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Thoughts on Speakers for a Small Audio/Video Room

Hoping to get some thoughts from the group here. 

I recently moved into a dedicated TV/audio room, but the room size is on the small side: 15.5ft x 11.5ft.  As pics will show, there's quite a bit in there, so empty volume is decreased further due to that.

I've been using Aerial Acoustics Model 7B speakers, which I've been very happy with in larger spaces, but they seem to be overwhelming the room and I'm getting fairly overwhelming bass. Vocals have sort of a chestiness/congested nature to them, and there are bass undertones to most songs.  If I play records loud, I need to activate my rumble filter, which I never used to have to do.  As a sidetone, I also have Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20's in my collection.

Preamp is a recapped Mcintosh C35 and amp is a recapped MC2255.  Phono pre is a VTL TP 2.5 II, TT is a Marantz TT-15S1 running a SAE1000LT MM cart.

I borrowed a friend's Sonus Faber Electa Amator II's and they sounded very good in my room - sweeter, more natural, no congestion, though I did give up bass slam/impact, which I kind of missed.

Here are pictures of the room:

Front:

Back:

I'm playing around now with plugging the rear ports of the Aerial, as well as putting some acoustic panels in the back corners of the room.  Both of those seem to have helped quite a bit.

As far as measurements, those Aerials are currently about 80" apart, 16" from speaker back to front of cabinet, 96" from each speaker to the listening position.

What's your opinion: With some room treatments/plugged ports, can the Aerials work well in a room of this size, or do I need to move toward smaller speakers?

If I go smaller, any thoughts on something like the Sonus Faber Concerto Domus (there's a pair local to me) or Sonetto III?  Those seem to be more modestly sized, don't go as low.  Would those be at least a lateral to the AA Model 7B's, or a step down in terms of overall speaker quality?  I only mention Sonus Faber models as I was impressed with my friend's speakers and generally do enjoy the smoother, more musical speakers and will give up some detail/pinpoint accuracy if needed to avoid brightness/listening fatigue.

Thanks all. . .

 

captouch
captouch OP
13 posts
 

@tubeguy80 I'd like to stay at $3K or below, which I think gives me plenty of options.  All things being equal, I generally like to buy gently used as there's some good value to be had in gear that's not brand new, but that's not a necessity as whatever I get next I hope will be a long term speaker.  I used my Aerials in the previous larger space for 7+ years, so I'm not a constant rotator of gear once I find something I really like.

I agree that demoing in my home/room with my gear is the best option.  Unless I'm demoing a couple of pairs at once, I think my reference point (what has to be bettered) will be the Monitor Audios I currently have, because at least they sound better than the Aerials with this room size.

Based on multiple recommendations above, I did send an email to Fritz Speakers with my situation and plan to speak to him on the phone about his product line.

I will say the hardest thing for me at this point is the temptation to buy something used that originally sold in the $3K range now selling for $1.2-1.4K vs buying something new for close to that $3K budget.  But buying used means you pay your $ and take your chances, vs finding a shop or company that allows demos like you suggested.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,951 posts
 

measure the room, act on data… respectable tools are inexpensive now….

soix
9,645 posts
 

Here’s a nice used pair of Revival Atalante 3 monitors at a good discount that’d be well worth a look.  Best of luck. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650169357-revival-audio-atalante-3/

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,721 posts
 

Since your budget is in the 3 thousand dollar range the Harbeth P3esr ( sealed woofer ) would be a good fit for that size room. I have owned them and I doubt you would go wrong . You can find them used for under 2 grand!

Here is one of the many positive revues!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqFIaiPT_kY&t=3s

If you want to buy new this dealer is in your neck of the woods!

https://www.audiovisionsf.com/collections/harbeth-audio

yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
777 posts
 

@OP - the volume of your room does not indicate whether it will or will not benefit from acoustic treatment. Your room is bigger than a lot of the control rooms in small studios, which, if they are commercial, will be treated. Sound on Sound magazine used to run a feature where they helped out readers with project studios and the first thing Paul White always did was address the acoustics of the space.

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