Good speakers with small footprint for a bedroom.

[ryusmarty]

I am looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers for my bedroom setup. I auditioned B&W 607 S3 and liked the details I heard (compared with Monitor Audio Bronze 50, QA 3030i etc) and the size fits my requirement perfectly.

Are there any other similar sized options under let's say Euro 750-800, that can provide similar or better sound? I like a good soundstage, imaging and the "disappearing" kind speakers. Are there any good sites to look for pre-owned speakers in Germany?

Due to the room layout, speakers will have to be placed close to the back wall (max 6-8 inches). I can keep them 7-8 feet apart and they will be around 10-11 feet from MLP.

 

[Roland68]

I am looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers for my bedroom setup. I auditioned B&W 607 S3 and liked the details I heard (compared with Monitor Audio Bronze 50, QA 3030i etc) and the size fits my requirement perfectly.

Are there any other similar sized options under let's say Euro 750-800, that can provide similar or better sound? I like a good soundstage, imaging and the "disappearing" kind speakers. Are there any good sites to look for pre-owned speakers in Germany?

Due to the room layout, speakers will have to be placed close to the back wall (max 6-8 inches). I can keep them 7-8 feet apart and they will be around 10-11 feet from MLP.

Heco Aurora 300
Elac Carina BS 243.4
Elac Vela 403
Would be my favorites, especially given the specifications.
Usually eBay and Kleinanzeigen.de

 

[ryusmarty]

I have my eyes on Heco Aurora 300. But the elacs are out of budget and much bigger in size.

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi, what else do you have in your system? Knowing what source(s) you use and whether you already have an Amp / DAC / Streamer etc would be useful. How loud do you normally listen?

First decision is whether you go for passive or active speakers, but knowing as much about what you have and what you'd like to get is really helpful

 

[ryusmarty]

Hi, what else do you have in your system? Knowing what source(s) you use and whether you already have an Amp / DAC / Streamer etc would be useful. How loud do you normally listen?

First decision is whether you go for passive or active speakers, but knowing as much about what you have and what you'd like to get is really helpful

Oops, my bad. Forgot that.

This will be used with a TV (LG Oled) + Nvidia Sheild pro with an Avr (Denon 1400h/Onkyo Nr686/Yamaha 3070).

I tested using a mobile app and some songs and the peak SPL was around 83Db at my listening position.

 

[Roland68]

I have my eyes on Heco Aurora 300. But the elacs are out of budget and much bigger in size.

The Heco Aurora 300 are 1cm narrower but overall larger than the Elac, especially deeper. I've had all 3 speakers here. New and used are cheaper than the Elacs.

With a little patience, you can get the Elac Carina BS 243.4 new for €600-800. Used they should cost a maximum of €500. Dimensions W 206mm x D 216mm (+terminal) x H 320mm. I have the Carinas on my desk myself and the information on the Elac website is definitely wrong. They get narrower towards the back, so you can put them in corners.

If you're lucky, you can get the Elac Vela 403 used for €800. A little narrower than the Carinas, same depth, but about 360mm high.

Always per pair, of course.

 

[ZCD]

Some Kef Q150 or even Q350 could fit the bill as they are on sale now. Good price/performance.

 

[staticV3]

Are there any other similar sized options under let's say Euro 750-800, that can provide similar or better sound?

I'd look into the new KEF Q1 Meta, if the extra 7cm of cabinet depth is ok: https://comparesizes.com/comparison/BW-607-S3-vs-KEF-Q1-Meta/1729770658777

It measures excellent, and doesn't have any of the showroom sound/on-axis coloration that B&W usually give their speakers.

 

[RoA]

Buy what you've heard and like.

 

[ryusmarty]

Buy what you've heard and like.

That's what I have been told. But I am sure most members here have better ears and more experience than me, lol.

The Heco Aurora 300 are 1cm narrower but overall larger than the Elac, especially deeper. I've had all 3 speakers here. New and used are cheaper than the Elacs.

With a little patience, you can get the Elac Carina BS 243.4 new for €600-800. Used they should cost a maximum of €500. Dimensions W 206mm x D 216mm (+terminal) x H 320mm. I have the Carinas on my desk myself and the information on the Elac website is definitely wrong. They get narrower towards the back, so you can put them in corners.

If you're lucky, you can get the Elac Vela 403 used for €800. A little narrower than the Carinas, same depth, but about 360mm high.

Always per pair, of course.

I do like how Carinas look in white.
Will do some research on them.

