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Starting from scratch in a large room

I am hoping to set up my first hi-fi system, but I have some room/equipment constraints and would appreciate some advice.

I am looking at an all-in-one amp and passive speakers. Right now, I am leaning toward a Naim Uniti Nova and KEF R3 speakers. I am a total novice and open to suggestions on both the amp and speakers, however, I do think an all-in-one like the Nova is the right direction for simplicity and space considerations. Other speakers I have considered are the Focal Aria 906 and BW 706 S2. I listen mostly to modern/classic rock, mixed with a little bit of everything, exclusively through streaming (preferably AirPlay).

The challenge is that I have a very large room, but I can’t use floor speakers or standmounts--the speakers will likely have to be on the built-in bookshelves, on a shelf that is 24" deep (it's not really a shelf, more like a wooden countertop on top of a closed cabinet). The room is 33’ x 18’ with 11-foot ceilings. I’ll be listening from either 13 feet or 25 feet. There are rugs covering most of the wood floors, heavy drapes on one of the long walls, and large canvas paintings hung on drywall on the other long wall. I understand I have some pretty major room limitations, but I'd like to have something that sounds as good as possible for around $10-15K. I've read somewhere around here that having two subs might help compensate for the smaller speakers. This is our living room/kitchen area, so I am limited in how many, if any, "treatments" I can make to improve the listening conditions. Would some kind of base between the speaker and countertop make a difference? Thanks very much.

deertrail7
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
978 posts
 

Idem as @kota1 but more expensive , Dynaudio Focus 10 .

Active speakers with Dirac Live room correction.


Add a sub 

Add some room acoustic treatment with the money left.

deertrail7 OP
9 posts
 

@russ69 

your budget will buy some really nice multi driver arrays that will push enough air to fill the room

Thank you...that might be the right answer. An A/V company installed something similar with Sonos products in a condo we just remodeled, which also has a large open space to contend with.

 

 

deertrail7 OP
9 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

Tell us more about your interest in music.

My interest in music is strictly amateur/recreational, although at one point I actually wrote a couple of album reviews for a local magazine. I have no musical ability of my own. So I don't really know how to quantify how much I "love" music (I mean, doesn't everyone?), but I know my enjoyment of it increases with the quality of the reproduction. 

I mean if you want to listen to music… then put your money into converting a small extra extra bedroom or large walk in closet into a listening room.

I hope to be able to do that in a decade or so. Right now, I have four young kids and all of the spaces in our home are spoken for.

FYI. I have been an audiophile for over fifty years and never a Naim advocate. I am sure there are many people that love them… but I find their sound flat and anemic. You definitely need to listen to different systems and identify a sound that captivates you… emotionally… don’t just listen for details… listen for emotional connection.

That's interesting to hear your perspective about Naim and good advice about finding an emotional connection. I always feel uncomfortable walking into dealers and asking to listen to different setups--guess I just need to get over it.

Thanks for your response. 

deertrail7 OP
9 posts
 

@bdp24 

Everyone here didn't get the system they now have by going on a forum and asking the participants what to buy. They started with a beginner system, and started the process of learning and upgrading. You have to put in the hard work yourself, or pay an audio consultant to put together a system for you, based on the requirements you give him. Lots of major cities have such hi-fi dealers, look for them.

I can tell from reading some of your posts that you have an incredible amount of knowledge on this subject. But, respectfully, reading and asking questions on an internet forum is, in my mind, part of "putting in the hard work." I'm trying to learn from people that know more than I do--and by the way, I only came here after spending a few hundred hours researching the subject matter. So, again respectfully, I don't think the only options are (1) figure it out entirely by yourself or (2) be totally ignorant and pay a dealer to do it.

deertrail7 OP
9 posts
 

@jeffseight 

 

Your 1st system? May I ask your age?

Yes, first system. At least, I haven't had anything anyone would consider an "audiophile" setup. I am 44.

Does music move you?

Very much. That's the impetus behind my desire to invest a not insignificant amount of money in a system that can reproduce music as well as possible given the limitations of the environment. However, I'm getting the overall impression that my environment might be limiting enough that it's maybe not worth it at this time.

 

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