trevorxramage Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hey guys, pretty simple looking for a SMALL pair of floor standing speakers to go with a Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10B amp. I'm pretty set on upgrading to that amp. Now I'm just looking for a good set of speakers to go with it. I would like to stay in the $300-$400 range, and footprint is a big concern for me. I don't have a ton of space but would like to get the full sound of floor stands rather than a set of bookshelf speakers. That being said if someone has a set of bookshelves that will compete please point me in their direction as well. kylebutcher5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Why set on floor standing speakers? The way you're describing the space you should look into a ported bookshelf... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Why set on floor standing speakers? The way you're describing the space you should look into a ported bookshelf... I've just had a bunch of people tell me I won't get nearly as full a sound out of bookshelf. Does them being ported help that? PS you're the guy I was hoping to talk to about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Not being an ass, but if someone told you that, they've never heard a good bookshelf. Ported speakers really help bass control. Since your average bookshelf just had a tweeter and a woofer, a ported speaker really helps with the low frequencies. If I were you, look into the B&W 686. They are $480 new, but used/open box/demoed you can find em under $400. If you have a Best Buy with a Magnolia home theatre in it, they'll carry it, and may have open box. My local one had em for $375 open. Or find a B&W dealer and talk to em. They may work with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Also depending on how compact your space is, the 686 is also good because the port is on the front. Rear ported speakers need a good amount of space behind them. There's a few pairs on ebays cheap too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Awesome. Thanks for the recommendation! Definitely not being an ass, straight forward is what I need. I'm in Canada so my Best Buy is a whole lot different from yours but I do have a couple local B&W dealers. I'll be talking to them soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Good. Check with the dealers. Could probably score a pair for under $400 for some demo/floor models. trevorxramage 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbrh2001 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hey guys, pretty simple looking for a SMALL pair of floor standing speakers to go with a Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10B amp. I'm pretty set on upgrading to that amp. Now I'm just looking for a good set of speakers to go with it. I would like to stay in the $300-$400 range, and footprint is a big concern for me. I don't have a ton of space but would like to get the full sound of floor stands rather than a set of bookshelf speakers. That being said if someone has a set of bookshelves that will compete please point me in their direction as well. I agree, small space go with bookshelves, unless your planning on increasing youre space in the future. Make sure you perform good isolation techniques from your turntable though if you're going that route (then again speaker isolation should be performed on all types of speakers). Anyone use foam yoga blocks underneath their speakers as isolation? Figure I might give this a try with my new speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 It depends on the room, and where the speaker sits. I have carpet in my room, so I use carpet spikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 And room size isn't an issue. I've heard bookshelves drive a room with a 20' throw. That's when you get into speaker efficiency and proper wattage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingfunk Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Not being an ass, but if someone told you that, they've never heard a good bookshelf. This. Though there is some truth to bigger being better, but we've had the science for very good bookshelf speakers since the 70's. Think about it... bookshelf monitor speakers exist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 bookshelf monitor speakers exist. That's what I'm using right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingfunk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 That's what I'm using right now. Exactly, so this "upgrade" is sounding like it could be more of a sideways move than anything - especially considering the space. But hey, depends what you want out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Exactly, so this "upgrade" is sounding like it could be more of a sideways move than anything - especially considering the space. But hey, depends what you want out of them. Oh I definitely won't be changing speakers until I find something better. And if I can't in that price range or size then I won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingfunk Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 In that case, just keep your eyes open, wait for some kind of unbelievable bargain and jump on it. Check out the classifieds sections on whatever hifi forums have active folks from your area - in my area, they seem all too willing to knowingly buy a same-level piece of gear just to see how it compares and then sell it off cheaper than they probably should. Hell, I have no idea what they go for (I'm guessing too much) but if floorspace is an issue maybe some electrostatic speakers (I'm joking... unless you want to go down that road). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 Ha! I wish I had the money for electrostatic! It's tough being in Calgary the only thing I really have for classifieds in Kijiji and Canuck audio mart. I'm not in a huge rush, so I think you're right I'll just wait for a really good deal then jump on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swemoll Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 PSB Image B5s. $450 new. Edit: (These are also bookshelf speakers. I just think they're bettewr than the B&Ws. Also- designed in Canada!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Have you listened to both? How were the PSBs better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swemoll Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Have you listened to both? How were the PSBs better? Yeah, I've heard both. I just think the PSBs are better in pretty much every regard. Better bass extension, stereo imaging, design. It's a more resolute speaker. They also have an Image B6 bookshelf at $550 that takes the B5 and puts it in a bigger enclosure with a bigger driver. If the OP wanted to stretch the budget at all, that's where else to look. I just thought I'd provide an option that was new and (nearly) within the original budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Good to know. I haven't heard the PSBs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorxramage Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 PSB Image B5s. $450 new. Edit: (These are also bookshelf speakers. I just think they're bettewr than the B&Ws. Also- designed in Canada!) Cool I'll check those out! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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