Tall, slim floorstanders - 1m+

[aww999]

After re-modelling the lounge, I'm looking for a pair of tall (at least 100cm, pref 120cm) slim floorstanders for around £500. It seems like only the flagship models from the manufacturers I recognise are that tall, and I can't justify spending £3k on them. I have a decent system (Naim) but since having kids I don't bother listening to music any more (I only like it LOUD!) so the whole lot just gets used for TV and occasional gaming. I'd happily consider secondhand stuff as well, just looking to narrow the field a little.

[B17NNS]

KEF iQ5 or iQ7, usually a pair on Ebay.

I've got a set of 5SE's. Lovely things.

[battered]

For new speakers over 1m tall and £500, you can forget it.

As you have found out, anything so big is flagship stuff. Cabinets are expensive.

Used, maybe. But given that the tweeter should be at ear height and you will be seated, most manufacturers don't go very tall because wives tend not to like them.

DIY is an option, have a look at the 1/4 wave designs on Zillaspeak.

[TonyRPH]

The Q-Acoustics 3050 are just 1M tall and £49 over budget.

And they apparently sound pretty good too.

Any good OP?

ETA: The Q-Acoustics 2050i is a shade over 1M tall and £350.

ETA: Wharfedale Diamond 240's just eclipse 1M (if you include the spikes) and can be had for around £650 or less if you shop around.

Edited by TonyRPH on Saturday 12th November 16:54

[Crackie]

Three for the shortlist. AEs are slightly over budget but have a good reputation.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ex-Display-Monitor-Audio...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acoustic-Energy-103-Floo...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-Chorus-714-Home-Au...

[chris watton]

These maybe too cheep for you, but I bought a pair of these for all purpose speakers (cinema, music/turntable/CD's), and I am very pleased with them. They do not distort sound even at very high volume:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/floorstanders/...

[lostmotel]

Monitor Audio Radiuses (Radii?) are nice and slim, the 270s are 1m tall but only about 18cm wide. They're £700 brand new, but there's a clearance pair on eBay for £560 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Monitor-Audio-Radius-270...

[ladderino]

I have a pair of the MA Radius 270s - love them.

[aww999]

The Radius 270s seem to hit the spot for me, I am on the hunt for a keenly priced s/h pair in black. To the owner above, could you measure their width? I have a feeling the dimensions stated by the manufacturer include the width of the base plinth.

Thanks for all the other suggestions, I have reviewed them all carefully on the basis of a google image search, but I think the MA270s will look best in the room. (I used to look down my nose at guys like me when I sold this stuff for a living!)

I forgot to mention that I have a Naim N-SUB as well so I should still be able to get the room shaking if the opportunity presents itself.

[blindspot]

Think also of B&W's XT4s. Sound fantastic, surprisingly extended and controlled bass for what looks like a 'lifestyle' speaker.

Set on ebay at the moment for 675, might be worth a search around.

[VEX]

I can get those for you, sure we can come to a deal.

I'll pm you as my email server is down at the moment.

V.

[C&C]

A couple more suggestions:

Naim Ariva 880mm tall £295


Linn Ninka - 976mm £500
Technical Info

Worth looking through the Hifi for sale website at floorstanders

[urquattroGus]

I would go for one of the neat acoustics momentum or ultimatum series.

They are relatively tall and slim, but because the use an isobaric configuration (one bass unit behind another hidden within the cabinet), the bass is trouser flapping from a fairly small enclosure.

They has fantastic bass, are fun to listen to, but also do "hi-fi"

http://www.neat.co.uk/p_pages/momentum-sx7i.php

Honestly, the looks are deceiving for these speakers.

There is also a SH pair of Ultimatum on Ebay, that were £9K new, now circa £3-4K

They also all work very well with Naim. Bob Surgenour develops them using Naim amps

Edit - oops sorry misread the budget!

[legzr1]

urquattroGus said:

I would go for one of the neat acoustics momentum or ultimatum series.



Edit - oops sorry misread the budget!

Just when I was getting ready for the link to MF9s in velvet cloud for £500...

[RobinSherwood]

If you can afford £3k but think you can't justify it, try listening to a pair of PMC Fact 8s. Before I had stopped listening to music to a large extent due to room restrictions for decent speakers etc but these have rekindled my love of music.

New they are too expensive but £3k would pick up a second hand pair and they are beautifully finished.

[aww999]

I've always loved PMC's stuff - I was fortunate enough to hear a full 5.1 BB5/XBD setup with giant racks of Bryston amps, back when I used to sell their domestic stuff. I agree completely about the Fact 8's, absolutely stunning. I just wouldn't use them enough to justify the cost, and having to listen to them whisper-quiet so as not to wake the sodding children up would just be an exercise in frustration. I'd rather spend the money on track days

I remember the XT4s being pretty good and the dimensions are perfect, I'm off to look at a pair of them tonight. MA270s are plan B at the moment.

[urquattroGus]

Older, but a good bet,usually go for 200-260 pounds:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mission-753-Audiophile-B...

Or these Focal/JM Lab:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Focal-JM-Lab-716-V-Main-...

£525 Buy it now, but there is s make an offer tab...

[legzr1]

There's a pair of 753's over on AVf for £150 currently.

[AdamIndy]

Have a search around for deals, I got a pair of Yamaha NSF-700 floorstanders for under your budget. RRP was around £1300.

Look beautiful in piano black too.

[telecat]

Impulse H6/Lali. Very rare these days and much as they are slim the depth is impressive.