Hifi in small spaces - a guide to great audio in small spaces by Andrew Robinson

Guide to Great Audio in Small Spaces

While the majority of hifi enthusiasts may think you need a purpose-built room with lots of square footage in order to enjoy music and movies properly, you don’t. You can easily have a better music listening experience in any space, you just have to have an open mind. Watch the video above for my guide to great audio in small spaces.

While enthusiasts may look at all-in-one smart speakers as not being hifi or high end in terms of their audio performance, the truth is, they’re still great options for folks who are tight on space.

affordable hifi solutions for small living spaces using Kanto SYD and an Audio Technica record player — Affordable hifi solutions for small living spaces with Kanto and Audio Technica

All in one speakers for small spaces

For example, the Kanto SYD is a sub $200 all in one powered loudspeaker that possesses most of the convenience and performance the average listener will likely ever want or need. You can connect components such as turntables like the Audio Technica, CD players and even your flat screen TV to the SYD directly, which cuts down on not only cables, but bulky components as well! Plus, it’s bluetooth enabled meaning if you have a smartphone handy, you’re moments away from an in-home dance party. The fact that the SYD comes in a variety of finishes, well that’s just the icing on the cake.

Likewise, the Klipsch The Three II all-in-one speaker is another great solution. The Three II looks like Klipsch’s Heritage line of speakers but with FAR more functionality. Possessing all of the same features as the SYD, The Three II has a slightly more robust and open sound, which may or may not be preferable to listeners looking for more room-filling sound.

andover model one music system — Andover Model One

If you one who has a sizable record collection or you prioritize vinyl playback the Andover Model One is a great option as it is a great turntable/loudspeaker all-in-one that sounds surprisingly good. While the Model One is more expensive than the Kanto SYD or Klipsch The Three II, it is made from better components, chiefly a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit with a Ortofon OM2 Silver cartridge -which on its own is a roughly $700 value. The DSP (digital signal processing) inside the Model One manages to make the unit sound much, much larger than it is, and when coupled with the matching subwoofer, it can even fill larger rooms with fulfilling sound levels.

But if you’re one who prefers to stream music digitally -that is to say from your smart phone -options such as Triangle’s own AIO 3 and Technics Ottava loudspeakers are GREAT options too. Both are very stylish and cater more to the streaming music enthusiast than anything else. Both are great options if you want to expand into other rooms and build a wireless, whole home or whole apartment music streaming solution as well! Vinyl fans can pair the Technics record player if you decide to add to start a record collection.

Traditional Stereo Setups for Small Spaces

If you’re looking for more traditional stereo setups for small spaces,there’s always the Kanto YU6 loudspeakers. We’ve mated them to a U-Turn Audio Orbit turntable. Going with separate loudspeakers like the YU6 means you can enjoy true stereo imaging and many of the traits audiophiles go gaga over. But like with the SYD, the Kanto speakers are still full of modern conveniences such as Bluetooth streaming and remote control access that make them easy to live with and recommend.

Focal Speaker System with Chora 806 bookshelf speakers — Focal Choras 806 bookshelf speakers with U-Turn record player

But if you want a true, two-channel audio system complete with separate speakers, components and even sources, our go-to setup starts with Focal’s Chora 806 bookshelf speakers paired with a Cambridge Audio AXR100 stereo receiver and a U-Turn Audio Orbit Special turntable. This simple two-channel setup is a true audiophile solution through and through, and while I think it is enough for even the die-hard enthusiast, it does allow one to upgrade down the line should he or she see fit. But on a whole, it’s likely all the system anyone would ever really need and it works in small spaces and larger rooms alike.

*The Pro-ject MaiA DS2 is no longer available.

Guide to GREAT Audio in Small Spaces