Compact bookshelf speakers

[phil_cardiff]

Due to a lounge makeover I'm having to say goodbye to my beloved Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s and downsize.

I've borrowed a pair of Q Acoustics 2010s but they didn't have the depth I'm looking for. Very clear sound though.

My shortlist is now as follows:
Q Acoustic 3010
Mission LX-1 mk2
Wharfedale Diamond 12.0

Reviews on the above seem few and far between- has anyone experience of them?

And are there any alternatives I should be looking at?

Thanks

[Digger]

You mention no budget or ideal size requirements!

Active speakers an option?

[TEKNOPUG]

Pro-ject speaker box-5 s2.

What amplifier are you using?

[phil_cardiff]

Apologies, further details are that I'm using a Cambridge Audio 640a amp and a 640c CD player, the amp also connected to a Chromecast audio and the TV.

So I need passive speakers.

The budget it small, up to £250.

The depth of the speakers is the real issue in terms of size. Anything over c.225mm is an issue due to where the speakers are being placed (alcove shelving - yes I know...).

[Deranged Rover]

Elac Debut B6.2

Properly brilliant giant-killers IMHO.

[craigjm]

Dali Spektor 1 well within budget. I would suggest the Spektor 2 but I think they are slightly too deep for you

[TonyRPH]

If it's this Wharfedale 9.1 - it's already a relatively small speaker - and a very capable one at that.

I can't see anything smaller performing anywhere near as well.

[sociopath]

You shouldn't be buying speakers based on reviews, go and listen to some at a proper Hifi dealer. Even richer sounds would be better than taking advice here, and that includes from someone who has spent far too much on speakers over the years

[TEKNOPUG]

https://www.project-audio.com/en/product/speaker-b...

[pete_esp]

Have a look/listen to Fyne Audio F300 (£100) or F301s which are slightly bigger.

I have the F300s and to me hey sound at least one level above the Dalis an Missions which I also listened to. I found these speakers lacked depth and were a bit too tinny where as the Fynes sound really natural and detailed.

[AC43]

phil_cardiff said:

Apologies, further details are that I'm using a Cambridge Audio 640a amp and a 640c CD player, the amp also connected to a Chromecast audio and the TV.

So I need passive speakers.

The budget it small, up to £250.

The depth of the speakers is the real issue in terms of size. Anything over c.225mm is an issue due to where the speakers are being placed (alcove shelving - yes I know...).

Can you sneak a sub into that set up at some point.

My wife made me go for bookshelves when I was running that amp so I insisted on a sub to fill in the lower frequencies that the equivalent floor standers would have provided. Makes a big difference.

[phil_cardiff]

AC43 said:

phil_cardiff said:

Apologies, further details are that I'm using a Cambridge Audio 640a amp and a 640c CD player, the amp also connected to a Chromecast audio and the TV.

So I need passive speakers.

The budget it small, up to £250.

The depth of the speakers is the real issue in terms of size. Anything over c.225mm is an issue due to where the speakers are being placed (alcove shelving - yes I know...).

Can you sneak a sub into that set up at some point.

My wife made me go for bookshelves when I was running that amp so I insisted on a sub to fill in the lower frequencies that the equivalent floor standers would have provided. Makes a big difference.

I probably could add one under the bottom shelf actually, that's worth a thought, thanks.

[phil_cardiff]

TonyRPH said:

If it's this Wharfedale 9.1 - it's already a relatively small speaker - and a very capable one at that.

I can't see anything smaller performing anywhere near as well.

That's the ones. God, I'll miss them, probably the best £100 I ever spent.

The trouble is they sit about 2cm proud of the shelf edge (nice bit of solid Ash btw, 2cm thick so very sturdy).

I know it'll be hard to match the 9.1s but I want to get something reasonable in their place, accepting the laws of physics apply.

I'll definitely demo some but this thread had opened up new ideas that I'd not considered so thanks for all of the replies.

[TEKNOPUG]

phil_cardiff said:

AC43 said:

phil_cardiff said:

Apologies, further details are that I'm using a Cambridge Audio 640a amp and a 640c CD player, the amp also connected to a Chromecast audio and the TV.

So I need passive speakers.

The budget it small, up to £250.

The depth of the speakers is the real issue in terms of size. Anything over c.225mm is an issue due to where the speakers are being placed (alcove shelving - yes I know...).

Can you sneak a sub into that set up at some point.

My wife made me go for bookshelves when I was running that amp so I insisted on a sub to fill in the lower frequencies that the equivalent floor standers would have provided. Makes a big difference.

I probably could add one under the bottom shelf actually, that's worth a thought, thanks.

It's probably a future upgrade path but if you have an amp with a dedicated subwoofer out (with crossover) thern you can run an active sub and then have a far greater choice of speakers, without being compromised by size.

[conkerman]

I'm a bit of a fan of Q acoustics. They tend to have a slightly warm sound that is really easy to live with.

[phil_cardiff]

TEKNOPUG said:

phil_cardiff said:

AC43 said:

phil_cardiff said:

Apologies, further details are that I'm using a Cambridge Audio 640a amp and a 640c CD player, the amp also connected to a Chromecast audio and the TV.

So I need passive speakers.

The budget it small, up to £250.

The depth of the speakers is the real issue in terms of size. Anything over c.225mm is an issue due to where the speakers are being placed (alcove shelving - yes I know...).

Can you sneak a sub into that set up at some point.

My wife made me go for bookshelves when I was running that amp so I insisted on a sub to fill in the lower frequencies that the equivalent floor standers would have provided. Makes a big difference.

I probably could add one under the bottom shelf actually, that's worth a thought, thanks.

It's probably a future upgrade path but if you have an amp with a dedicated subwoofer out (with crossover) thern you can run an active sub and then have a far greater choice of speakers, without being compromised by size.

I don't think the 640a has a dedicated subwoofer connection.

[phil_cardiff]

Deranged Rover said:

Elac Debut B6.2

Properly brilliant giant-killers IMHO.

Alas, too big but I am looking at the B5.2s. Very tall but not deep which is good.

[phil_cardiff]

craigjm said:

Dali Spektor 1 well within budget. I would suggest the Spektor 2 but I think they are slightly too deep for you

I think I'm going to struggle to get the looks of those past the steering committee...shame as the are highly regarded.

[TEKNOPUG]

phil_cardiff said:

I don't think the 640a has a dedicated subwoofer connection.

No. You could still connect a sub via RCA or high level and then use the sub's internal LPF. You just wouldn't benefit from also having a HPF on the book shelf speakers.

[craigjm]

phil_cardiff said:

craigjm said:

Dali Spektor 1 well within budget. I would suggest the Spektor 2 but I think they are slightly too deep for you

I think I'm going to struggle to get the looks of those past the steering committee...shame as the are highly regarded.

Shame, they are a good looking speaker especially in white. I have the Oberon 5 floor standers. Dismiss the steering committee?