Bookshelf speakers, small room, close to wall.

[Mike_Trueman]

Looks like they only changed the cabinet for the A1.2

Each model in the A-Line Mark 2 series has undergone specific upgrades:

A1.2: Internal bracings have been revised and optimized to minimize cabinet resonances, resulting in a cleaner and more accurate sound.
A2.2: A layer of Sorbothane has been added between the drivers and the housing to dampen vibrations. In addition, the bass reflex port has been retuned for tighter low frequencies.
A4.2: Both the tweeter and the woofer have been enlarged, expanding the frequency range and making the sound reproduction more dynamic.
A7.2: With increased internal volume and a redesigned crossover, this model offers deeper bass response and improved transient reproduction thanks to an advanced 18cm woofer.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

I want to share my list also for "small room/close to the wall" speakers.
I almost made a decision to buy and i am going to choose between the Spendor A1.2 and the Acoustic Energy AE500 speakers.
The AE500 i already listened in my audio store, still need to wait for the new A1.2 speaker to arrive.

• Spendor A1.2 - 2000€ - 2-way 6,00" - 165 x 185
• A. Energy AE500 - 1200€ - 2-way 5,00" - 185 x 260
• Audiovector QR 1 SE - 1500€ - 2-way 6,00" - 190 x 230
• A. A. Sierra-1 V2 - 1000€ - 2-way 5,25" - 190 x 265
• Buchard S400 MKII - 2000€ - 2-way 6,00"
• Dynaudio Evoke 10 - 1500€ - 2-way 5,25" - 180 x 266
• Amphion ARGON1 - 1600€ - 2-way 5,25" - 160 x 265
• PMC Prodigy 1 - 1600€ - 2-way 5,20" - 165 x 237
• Solano BS 283.2 - 1600€ - 2-way 5,50" - 190 x 248
• Ruark Sabre-R Bookshelf - 800€ - 2-way 6,00" - 175 × 215

 

[billou5767]

Focal Vestia No.1 there is error its front ported

 

[Mike_Trueman]

I did found a good sounding compact speaker with a switch on the back for the crossover filter when placed close to the wall or on a bookshelf.

Smaller speakers are especially giving the designer some severe headaches. This has something to do with the size of the front baffle and the small baffle’s influence on a speaker’s response curve. A design for free space should be different from one that plays close to a wall or inside a bookshelf.
In order to work in a semi-free space (some distance from a wall) and on a wall, the crossover filter can be changed with a switch on the backside of the speaker.
Now, you are free to choose the place of your speakers without making compromises in tonal balance.

Here is a video sample with the crossover switched on/off.

 

[XDM]

Correct. Thanks for your help.

Neumann KH 120 - out because it is an active speaker.
KEF LS50 Meta - out b/c MIC
ATC SCM7 - requires more powerful amp than 50W to drive them adequately
Dynaudio Evoke 10 - out because MIC
Focal Aria 906 - a possibility.



Current list:
Revel Performa M106
Ascend Sierra EX v2
Ascend Sierra LX
Focal Vestia No.1 or Aria 906
Spendor Classic 4/5 or A1
Legacy Audio Studio HD

Any strong comparative opinions on these for my application?

So after all this effort, which one did you end up getting?
Did you consider one of the Mini Monitor by Ascend Acoustics?

 

[Ozbrit]

Buchardt is China too. Probably Kef LS50 too.

Buchardt is not China. Either Denmark or Indonesia depending on which which product you choose

 

[Sigberg Audio]

Buchardt is not China. Either Denmark or Indonesia depending on which which product you choose

I don't have any inside information, but this is what they say themselves:

"Our focus is purely on consistent performance and quality. To achieve this, we outsource production to a company that knows what it’s doing, and can handle the large scale production we need. The company is the respected Danish/Chinese-owned Company: Hansong in Nanjing, China. Hansong has extensive experience in manufacturing for some of the most well known High-End Hi-Fi brands in the world!"

 

[Deleted member 62345]

Check the Polish company Pylon audio and the "Pylon Audio Diamond Monitor 18 mkII" (made in Poland).Great price (1580 euro pair) great performance and suitable for small rooms (12-25m2) and close to back walls.'Seas' woofer and 'Scansonic' tweeter both redesigned by their engineers. https://pylon.pl/en/diamond-series/diamond-monitor-18-mkii/

 

[Open Mind Audio]

Hi,

Bookshelf/monitor speaker recommendation under 2k/pair?

Here are the must haves:

Small room requires near wall placement.
For rock/blues music comfortable handle 95db
Nothing made in China
Small footprint, under 20” high
Neutral, not “bright”

Might consider used
Paired with vintage McIntosh 50W
Existing sub

Thank you very much for your help

Did you end up buying any of these? Please report back if so. I'm facing my own near-wall dilemma and curious to hear how things worked out.