2. speakers
  3. 146406-127594

Recommendation about speakers with limited space behind

Hello all, this is my first post. I see that there is real expertise here, so I hope some of you don't mind spending some time helping a noob.

(This paragraph is background story, you can skip it to go to the actual question). When I was little, my parents had a great hi-fi system and I used to enjoy the great sound. It really made a difference. Unfortunately, in more recent stages of my life, I have never had good quality systems for several reasons (the proliferation of mp3, economic factors, lack of space, etc.) But now I would like to build a decent system. Probably not as good as that one (I don't have the space for it), but as good as I can. For that purpose I'm looking at amps, etc., but the part of the setup where I have the most doubts is the speakers.

In principle, I would really like the speakers to be Monitor Audio, mainly because my parents' speakers were that brand and I loved the sound. Probably this doesn't make much sense because those speakers were from the 80s and whatever I buy now won't have much to do with that, but I have a soft spot for them.

The great problem is space. The speakers would need to be placed on a bookshelf. I know bookshelf speakers are misnamed and a bookshelf is not optimal, but that's what I have for now (I don't think I can negotiate a better space with the partner - I prefer to not spend too much negotiation points in this and save them for the inevitable future subwoofer instead). The bookshelf space is about 32 cm deep and 33 cm high.

In this space, in principle I could fit the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or the Silver 50 (unfortunately the Bronze 2, which would seem ideal as they are front-ported, don't fit). Both of these speakers are back-ported. The Bronze 1 is 20.5 cm deep, which would leave around 11 cm of clearance to the back of the shelf, which I guess is not much (from what I have read, people seem to recommend more). The Silver 50 is higher range but it's 27 cm deep, leaving 5 cm, even worse.

So my questions are: (1) placing any of these speakers in such a space would just be somewhat suboptimal but they would still sound good if it's the place I have, or it would be sacrilege comparable to mixing champagne with water and drinking it to the plastic glass? Does it make sense at all or would I be wasting my money by placing them in such a place? (2) can the port bungs mentioned in both speakers' manual help?, and (3) provided I buy one of these models, which should I go for? I'm OK with paying the extra money for the Silver 50 over the Bronze 1, but obviously if they're actually going to sound worse (due to having less room behind, 5 cm vs. 11 cm, and also less room on top if that matters) it wouldn't be worth it.

Thanks in advance.
kalikrates
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,578 posts
 
Port bungs will work to a degree as you are essentially making your speaker a sealed one by plugging the ports.

It will sound ok, just not great.  Not quite in the 800 euro to 100 euro drop league, but 800 euro to 500 euro wold be closer to what you would get.  Unless you go for a speaker that was specifically designed for the placement situation that you are describing, you will compromise some on the sound.  It is not the end of the world.

Rich   
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
1,105 posts
 
@kalikrates,

You didn’t say what would be your source player? Are you streaming music or using a conventional CD or Record player.

I am going to go on a limb here and make a recommendation based on your limited space. 

When I first heard them I was blown away by their ability to fill the room. The bass was deep enough for me to inquire where is the sub, only to find out that there was no sub in the room. The SQ quality was pretty amazing using Tidal app in my iPhone.

Since I stream music, this one will be my number one choice if I am ever shopping for bookshelf speakers. Find a place to listen them or order online and you can thank me later.

https://www.aurender.com/page/s5w
kalikrates OP
2 posts
 
@rar1 Thanks!

@lalitk I will mainly be streaming music, and also playing music that I have in digital format (not with a CD player, but I will play CDs that I have converted to flac). My idea is to use the newly-released Sonos Amp. This can stream music wirelessly, and has the advantage that it fits the physical depth constraint of my furniture (most AV receivers don't, they are very deep) while providing HDMI ARC connection from the TV, and possibility of adding wireless rear speakers in the future to get surround sound. My top priority is stereo music, not TV, but if I can kill two birds with one stone and also improve my TV’s crappy sound getting the flexibility to add surround in the future if I feel like it, then why not? Unless you tell me that a similarly small-sized conventional music amp would sound better, in which case I could go for something else as the source.
donvito
81 posts
 
The KEF LS50 will fit. They have port plugs. There is a pair listed here for $850!
https://www.kefdirect.com/speaker/flagship-hi-fi-speakers/ls50/ls50-mini-monitor-speaker.html
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
1,105 posts
 
@kalikrates, 

SONOS is a great alternative to conventional stereo system. We are now talking lifestyle audio and there is none better than SONOS. 

I own SONOS playbar with a sub in my two TV rooms. Never felt the need to add rear speakers cause playbar is more than adequate of relaying the 2 ch stereo and movie soundtracks in 3.1 surround mode. Nevertheless, with playbar you have the ability to add rear speakers for a true 5.1 surround system. 

I also own a pair of Play: 3 with a Sub in my study for pure 2 ch listening. I love the simplicity and great sound of SONOS for everyday casual listening. 

If you want to build your system around SONOS AMP using your own bookshelf speakers then that’s the way to go. 

More to discover