agree on strange-looking result when mounting box-speakers on a wall. Totem has an entire line that is designed for wall mounting and these look pretty tight:
http://totemacoustic.com/english/hi-fi/on-wall/
RE Dreamcatcher vs. Arro, I would definitely say Arro because of the better frequency range, you will be using these as fronts, so I recommend something that has better low end, and bigger sound, than a bookshelf. I also recommend cutting/folding a piece of paper to the width and depth of the arro, placing that on the floor, then extending a tape measure to the height of the speaker. This will help you visualize it in your living room. They might be smaller than you think! |
Update: I'm leaning toward the Arros, for the footprint, musicality, and this:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1072128436
--it seems Arros are very forgiving about rear wall placement.
I also found that Totem has a wall-mount accesory for Dreamcatchers, but I think it'll look stranger than having floor-standing.
Which have a better sound--Dreamcatchers or Arros? |
Totem Arros! Big sound with small footprint, attractive to women. |
Don't know if the Dreamcatcher is ported or not, I don't think it is, but I have front-ported B&W 685s and they sound better on stands than they do on the wall. I was more concerned about music, which has a much higher dynamic range than movies, so that could have been an issue. The B&W 6 series' "bookshelf" speakers all have hooks installed on the back, so wall-mounting is an option for them. I have the 686 surrounds on the side walls.
If your speakers do not come with factory-installed hooks on the back, you face the un-savory task of turning screws into the speaker cabinet to attach mounting hardware, which makes me cringe a little. You could set them up on little shelves instead, I guess. Also keep in mind the binding posts in back require a bit of room off the wall to attach the wiring.
You can always try the dreamcatchers on top of a set of CMU, compare that to wall-mounted, if you like them on the CMU, then go buy some stands...
If I had a chance to do it another way, I'd have gone with floorstanders for the fronts. The 685s on stands look really nice, but they are a bit wobbly, its easy for a 5 year old to walk by and knock one off. That hasn't happened yet, luckily. I think floor standers would be more sturdy, and probably better for medium-to-big rooms.
Regarding subs, you can always buy one later. I don't think the sub needs to be the same brand as the front array (left, right and center), which all should be the same brand. If you buy full range floor-standers, you may not need a sub, lots of people don't use them. Depends on your listening tastes for music/movies. Lots of my music needs that low end, so I bought a HSU VTF-1, it makes the walls shake. |
If your going to be watching movies with
The family then yes you need a subwoofer
I think a 12 Inch sub is perfect for movies and you
can add weight to your music and expand the
width and depth of your soundstage |
Some Linn's might fit the criterion. Having a TV directly between the speakers is going to make having the "...speakers to sonically disappear" challenging to say the least. |
These comments have been very helpful, especially the front vs. rear port comment. Many of the speakers you've mentioned are small, but still require being set out from the wall a foot or more. So now, here is where I am:
Floor-standers: Arros (great comments, rear-ported but can be placed as close as 6" to the read wall), silverline preludes (6moon says they sounded good very close to the rear wall), Aerial 6 (front-ported).
Stand-mounted: I know, I'm all over the map here, but help me out. Can I get something like Totem Dreamcatchers and wall mount them (so I don't take up floor space and don't spend lots of $$ on stands)? Can you recommend speakers that would work well here (can be close to wall, smallish, disappear sonically, etc.)?
At the moment, I'm not sure that I need to go with floor-standing instead of stand-mounted speakers, and I'm thinking I can get great HT and audio from wall-mounted speakers. Would I need a sub?
Help? |
I just bought a B&W soundbar, it's pretty nice for my wife and kids. Significantly sound improvement and all self contained. Auto turns on/off so wife kids will love it.
Fits right below our 52" tv....I'd at least check this out.
google b and w soundbar and it'll take you right there... |
Look at the LSA.5s or LSA1 Statements which were one of the best sounding at CES according to Stereophile. |
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I am always on the lookout for bargains, discontinued items, etc. Take a look at the Triangle floorstanders that Upscale Audio has. Here is a review as well. Rich |
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1314639178&/Gallo-Acoustics-Ref-3.1-
Gallo Reference 3.1 - No affiliation to seller. I own two pairs. |
Role Audio Line of front ported transmission line loudspeakers,also shielded for near TV placements.
We have the top of the line Enterprise for sale in your price range.
Disclaimer: www.hifilogic.com
We represent Role Audio Products in the N.E. |
Aerial 6 is a fine option...front ported. |
i will second Unisound's recommendation. The Meadowlarks are also front ported and can get closer to the wall. |
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Ohm MicroWalsh talls are a great small floorstander. These are amazing speakers, and are the most child proof speaker available. Wife friendly, will be subjective... |
I second Meiwan's recommendation. Spendor s5e amd A5 speakers have a small footprint, are attractive but understated, and sound great for their size and price. Thirty watts per channel (which I think I remember is the rating on the 4650) will be enough for normal listening, but definitely will not "rock the room." The Spendors are relatively inefficient. |
With speakers so close to the back wall, I would warn against anything that is rear-ported. Stick to front-ported models like PSB has. Otherwise you won't be able to use the speaker to its fullest potential; typically rear ports extend low frequency response by having the cabinet set a certain distance from a wall. Front ported speakers don't depend upon this as much. |
If you can pick up a used pair of Spendor S5e's, I highly recommend them. Alternatively, the new A5 (same speaker essentially) can be had used for around $2k. |
Definitive Technology BP 7004's |
The Monitor Audio RS6 is a very well reviewed speaker.
I owned a pair,and for there size they could fill a room with well balanced sound. |
Totem Sttaf is definitely a good fit for the room, and you should have enough power though they may like a little more.. |
Silverline Preludes + TA-4650 are a match made in heaven ! |
