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The best largest sounding small speakers you've heard

WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
in Speakers
Getting the basement finished as I type this. Plan is to have all my current gear go down there along with the purchase of a 75" tv (it's being prewired for a projector and for an automatic screen down the line). So I'm looking for suggestions on the biggest, warmest, detailed small speakers for the upstairs family room which will be mostly for music and some tv. I'm going 2 ch with a pre an amp the tt and possibly a cd and a sub. So looking for small bookies under 1k (for now).
TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • rooftop59rooftop59 Posts: 7,067
    I think anything from dynaudio would fit the bill. The emit series sounds crazy good for the price. I preferred these to the LSiM703s: https://www.crutchfield.com/S-W300XHdropS/p_345M20WH/Dynaudio-Emit-M20-White-Satin.html?XVINQ=DST&XVVER=3CZ&awcp=&awcr=386478821210&awdv=m&awkw=&awmt=b&awnw=g&awug=9027428&gclid=CjwKCAjwwab7BRBAEiwAapqpTDnGjIdbOs4w0EjyP2foMTe1_j7aboK_KZV_9jNcaiF7O0H2RRXdUxoCrnUQAvD_BwE

    I loved my psb imagine Bs. Warm and musical with good air and extension. They are discontinued so you can find some on sale: https://designeraudiovideo.com/product/psb-imagine-b/?attribute_pa_cabinet_color_selection=43-darkcherrywoodveneer&gclid=CjwKCAjwwab7BRBAEiwAapqpTMYKiPmHsL_7z1wXNc83kCSNJMKXW3CILEiTQz0Yojr-c-pF51bbdRoC9PUQAvD_BwE
    Living Room 2.1: Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkii; Martin Logan Grotto sub; Musical Fidelity A308; Marantz SA 14S1; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • EmlynEmlyn Posts: 2,877
    The L100s are under $1K now, by a dollar. :)

    https://www.crutchfield.com/S-ldsHCULQdL7/p_107L100WN/Polk-Audio-Legend-L100-Brown-Walnut.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=824757624950&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=388508597032&awdv=c&awug=9008150&gclid=CjwKCAjwwab7BRBAEiwAapqpTG81s4DcHJ9Mwyc3q7p0RuqQzHfzuGbuizu-mVlx6F28qvhKWQ8YkBoCY3oQAvD_BwE
    1. Polk LSiM-707, LSiM-704C, LSiM-702FX; Dual SVS SB2000 subwoofers; Marantz SR7011 receiver; Parasound A31 and A23 amps; Oppo 205; Sony 65" 4K TV; FIOS; PS Audio Power Plant Premier; MIT S2 cables
    2. JM Labs Electra 920.1; Parasound JC2 and JC5; Sony HAP-Z1ES; Marantz SA8004 SACD; Music Hall MMF7 and Acoustech phono pre; PS Audio P1000; MIT S1 Cables
    3. Polk LSiM703; Anthem Pre-2L SE; Parasound A21; Sony 48" 4K TV; Wyred4Sound DAC 2; Oppo 203; Squeezebox Touch; PS Audio Power Director 4.7; MIT S3 cables
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  • aiconnaiconn Registered User Posts: 282
    Totem Rainmakers FTW!
    PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp
    Denon DVD 2910
    Quad 12L Active Monitors
    Marin Logan Dynamo 700W
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  • rooftop59rooftop59 Posts: 7,067
    aiconn wrote: »
    Totem Rainmakers FTW!

    Are those still in production? Never heard a pair but always wanted to!

    Which brings up another point: new or used @Willow?
    Living Room 2.1: Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkii; Martin Logan Grotto sub; Musical Fidelity A308; Marantz SA 14S1; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    aiconn wrote: »
    Totem Rainmakers FTW!

    Are those still in production? Never heard a pair but always wanted to!

