Bookshelf speakers, recommendations

Being in France, why don't you check out Focal?

 

I will !
Any particular model to recommend ?

 

i've recently bought System Audio Saxo 1 Active, and they sound great. And they are tiny, almost pc-speaker size. Also, no amp needed

 

Not sure there

 

BayouTiger suggested the Saxo 10 on the previous page. Problem is : System Audio don't seem to have a French distributor.

 

The Menuet gets mixed reviews. It's too small IMO. There might be some of these wall mount models still floating around. Also, since you like the Zensor 1, the natural step-up is the Zensor 2. More of everything that you like. The Fazon series has some wall mount options too but are a bit expensive for their size.
-Bill

 

Oh ? I've only read good things about the Menuet, but then my research is far from extensive at this point.
How do you feel about the Opticons ?

 

The Opticon is in another league from any that you have looked at so far. If you can afford those, you will be thrilled.
-Bill

 

Nola Boxer 2, Reynaud Offrande

 

If you can find a pair of Linn Tukans, they'll amaze you.

 

Did you try some older Cabasse like the Brick?

 

I have Dali Menuet, Dynaudio Audience 42s and B&W 685 s2 in various rooms. The Dalis are in a room around the size of yours and are excellent and in my experience not too small - bass extension more than adequate and imaging/tonal balance are much better than the Dynaudios of a similiar size. Mine are about half a metre from the wall however - bass could be too prominent if very close to rear wall as port is still at the rear even though pointed downwards. I've read many reviews of the Menuets - don't recall any that were negative.

 

What about the Monitor Audio Bronze 2's? Front ported and, to me, much better than the low tier Dali's. Fairly cheap as well.

 

As is, sadly, proving to be a running theme, Nola don't seem to have distribution here.
Unless I'm mistaken, the Reynaud Offrande is 7 000 euros. That's 7 times over budget !

 

I'm not sure how I could get my hands on specific pairs of used speakers, but I'll certainly keep a look out.

 

Thanks for the first-hand experience, that's always appreciated. Dali's website says "For optimum performance, DALI MENUET should be positioned in a bookshelf or mounted on the wall using an optional wall bracket". So that shouldn't be an issue.
Hopefully, my small amp (2 x 50 Watts into 8 ohm, 2 x 70 Watts into 4 ohm, 170 VA toroidal transformer) is up to driving them.

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll se about auditionning them.

 

If your going with Focal the 706 is the model. I'd also suggest Revel M105 (or 106 bit more but nicer). Focals have a very crisp / bright sound to me. Might be a tab bright for those with sensitive ears. Revels are smoother and very revealing, they hit way above the price point. Also the KEF LS50 but you do need a decent amp to power them properly.

 

did you check here?
leboncoin, site de petites annonces gratuites »

 

Alas, can't find a dealer for Revel where I am.

 

Not recently, but I'll do so.

 

PRESTIGE DISTRIBUTION FRANCE
1 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, Zone de l\'abbaye 3
44160Pontchateau
+33 240 15 51 15
[email protected]
http://www.legroupeprestige.fr

However, I'm not sure how close/far that is from you.

 

Yeah, I noticed they had a distributor, but I can't find a dealer in France, online or not, that actually carries Revel speakers.

 

try giving them a call and seeing if you can find out. That said I don't think I would drive 8 hours to just listen to them.

 

I don't drive at all, so that's not feasible in any case, but I doubt a distribution outfit would agree to sell them to me, let alone audition them for me !
My guess is they've stopped handling Revel products and have neglected to update their website.