Assistance needed with Speakers that work well against the wall

[bencat]

Hello I am trying to put together as cheap as possible a system for some friends who live in the highlands. I am pretty much okay with what amp and source I can find but due to the layout of their cottage I will need some smallish speakers that will work well hard up against a solid stone wall. Remember the AR17 used to be okay but they seem to be as rare as hens teeth like wise Hebrook HB1 . Could anyone recommend some other models that it would be sensible to look out for second hand that will be cheap but decent quality ?

I had also considered looking at some active studio monitors which are often able to be used back to the wall and this would save space on amp as well but this is an area I know nothing about so would not be able to identify if any model was decent let alone what a good price would be . Any suggestions or advice on this are would also be very helpful.

Source is going to be digital only and possibly even an iPod dock to start (however you can get a CD player so cheap that will probably include this as well ) .

All suggestions welcome but please try and keep the costs as low as possible.

 

[diceman]

I think a few of the Heybrooks were designed to be used close a wall. Certainly the Sextet was and that is a corking speaker for the £250-£300 you can sometimes find them for. (I suspect that is budget busting and too big though being a floorstander).

Definitely avoid rear ports.

Others that are small ish and seem to be reported to work well close to a wall are some Royd speakers and Rega Ela.

 

[Voice_Coil]

jpw ruby floorstanders would be awesome. i think they sold but still a cracking speaker, and i know people still sell them 2nd hand....

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?47130-clearing-out

 

[dj.gibby]

Small and cheap, i'd look at the budget JPW range - Mini-Monitor, Sonata, Minim. You should be able to find a near mint pair for £40 or under. I still use the Mini-Monitor in my 2nd system and they still amaze. Lack low bass obviously because of their size and sealed box design but very engaging nonetheless.

 

[MotherSky]

Was asked to help a friend with this exact problem - settled on some Rega Kytes in the end - cheap, reasonably common and perfectly happy against the wall - he has since added an REL Strata III, but apart from a lack of serious low end, he has been v.pleased

 

[Guest]

Pmc db1i, are designed to work close to a wall even though rear ported(Transmission Line). I have mine mounted with the dedicated wall bracket and they sound great. To keep cost low, look at the older versions db1, db1+ or the studio versions.

 

[HoopsOnToast]

ATC SCM7 or SCM10 would be worth a look :^ Older Spendor S3 and S3e are also worth a look to.

Can they be small floorstanders? The Rega R3 works well near rear walls as well.

If you can find some, Keesonic Kolt or Kord Vulcan work well near rear walls but dont come up at all often.

Another option would be the Tannoy DC1000, usually cheap and do well up near walls, not the last word in Tannoys but priced accordingly.

 

[bencat]

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions have had a look at each of them. Maximum budget for the whole system is going to be around £150 so not able to view too many of the better quality speaker suggestions .

If anyone can give any advice on cheap but good second hand active monitors / speakers then this would be a real help as looking at it I could get the speakers and amp in a single package and have a spare pre amp to use just then need a cheap cd or Ipod dock as source and things are at least up and running .

Once again appreciate the advice but any additional suggestions are still welcome .

Spotted a pair of MS Gold Monitors which used to be okay and worked hard against a wall so will keep an eye out on them .

 

[MotherSky]

Mission X-Space active NXT 2.1 system would be a good option - I bought one for my son, and was very impressed with the results considering he just plugs a walkman into it - don't come up that often, but you should get one for £150

 

[One Drop]

I have a pair of Wharfedale Valdus 200 you can have for £0.00... they're small standmounts in black, front ported and in decent condition... am trying to find a new home for them via the Spirit, but no interest so far.

Can also recommend Dean Altos - excellent little speakers that work well against walls

 

[naxos10]

I have heard good reports about Mordant Short MS10i Pearl. Could be a good secondhand buy.

 

[MUJI]

Pmc db1i, are designed to work close to a wall even though rear ported(Transmission Line). I have mine mounted with the dedicated wall bracket and they sound great. To keep cost low, look at the older versions db1, db1+ or the studio versions.

+1 on this. I find most transmission line designs work well back against the wall. I auditioned the PMC DB1i and specifically moved the speakers close to the wall and it sounded very good. I think I saw one in the classifieds recently.

 

[simbo]

If you can find a pair, I have been blown over by the B & W DM4 - cracking speaker, front ported and close to rear walls too. Should be able to find well within budget, but don't forget stands.

Edit: you might not consider them smallish though!

 

[syep2001]

Ha, Linn Kan

No, but seriously do work well against walls.

 

[themadlatvian]

If you can find a pair, I have been blown over by the B & W DM4 - cracking speaker, front ported and close to rear walls too. Should be able to find well within budget, but don't forget stands.Edit: you might not consider them smallish though!

Glad you are still enjoying them, Phil. Lovely speakers, classics of their day.

:^

 

[Manimal]

I'd recommend RAM CD10 (compact design series) smallish sealed box standmount - uses good components and SEAS drivers. The bass is surprisingly good and they can go loud without strain - I'm currently listening to some. Paid £20 on eBay. RAM are long gone as a company but they were good in their day.

EDIT: Actually they are still good today. I tried them against some old Celestion DL4 and old Missions and they are in a different class altogether.

 

[David Pinnegar]

I'd go for one of those thin spiral horn designs with a driver in the middle of a square. Nice and easy to construct. Is it the Frugalhorn?

Best wishes

David P

 

[Pete the Feet]

Wharfedale Diamonds, early models sound great. Not sure about the later ones.

 

[Fatmarley]

Ha, Linn Kan No, but seriously do work well against walls.

Great speakers but need top-notch electronics and a subwoofer (mine were the mk2 Kan).