Slim speakers

[MarginWalker]

Hi all,

Below is a picture of my living room setup, taken pretty much from my most common listening position...

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll178/philbrown901/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqjhzcfuq.jpg (http://s288.photobucket.com/user/philbrown901/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqjhzcfuq.jpg.html)

As you can see space is at a premium meaning I have no room for floor standers or speaker stands and the small speakers I do have need to be pretty close to the back wall. Anyway, my speakers are Wharfedale Diamond 9.0, and although they are a nice sounding speaker I think they are now the weak link in my system. The rest of my setup is a Thorens TD160 with Nagaoka MP11 boron, rega brio r and a Creek OBH21se headphone amp with Grado Sr60i headphones.

I am looking for some small speakers to complement this system. I only have about 170mm max width to play with so I realise I am limited in my choice. Any suggestions? I have a budget of around £300 and would prefer to go second hand to get the most I can for my money.

Thanks,
Phil

[Conan]

For that setup Rega RS1.

[Haselsh1]

Yes mate, really sensible going second hand. You should get a really good deal and some seriously good loudspeakers for your money.

[MarginWalker]

The regas were my first thought and they will definitely be on the shortlist. Anything else I should be considering?

[pjdowns]

Heard the Elac Debut B5 speakers at the Hifi News Show and they were excellent and right inside your budget of £250... They were seriously good speakers and sound massively better than either their size or price suggests... If I were buying similar sized speakers they'd be right at the top of my list :)

[Tarzan]

Heard the Elac Debut B5 speakers at the Hifi News Show and they were excellent and right inside your budget of £250... They were seriously good speakers and sound massively better than either their size or price suggests... If I were buying similar sized speakers they'd be right at the top of my list :)

The Yanks are going nuts over the Elac you mention Paul, nice looking system there Phil.:)

[agk]

I'm going to have to be the one. I suggest Linn Kan mk1's would be great in there.

[walpurgis]

For that setup Rega RS1.

I suspect Carlos may be right.

Mind you. A pair of the first series Mission 780SE speakers may give you a big surprise in that system. Great sounding little jobs and usually available for under £100. Worth every penny!

[narabdela]

I'm going to have to be the one. I suggest Linn Kan mk1's would be great in there.

There's always one. :rolleyes:

[walpurgis]

There's always one. :rolleyes:

Er, yes. All of the disadvantages of the LS3/5a with none of the refinement! :lol: ;)

[struth]

Not many small speakers that like being that close to wall so I'd go with the regas too if it has to be speakers. I may well actually go with a soundbar and if needed a sub if it were me

[rdpx]

These are probably too expensive for you, but I think you can make them look like pictures and they look like they may go for a decent price... they would at least certainly solve your "close to wall & no floor space" issue!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PMC-Wafer1-speakers-Pair-/151893538072?hash=item235d8f7518:g:UK8AAOSwnGJWShb C

[MarginWalker]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think it is going to have to be the Regas until I can negotiate having the speakers in a more optimal position. I have seen a few pairs of Spendor s3/5R for around the £400 mark, a bit over budget but I could probably stretch to it if they would be a big improvement over the RS1. Any thoughts on these speakers in general and if they are ok this close to the wall?

Thanks,
Phil

[high.spirits]

I have always been impressed by the PMC DB1i's, work really well in small spaces. Should fine some at around your price second hand.
I only recently sold my pair having gone up to some Heybrooks.