Suggestion for smaller stereo setup

[GAP]

After being away from any kind of critical listening—or even the simple enjoyment of music beyond earbuds—for the past couple of years, an upcoming move has rekindled my interest in setting up a simple, small stereo system.


The new living room will have a 4–5 meter wide bookshelf system, with a TV placed somewhere in the middle. I plan to position two smaller bookshelf speakers here as well. I’ll be ditching my current Sonos soundbar, and the new stereo pair will be used for both music and TV. This means I’ll need HDMI support. I also occasionally listen to vinyl, so analog input is a requirement.

Basic requriements

• Speaker cabinets can't be taller than 32 cm to fit the shelf system.
• HDMI, Spotify Connect, AirPlay (preferably), and analog input for vinyl.
• Budget is flexible, I have the means, but since the speakers will be constrained by being placed inside a shelf, I'm hesitant to invest too heavily.

Some ideas so far.

• Wiim Amp (ticks all the input boxes) + Elac Debut DB53 (or similar small 5” passive bookshelf speakers). I’d prefer going with a DBR62, but it might be too tall given its bigger drivers. Arendal 1961 Bookshelf could also be an option.
• Argon Audio Fenris/Forte 5 (has HDMI but lacks AirPlay and Spotify Connect, so I’d need an additional streamer). These haven’t been measured by any trusted reviewers.
• Wiim Ultra (covers everything except AirPlay, which is fine) + ADAM T5V, or even stepping up to something like the Genelec 8030.

If you have any other suggestions for passive speakers to look for that would fit the pairing with Wiim Amp, or any points what route to take I would be happy as i'm struggling to take stand on where to go from here.

They should be available in EU.

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Some suggestions.

Amplifier: WiiM Amp Ultra (Q3 2025) or Eversolo Play
Speakers: SVS Evolution Nano or Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 V2

WiiM Amp Ultra: Performance Meets Precision

We’re thrilled to introduce our most refined streaming amplifier yet, the WiiM Amp Ultra, a high-performance powerhouse built for discerning listeners. Encased in a sleek unibody aluminum chassis with a vibrant 3.5” glass touchscreen, it delivers 100W per channel at 8Ω or 200W at 4Ω, driving up...

www.blog.wiimhome.com

Eversolo Play Streaming Amplifier All in One Player

Eversolo，Play，Streaming Amplifier， All in One，Player

www.eversolo.com

 

[JeremyFife]

WiiM Ultra with Genelecs (G3 rather than 8030 because they have RCA inputs) ... and you're done

There are, of course, alternatives but if you like the Genelec aesthetic and you have the budget you are going to struggle to do better.

 

[GAP]

Some suggestions.

Amplifier: WiiM Amp Ultra (Q3 2025) or Eversolo Play
Speakers: SVS Evolution Nano or Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1 V2

WiiM Amp Ultra: Performance Meets Precision

We’re thrilled to introduce our most refined streaming amplifier yet, the WiiM Amp Ultra, a high-performance powerhouse built for discerning listeners. Encased in a sleek unibody aluminum chassis with a vibrant 3.5” glass touchscreen, it delivers 100W per channel at 8Ω or 200W at 4Ω, driving up...

www.blog.wiimhome.com

Eversolo Play Streaming Amplifier All in One Player

Eversolo，Play，Streaming Amplifier， All in One，Player

www.eversolo.com

The Amp Ultra looks nice and promising to wait for. I'm not in a hurry so that might be relevant if I go for passive. I don't think we have Ascend acoustics here in Sweden, but SVS is possible to buy, so will look into that one a bit.

WiiM Ultra with Genelecs (G3 rather than 8030 because they have RCA inputs) ... and you're done

There are, of course, alternatives but if you like the Genelec aesthetic and you have the budget you are going to struggle to do better.

I do like the Genelec aesthetics, however not sure how well it will fly at home. I suspect a more traditional anonymous box with cover, would be more accepted. Hence my consideration going into the passive section. I do like the looks of the DBR62, it is front ported which might help me having it in the shelf.

 

[post]

After being away from any kind of critical listening—or even the simple enjoyment of music beyond earbuds—for the past couple of years, an upcoming move has rekindled my interest in setting up a simple, small stereo system.


