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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
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.
pops110
18 posts
 
I have heard some ushers with simaudio integrateds and wasn't real keen on it. I ended up with a pair of tannoy revolution signature dc6 monitors, my room is roughly the same size as yours and my speakers are in roughly the same place as yours will be. I have a Cambridge 650A with creek cdp and mostly xlo cables and I think it sounds great for the money, but I am looking to upgrade my amplification soon. I think they image well, the bass is unbelievably clean and deep for a standmount, and a midrange that is sweet.. Of course it's down to personal preference but I recommend auditioning the tannoys, I love them
afranta
180 posts
 
I'm using Dynaudios (Excite X12) in a room roughly the same size, and, even with lousy placement (on a console a foot from the back wall), they have no trouble filling the room.
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