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Accurate speakers for a verity of genres?

Hello guys – I’m looking for L/R speakers to fill a 15x15 room – the budget is <4K (new/used). I’m not much of a PC user and was recommended by a good friend of mine to post here for advice.

I don’t have subs yet, so wanted something that could extend into the mid 30’s if needed. I will get subs next year so it’s not a big deal. My background is in music (have a degree from NYU) and come from a family or producers. Being that the speakers will be in my living room, I want something nice looking, and also capable of home theater usage and powered by a receiver.

I’m pretty young (under 26) and my musical tastes are leaning towards the more compressed side. Pop and some rock if I’m feeling casual, house or funk if I’m reminiscing and “real” hip-hop if I’m looking for stories or lyrical material. All mood dependent. I’m ‘classically trained’ and very critical in many genres’ being exposed to them my entire life though. Unfortunately, I do not listen classical music in my home although I do respect it. My instruments of choice are typically percussion based rather than string based and I really like both hard hitting bass and rolling basslines - but clean bass. Never boomy despite the musical choices.

Some examples of the types of music I listen to

Common – The People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7B2VgRShew
The Roots – Boom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyLEgfp4b-k
Nicolay and Kay – As the world turns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q-apEQa8Vg
Geoffrey Oryema – Piri Wango Iya http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4F21FAD18930ECDC&feature=player_detailpage&v=HIoY_7qCOHk#t=68s
Afefe Iku – Mirror Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja1LS1AkN-Y&feature=related
Sigur Rios- Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RpKOawpMtsk#t=309s
Nosaj Thing – Aquarium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPfDjZAct-0
LP – Iridescent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYiIBCN9ec&ob=av2n
James Blunt - I’ll take everything http://www.youube.com/watch?v=LX9sn5aAp_8
Sublime – Santeria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYN5w4T_aM&ob=av2n
Metallica – Unforgiven ½ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoTcb6vtGEo
Alicia Myers – I want to thank you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9wGnnwBc9M
Jackson 5 – Hum Along and Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xRcmIDj2cc
Level 42 – Starchild http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOpYmMyo1FM

Strange eh? I enjoy an accurate sound, that isn’t harsh in the upper band. Perhaps I have sensitive ears nowadays. I know to appreciate flat req response, and smooth off-axis response, great crossovers, etc. Now the question is – Where do I begin looking? Thanks for your time!!!!
bthought
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
I never thought I would be in agreement with Unsound, but I agree that a square room will be problematic to achieve flat and linear response. Good luck. Mrdecibel
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
I missed the 16 x 13 post of the room, which is a better room to deal with than a 15x15room. My apologies. I am a believer as to building a system, the source, and all other equipment upstream, will result in more accurate and realistic music reproduction. Keep in mind that whatever speaker you select, room and speaker matching, and room tweaking and tailoring, will be most beneficial to achieving an accurate portrayal of a live performance, assuming this is what you are looking for. I believe all Audiogon members are after the same thing. We all have our own likes and attitude as to what that is, so you want to listen to as much as you could. Welcome to the journey! Always, Mrdecibel
unsound
7,329 posts
 
I'm not so sure there would be that much of a difference between a 15 X 15 x 8 room and a 16 X 13 X 8 room.
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
Enough of a difference. Square rooms have been problematic, in my experience. Of course, too much speaker can overload a non problematic room as well. MrD
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Of course this is dependent on the (unconfirmed) assumption that the OP has a standard 8' ceiling:

16 X 13 is a bit better than 15 X 15,

but

16 X 8 is a bit worse than 15 X 8.

All in all, a rather small improvement.

I suggest that the OP use speakers with tight but limited bass response (sealed box?), perhaps with a diagonal room placement, but most importantly if buying new, available with a home trial and full cash refund. 30 Hz might be too much for such a small room. I would nix the idea of sub woofers, but multiple woofers might help. Room treatment and/or digital room correction should be considered.
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