I'd look into the new KEF Q1 Meta, if the extra 7cm of cabinet depth is ok: https://comparesizes.com/comparison/BW-607-S3-vs-KEF-Q1-Meta/1729770658777

It measures excellent, and doesn't have any of the showroom sound/on-axis coloration that B&W usually give their speakers.

I checked the live review on reddit for Q1 meta and the guy said they are not better than even Q350. So need to look deeper into this.

 

[RoA]

That's what I have been told. But I am sure most members here have better ears and more experience than me, lol.

They don't have your ears or your room for that matter.

 

[Cogito]

You might want to consider a powered system such as the Edifier S3000PRO (Yes, I'm a Fanboi). While they are rear ported, 6-8 inches from the back wall shouldn't be an issue. They certainly offer a huge bang for the buck, look great and offer a lot of connectivity.

 

[RoA]

Nothing wrong with the B&W's you've auditioned. Whilst I personally don't like them many do and they have usually decent re-sale value because of that too if, in the future, you decide you want something different.

 

[ryusmarty]

Nothing wrong with the B&W's you've auditioned. Whilst I personally don't like them many do and they have usually decent re-sale value because of that too if, in the future, you decide you want something different.

I understand. They were probably a bit bright for my taste and not very musical but the details were amazing. However, the lady I went to audition with was highly impressed by them, which made them the top contender. So I am trying to find something which can match(or better) them in clarity while looking a bit better. Hence the post.

 

[staticV3]

I understand. They were probably a bit bright for my taste and not very musical but the details were amazing. However, the lady I went to audition with was highly impressed by them, which made them the top contender. So I am trying to find something which can match(or better) them in clarity while looking a bit better. Hence the post.

The apparent detail caused by boosting the speaker's treble response gets annoying quick when listening day-to-day.

That kind of sound signature is designed to impress at auditions and get sales, not for audio fidelity or faithful reproduction.

It's like cranking up the sharpness slider in Photoshop.

As Amir put it:

I swapped the 607 S2 for a Revel M105. Wow, what an improvement in overall tonality, feel of the speaker and quality all around. Yes, it costs twice as much. But it shows you what proper sound is like. It does justice to your music whereas the 607 S2 doesn't. It latter spits on your music and says, I am going to tell you how it should sound.

 

[ryusmarty]

The apparent detail caused by boosting the speaker's treble response gets annoying quick when listening day-to-day.

That kind of sound signature is designed to impress at auditions and get sales, not for audio fidelity or faithful reproduction.

It's like cranking up the sharpness slider in Photoshop.

As Amir put it:

So what other options would you recommend?

Dali Oberon 1? Sonus Faber Lumina 1? Definitive Technology Demand D9? Dynaudio Emit 10? Polk R100?

 

[JeremyFife]

So what other options would you recommend?

Dali Oberon 1? Sonus Faber Lumina 1? Definitive Technology Demand D9? Dynaudio Emit 10? Polk R100?

Speakers are more difficult to recommend. Measurements help: reasonably flat FR response and (this may not be the right terminology, I'm still learning) even directivity that will respond to EQ. You should check that the speakers can provide the SPL you want with low enough distortion. All available from measurements.

After that, there is a big personal preference choice. Obviously, you also need to fit them into a space. Ideally you will hear them in your own room first - not always easy to do.

Plenty of recommendations here. Revel, Polk, Kef come up often. I think your price point is tricky - I don't envy you - cheaper options seem very good, but you do seem to have to go up a price level to get a real improvement.

I'd look for used Revel M16's ... but you might not.

Start with measurements, choose on personal preference.

 

[staticV3]

So what other options would you recommend?

I would recommend an active speaker:

BW 607 S3 vs Genelec 8030C vs Kali LPUNF vs KEF LSX II LT vs Neumann KH 80

comparesizes.com

The Genelec 8030C or Genelec G Three would be ideal.

Currently, there's a pair of G Three on eBay Germany for 790€.

Though it is the last-gen G Three (A) version, It would still be worth a look IMO.

 

[ryusmarty]

I would recommend an active speaker:

BW 607 S3 vs Genelec 8030C vs Kali LPUNF vs KEF LSX II LT vs Neumann KH 80

comparesizes.com

The Genelec 8030C or Genelec G Three would be ideal.

Currently, there's a pair of G Three on eBay Germany for 790€.

Though it is the last-gen G Three (A) version, It would still be worth a look IMO.

Sadly, it has to be passive speakers, will be expanding to 5.2.2 eventually in the next few months.

 

[RoA]

I've owned Quad S2’s. Good speakers, quality cabinets, drivers (unlike cheaper Revels).