Standmount Speakers with good bass

What standmount speakers are best at producing a genuine low bass and maintain a good bass output without loosing too much detail.

I am trying to avoid the move to buy a Subwoofer and would prefer to continue using a standmount speaker as I like their ability to be able to produce a good musical image and soundstage. They also are easier to adjust to the room by altering positioning of the speaker.

I use Naim Amps in a room about 4.75M x 4.25M

 

Have you checked out Guru speakers? They make two standmount models (QM10 and Guru Junior) that are reputed to have amazing bass extension. They are designed to be sat up against the wall to reinforce the bass, a la older Naim and Linn speakers (think Kans or Saras). I've seen a bit of buzz on the Naim forum about Gurus being synergistic with Naim kit. No dealers here in Seattle unfortunately, but I'm hoping to get a local audition of the Sjofn "the Clue" speakers (which are very much based on the Guru design/concept). Don't know if Sjofn is available in the UK, though.

 

I've read reviews of Totem Model 1 sigs (from several years ago) ... and actually they re-reviewed a later iteration in 2008:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/totem-acoustic-model-1-loudspeaker-john-atkinson-october-2008
funny - the in-room measurement is missing, but all the reviews comment on the bass (being unusually strong etc. for a minimonitor).

Don't know if they'll outperform your present speakers in this regard ... but thought I'd comment as these don't seem to be 'popular' these days, but may be a good solution for you.

I don't know that any small speaker can give you flat bass to 25Hz; possbly the ones mentioned above (designed to be placed against a wall).

 

ALTHO ... http://www.stereophile.com/content/totem-acoustic-model-1-loudspeaker-larry-greenhill-april-2003

I'm 99.9% certain he placed the speakers on their stands five FEET (NOT 5 INCHES) from the wall ... as for the earlier review he says they were 3' from the back wall (and he sat 8' from the speakers). This time he says he was sitting 10' from the speakers.

One needs a fairly beefy amp to drive these somewhat low sensitivity (84-87dB, depending on iteration) speakers, but if your amp(s) can put out 80 or 100W into 4 ohms, shouldn't be an issue.

 

AHA! it was actually the Mani-2 I was thinking about
http://www.stereophile.com/content/totem-acoustic-mani-2-loudspeaker-mani-2-signature-october-2009
but they are 2x the price ... whoops, maybe 3x. Used? may be manageable ...

 

Joseph Audio Pulsar - you didn't mention a price point that you'd find attractive too...

 

I was going to recommend Lenehan ML-1's, ............these do amazing bass considering the little 5.5 inch mid-bass driver, but they could be beyond budget new.

 

I was going to suggest this, but since you beat me to it, I'll second. An amazing speaker.

 

Hmm...suggestions are coming in at tags higher than the ML-1's so here is a link just in case
http://www.lenehanaudio.com.au/index.php/products/ml1-loudspeakers.html

 

Yep, they do sound worthy of their 7.7K price tag! I heard them playing organ music at the TAVES show and was awestruck. Not something I listen to but I was moved by the deep bass they could reproduce. As an add-on, here's a revealing review:

http://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/658-joseph-audio-pulsar-loudspeakers

 

PMC transmission line speakers have good bass.Certainly better than most of the ported alternatives.

 

Check out Pioneer's S71-B. Brilliant little speaker, great design and ample bass.

 

What's your price point?

As mentioned above several times, the Joseph Pulsar is an amazing speaker.

 

KEF R300

 

PMC. Great, tuneful, low, tight bass.

 

Thanks for replying, I will do some reading on these speakers it will be interesting if they can maintain a good flat response without loosing db the lower it gets.

 

These may be an option and within my budget of up to £1000
I will have a chat with my local hi fi shop, I think they stock them, it would be worthwhile comparing them to my ProAc 2000 Tablette

 

I have a pair of ProAc Tablette 2000 at present and my budget is around £1000

 

You could pick up some secondhand Lenehan ML-1's.


It's a fair risk buying blind so these might not be for you, and they are not for everyone from what I have seen....the two reviews in stereo mojo showed this.

Even if they are not for you for any reason, the mojo is an interesting read
http://www.stereomojo.com/LENEHAN ML1 REFERENCE SPEAKER REVIEW/LenehandML1ReferenceSpeaker.htm

Note...that the reviewed speakers are the reference model.

 

Good luck! The R300 speakers are actually better sounding than the LS50, which received marketing hype on par with the US Superbowl. The R300 quietly does a superior job despite its relative obscurity.

 

I was sort of looking for the same kind of solution, but with no rear firing port. NSMT PSM SEs are working pretty well for me, although the in-room response is less extended than the specs, and they are a tad lumpy in overall response. They, IMO, are much better sounding speakers than any comparable KEF or Sonus Faber speakers.