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NEED HELP - Bookshelf speaker for bookcase

post #1 of 13
9/1/12 at 3:33am
Thread Starter 
I've been humming and hawing for a month now about getting a soundbar, getting on wall speakers... I have finally decided (thanks to the WAF) to get book shelf speakers that will go IN a book shelf. Bookshelf will be 20 inches wide and 15 inches deep (exactly the same measurements as an IKEA Hemnes bookshelf you might say!!).

Our "theater" room is our living room. It's 9 feet wide and 15 feet long and opens up into the kitchen. The whole front of it is covered by an IKEA entertainment unit, and the bookcases will fill in the gap on each side.

Right now, I have Paradigm Monitor 7's, a Paradigm Center channel (forget the model), and Titans connected to a Pioneer 1018 with an excellent Paradigm PW-2200 sub.

BUT - all this is too big.

I will be getting a Marantz NR1403/1603, a SVS-PC12-NSD sub. I will keep my center channel for the time being. The BIGGEST problem I'm having is finding bookshelf speakers that will be fine in a bookcase, and I really need some suggestions. I loved the Paradigm Studio 20's, but they don't look like they will be any good in a bookcase.

Budget is preferably under 800 (damn WAF). Really need some help!
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post #2 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:38am
fwiw, take a look at the boston acoustics bt2 lcr's at accessories4less $430 each ( retail $1200 ea. ),these where made for your purpose to be put into a cabinet. and they are very efficent at 93db so you can go loud with little power. only problem i see might be pairing with the paradigm center. or a pair of nht classic 3's these are acoustic suspension design( no ports ) to be put on shelves
Edited by smasher50 - 9/1/12 at 5:52am
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post #3 of 13
9/1/12 at 6:16am
If the shelves are 20" wide by 15" deep the Studio 20s should work. Width wise they will have plenty of room on either side for some toe-in and they're front ported so the depth of the shelf will be plenty. Just make sure the speakers are set as far forward as the shelf allows. I also have an ikea cabinet that limits me to bookshelf speakers.
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post #4 of 13
9/1/12 at 7:39am
Thread Starter 
Love the studio line was just worried about driving them with the Marantz. Will have to check out the nht they look good too
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post #5 of 13
9/1/12 at 2:59pm
Thread Starter 
The more I read about the NHT Class Three, the more I want to try them. Much cheaper than the Studio 20's but I can't demo them before i get them. I can, however, get the Classic Three's for $700, and I like how they are not ported at all. My main concern now is, will the 50 watts on the Marantz be enough to drive them?
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post #6 of 13
9/1/12 at 3:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Konowl View Post

Love the studio line was just worried about driving them with the Marantz.

Why so? Based on their sensitivity rating, they seem reasonably efficient for bookshelf speakers that size.
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post #7 of 13
9/1/12 at 3:16pm
Your marantz should drive the studios just fine.
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post #8 of 13
9/1/12 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 519audiofan View Post

Your marantz should drive the studios just fine.

I'm leaning towards the NHT just based on cost. Read somewhere that the NHT needs 120 watts (don't really buy that myself).
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post #9 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:08pm
Yeah. I'd take that with a grain of salt. All of our expectations of what is loud enough or not is different--and even the room size plays into that. Keep in mind that you have to double the amp power to get 3db more volume, whereas it takes a 10db increase to sound twice as loud. Those NHTs are rated 87db sensitivity, which I bet is similar to those Titans. Will your Titans get plenty loud without turning your Pioneer up all the way? If so, I would imagine you'd be fine.
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post #10 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Konowl View Post

I'm leaning towards the NHT just based on cost. Read somewhere that the NHT needs 120 watts (don't really buy that myself).

Overall it will depend on volume level and your room.
NHT was measured 83db sensitivity in Stereophile
http://www.stereophile.com/content/nht-classic-three-loudspeaker-measurements

The Marantz is a decent receiver, and is not a wimp. However, it will not have a
lot of headroom.
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post #11 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Overall it will depend on volume level and your room.
NHT was measured 83db sensitivity in Stereophile

Eh. Their stated specs are overly ambitious. Not surprising. LOL
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post #12 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01 View Post

Overall it will depend on volume level and your room.
NHT was measured 83db sensitivity in Stereophile
http://www.stereophile.com/content/nht-classic-three-loudspeaker-measurements
The Marantz is a decent receiver, and is not a wimp. However, it will not have a
lot of headroom.

Well, the speakers as they stand now don't exactly get to ear bleeding levels LOL. Can't believe i'm thinking bout leaving Paradigm. WAF sucks.
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post #13 of 13
9/1/12 at 5:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Konowl View Post

Well, the speakers as they stand now don't exactly get to ear bleeding levels . . .

See if she'll let you get a pair of these or these. Look at the sensitivity biggrin.gif
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