Looking for some really smooth sounding bookshelf speakers- suggestions?

[AMPaul]

Hello fellow audio enthusiasts.

My journey in audiophilia has taken me to a really nice of resolving speakers that i currently enjoy a lot. The thing is that the audio switch itch is always there and now i am thinking of going for the smoothest speakers - used speaker pair that is- that i can get my hands on for say less than £300 (or euros or dollars).

I used to have a pair of Wharfedale diamond 9.1s and they were pretty smooth but before them i had a pair of Tannoy Mercury M2s which were smooth but too uncontrolled.

I am looking for smooth but quite well controlled sound in a bookshelf format. Perhaps sometimes these 2 characteristics don't blend in together but i'd like to hear from some of you experienced equipment swappers, and would like to be pointed towards some really smooth candidates.

I guess i'd like you to point out to me those speakers that, when you auditioned, it sounded like butter over a scone in audio format.

Thanks!

 

[cinemakinoeye]

[...] i am thinking of going for the smoothest speakers - used speaker pair that is- that i can get my hands on for say less than £300 (or euros or dollars) [...] i'd like you to point out to me those speakers that, when you auditioned, it sounded like butter over a scone in audio format.

Hmmm, "sounded like butter over a scone in audio format" is a delightful metaphor, really hard to measure (but that's another story) and I am very curious if there is anything in your budget or even ten times your budget that comes close, and if you find this unicorn, I would like to hear about it!

 

[sweetchaos]

According to DIY Audio Heaven:

A gradual downwards sloping FR from 10kHz is usually described as ‘smooth’ sounding is there aren’t too many sharp peaks and dips.

Honestly, I would buy a neutral speaker, and then EQ to taste.

 

[alex-z]

I agree with sweetchaos, a neutral speaker that responds well to EQ is best. For that reason I recommend saving up for the KEF Q350 which are £389. Neutral frequency response with good directivity control due to the coaxial driver.

Plus you can do some basic upgrades later to improve the speaker.

 

[Chromatischism]

Honestly, I would buy a neutral speaker, and then EQ to taste.

Exactly what I was going to say – get Emotiva B1+ (the best starting point at your price) and use EQ.

 

[AMPaul]

thank you @sweetchaos . that is actually very useful. the ranges that got presented there are a bit too much (+-10db) is something a good speaker shouldnt present. I would definitely say that i would like to find a really rolled off speaker that otherwise seems pretty neutral but with that purple laid back alike (2-3k dip).
i actually had a look at some Wharfedales, the 11.2s. here's the stereophile measurements. i wouldnt call them exactly rolled off but i believe that i want a speaker with neutral to under present 6-9kHz characteristic.

 

[DanielT]

You want a smooth operator that gives you maximum joy. Let me guess you like cool jazz-inspired pop music?
Take a tested speaker that has received a good rating here at ASR, for example Elac Debut Reference DBR62 (if you are lucky you will find some within your budget)and then as already mentioned in the thread EQ,if you feel the need to your liking.

You mention control. A controlled speaker for me is a speaker that has control over the frequency curve and has low distortion. Speaking of control, speakers with a waveguide are what the name suggests a way to control.It's probably not so stupid that such things are found on small speakers with narrow baffles.

Thick carpets in front of the speaker are usually a classic way to control reflections.

 

[Bsmooth]

How about Wharfedale 220, and they are at a great price too.