Bookshelf v. Floorstanding

MacLeod

Other than size, what is the difference in SQ between bookshelf and floorstanding?

I went to Tweeter and looked around today and couldnt get a straight answer from the sales dude. Plus Im skeptical cause I just think hes trying to sell me the more expensive floorstanding.

The Monitor 40 is $300 on Crutchfield with dual 5.25's and the RTi6 is $380 a pair with a single 6.5. This is considerably cheaper!

Is there a difference in SQ or am I just paying for more wood?

dorokusai

I personally am a bookshelf fanatic. This can extend into a semi-large speaker, but I've found more enjoyment in a non-floorstander than I ever have in the latter.

Frank Z

Take a look at the frequency response spec's for the speakers you are comparing. Generally you'll find floor standing speakers offer better response than book shelf speakers.

LSi15
Overall Frequency Response 22Hz - 27kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 30Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 26kHz

LSi9
Overall Frequency Response 38Hz - 27kHz
Lower -3dB Limit 50Hz
Upper -3dB Limit 26kHz

See what I mean?

VR3

Thats a terrible comparison! LOL

The LSi15 has a built in subwoofer! lol

The RT55 and RT800 is a better comparison! lol

MacLeod

In a floorstanding speaker, is the entire box part of the enclosure or is most of it just extra wood to make it taller?

I would think in a floorstanding you have more room to work with and could tune the enclousre better. Is this the case?

Either way, it looks like I would be better served buying a set of RTi bookshelves than Monitor floorstanding.

Early B.

No straight answer. It's a personal preference, WAF, space considerations, children, etc. I've tried them both, but since I like lots of bass, give me a floorstander and a sub.

Frank Z

Depends on the manufacturer. Some make good use of the additional cabinet volume, others offer nothing more than a big box with a few speakers stuffed in it.

The LSi15's have a great design that improves the lower frequency response, and controls cabinet resonance (ARC Ports).

The Lsi9's offer incredible low end response, but still don't dig as deep as the 15's. As with all speakers, placement is critical. Regardless of what you chose, don't be afraid to play around with placement options.

fireshoes

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Thats a terrible comparison! LOL

The LSi15 has a built in subwoofer! lol

The RT55 and RT800 is a better comparison! lol

Woofer, not subwoofer. It's not powered on the 15.

Anyway, on the floorstanding versions you will get deeper extension, thus a more complete sound. But if you are using a subwoofer with bookshelf speakers you won't notice the difference as much.

reeltrouble1

Sealed cabinets make for more precise movement of the driver cones but are less effecient needing more power, ported designs make better use of air movement inside the cabinet can play lounder with less poser but are less accurate and can result in what some call "muddy" low end, passive radiator designs are a sort of cross between the two, the radiator vibrates out when the mid-woofers move back in.

For true stereo I generally like floorstanders best, and of those the passive radiator design of the SDA.

It is very easy and quite fun to collect different speakers both bookshelf and floorstanding.

RT1

okiepolkie

I like bookshelves blended with a subwoofer better than most floorstanding speakers. It generally is more cost efficient to go this route as well.

Loud & Clear

Prefer my 55i's to my 800i's, and prefer my Monitor 10's to my Monitor 12's. Perhaps it's just coincidence.

dmalino

Originally posted by MacLeod
In a floorstanding speaker, is the entire box part of the enclosure or is most of it just extra wood to make it taller?

I would think in a floorstanding you have more room to work with and could tune the enclousre better. Is this the case?

You can tune the enclosure better with a larger box volume but you can build a sturdier box with a smaller volume. To build a large tower with the same rigidity as a small bookshelf requires heavier materials and more bracing thus more cost.

Fulmer

Having just moved from RT25i bookshelves as mains to R50 mains, I like the sound of the towers. The R line is at the bottom of the polk heap, and yet I really like the sound. I find myslef listening to two channel audio and really enjoying it. I can't say I did the same with the RT25is. Also, keep in mind the possible need for speaker stands with bookshelves.

steveinaz

Floorstander:

1. + Usually lower bass extension
2. + Usually more efficient
3. - Usually more resonant than a bookshelf
4. - More expensive due to additional materials

Bookshelf:

1. + Better soundstaging (smaller reflective surfaces))
2. + Better imaging (smaller, more rigid cabinet)
3. + Improved midrange due to lower resonance
4. - Can sound a little over-ripe in the midbass

audiobliss

I personally prefer towers. I really like to have some bass in my music, and I really don't have much room (or funds; or probably patience for tuning) for a subwoofer. I can't say much about bookshelf speakers having better imagine and a better soundstage. However, there's just something about a floor-standing tower speaker that draws me in. For one, I guess it's the bass; a lot more bass. Then, there's just the idea that it's a tower.......just seems, umm, 'cooler'....:p . Since you're coming up from car audio where the soundstage and imagine and everything are so compressed, I imagine that even floorstanders are going to be a lot better in both respects. I'm not nearly a critical enough listener (...yet...) to notice differences in soundstage and imaging.

