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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
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
2bgeorge's avatar
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2bgeorge
52 posts
 
Dynaudio 1.3 SE or Dynaudio Contour 1.4 or 25's would all be good candidates.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
ATCs are a bit tough to live with, but they may work well for you so long as you have a monster amp behind them. One of ATC's hang ups that I've noticed is that they need to be played a bit louder than usual to open up. In a big room, that may very well be a good thing.

For an amp for them, look at at least 200 wpc IMO. Bryston 4B comes to mind pretty quickly.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Some active ATCs may be a very good option if they'll fit your budget. Less boxes may equal less 'eye sores' to your wife.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
There are some top level Sonus Faber monitors in your price range in the A-gon classified's right now. Sonus Faber has a long history of creating full-bodied room-filling stand-mounted speakers, at least going back to the Extrema in the mid-'90s. They are the obvious inspiration for Usher.
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