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Big speakers in small room at moderate volume levels

My office is 11’W x 10’L x 9’H and is where I can listen to music for the next few years. I have a toddler and, for now, he has commanded the big spaces in the rest of the house. I have auditioned the Magico A3 and wanted to buy it but that was before I was relegated to the smallish office (I was expecting to move to a bigger room). I have removed the closet doors in this office room. The removal of the closet door gives me another 4 feet of depth to this room, though for only 1/2 width of the room. I can sit unobstructed 8 feet away from the speakers before I hit the area where the closet ends (so near field listening).

I currently I have KEF LS50 with Peachtree Nova 150. It is good and I can listen for the whole day without fatigue. I listen to FM, digital files on ROON, and my Sony SCD-1 SACD player. I want a bigger sound so I am looking at bigger speakers. I also do not want to use a sub since I am not a fan. I will also upgrade the NOVA 150 to the NOVA 500 in Spring 2019 and use with the LS50’s in a bedroom.

I came to the conclusion that my tastes would be best served by one of KEF Reference 1 or Magico A3. I was thinking that I would use the Lyngdorf 3400 in this room but I am having seconds thoughts on this now (some A’gon comments that it maybe a little dry). I am interested in solid state AB units like the Hegel H590 and Mark Levinson 585 to drive the speakers. I have heard the ML 585 and it is a fatigue free sounding unit that was a joy to listen to. I have not heard the Hegel H590 yet (but have heard other Hegels with KEF) and I am in the process of getting an audition of the H590. I have also discounted the class AB Micromega M-One 150 (with MARS room correction) because I do not want a cooling fan blowing in the room.

I must mention that I do not listen that loud when I am working and when I am working very late at night the volume is very low. The Mark Levinson and A3 combo was very good at low volumes during my demo but that was in the dealers perfect large room.

1) Am I making a mistake foregoing room correction with the 2 integrateds I am considering? Should I go with the Lyngdorf and A3 or KEF Ref 1, though I have never heard the Lyngdorf?

2) Will the Magico A3 work in this small room at moderate volumes WITHOUT room correction or will I subject myself to headaches and fatigue?

I am going to ask the dealer selling the A3’s this question when I am ready to buy but i wanted to ask on A’gon first to get some feedback. I doubt I could get the A3’s into my room for a trial but I have not asked the dealer yet.

I think (not 100% sure) the KEF Reference 1 with a non room correcting amp should work in my office space but I would prefer to buy the Magico A3 for the office. I have plans to buy another KEF model once my kid is a bit older and I can kick him out of the big room.
yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,975 posts
 
@ctsooner  This discussion has led me get to the position now where I would change the thread title from "Big speakers in small room at moderate volume levels" to Stand mount speakers in small room with big sound at moderate volume". I am thinking why buy a speaker with more bass than the room can handle to only have to tame it with room treatments and analog or digital acoustic corrections. I am essentially throwing money away. 

I have realized, with the help of posters here, that a stand mount like the KEF LS50 but with bigger sound is the way to go. So the following are going to be demoed by me in early 2019 after I have time to get acquainted with the new GIK room acoustics and existing KEF LS50 (treatments arriving this week). The sound I have now is not ideal and I am certain due to the untreated room. 

- TAD ME1
- Harbeth SHL5+
- KEF Reference 1

One important consideration that I have pointed out is good sound at low volumes so I can listen and enjoy while the baby is asleep. The 3 listed above are supposed to be good in that light. The demo will tell. I know the KEF R1 will agree with me if the other 2 do not.

Today, I am actually putting my focus on integrated amps. I have 4 that I have narrowed my choices too (see above) and just going over the pros and cons of each of those 4.

Last month, I did hear the Treo CT with Bryston electronics (cubed series) and it was good but I think for my ears and seating position they will sound too big for the room.

cortes
34 posts
 
@ yyzsantabarbara ,

I’m looking for something similar to you: small office, and low/moderate volume levels. I read, and read, really nothing conclusive.

At this moment, some quality active monitors like the Genelec 8331/8341 look the best option for me. They have real engineering behind, not the typical garage speaker. In addition, they have sophisticated room correction that should remove issues with the bass. However, there is not enough feedback in the audiophile forums, just in the professional ones. Audiophile forums only care about the bigger Kii and Dutch&Dutch, or the less sophisticated LS50.

In the passive front, the Focal Sopra 1 are something I’m looking at, but these look more difficult to place, and I’m worried about the minimal listenning distance, which should be small in small rooms.

What option is better for musical joy, I’ve no idea.


ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
yyz, fully understand.  In the past I've used full range speakers in smaller rooms like yours and never felt I was missing anything or that the bass was too much for the room as I listened at lower levels (ti was a second system for me), but I fully understand where you are coming from.  Even visually you can be overwhelmed by a floor stander in a small room even though the footprint can similar.

I heard the KEF LS50W.  I may sell my Linn Kiko system for these if I can figure out video switching, lol.  

I got a quick listen to the small ref that you are looking at. Nice speaker.

I really enjoy the Harbeth's.  To my ear they are just a wonderful sounding speaker.  They are what they are. Not the last statement on anything, but they make anything fun to listen to.  

TAD are much more money as you said. Do they give you that much more enjoyment?  If so and you dont' care about the money, then.....

All good choices, so you can't go wrong with any. Figure out which ones have synergy with your system as that's the most important thing right now as you narrowed to three choices.  Good luck. Fun thread.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
yyz, fully understand.  In the past I've used full range speakers in smaller rooms like yours and never felt I was missing anything or that the bass was too much for the room as I listened at lower levels (ti was a second system for me), but I fully understand where you are coming from.  Even visually you can be overwhelmed by a floor stander in a small room even though the footprint can similar.

I heard the KEF LS50W.  I may sell my Linn Kiko system for these if I can figure out video switching, lol.  

I got a quick listen to the small ref that you are looking at. Nice speaker.

I really enjoy the Harbeth's.  To my ear they are just a wonderful sounding speaker.  They are what they are. Not the last statement on anything, but they make anything fun to listen to.  

TAD are much more money as you said. Do they give you that much more enjoyment?  If so and you dont' care about the money, then.....

All good choices, so you can't go wrong with any. Figure out which ones have synergy with your system as that's the most important thing right now as you narrowed to three choices.  Good luck. Fun thread.
gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
I am a little late to this thread.
But, knowing ctsooner (I own his old Treo's). I have to say, that they will not 'overwhelm' you listening area. Period.
To add to your confusion, let me add that I also have an office (10x10x8) and am using the Vandy VLR's with a pair of HSU subs. I have to say it plays very nicely. I have the speakers mounted near the ceiling and directed toward my desk-so nearfield listening. Non fatiguing, and very engaging. I wouldn't call it the best setup, but for work it certainly is more than most.
 
My Treo/2wq setup resides in my LR/DR (12x18x8-speakers near the middle-9', and about 2 feet from the walls). Actually, it is a bit more complex than that, but you'd need a picture. Suffice it to say, they aren't in the 'best' of spots.
To my ears, the Treo's sound as natural and unassuming as a speaker can be. 
I hate to be confined to a single area when I listen. In fact, my main seat is almost directly in front of the left speaker. I don't hear that speaker beaming directly at me, but a full sound stage. An imaginary hall that emanates between/behind the speakers. 
I can sing praises for these speakers for a long time, but the choice is yours. If you like, I can give you more details, rather than hijack a thread.
Bob


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