If you go with bookshelf speakers....you will definitely need a sub. That's gonna cost you more than the extra $80 that the floorstanders cost....The, you're going to have to calibrate it to come in right where the bookshelves drop off, so you have a seamless integration.

Maybe it's just me, but I really prefer my bass coming out of floorstanders. Now, if it means floorstander, or floorstanders + sub with more bass.....I'd get a sub, too.....:D

dorokusai

Audiobliss - You simply havn't heard good bookshelves yet.

audiobliss

For an example.....As I was typing that last post, I was listening to Keith Urban's 'You'll Think Of Me', which I really like. So, I turned it up and set back to listen. It absolutely amazes me and tickles me to death that I can listen to stereo with just two speakers with no sub, have the receiver set to direct and bypassing the tone controls so I'm not boosting the bass......and still have the floor shake....!!!

I love it....:D

audiobliss

Originally posted by dorokusai
Audiobliss - You simply havn't heard good bookshelves yet.

Yeah, I'm sure that's true. It stands to reason that for the same amount of money, you can get a lot better quality bookshelf speaker with a lot better SQ. However, I'm not nearly critical enough yet to hear much of a difference between anything.....like, the cheap Panasonic speakers that came in my dad's truck.....sound just as good as the MMC5500s that I've heard.......I have to develop my ear a bit, I guess...

However, it still stands........muchos bassos from los floorstanderes.......and I like it.....

steveinaz

Consider for a moment that very few instruments dip below 40Hz, and most good bookshelves will dig that deep, maybe at a lower dB level, but still audible. Now think about all of the advantages of a bookshelf, improved midrange/highs, less resonance, lower price, less room needed, etc, etc.

Few things are as magical as a good pair of bookshelves. The key word there is good.

steveinaz

Here's one I'm thinking very seriously about purchasing...

ACI Sapphire:

tryrrthg

Bookshelf for sure!

A bookshelf costing the same as a floorstanding speaker will probably be better in every way. Less money into the cabinet and more into the parts that matter.

I've heard one "reasonbably" priced floorstanding speaker that I would trade my bookshelf speakers for. They were the ProAc D25's and they cost about $5000.

MacLeod

I live in an apartment so a sub is kind of out of the question right now. But I think I get it. A good set of bookshelves will still have decent bass response, albeit not ground shaking (which is fine with me) and generally sound better than an equally priced floorstanding?

The RTi6 is what Im looking at to buy (most I can realisticly spend). Those good enough?

Originally posted by audiobliss
like, the cheap Panasonic speakers that came in my dad's truck.....sound just as good as the MMC5500s that I've heard

Im gonna pretend you didnt say that! Blasphemer!!! :mad:

And those are either the MMC5250 or MMC6500.

VR3

Mac, PM me (again) -

I may know a solution for you... -

No may, I HAVE

I know a speaker that can be had for 200-300 that can offer GREAT bass with reasonable power... and still do the mids and highs with clarity and detail

Fulmer

I agree with audiobliss. Regardless of the specs, a tower just sounds right to me. Sure a subwoofer can help round out the sound, but if the crossover must be set higher it can be more easily localized. I'll never go back to bookshelves for mains, unless they're packing at least a few 6.5" woofers. But at that point, I'd have to ask, why not just buy towers, and save myself from wasting time looking for stands.

mrmusicman

RT55ivs RTI 70

VR3

RT55i?

Hands down

mrmusicman

I recently bought stands for the 55'is and I think I'm placing them up front and moving the 70's to the rear.I definatley think they sound better than the 70's

F1nut

The first and most basic rule of speakers:

There is NO substitute for large radiating surfaces, period.

audiobliss

The first and most basic rule of speakers:

There is NO substitute for large radiating surfaces, period.

AMEN!!! lol......words to live by.......just like 'add bacon'......

VR3

So that would be the equivelant of a large **** on a seat (bookshelf)

Vs..

A large **** in a blow horn??

Got ya!

Mjr7531

Mac, you won't be disapointed with those RTi6s if you get them, I've watched movies with em', and they really can surprise you with what they do,
Matt