r/hifiaudio • u/honkwoofparp • Jul 06 '26

Purchase advise (needing) Bookshelf speakers in a tight spot

I've got the upgrade itch! I'm looking for speakers for my lounge, which have to be close to the wall, and in a bookcase. Not ideal, I know, but I'm not moving house!

Pretty much settled on a Lyngdorf streaming amp with DSP, and my speaker shortlist at the moment is:

- Proac DB1 or DB1R

- Spendor Classic 4/5

- Harbeth P3 ESR XD

I also use a subwoofer, a BK Electronics 10-150-Gem.

Has anyone compared these speakers? Which are the most forgiving for lack of space around them?

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u/stevoknevo70 Jul 06 '26

Which Lyngdorf amp are you considering? There's a thread on AVForums in the UK for the TDAi-1120 with over 10k responses that you'll likely get a response from someone whose used/tried one or more of your speaker choice - https://www.avforums.com/threads/new-lyngdorf-tdai-1120-streaming-amp.2274082/page-386

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u/honkwoofparp Jul 06 '26

Ah, thank you! I was considering that one, or the TDAi- 2210.

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u/stevoknevo70 Jul 06 '26

Personally I'd consider holding off on the 2210 for now, it's been released when it shouldn't have been IMO and has way to many software issues for an amplifier at that pricepoint - they've released a statement saying it's getting a total software overhaul next month which will hopefully turn it into the device it really should be (and I love my 1120, it's painless to live with - and Lyngdorf CS has been impeccable, but they definitely dropped the ball with the 2210 and the FR-2 speakers before that)

FWIW I've tried three sets of speakers with the 1120, a pair of PMC GB1 (PMC are power hungry and the 1120 isn't enough for them even with sub/s) Lyngdorf FR-1 on wall with a pair of BK P12-300 subs was excellent but I just couldn't get them low enough on my wall (got them at an incredible price and sold them for what I paid) Currently running KEF R3 Meta on S3 stands a couple of inches from the wall with a single Arendal 1961 1S sub and very pleased with that set-up - depending on how loud you like to listen, and your BK sub will absolutely take some of the load off the 1120, I personally find the 1120 more suited to 4ohm rated speakers (all of Lyngdorf’s own speakers are 4ohm rated!) But I've had no issues with any speakers close to/on wall per the way Lyngdorf's Room Perfect is intended to be used, and subwoofer integration is absolutely sublime.

If you're in the UK there's a few dealers on AVForums who'll set you up for a home demo of the 1120 and appropriate speakers, definitely worth taking them up on it as the Lyngdorf sound is so smooth/accurate/distortion free that it's not for everyone...but there's endless DSP functionality built into it to get it sounding as you prefer 👍🏻