The new living room will have a 4–5 meter wide bookshelf system, with a TV placed somewhere in the middle. I plan to position two smaller bookshelf speakers here as well. I’ll be ditching my current Sonos soundbar, and the new stereo pair will be used for both music and TV. This means I’ll need HDMI support. I also occasionally listen to vinyl, so analog input is a requirement.

Basic requriements

• Speaker cabinets can't be taller than 32 cm to fit the shelf system.
• HDMI, Spotify Connect, AirPlay (preferably), and analog input for vinyl.
• Budget is flexible, I have the means, but since the speakers will be constrained by being placed inside a shelf, I'm hesitant to invest too heavily.

Some ideas so far.

• Wiim Amp (ticks all the input boxes) + Elac Debut DB53 (or similar small 5” passive bookshelf speakers). I’d prefer going with a DBR62, but it might be too tall given its bigger drivers. Arendal 1961 Bookshelf could also be an option.
• Argon Audio Fenris/Forte 5 (has HDMI but lacks AirPlay and Spotify Connect, so I’d need an additional streamer). These haven’t been measured by any trusted reviewers.
• Wiim Ultra (covers everything except AirPlay, which is fine) + ADAM T5V, or even stepping up to something like the Genelec 8030.

If you have any other suggestions for passive speakers to look for that would fit the pairing with Wiim Amp, or any points what route to take I would be happy as i'm struggling to take stand on where to go from here.

They should be available in EU.

You are limited by the height of the shelf. Get the bookshelf that you want and you will need a subwoofer. Otherwise, the sound will be tiny.

 

[kemmler3D]

Can't argue with the WiiM / Genelec combo (I am happily listening to some now myself) but if you have Genelec money, the Ascilab C6C is definitely worth a look also. Unfortunately it's 8cm too tall, but it arguably performs as well as (better than?) the 8030 but with a wider dispersion, which could be really nice for living room use.

Genelecs hold resale value really well so it's not a bad investment if you go that route.

edit: Based on a question in the Ascilab thread, I realized that those speakers have such good verticals that you could lay them on their sides and they'd still be pretty good speakers. This is unusual for non-coax speakers, but the measurements don't lie. Something to think about @GAP if you like their measurements and looks.

 

[VMAT4]

G3 pair in Polar White w/ frequency response of 54 Hz to 20kHz ±2.5 dB get my vote!

 

[VMAT4]

These would fit also. But, would cost about 2550 € each. They are also available in 120 different colors.

The Genelec 8341A

 

[GAP]

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m still struggle to decide what route to take. But for room aesthetics I’m right now considering going passive. I almost settled for a wiim pro and a pair of 8030 yesterday but find that I spend maybe one hour per week with active music listening in the living room and could probably spend less money on this.

There are just a few measured smaller bookshelves that fit the shelves asI can see. I would like to pair them with wiim amp (rather than amp pro due to price but mostly due ti the lack of AirPlay on the amp pro, please protest if this is madness)

Passive speakers that fit:

Wharfedale 12.1
DB5.3 (has not been measured but big brother has and seems okay).
Arendal 1961 (a bit too expensive when I’m settling for a more budget approach to this).

Any other suggestions for passive smaller bookshelf speakers under 32 cm?

 

[Penelinfi]

Monitor Audio SIlver 50 might look reasonable; sound is generally fine, though not as perfect in dispersion as some. Slightly upward tilt but maybe it works in a bookshelf

 

[daniboun]

Wiim amp pro + Alti DIY )
If you have DIY skills I paid 430€ for a pair. These bookshells have sota measurements

Tonality: 6.3
Bass extension: 46Hz
Flatness: ±1.4dB

A collection of loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[Salt]

Something completely different:
Technics SC-CX700

 

[GAP]

Ended up with a pair of 12.1 and Amp Pro. Sounds very nice

 

[respice finem]

Seen the thread too late... Looks nice, but, are you sitting this low, or are the loudspeakers one shelf too low?

 

[GAP]

Sitting in my couch, the tweeters are just below my ears when sitting straight, or at ear height when I'm sitting in a more relaxed position. They would be way too high if moved one shelf up

 

[JeremyFife]

In the office:
Laptop (Stream via JRiver for DSP) => Matrix Audio mini-i 2s (any DAC will do) => Genelec 8030c

Everything bought used. Nearfield listening. Tiny footprint, sounds fantastic