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-super-3-desktop-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/martinlogan-motion-speaker-system-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-super-3-desktop-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/martinlogan-motion-speaker-system-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-Bluetooth-Amplifier-Wireless-Receiver/dp/B0725PJQQV/ref=sr_1_25_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1510844799&sr=1-25-spons&keywords=50w+bluetooth+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.

[Edward]

can't find any Mission 780SEs for sale at the moment but have set alerts in case any come up. I'll grab them as they seem to go for beer money. Last sales were a pair in Bristol and another pair in Paisley - each going for £65.

In the meantime will do some more digging on the other recommendations. The MartinLogan Motion speakers look very interesting but never heard them and don't fancy just taking a punt on new ones (seems to be only from Absolute Sounds here in the UK). There was someone who was trying to sell Motion 2s about a year ago starting at £250 and seemingly sold at £150.

[Sherwood]

I bought my Motion 2 speakers on a recent trip to the US. They were being heavily discounted due to the introduction of the 2i model (essentially the same except for having a detachable grill).

They were an unplanned purchase: a reward to myself after having had my trip to Louisiana disrupted by Hurricane Harvey and then ending up confined by State curfew in a hotel in Florida whilst Hurricane Irma rolled past. Three days without power (ie. no aircon), phones, internet, or food (except for some basics purchased before the stores closed down). In

Bestbuy (and several other retailers) were selling them at $99 each. Never understood US practice of selling speakers individually.

Current retail price in US is $179 for Motion 2i and $249 for Motion 4i. Still superb value at these prices.

Don't see many coming up for resale though hardly surprising.


Geoff