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I am in search of a nice pair of bookshelf speakers for my living room. I don't have a lot of space; the speakers can't be any higher than 10". I understand that this limits the amount of sound quality I can expect, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I am not really into the whole surround sound craze....I'm just looking for a solid, warm, stereo sound.

Any suggestions/info would be great.

Thanks,
JR

10" height is quite limiting. Of course, speakers function just as well, in most cases, oriented horizontally, so you can actually consider something with a larger cabinet size, and 3-way designs, as opposed to 2-way. For bookshelf speakers with a warmer "analog" sound, consider British manufacturers like Wharfedale or MB Quart. Boston Acoustics makes very good speakers for the money. The JBLs found in real hi-fi stores are also very good in that, for their size, you can play them quite loud without noticeable distortion.

Admin wrote:10" height is quite limiting. Of course, speakers function just as well, in most cases, oriented horizontally, so you can actually consider something with a larger cabinet size, and 3-way designs, as opposed to 2-way. For bookshelf speakers with a warmer "analog" sound, consider British manufacturers like Wharfedale or MB Quart. Boston Acoustics makes very good speakers for the money. The JBLs found in real hi-fi stores are also very good in that, for their size, you can play them quite loud without noticeable distortion.

I actually thought about orienting some slightly larger speakers horizontally....but what bothers me is that most speakers would look weird like that....with the speaker logo being turned sideways. Know of any speakers offhand that could be oriented either way without ruining the aesthetic?

I actually have a nice pair of Fishers my father bought back in the '60s. They still sound great, and they are horizontal. I am looking for another smaller pair to augment them.

My first "real" speakers were also Fishers, from the 70's, with the lattice grilles. Most modern bookshelf speakers have logos that can be rotated to match the selected orientation. In any case, don't let a minor aesthetic detail keep you from buying units whose sound you like.

JR,
A lot depends on what you are driving the speakers with and how much you want to spend. Bose has a line of small speakers that will "knock your socks off" soundwise, and there is a guy in New Orleans by the name of Rick Landry who sold a line of handmade speakers pre "K". I'm not sure if he is back in business, but he made speakers for Irma Thomas, the Neville's, Kolour, etc. In fact, I have a set of his "3's" that are over 25 years old, and I will match them against just about anything, old or new, in the sub $1K a pair range (but they are larger than what you are looking for).
If you are just looking for something to drive off of your TV, you can get a pretty decent setup with amp/tuner/reciever, subwoofer, front and rear speakers for between $300 and $500.
HTH

PS - Most, if not all, newer speakers have "logos" that can be rotated to match the speaker orientation.

Go to Best Buy. Checkout SONY bookshelf or floor column speakers. I have the same series as floor speakers with double woofers. Excellent clean sound.

[url=http://javascript<b></b>:fnHardlineProductView('1172277278011',%20'8289229','false','cat13506')][/url]

Sony - 8" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair)

Model: SS-B3000 | SKU: 8289229

Product Height
20-7/8"

Product Width
10-3/8"

Product Weight
14.3 lbs. (each)

Product Depth
9-7/16"

I have the Bose Acoustimass and love them.

Titchou wrote:I have the Bose Acoustimass and love them.

ditto

My JBL bookshelfs I bought in 1972 had logo's that turned for any orientation you desired. Sure the still do.

Are they still the great quality of the days of 'yore?

Titchou wrote:I have the Bose Acoustimass and love them.

Same with me, I have a number of Bose products and they are all great.