Small (passive) speaker recommendation

[Edward]

Looking for ideas on a speaker recommendation please.

This for my study/dining room and due to layout needs to be table/bookshelf mounted (so no rear ports, stands etc).

Currently (and indeed for years) have been using an ancient Acoustic Research 8BX which was restored/upgraded by Wembley Loudspeaker also ages ago. Fairly open and detailed sound but not 'emotional' and involving enough. Especially when compared to the Kudos or PMCs I use in the main room.

The AR 8BX measure 40/24/18 (h/w/d in cm) so looking for something up to that size, ideally smaller. Looking for used, but for now don't want to open a WTD thread, just seeking ideas.

cheers

[Tim]

Pretty essential to give an idea of your budget here Edward, lots to choose from

[Clive]

These are good and easy to drive as they are a single driver (no crossover).
http://markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/

[Sherwood]

Notwithstanding your comment about ports, these are specifically designed for desktop use.

https://www.divineaudio.co.uk/omega-...-speakers-pair

If your budget is lower I can thoroughly endorse Martin Logan Motion 2 or Motion 4 models. I have a pair of the Motion 2 and they are awesome. Bought them as part of my updated travelling hifi. Used with a Nuforce Icon amp the setup fits into a case not much large than a shoebox. Fantastic speed, detail and dynamics. These are serious speakers. Yes bass output is limited but with reinforcement from a back wall and desktop they do not sound lightweight.

https://hometheaterreview.com/martin...stem-reviewed/

Geoff

[Edward]

Pretty essential to give an idea of your budget here Edward, lots to choose from

You are right Tim. I intentionally left that piece out as I'm flexible. Let's say max a 'few' hundred, but not 'several'. I have a knack of convincing myself of going just a bit further so I will need to resist as they will not be the main listening speakers.

These are good and easy to drive as they are a single driver (no crossover).
http://markaudio-sota.us/cesti-mb/

Ooo they look lovely. I will dig deeper on those Clive. Bit expensive but maybe second hand more reasonable.

[Edward]

Notwithstanding your comment about ports, these are specifically designed for desktop use.

https://www.divineaudio.co.uk/omega-...-speakers-pair

If your budget is lower I can thoroughly endorse Martin Logan Motion 2 or Motion 4 models. I have a pair of the Motion 2 and they are awesome. Bought them as part of my updated travelling hifi. Used with a Nuforce Icon amp the setup fits into a case not much large than a shoebox. Fantastic speed, detail and dynamics. These are serious speakers. Yes bass output is limited but with reinforcement from a back wall and desktop they do not sound lightweight.

https://hometheaterreview.com/martin...stem-reviewed/

Geoff

Thanks Geoff. The Motion 2 (or perhaps Motion 4) looks like an interesting alternative. Combined with something like the Nuforce Icon it would also solve the issue of what I do when away from home. I could throw them in the car and still have decent music.

[Sherwood]

Thanks Geoff. The Motion 2 (or perhaps Motion 4) looks like an interesting alternative. Combined with something like the Nuforce Icon it would also solve the issue of what I do when away from home. I could throw them in the car and still have decent music.

Edward,

If I had not been looking for a portable speaker, I might have gone for the Motion 4 which has somewhat more bass extension. However, both speakers share the same Air Motion tweeter which is what elevates this from a PC speaker to a hifi speaker. Both designs come with a neat wall mounting dongle that allows for downward firing of the speaker towards the listening position, and some users place these high up to get bass reinforcement from wall/ceiling boundaries. What I love about them is their dynamics and speed.. I would imagine that they would work well with a small subwoofer, but frankly when not travelling they are used in a bedroom system and sound great.

They also work very well with this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nobsound-Bl...ooth+amp&psc=1 though it is important to use it with a power supply rated at least 4amp, ideally 5amp. The bluetooth facility makes it a cinch to stream music from a phone or tablet.

Geoff

[Tim]

I have a knack of convincing myself of going just a bit further so I will need to resist . . .

Haha, I hear you - I fall foul of that in pretty much everything I do in life!

[Yomanze]

I would get a pair of Royd Merlins. Couple of pairs up on eBay at the moment. Wickedly musical speakers, involving and fast. They don’t come up for sale that often.

Or my sub-£100 choice: a pair of old-style Mission 780SE.

[walpurgis]

Or my sub-£100 choice: a pair of old-style Mission 780SE.

Absolutely.