    Which brings up another point: new or used @Willow?

    either or.
    TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
    I can get Rainmakers NIB for 760 CAD, Dreamcatcher for 499 CAD and Mites for 550 CAD.
    TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • maxwardmaxward Posts: 824
    Those seem to be good prices for new. Always wanted to hear some Totem speakers.
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  • ClipdatClipdat Posts: 9,507
    Wharfedale EVO 4.1 or 4.2
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  • mhardy6647mhardy6647 Posts: 27,361
    edited September 2020
    I was pretty darned surprised by the little GR Research "Paradox 1" two-ways that visited here about a month ago. They were really, really nice. Did they sound large? Well, not Altec large, but they did fine, full range, filling a 25 x 25 (ish) space. Fine.

    zcbrp0hp8kz7.jpg

    NLA, though.



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  • rooftop59rooftop59 Posts: 7,067
    Used, my goodness so many options. I got my Contour 1.3 mkIIs for $870 shipped I think. I would be very hard to beat those for the price, but the are 20 years old if that matters to you. They are also a bit hard to find. Point being, lots and lots of options used...depends on what kind of sound you want and what's available.
    Living Room 2.1: Dynaudio Contour 1.3mkii; Martin Logan Grotto sub; Musical Fidelity A308; Marantz SA 14S1; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room HT: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology SM450; Definitive Technology LCR2000; Definitive Technology StudioMonitor350; Mirage Nanasats; Sub - HSU VTF-2 MK5
    Master Bedroom
    Cambridge Azur 551r; Definitive Technology promonitor 800; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • NightfallNightfall Posts: 9,502
    edited September 2020
    Rosso Fiorentino Pienza

    Admittedly I haven't heard a ton of small speakers though.

    Missed the budget, nevermind.
    Post edited by Nightfall on
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • lightman1lightman1 Posts: 10,768
    Shut up Trey
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  • Mike ReeterMike Reeter Posts: 4,064
    edited September 2020
    While I've not experienced these, they would certainly be on my list, if I were in the hunt. Bump up your budget a little and have look at these.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/114416262337
    SDA SRS 2.3TL's/SDA SRS 3.1TL's/SDA CRS+4.1TL's and some other stuff
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  • Tony MTony M Posts: 9,838
    edited September 2020
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • Mike ReeterMike Reeter Posts: 4,064
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    Offered by Hi-Fi Heaven, I'm sure if one called them directly, a better price could be had.

    SDA SRS 2.3TL's/SDA SRS 3.1TL's/SDA CRS+4.1TL's and some other stuff
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  • WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    That's almost 2500 cad
    TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
    VR3 wrote: »
    Bose cubes

    Don't rubix cubes sound better?
    TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • UpstatemaxUpstatemax Posts: 2,518
    Totems did an excellent job playing larger than their footprint.

    The best I’ve personally heard, PMC Twenty5 22i’s. Not sure what they go for used...
    Living room:
    Samsung PN50B860 50" Plasma : XBOX One : Roku Ultra : Oppo UDP-203 : Pioneer Elite SC-87 : APC H15 : Focal 806V mains : Focal 806V Surrounds : SVS SB2000 : SVS SB12-NSD

    2Ch:
    Sonus Faber Venere S : Rotel RB 1582 MKII : Oppo UDP-205 : Furman Elite 15 DM i : Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Acryl-It Platter :
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  • Tony MTony M Posts: 9,838
    Willow wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    That's almost 2500 cad

    :s
    That's gotta suck.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • mhardy6647mhardy6647 Posts: 27,361
    Tony M wrote: »
    Willow wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    That's almost 2500 cad

    :s
    That's gotta suck.

    It's like monopoly money, but it's got, like, loons and mooses and the Queen on it.

    B)

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  • coolsaxcoolsax Posts: 1,820
    Ascend Acoustics Sierra -1s are a nice option as well.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • WillowWillow Posts: 10,418
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    Willow wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    That's almost 2500 cad

    :s
    That's gotta suck.

    It's like monopoly money, but it's got, like, loons and mooses and the Queen on it.

