Floor standing speakers vs. Bookshelf speakers

[BlackCrowe13]

Hey Folks,
Wanted to get some opinions, pros, cons, of large floor speakers vs. bookshelf speakers. I know the obvious better base and louder volumes with the big speakers, but I have heard some smaller systems that sound full and pound as well.

I have always been a fan of the full sized stereo systems and have been eyeing a new Yamaha system... but that will cost a small fortune! I would like to hear others opinions...

On a side note... anyone remember "POST AUDIO"? I bought a killer set of towers with 2 10" cones in each for $400 way back when, from Adventure Electronics at Erin Mills Town Centre. They were by far the best bang for your buck I have ever seen... I would love to buy a set from them if they were still around. Anyone know any details on what happened to POST AUDIO?
If you know, fill me in please.

[darklord700]

Hey Folks,
Wanted to get some opinions, pros, cons, of large floor speakers vs. bookshelf speakers. I know the obvious better base and louder volumes with the big speakers, but I have heard some smaller systems that sound full and pound as well.

Floor standing is harder to balance and manufacture but it might sound fuller. However, with sub-woofer making an inroad into home theatre, I don't think you need to worry about the low end too much.

If you're on a tight budget, imho, bookshelf would probably be better. And I find bookshelf on stand to be aesthetically pleasing than most floor standing speakers.

[Kwirky]

How big is your room? Large speakers can sound boomy and overpower smaller spaces, whereas small speakers will fail to fill the room with sound.

[TruE SkiLLS]

bookshelf:
- smaller room
- you're closer to speakers
- limited space
- cost efficient

floor:
- large room
- far from speakers (like 50 inch monitor or something).
- lots of people
- more speaker driver, so u *can* get a fuller sound
- bigger driver space, so the bass sounds bigger

[rogerchoi]

I agree, for smaller spaces about 12'x12' or so, bookshelf speakers will do fine.

If you're looking to fill an entire ope-concept basement with sound, then a full-size floor standing speakers will do a better job.

You'll also have to look at your flooring and wall treatment if you want to fully enjoy the sound from either setup.

[mixpdf]

One of the factors for me was the use of speaker stands since there was nowhere to conveniently place bookshelf speakers. I found many speakers stands to be too delicately balanced (with kids around) and somewhat expensive for what you were getting. I chose to put that money towards floor-standing speakers instead.

[gfong]

My question to you is! Are you ging to use the speakers for home theather or music? If HT then book shelf with a good sub woofer, if mostly music a good pair of tower speakers on their own with out a sub woofer. Good luck in your search.

[coolspot]

How about in wall speakers? I've been looking at Axiom's inwalls:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicinwalls_main.html

Yamaha receivers are OK, but I don't think their speakers are anything to write home about.

[BlackCrowe13]

How about in wall speakers? I've been looking at Axiom's inwalls:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicinwalls_main.html

Yamaha receivers are OK, but I don't think their speakers are anything to write home about.

Thanks for the responses... prob a bit of both music and movies... Those inwalls are awesome!!! they would suit the environment as well.

I agree with the Yamaha's... not too keen on the speakers anyway, but I like the receivers because of the wattage ratings.. IMO Yamaha is the best bang for your buck when receivers are the question.

Thanks again all... good points!

[Emancipated]

What are the new Yamaha speakers you spoke of? I'd love some bookshelves too but you need a reciever to drive them and that not only adds to the cost but the frustration of maintaining a good sound.

[Drew_W]

the frustration of maintaining a good sound.

Fortunately, it's only frustrating once.