Seeking Compact Passive/Active Speakers under 9.4" / 23.5cm (235mm) Height for Music

[keithd]

Hey everyone,

I’m in the middle of setting up a dedicated music listening system in my living room and could use some collective wisdom. I have a strict physical height constraint and a few specific gear and aesthetic requirements to balance. (See photo to help provide context- note it is unfinished TV etc not final resting place - sticking with Sonos for TV/Movie -likely to be upgraded to Arc.)

The Room & Shelving Setup:
Shelving: Open-backed and open-sided wooden ladder/leaning shelving units.
The Hard Limit: The vertical shelf clearance opening is strictly 23.5 cm (235 mm). Ideally speakers stand vertically and fit inside this height limit.
Layout: Symmetrical stereo placement—one speaker on a mid-height shelf of the left ladder unit, the other on the right ladder unit on a shelf above the turntable.

The Gear & Sources:
Turntable: Technics SL-1210 MK2 (sitting on its own dedicated lower counter shelf, so mechanical isolation from the speakers is sorted).
Streaming: Hi-Res audio streaming via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

Current System Direction:
To avoid giant, 90s AVR boxes on show, I’m leaning strongly toward a compact streaming amplifier (like the WiiM Amp / WiiM Amp Ultra) driving a pair of passive bookshelf speakers, using a micro phono preamp for the Technics 1210.

Current Speaker Shortlist (Must be under 23.5 cm tall):
-Cambridge Audio Minx XL
-Monitor Audio Radius 90
-PSB Alpha P3

These three don't fair the greatest in the reviews posted here, hence this post. Mins you, one that did fair well is the Micca MB42X G2 it appears to be exactly 24cms, along with the KEF LSX!! These sideways might need to convince the boss

My Questions for the Community:
Are there any hidden-gem passive or active speakers under 23.5 cm (235 mm) tall that I’ve overlooked? (Ideally capable of filling a living room).

Does anyone have experience driving the PSB P3, Cambridge Minx XL or Monitor Audio Radius 90 with a WiiM Amp for pure music/vinyl listening? How is it?

Would you recommend sticking to a WiiM Amp + Passive setup, or is there a dedicated active/powered speaker under 23.5 cm height that I should consider instead?

Welcome suggestions on the phono preamp too?

Appreciate any thoughts or alternative speaker recommendations!
Thanks

 

[Osvaldo de Garay]

Ready to use or for DIY? Estimated power? Fraquency range?

 

[Tassin]

Audio Smile LBM - 20.5 cm

Audio Smile LBM Monitor Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ and detailed measurements of the Audio Smile Little British Monitor (LBM) Active Speaker (Monitor). It was sent to me by the company and costs £529.00 (VAT Excluded). Kit version is available for £349.00. As a woodworker, I appreciate how the baltic birch...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[keithd]

Ready to use or for DIY? Estimated power? Fraquency range?

Definitely ready to use / off-the-shelf.
Looking at around 50W to 100W per channel
Realistically expecting ~50 Hz to 20 kHz given the height restriction, likely a 4" to 5.25" woofer size limit. I want the deepest, warmest natural low-end possible from a cabinet that small, though I am open to adding a small hidden subwoofer down the line via the WiiM's sub-out if needed.

 

[staticV3]

Are there any hidden-gem passive or active speakers under 23.5 cm (235 mm) tall that I’ve overlooked? (Ideally capable of filling a living room).

• 200mm - Adam Audio D3V
• 206mm - iLoud Micro Monitor Pro
• 210mm - Kanto ORA4
• 229mm - Presonus Eris Pro 4
• 230mm - EVE SC204
• 233mm - Neumann KH 80 DSP
• 240mm - KEF LSX II LT

If you want the best chance at filling your room, get the Neumann. Their woofers rival Purifi's for headroom.


To drive it home, here's a selection of much larger/pricier speakers that can't play louder than the KH80:


Source: https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/

 

[staticV3]

Another one I just found:

• 226mm - Cambridge Audio L/R S

I'd wait for measurements.

 

[Laserjock]

If budget and shelf can support, I’d do one of these horizontal with tweeter rotated 90°.

 

[Rotor]

Another one I just found:

• 226mm - Cambridge Audio L/R S

I'd wait for measurements.

I am really looking forward to detailed reviews on these. Considering them as a desk speaker.

 

[jhaider]

What’s your horizontal limit? Depending on budget, two good 3-way “center channels” may be the way to go. Something like KEF R-Meta.

 

[kharan]

Or even the regular bookshelf, horizontal R3 meta would work.

 

[haskellcurrying]

Used Imagine Mini? (234mm): https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?Itemid=18&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&id=694:nrc-measurements-psb-imagine-mini-loudspeakers&option=com_content&view=article

A little bit more low-frequency noise than I like (measurements are at 90 dB SPL vs 86 dB SPL used here), but not worse that you would expect from a 4 inch woofer. Plus, subjectively, they be cuties. Especially in white.

Edit: Maybe plug the rear ports if they are going to be have them near a wall?

 

[Power Pop 23]

When used horizontally, the KEF Q1 Meta loudspeaker is 7.125 inches high by 12 inches wide by 11.375 inches deep.

It is currently on sale at for $400 a pair at KEF USA and other retailers - this sale price has occurred regularly since the introduction.

Measurements for speaker KEF Q1 Meta

www.spinorama.org

 

[AM88]

https://www.ascendacoustics.com/products/htm-200se2-mini-monitor-pair?variant=43227522138166

You could try these placed horizontally but you would probably want a sub as well.

 

[Alexei]

If it’s within budget and can meet your horizontal limit, I’d like to also suggest the Kef Q Concerto M on their sides too.
Dimensions (W x H x D): 21 x 41.5 x 31.5 cm

I’m definitely not a Kef fanboy but they measure well, go loud without distorting, have deep bass and are less aggressive sounding than the R3s. I’ve heard them and was impressed.
My only caveat is a slight ‘cupped hands’ colouration at around 700Hz which I hear also in LS-60s. Might be an inherent characteristic of the 4” Uni-Q?

https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/kef_concerto_q_meta/
In case you haven’t already read about them.

 

[john61ct]

I advise Wiim Ultra (not WAU) and separate power amp(s) or active speakers for future flexibility.

If you like high SPL these tiny speakers will not "fill a room" of any size.

Adding a sub will help, but note WU only does one summed channel, stereo subs not possible.

 

[berjine]

What is the available depth ? Ideally for the best look I wouldn't want something that sticks out too much from the shelfs

The best option to have room filling sound with compact speakers is to have a subwoofer that you can hide somewhere so that you can go with small and easy-to-integrate satellites