Looking for design recommendations for a smaller speaker specifically for music

[unclejunebug]

Hi all,

I don't listen to nearly as much music as I would like to when I'm working from home and lately, I've been wanting to remedy that. I mostly listen to music via Apple Music on my iPhone because it's just too convenient, though I have a bunch of vinyl that I can't currently listen to so I've also been wanting to pick up a record player so I can break them out and expand my collection. I have kicked around a few different ideas but I keep coming back to the following criteria...

• A small/compact pair of bookshelf speakers
• Potentially a smaller sub if needed
• A design that will sound great with different sources (i.e. bluetooth and vinyl)
• Within a reasonable budget ($300/pair but less is better :D)

I combed a bit through the sticky of existing designs and was able to find a few I think may work but unfortunately a lot of links there no longer exist. The two designs I'm currently looking at are the following...

• Paul C's Speedster
  • I currently have a complete set of Paul's HT Swopes and really like them so I have to think that the Speedster is also a great design
  • The main problem I've come across so far is that the Fountek ribbon doesn't seem to be available any longer on the PE site. I have found it elsewhere but it is now fairly pricey and would push these out of my range.
• DA Wave MT
  • I came across these in djg's post about PE's customer service. The price is right and the knockdown cabinets are a major plus

Does anyone have any input as to which of these designs would be better for my application? Or perhaps a recommendation for a different design completely? I'm not necessarily "married" to either of these two specifically so I'm open to other options, I know there are quite a few out there.

[djg]

DA Wave is a real bargain for the kit. I just got the kit yesterday so I can't say how they sound, but the drivers are first rate. Over $100 cheaper than adding up all the parts. I actually was thinking of Speedsters but they just kept getting more expensive.

I just couldn't pass up the bargain. The kit plus two terminal cups with free shipping is unbeatable pricewise. Craig Salin's Keramiskas would be awesome but the kit is almost $400 without cabs.

I'm going to make Wolf's Biumph sub in a passive version for a 2.1 chip amp set with the DAs. I'm looking at some exotic veneer for all three.

[ejh2854]

How small is small? I built this Quark-and-Voxel set for a friend, and they punch 'way above what you'd expect for their sizes:

https://techtalk.parts-express.com/f...arks-voxel-set

.

[unclejunebug]

My office is not huge so I'm not looking for anything too large or floor standing. I guess when I say small I'm thinking the size of the the Speedster/DA Wave or smaller. Something not too obtrusive.

I'll have to check out those Quarks as I'm not familiar with those. The simplicity of the x-over is also appealing as there wouldn't be much added cost there.

I do also like the size of Wolf's Triumph sub. Size wise, I was originally thinking along the lines of a Voxel but the Triumph seems like it would fit the bill as well.

[a4eaudio]

The Neutrinos use the same woofer as the Speedster but a Seas dome tweeter that is about $30 less than the Fountek ribbon. I know some people that have heard both and who preferred the Neutrino to Speedster. I'm almost done building a pair (taking me forever).

https://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/speaker-project-gallery/52972-the-neutrino-a-high-output-mini-monitor

[DanP]

The Speedsters are awesome. One of the best tiny speakers I've ever heard. That woofer is amazing and Paul nailed the crossover with the ribbon tweeter. If you can find the parts, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

[djg]

The Quark woofer is NLA. The PE Passive Aggressive is the same size, very small.

[unclejunebug]

I appreciate all the responses everyone. Been looking at these suggestions and they all look like good options.

One question I have is if there is any way to categorize the sound quality of a ribbon tweeter? For example, when it comes to car audio, I tend to prefer the "softer" sound of a silk dome tweeter to that of a metal dome tweeter. I find the metal tweeter to be too "bright" and eventually fatiguing. For this reason I would tend to shy away from the Neutrinos, but maybe with the x-over design this is not a concern?

[unclejunebug]

One thing I also forgot to mention is that the location I intend to put the speakers would place the rear of each cabinet very close to a wall. Probably maximum of about 5" clearance.

[unclejunebug]

The Speedsters are awesome. One of the best tiny speakers I've ever heard. That woofer is amazing and Paul nailed the crossover with the ribbon tweeter. If you can find the parts, I don't think you'd be disappointed.

I have no doubt I'd be happy with the design. I did find a kit on another site so that is an option. I do like the size of them so I'll need to consider whether the smaller cabinet size offsets the higher price tag.

[djg]

This designer has some very nice small speakers.

https://sites.google.com/view/sehlin-sound-solutions

[djg]

This has the same tweeter as the Speedsters. Very small. It might sound less bass heavy near wall.

https://techtalk.parts-express.com/forum/speaker-project-gallery/1479988-scott-sehlin-s-rhodiums

[DrewsBrews]

I have not heard the RST28A-4 myself in the DA-Wave MT. But sometimes it seems to get lower marks on reviews because it doesn't necessarily sound like the metal dome they were expecting. It would appear the phase plug takes alot of the sharpness away. Like the DC25T-8. Both have that droopy response in the upper end.

So maybe there is a chance you might like it?

[djg]

Maybe you really want something more familiar? The Tritrix MT is cheap and good. I built a pair long ago. Vinyl won't be taxing the speakers, I don't know about Apple music's fidelity.

https://www.parts-express.com/Tritrix-MT-Bookshelf-Speaker-Kit-Pair-with-Knock-Down-Cabinets-300-7126?quantity=1

[unclejunebug]

I appreciate all the suggestions/responses. There’s a lot to digest here. I’ll have to sift through all this for awhile.