.
Do they work well with a tube amplifier like this? I am not sure if the power supply of this amp is good enough to drive the Quad L-ites...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3668&rd=1&rd=1

Also, do the speakers sound good without woofer? Thanks~
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post #32 of 40
5/18/07 at 10:30pm
I don't normally suggest DIY when people ask general questions about speakers, but this is a clear case where it makes sense to go DIY. Many of the smallest commercial speakers sound pretty bad, despite the number of positive reviews they get (e.g. nOrh 3.0s). Within size constraints, you can't do a lot better than this project, no matter how much you spend:
http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker18.html
Very small, and very inexpensive to build. Total parts cost for a stereo pair is around $40, which leaves anyone with enough money left over to buy (or build) a small sub, which most people do need to be satisfied with small speakers.
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post #33 of 40
5/19/07 at 12:19am
Iam not usually a fan of Polk speakers, but one of their models from a couple of years ago was very good and would work well for what you want.
Tha Polk RT 25i should be able to be found on ebay for about $100. Got good reviews and rightfully so. The don't play super loud, but for a desktop system would be good - and cheap.
I did the same thing a couple of years ago using the Dynaudio 50' and it was very clean.
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post #34 of 40
5/19/07 at 2:02am
Paradigm Atoms
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post #35 of 40
5/19/07 at 4:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kokofong View Post
Do they work well with a tube amplifier like this? I am not sure if the power supply of this amp is good enough to drive the Quad L-ites...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...3668&rd=1&rd=1

Also, do the speakers sound good without woofer? Thanks~
I've used an almost identical amp to drive my floorstanding Quad 21Ls. So I'd wager that amp has got enough juice. The danger with those chinese amps is build quality control, some of them are put together well, others not so well, and the stock tubes can be noisy, microphonic or plain faulty.

With and without woofer is a whole new kettle of eels. Id say set up a stereo system first before trying to add a sub to it.
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post #36 of 40
5/19/07 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Duggeh View Post
I've used an almost identical amp to drive my floorstanding Quad 21Ls. So I'd wager that amp has got enough juice. The danger with those chinese amps is build quality control, some of them are put together well, others not so well, and the stock tubes can be noisy, microphonic or plain faulty.

With and without woofer is a whole new kettle of eels. Id say set up a stereo system first before trying to add a sub to it.
May you tell me which amplifier you use? How much is it and is it good?
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post #37 of 40
5/19/07 at 1:50pm
You might try Totem Mites as well, they sound decent for their size. Nice warm sound, inoffensive highs, good mids. I haven't heard most of the offerings listed here though, so keep that in mind. I'm sure there's better, I just haven't heard it.
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post #38 of 40
5/20/07 at 9:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kokofong View Post
May you tell me which amplifier you use? How much is it and is it good?
I use the next one up, the Aria P14, although the names that these amps give themselves seem to vary. I originally bought this one which appears to be the same on you linked to but not black. It did not work properly and the seller gave me a free upgrade to this one.

I use that second one at the minute for my Ergo AMT headphones and the TakeT H2 headphones. However I have tried connecting it to my Quad 21L speakers and it did drive them, although not nearly so well as my NAD C352, it doesn't have the power overhead needed.

Personally in your position, I'd pick the Quad L-ites and a vintage NAD, like the 3020, or a T-amp based solution. You wont have any of the potential troubles that these Chinese amps have then. The only reason for my picking the Chinese tube amps in the first place was because I needed a low-power amplifier and the branded options for that category of amplifier are just inexcusably expensive once you go past the T-amp. If I had to pick an amp for the same task now though, I'd pick the trends Audio T-Amp. That might also be a better choice for your amp needs.
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post #39 of 40
5/20/07 at 9:50pm
here are some speakers that might interest people looking for small solutions, anywhere from $100 to $3000... just off the top of my head though.

atc scm7 asl
swans m200
proac ref 8
role kayak
nsm 10s
thiel pcs
role skiff
gallo advia
quad 12l
orb mod1 sat
wharfedale 9.1
b&w dm602
quad 11l
arcam alto
naim n-sat
bg corp z-1
dali meneut ii
era design 4sat
aperion 422l
aerial model 5b
amphion ion
any ls3/5a
spendor s20
engima ormeus
harbeth hl-p3
focus fs-688
celestion sl6si
spica tc-50
silverline sr12
onix xls
totem tabu
aci sapphire xl
spendor sp3/1p
dynaudio focus 110
stone rothschilde a2
totem model 1 sig
totem acoustic mite
tyler mini linbrook
merlin tsm
aci emerald xl
silverline reference 15
proac response 1sc
aad pmm1
aurum cantus v3m
micropure kotaro
jm lab micro utopia
sonus faber concertino
kef 101
rogers jr149
proac super tablette
gr research paradox one
modwright/swans m1
dynaudio compact 25
hansen audio elixr
infinity signature 1
respons baby grand
diapason karis
fulton 80
celestion 3
ra labs mini-reference
paradigm atom
nht m00
odyssey epiphany

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wodgy View Post
I don't normally suggest DIY when people ask general questions about speakers, but this is a clear case where it makes sense to go DIY. Many of the smallest commercial speakers sound pretty bad, despite the number of positive reviews they get (e.g. nOrh 3.0s). Within size constraints, you can't do a lot better than this project, no matter how much you spend:
http://zaphaudio.com/audio-speaker18.html
Very small, and very inexpensive to build. Total parts cost for a stereo pair is around $40, which leaves anyone with enough money left over to buy (or build) a small sub, which most people do need to be satisfied with small speakers.
don't those drivers have like, super low sensitivity? around 79db? not the best for a t-amp solution. i might give that a shot though, although i have pretty bad woodworking skills.
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post #40 of 40
5/22/07 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ymer View Post
Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the number of responses. Didn't notice I had received so many.

So, explanation:

I'm gonna use these speakers with my computer. They'll be my only speakers for a year, maybe more. I have a stereo setup with Energy C-3 bookshelf speakers, but I'm not taking them with me.

They'll be used mostly with my computer, but yes, I want better than desktop speaker quality. I want to be able to listen to music decently. Most desktop speaker sets have problems and holes through the frequency range. I just want them to be small, neutral and able to reproduce anything I throw at them. They will be powered by an integrated amplifier and the source will be either a decent soundcard or a DAC.

The Energy RC-Mini (http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/pr...ge.php?id=315#) are pretty small at 7-1/2". About that size or smaller would be great.

Up to 400 Euros is fine (unless there are 1000-2000 euros 7" or smaller speakers that are able to replace my bookshelf system ^_^).

Hope it's clearer now.

Thanks
get Aego 2s

theres a sub attached but they are very musical speakers, dont know anyone who doesnt like theirs
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