I am looking for some help in speaker considerations. My room is 14’ wide 16’ long. There will be a 12’ vaulted ceiling.
speaker placement can be 12” to 36” from rear wall. listening position about four to six feet from speakers (nearfield).
I am looking for small bookshelf (on stands) speaker set up.
I prefer rather neutral sound..I play everything from classical to jazz, to Rock. I do not care for exagerrated highs or lows, need tight well controlled bass and nicely balanced midrange.
i have narrowed things to a few somewhat conventional speakers Aerial 5t, Dynaudio special 40, Revel M126be
there’s one intriguing option I am considering. Audience 1+1 v3 (with a subwoofer..REL ?)
It helps if you state a budget,electronics using,type of room(hard/overdamped or balanced),any acoustic treatments... Without knowing these I can say that I LOVE the Special 40 driven by Class A SS or KT88 tubes..I also happen to own Audience 1+1 v3 in a desktop nearfield set up(no sub) & find them highly resolving & beautifully voiced not including ANY bass to speak of.The bi-pole arrangement takes a bit more set up & really needs acoustic treatments at first reflection points & corners behind speakers..You should ABSOLUTELY add Harbeth P3ESR-XD(w/sub),M30.2/30.2XD to your list but if you want bass deeper than about 45hz.you'll want a sub(I have 30.1's & don't miss anything so no sub mucking up the amazing midrange)...
Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 1 is a good solid moderate cost speaker. Excellent rendition of all kinds of music, nice looking. Of course there are also better ones. What are your electronics? Also, do you want to be making a step up… then bring the rest of your system along?
Genelec 8351b, they’re designed for your criteria. Close to wall, nearfield listening, neutral. Little better but more $$ Dutch and Dutch 8c. In nearfield you wouldn't need a sub with either.
ATC SCM 11 (or 12 Pro variant); would think these would beat the Aerials and Dynaudios, but you should demo if possible or get something that can be returned.
Some help. Room is ‘14 by 16’ and unfortunately, one side wall and the rear wall lots of windows. Wall behind speakers is solid and one side wall also solid. Ceiling is high 12’ Listening position should be up to 10’ max. Speakers can go 12” to say, 3’ away from back wall and up to 11’ apart. Budget for main speakers is around 4k. (if I decide on those Clair Audience’s —understand they released V4 version of the 1+1-a sub is a must. I may need one regardless so I figure a grand or a bit more. The amplifier is a Krell KST 100 (135 watts and high current) I bought it new back around ‘92 and had it refurbished to spec by Krell two years ago. A great amp. As noted I prefer a closer to neutral sounding speaker. Given the room, brightness which I dislike could be an issue. Also no bass exaggeration. I will go to a sub if needed. Accuracy very important. Especially vocals and instrument timbres. I picked a few contenders based on reviews and YT videos. Hard to go around auditioning these days. Help here important because of real world experience from aficionados. Still intrigued by my “wild card” Clair Audience plus a sub..I listen to a lot of rock…They are controversial but appear to offer a lot of characteristics i like. The Dynaudios also sound interesting. The Revels another. I have been listening to the old M20’s for decades. (They are going into another room).
Well already some speakers to look into. The Revels and Aerials are top of my budget (without sub). Electronics are set. CJ classic II pre, Krell SS 135 Watts, Digital is Bryston (BDP 3, BDA 3 and BOT . I use Roon). Rega RP 6, analog. Room treatments are minimal. That glass is a problem. The high ceiling should help though. It going to be a fairly bright room. (Under construction). Since listening position will be up to 3/4 of the room with high ceiling I am not too worried about bass, standing waves etc. rug will be in front of speakers and listening position. My wife hates curtains! Lol Thanks for mention of audition and return factor! Hadn’t thought of that.
If this was me, I would only buy the Revels with a reasonable return policy as you may find they drift a little bright.
I find Dynaudio pretty neutral and the Special 40 is a very good speaker. That would be my choice among your initial suggestions. I have not heard the Aerials.
An interesting option would be the Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand Symphony Edition. They are a well designed speaker with a front port and placement is pretty easy to manage. They are neutral and I think are aesthetically pretty simple yet appealing. I believe these list for $3500. It has a frequency response to 40hz though I am sure it rolls off a bit before that.
You might also look at Spendor. The Classic 3/1 is at the top of your budget ($4K) but is an incredibly good sounding speaker and is very natural. Spendor doesn't have a hint of brightness and frequency response is stated at 40hz though I am sure it rolls off a bit before that.
With some patience and you may find a used pair of Joseph Audio Pulsars on your budget. That would an A+ option as they are really pretty awesome for the money. I have attempted a similar speaker and the Joseph crossover is what makes that speaker great. Mine are good. The Pulsar is great. This has very deep bass for a stand mount and would be a first choice.
Watkins Gen 4. Very impressive sound for a monitor bookshelf speakers. Don’t let the price fool you. They won the golden ear award 2 yrs straight. Don’t know about this year. 30 day$$ back. Good people too. Fwiw Watkins designed and holds patent on Infinity dual drive woofer among other patents. Also they go down to 42 hz. I was surprised by the bass response
If you can use a floor stander contact Dennis at Philharmonic and ask about the Philharmonic BMR Floor Stand model or the Philharmonic BMR Bookshelf. The floor stander is under $4k the Bookshelf about $2k.
Man I was thinking,with the room you described I might look at the Wharfedale Linton 85th.Anniversary 3 way with dedicated stands..They are voiced very organic & rich & IMO would thrive in that type of room.Oh you'll save a ton of $ as well...
I’ve currently have Dyn special 40’s and have had a few pairs of Revels - f208 and Concerta2 M16’s. The revels are great because they are very balanced and do not really color the sound coming to them. They just weren’t for me.
I am so happy with my Dyns and their house sound. It’s just perfect to my ears, no matter what I have feeeding them.
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