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Best Bookshelf/Monitors Speakers? Suggestions

I am new to hifi, and looking for a pair for pair of bookshelf/monitor speakers, preferrably under 2k, to pair with a Mcintosh ma6450 100wpc. I was originally looking at the B&W CM1, but they are very inefficient(84db), so i was thinking about the CM5, or even the 805S ( both 88db). I feel like I am paying a lot for the name with B&W though, and may be missing out on more lesser known speakers.

I am not necessarily looking for the most accurate speaker, but rather a speaker that is dynamic and creates and wide and deep soundstage. bass extension is also important to me.

I have read about the proac tablette 8 sigs, reference 3a decapo, but im not sure if the de capos are a good choice with my ss amp, and if the tablette 8 sigs will have enough bass.

Obviously I would prefer to audition them, but if i can get a highly recommended pair of used speakers such as the decapo that would normally cost much more new, for the same price as a new pair cm5 (1500) i feel like id be better off. what do you think? Thanks for your help.

Extra infor that may be important:
I live in a high-rise so would like to avoid using a sub.
My Room is approx. 16x17.
Couch (main listening position) is about 8-10 feet from where the speakers will be.
Speakers will be about 7 feet apart.
Probably about 1 foot from the wall behind them.
farjamed
cleaneduphippy
323 posts
 
Farjamed,

You gotten many good responds in regards to speakers, so I won't add any more to the list. But what I would recommend since on one side of your speakers you have a glass wall is that you get some lined curtains. The glass will play "hell" with your sonics unless you have some way to tame them. Heavy lined curtains can work very well. As far as your entertainment center, try to pull your speakers as far forward of the entertainment center as you can as it will improve your soundstaging. Actually you might what to audition some speakers that are a bit forward in nature to get a decent depth in your soundstage, since the entertainment center will probably inhibit any soundstaging behind the speakers. BTW, I live in a condo, and have an entertainment center between my speakers, so I do know of some issues that you face.
farjamed OP
33 posts
 
cleaneduphippy,

Thanks for the advice. Its funny you mention the curtains because I do have curtains and thought they would be a problem not a help.

Since we have a similar situation with our set ups, What speakers do you have in your system ?

Finally, anyone know if my mac ma6450 will be enough to drive the gallo 3.1?
vetnik
23 posts
 
mac ma6450 output is 100w in 4-ohm. it has no autoformers so in 8-ohm will be less than 100W (~50w).
nasaman's avatar
nasaman
459 posts
 
Farjamed,
- Highly recommend the Usher 718 Tiny Dancer first before buying.Unfortunately, they didn't work out for me.

- You gotta give the Totem a listen at www.KCaudio.com

- I've got your front ends and your room size but gonna ask the type of music you are listening to.

- About adding a sub into 2-ch, not alot of people want it in their 2-ch system. Me neither, it was not on my system as well. But recently, just for trying it out, I have it lightly turned on very soft and low adding some bass to my speakers; I'm loving it. There's no law of physics say that you can't do it. I was in the same boat and I didn't like the theory but I chose to give it a try and I like it since. My front speakers produce very limited bass so....
If you can hear every notes of the bass guitar coming out between your 2 front speakers, you have your sub well tuned. Waiting for your feedback. Keep us update. Good luck.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
The reason I asked about the floorstand speakers is I have been using a small room for my primary listening space for a long time. Many monitors have come and gone, some good ones too, and I always seem to go back to floorstand speakers.
Totem Hawks or Forests are exceptional speakers for their small size. I currently own Thiel CS-1.6s and Meadowlark Audio Kestrels, both of which take up less floor space than my stands. The Kestrel's in particular seem to be made for small rooms. Just my 2 cents.
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