    B)

    I think monopoly money is worth more...
    TV room- B&W 703, SVS PB10 NSD, Marantz NR1607, Parasound 1500a, Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (Yellow) with Acrylic platter, Pro-Ject phono pre, MIT AVT 2 speaker cables, MIT AVT 1 and AVT 2 ICs, XLO Jumpers, Signal Dig Coax, Signal Cable Magic Power Cables x3, Samsung QN75Q7DR Qled 75" tv, Harmony 1100, Sony BDP-S6200, Marantz DV-4200 (as Transport), Cambridge Audio DAC Magic100, Monster 3600MKII, Nintendo Switch and Xbox 360 Family room Samsung 55JS7000 Android Mi Box3 and Apple TV, Polk Magnifi Max. - Pool /Gazebo Yamaha RX-A1010, Polk Patio 25x4, Rotel RDV 1045 (as CDP) MIT AVT3 ICs - Work - Spotify Premium, Neutron App or Amazon Music to my FiiO Kunlun into my Grado SR125e

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  • VR3VR3 Posts: 24,277
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Shut up Trey

    You obviously have not experienced the demo at epcot where they pull the large cover away to expose that the bose cube made all that sound.

    .mind.blowing.
    - Not Tom

    "No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro
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  • erniejadeerniejade Posts: 5,516
    All very good suggestions. I can also add Polk LSI9's and kef LS50 to the mix.
    Clipdat wrote: »
    Wharfedale EVO 4.1 or 4.2

    I have read a lot of good things about those speakers. I need to get my ears on them!

    Den: Lumin D1,Wireworld Silver Eclipse RCA, KEF LS50 Wireless, Velodyne SPL1200, Technics 1200, Denon DL160, Jolida D9,

    Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Innuos Zen MK3 , W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,

    Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac11,Aries Mini
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  • mhardy6647mhardy6647 Posts: 27,361
    KEF's latest and greatest next generation LS50 are nigh, apparently.
    https://www.whathifi.com/news/kef-ls50-meta-speakers-named-after-innovative-new-absorption-technology



    86dcmmp5aayk.png
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  • erniejadeerniejade Posts: 5,516
    Kef hit Darko, https://darko.audio/2020/09/kef-readies-ls50-meta-ls50-wireless-ii/?fbclid=IwAR0s6ewIbQTK5kzB8xMaKZqjy-7wv2SSxsdINkekAhEEdmPjurPR5-6pBoo
    Steve and a few others all at the same time
    Den: Lumin D1,Wireworld Silver Eclipse RCA, KEF LS50 Wireless, Velodyne SPL1200, Technics 1200, Denon DL160, Jolida D9,

    Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R,Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, Innuos Zen MK3 , W4S recovery, LKS MH-da004,

    Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac11,Aries Mini
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  • mhardy6647mhardy6647 Posts: 27,361
    yup.
    Media blitz :)

    On the bright side, and to KEF's credit, the price isn't supposed to change (increase) much if at all.
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  • maxwardmaxward Posts: 824
    Gutenberg was perhaps more enthusiastic about the KEF than Darko was above the Buchardt A500 in his latest video review.
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  • nooshinjohnnooshinjohn Posts: 23,239
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    Willow wrote: »
    Tony M wrote: »
    ^^^^^^^^^^^NICE! <3B):p

    USHERS...for 1500.00 :p

    That's almost 2500 cad

    :s
    That's gotta suck.

    It's like monopoly money, but it's got, like, loons and mooses and Queen on it.

    B)

    When did Canada start putting Freddy Mercury on their money?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, TriangleArt Reference SE with Pass Labs Xono Phono Preamp, Walker Precision Motor Drive, ClearAudio Goldfinger Statement V2 cartridge and Origin Conqueror Mk3c tonearm, Polk Audio "Signature" Reference Series 1.2TL with complete mods, Pass Labs X0.2 three chassis preamp, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MkII, Pioneer Elite SC-LX701, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds.

    “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered…History has stopped. Nothing exists except the endless present in which the party is always right” — George Orwell

    “If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.”
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