Is 9'x11' too small?

The previous room for my system had exactly that size (9x11 x 8 high) and a very similar setup to the one you are planning. What is the ceiling height? Probably 8 or 9 feet as well. You might have some trouble with the 50-60Hz peak (first room modes) and the 100-120Hz higher harmonics, especially since all modes have about the same length. Moving the speakers out the way you did will certainly help quite a bit. Monitor speakers that roll of around 50-60Hz will help as well since that is the region where the room will reinforce the bass.

I prefer the medium size room I have right now (10x17 x 9). The sound is more balanced and I still have a nearfield setup to avoid coupling to room modes.

The smaller room should work well but placement will be very critical. As long as you leave some room during the planning stage for moving around speakers and for adjusting the listening position you should do fine.

Good luck,

Rene

Rene, thanks for your comments. The ceiling height is 8', so I am exactly at the same dimensions as your old room. Did you have you speakers along the 'short' wall as I have shown, or the 'long wall'. At 9x11, there isn't much difference, but just curious.

Well I hate to be Mr. Opposition, but IMHO that might be too small. Small rooms require lots of treament. You'd need bass traps galore and aborption/diffusion at reflection points. The bass traps would need to be able to suck up frequencies below 100 cycles, and I understand that some bass traps won't do this. It's very easy to overdamp small rooms; this will suck some life out of the sound. You'd need the speakers at least a few feet from the back wall, but you don't want your listening position to be too far back. The physical room dimensions will limit the soundstage. How far do you usually sit from your speakers? If you don't mind very nearfield listening and have the means to treat the room well, then it might be OK for you...but I personally like a spacious room to really open things up, even with monitors.

FWIW, YMMV, IMHO ;)

I sit about 9' away from my speakers in my current space. They are about 8' apart and 18" from the rear wall.

Jh2os, I had them on the short wall, about 2 foot from the sides and three feet from the back. The best listening position is probably about 5-6feet from your speakers a little away from the back wall. Actually the wall behind your listening chair is fairly important, it should not be too reflective. Also best to kee your chair away from the backwall a little bit.

DIrty is right in that in will be quite difficult. I prefer the slighltly bigger room as well, but I would take the smaller one anytime if I am less limited by placement restriction.

Also feel free to drop me an email in case you have any more questions.

Again good luck.

Rene