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
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
