Frank: This topic has come up before and the following is a recent example . The discussion got a bit spirited at the end. The thrust of the discussion though was just how much money does one sink into bedroom speakers, given the types of speaker placement/listening position restrictions that exist. This system is your "away" system while you're on the road. I had a similar situation six years ago while working in Europe (home in NYC; flat in London; and my traveling circuit for 3 years was London; Channel Islands; Geneva; Vienna; and Frankfurt). My main concern was with breaking up the system and getting some of my money back, when it was time to go home for good. With the preceding in mind, here's a way to go. Audio Advisor is clearing out its stock of Wharfedale Diamond speakers. They have the Diamond 9.2 for more than half price off. Superb speaker that will give you what you are looking for, especially for the types of music that you listen to and the near rear wall, on top of furniture placement that a bedroom system dictates. In addition to the Wharfedales, I have found that the NHT SB 2's & 3's (now replaced by NHT Classic 2 & 3) excel in bedroom set-ups, because they are acoustic suspension/sealed box design and are not placement fussy. I am not familar with the amp that you will be using and what speakers tend to match up with it best. Incidentally though, the best monitor that I ever heard was the Focus Audio FS 688 . It will set you back about $2K ... but what a sound. Regards, Rich |
Rich, Quite entertaining "spirited" thread reading! My first "Road Whore" mini system was a set of baby Kef 101's, Musical Fidelity's 30wpc flat "power-plate" class-A integrated (model ?), and several "portable" CD players back in the early 80s. All kinds of mini-systems since then, and even a recent Simaudio I-5 teamed up with Blueroom's Minipods and sub. Not so bad, but the speakers aren't in the same league as what's being recommended. Wanted to put a fun looking HT system in the bedroom, so the I-5 was sold, and now lost interest in multi-chnl. I saw the Consonance C-1 up for sale, read a few reviews, and figured it to be an adequate inexpensive amp to be teamed with "descent" sounding monitors. There are just too many options out there, and I lack the energy (these days) to investigate the endless combinations of electronics and speakers. For THIS application, there are literally dozens of highly acclaimed/touted products to choose from without having to audition each and every one. If a certain touted speaker has countless acclaims, then it's up to ME to position them correctly (IMO). I'm no "newby" to HiFi, and have been tinkering for over 35 years. I agree with several of your opinions pertaining to sealed and ported enclosure placement in smallish rooms. Since bedroom listening seems to end up with heads leaning against rear walls and headboards, reflections and standing waves drastically affect the received tonal pitch, even while maintaining ear level. I'll head down into Chicago over the weekend, and should find several of the recommended speakers to audition. It's all subjective, but I'll mention any models that put a smile on my mug. Frank |
