Small bookshelve speakers needed...

[Pezerinno]

to match Primare A20 amp, source will be from my PC. They will be right next to the walls so I was guessing it would be best for me to look for front ported or sealed boxes? Dynaudio 42w's look good (will try and get a demo) others to look out for? Upto £500 but less is better. Prefer to buy second hand or ex-dem.

Cheers guys.

[nsherin]

Castle speakers seem to go well with these amps - I know CJROSS uses them with his A30.

[Pezerinno]

They're rear ported though - I thought they might be a bit boomy in my situation.

[stebbo]

Originally Posted by Nick25

to match Primare A20 amp, source will be from my PC. They will be right next to the walls so I was guessing it would be best for me to look for front ported or sealed boxes? Dynaudio 42w's look good (will try and get a demo) others to look out for? Upto £500 but less is better. Prefer to buy second hand or ex-dem.

Cheers guys.

I think the Dyn 42w wouls be perfect.

Audio-T (portsmouth) stock this brand and you even be able to get some ex-demo at a reduced price.

[eviljohn2]

Most small speakers are rear ported so you could be a bit stuck in that respect I'm afraid. Check out the Epos range as the ELS3's are excellent little speakers.

[cwick]

Originally Posted by eviljohn2

Most small speakers are rear ported so you could be a bit stuck in that respect I'm afraid. Check out the Epos range as the ELS3's are excellent little speakers.

Good idea

[Triggaaar]

Well you know I like the Dyns.

Have you already got the amp? I ask, because when it comes to avoiding rear ports, sealed active speakers are a good option.

Another alternative is the ATC SCM 7, which is a selaed box. Not the prettiest speaker, but very good.

[Pezerinno]

I do already have the amp - found one cheap so snapped it up but I know a friend of mine likes it so I'm sure I can offload it if need be.

[Triggaaar]

I'm not suggesting you change the amp, just mentioning that actives are often sealed, and suitable close to walls.

[Pezerinno]

I'll demo a few of the speakers mentioned and see how I get on.

[dazed&confused]

Castle Compact speakers are sealed units designed tp place right up against a wall. They're primarily for home cinema but sound great with music if you want something really small (14cm wide by 15cm deep by 20cm high). You could try pairing them up with a subwoofer.

[Paul Williams]

I don't know if you'll find these on demo, but these are balanced for use against the wall (even have optional wall mounts) and by past experience of Revolver product should sound good.

http://www.revolveraudio.co.uk/audiovue.htm

Sorry don't have prices, but send revolver an email.

Paul

[CJROSS]

Castle Richmond 3is. £320.

HFN Best speaker below £1000 IIRC in their lastest edition 2005 awards.

As the wise chap says above add a sub and your in heaven (well I am with the older version 2s), they are rear ported but don’t worry they are designed to be used close to walls, I have a set of Castle Clifton 2s that are rear ported and they are used 5 inches off a wall. They are also excellent speakers for “starter” or cheap systems, which are generally lower wattage in the power department as they are a very very easy load to any amplifier (not a worry with the 70W Primare I would add). Then there is the looks and you wont find better finished standmounts below £1000 (apart from SFs Domus Concertino @ £790)



http://www.castle.uk.com/pages/classic_richmond.htm

The only speakers I would consider above these speakers in standmount form would be :

Dynaudio 1.1/1.3 Contrours, Jamo Concert 8s, Sonus Faber Signums or the new SF Domus Concertino. Ie the £1000-1300 range, says a lot about the quality of Castles standmounts IMHO.

PS Nick very nice choice of amp, HFC have just had a group test of amp from the £750-1300 range and the £750 Primare I20 came out with a best buy.

[Pezerinno]

Colin it was you who recommended the Primare to me in another thread :D

Still a little worried about the rear port on the castles - they will be literally about 2/3 inches from the wall. Also not a huge fan of having a sub as its another 'thing' to have under the desk...

[CJROSS]

Originally Posted by Nick25

Colin it was you who recommended the Primare to me in another thread :D

Last time I seen you were still umming and ahhing !!! Good choice.

Originally Posted by Nick25

Still a little worried about the rear port on the castles - they will be literally about 2/3 inches from the wall. Also not a huge fan of having a sub as its another 'thing' to have under the desk...

They have small drivers Nick I would use them that close – remember many people actually bung up rear ports – 2-3 inches is still allowing air movement and as I said these speakers are designed with bookshelves in mind, you could keep an eye on Ebay for Richmond 2s or Isis, these are front ported if it’s a real concern.