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Monitors for Large Room

I am looking to add a second audio system in a fairly large living room (14x25x8). Due to spousal constraints (large couch and chairs in middle of room) I will need to place speakers at one end of the room relativeley (1-2 ft) close to the back wall/window and they will need to project over the furniture (30 inches). Target system will consist of integrated amp (tube?), CD player and speakers bought on Audigon for total price of $4-5k. I am starting with speakers selection and need advice on used monitors in the $1200-1600 range that can handle the room size.

Looking for advice on any aspect of system design but particuarly speaker selection. My potential candidates thus far:

Ariel 5Bs, ATC SCM IIs, B&W 705s, Green Mountain Callistos, Harbeth HL-P3ES2s, Paradigm Signature S1 or S2, PSB Platinum M2, Spendor SP3s, Totem Model 1s and Usher Be-718s.

I have heard the B&Ws and Paradigms but have limited ability to hear the others. Musical taste is eclectic but includes folk, jazz, blues and accoustic rock.
smueller
bizango1
276 posts
 
I can wholeheartedly recommend the Usher BE-718's. I love mine and they do a pretty good job of acting like a full range speaker particularly with your taste in music. Probably not with a tube amp though as they love power and you have a large room. I'm using a 250WPC Wyred 4 Sound STI-500 integrated and it is not overkill for these speakers and has great synergy in my situation.
rbstehno
1,430 posts
 
The model 1's are a fantastic speaker for a much smaller room. I owned them for quite a while then moved up to the mani's. These would be a better fit. I have since sold those and went to usher speakers. For that price you can get a used pair of cp-6311 which are tall floorstanders which look very nice. Another option would be the x-719 which would also work in your room
loftarasa
171 posts
 
Sorry I can't give any direct listening impressions but I think the ATCs are notorious for needing high current solid state amps to get the best out of them. Then again, cause of your boundary constraints, I would cross off your list anything using a rear reflex port. Go for a sealed or front-ported design.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
You might want to consider a subwoofer. Sounds like the monitors are destined to live in the space behind a sofa. If you put a smallish sub (or two) back there, you'll lessen the (bass) load on your monitors and that will make your menu of potential options much larger. You'll also get great, extended bass if you do it right; and a sub-controller like the Velodyne SMS-1 will help that effort quite a bit..

I've used the tiny Sunfire CRMs with a sub very effectively in a similar set-up, in a similarly sized room.

Good Luck

Marty
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