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Best Speakers for 10' x 12' room?

I am putting together a new system for my upstairs office where I do most of my listening and moving the current system downstairs and would love help finding the best speakers.

I have been listening to the B & W 805D with a REL 238 sub & stands, and the Wilson Audio Duette (under 9K for demo model with stands). I wonder about auditioning the Duette 2's, which people say are better, but they are 10K more.
I am also open to other possibilities as well.

I would love to hear people's experiences with any of these speakers or others that work well in a small room. In most ways I like the Duette's a great deal more, but the 805D's were warmer and I am wondering if that is because they were played on Mcintosh equipment. I think of trying the Wilson Audio Duette's with the McInosh amp/pre-amp - Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank-you,
mksr
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
LSA recently went Internet-Direct. The LSA-1 Statements are now down to
$1699. See link.

Also, the KEF LS-50s are S'phile rated "Class A Limited LF&';. Good sound is
where you find it. Also, a true point source is a significant advantage in a small
room; you don't have to sit at a specific distance to get the drivers to blend. I
can't think of a better match for LS 50s than a 10x12 room.

With these outstanding room-appropriate sub-$2K speakers available, maybe
you could spend some of your budget on truly exotic electronics and/or room
treatments.

Here's another thought: If you want something more upmarket, I'd seriously
consider the Sonus Faber Guarneri ($22K w/stands) or Memento ($15K
w/stands). In fact, with your budget I can't think of a more satisfying solution
that will consistently put a smile on your face. Gorgeous to look at and they draw
you deeply into the music every time, regardless of scale or genre.
mksr OP
11 posts
 
I am new to all of this and greatly appreciate everybody's feedback. It is quite an education. In the end I auditioned 13 pairs of speakers between $5K and $21K and have ordered the Magico S1's. I am thrilled with my choice and can't wait to get them.

I auditioned about 1/2 the speakers with two friends (one a former acoustical engineer) and what stood out is that we had near %100 agreement on the strengths/weaknesses of each pair of speakers we listened to (I originally liked the B & W 803 speakers more than either of them). We were able to audition the Magico S1's in a smaller room and the musicality, sound-staging, timbre, texture in the mid's, and fullness of the bass made them the clear choice for me. My friend the engineer also explained that their sealed bass enclosure will work well in my small room and give me more freedom around positioning them.

I am still not sure of the electronics to buy with them. I heard them with a VTL S200 tube amp, VTL 5.5 line stage, and a Kuxman DA 06 DAC & they sounded great, so that is one strong possibility. I am interested if anybody with the Magico S1's has other ideas what to pair them with?
mbovaird
140 posts
 
Magico S1
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