Bookshelf or Floorstanding?

dcarlson · August 2003

I'm going to be searching for some new mains. They will be strictly 2 channel only until I possibly get back into HT which won't be for quite a while.

My question is what are the benifits of each Floorstanders and Bookshelves?

brettw22 · August 2003

Really, it's just the obvious differences.

Bookshelves if you're looking (on a lower budget generally) for tight spaces and not looking for something that would ideally be considered a full range speaker. (not enough of the low end)

Tower if you want the fuller sound, that has the ability to grow with you should you decide to merge it with the HT system that you eventually get back into, if you like the tower enough.

I guess it depends on if you're going to be using a sub as well, but the things that I'd look at, in this order, are:

1. Current amp capabilities (4 vs. 8 ohm)
2. Budget
3. Space limitations or not
4. Capable of being utilized for Future systems

Generally, I'm not a bookshelf kind of guy, but the exception to that would be the LSi9's. I'm not even really into 2 channel, but would consider a system built around them......

Good luck.

Tour2ma · August 2003

I'd have to put room size atop the list. It hits you two ways. First, it sets the number of placement options as brett mentions. In a given room there are always more options with a smaller speaker, but if the room is big, speaker size grows less important. The second impact comes in the volume of the room, i.e., how much space are you trying to fill with sound? We speak of this often with subs, but it impacts mains as well.

I'd add music preference to brett's list. dc, I believe yours is rock. In filling a room with sound, the only thing more challenging than rock is full symphony classical.

VR3 · August 2003

Hmmmmm, I have Towers firing 7 feet away from me, and I still want it louder! Is this a bad sign? lol, im just kidding! lol! Although in my current position, a center channel is the last thing I am looking at, because it would be like 1 foot from each of my mains. Which wouldn't hurt in movies, but in music......it might be a problem!

I'd say if room space isnt a problem, get towers. The impact, clarity which is far above most bookshelfs is unreal.

organ · August 2003

Derick, your MF is an awesome integrated. Your speaker selection should be very large. We've got some great response here. The best thing to do is to demo some great speakers that will ake the MF shine. The main difference will be bass but not all floorstanders are better than bookshelfs for bass and dynamics. My LSi9 destroys my RT800i for bass, slam, dynamics and micro dynamics. The problem is that some speakers like the Rocket Speakers are sold through the internet and you will not find them in the stores to demo. They use Vifa tweets too.

Good luck and keep us updated on your speaker demos.

Maurice

HBombToo · August 2003

Originally posted by organ
My LSi9 destroys my RT800i for bass, slam, dynamics and micro dynamics.
Maurice

You like them that much more? Destroys is very strong language. How do they smell?;)

HBomb

organ · August 2003

Yes, I like them that much and they smell a lot better than the 800i;).

Sorry, I guess that was a little harsh. It's just that it was the first thing I noticed when I upgraded the speakers. The 800i's are great speakers that give a nice "crunch" on the highs. I like the tri-lams a little more than the newer silk tweeters.

Maurice

dcarlson · August 2003

I'm thinking bookshelf somewhat because of the cost/benefit. I imagine for a couple of grand I could get some really killer bookshelves or some mid level floorstanders. Does that make sense?

dorokusai · September 2003

I am a real fan of the small footprint, and big sound type of speaker. I am more impressed personally with a hi performance bookshelf than I am with a floorstander.

Brett is right on, in mentioning your bass reinforcement. I would get a smoking bookshelf before I would even think about a floorstander. Cost would be my main concern.

Frank Z · September 2003

dcarlson,
Do yourself a favor, go and audition a pair of Lsi15's, take your favorite music and make sure that you take some really bass heavy music...then come on back and let us know what you hear.

Make sure there is nothing connected except the 15's for your jam session. I'll wager you'll be more than a little impressed!

RuSsMaN · September 2003

Find the tower you like, and can afford, then get the bookshelf model from the next line up.

I'm in both camps actually. A bookshelf done *right* can be a real eye opener, that being said though, BIG speakers equals BIG sound.

I would skip the 15, or wait for a v2 or 'i' series to come out. I just don't think the 8" woof is quite up to par with the rest of the drivers. GREAT speaker, don't read me wrong, but the 9 is the *flagship* of the LSi series, imo.

Cheers,
Rooster

pjdami · September 2003

dcarlson,

Some great input above. Floorstander vs bookshelf it all depends on the manufacturer. I've heard some bookshelves that sound better than floorstanders. It all depends on the quality of the drivers used and the enclosure design but you know that allready.

You got a short list of speakers that you want to audition? For $2,000 you can get some killer speakers. Definitely take a listen to the LSi line. Can you get a listen to the new Spendor bookshelves or the Soliloquy line anywhere? I plan on auditioning these two speakers sometime in the near future. Also Thiel but I have to drive a bit to listen to those and they are a little pricey. Man tons of great choices in that price range.

brettw22 · September 2003

Originally posted by pjdami
You got a short list of speakers that you want to audition? For $2,000 you can get some killer speakers.

Gotta remember guys.......he's talkin in funny money...(Canadian Dollars)

Loud & Clear · September 2003

Interesting thread. I'd buy the speaker that sounds the best and not worry about it's dimensions.

Organ says that his 9's destroy his 800i's -- "My LSi9 destroys my RT800i for bass, slam, dynamics and micro dynamics." -- and this doesn't surprise me in the least; my 55i's do the same thing. I'd LOVE to hear the 9's. Instinct and practice (my experience with 55i's and 800i's), as well as Russ' and now organ's comments, both in this thread and in others, tells me that they'd be the ones for me.

I'd like to add this, too: My 800i's kick the crap out of my 35i's, and I'm not talking about bass here (I have issues with my 800i's bass), but the 800i's express a much more lifelike, bigger midrange ... and frankly that's necessary; I don't like hearing my guitars on such a blunted and small scale (sorry 35i's, I love you for who you are).

Get a speaker that has tight mid and low bass; a lush, big midrange; a detailed tweeter that doesn't piss you off.

It's about 'zen whoopie' and not about labels; who cares if they're on spikes or on a base?

VR3 · September 2003

Honestly, crossed at 65hz - I feel the RTi70 has more accurate bass than the M&K above that. The M&K is very sloppy at anything above 60-70hz. I have played the 70 without the M&K at all and still liked the bass. I feel the bass is very accurate, punchy, and very loud until it hits its limits. The 70 is a real nice speaker.

dcarlson · September 2003

Gotta remember guys.......he's talkin in funny money...(Canadian Dollars)

LFAO

Actually, I'm budgeting for $2000US, $3000CDN.

I'm having a hard time finding retail prices online. :mad:

Bookshelf or Floorstanding?

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