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Did Kharma make their 3.2 FE too short?

I hardly presume to know squat about speaker design, but since placing my speakers on 6 inch wooden blocks, they have improved immeasurably: soundstage is higher, deeper, more spacious, highs more airy and imaging better than when placed flat on the floor. The reasons for doing this are mentioned in a separate thread and are irrelevant here - what I want to know from Kharma pundits is: What is the down-side and what is lost in this elevation?
Room 21 X 16 ft with 20 ft A-frame high celing; Speakers along short wall, 8 ft apart, 3 ft from walls. Were the speakers designed for smaller rooms? Will this elevation affect measured coherence and am I hearing an artefact effect? Speaker experts please respond. No doubt I have a "new" set of better speakers with the help of 6" of solid maple. Would love to know what Kharma thinks.
springbok10
don_s
271 posts
 
Did Kharma make their 3.2FE too short?

No, someone made your ceiling too high. Don't expect speakers designed for conventional 8-9' ceilings to sound great in the huge area you have. Some larger speakers may work well but you will have to choose wisely and ignore many speakers that would otherwise be fine performers.

In you situation I think I would look at some line source models. Small footprint but tall.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. I think you're spot-on, Don_s.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Can you suggest some line source models?
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
I remember that Swampwalker recommended these in the other thread. Mike, can you name some?
semi
649 posts
 
I do have a different take. In my experience, I listen almost near field with speakers 8' apart and I sit about 7' from the line drawn between the speakers, I do find most speakers can benefit from being a little taller. This is true regardless which room I use, ceiling can be 8' tall or 12' tall, I find raising them higher (or projecting them higher) improve spaciousness and sound more "relax".

I used to wonder why Sonus Faber would make Guaneri Homage sit on such a tall pedestal, but after hearing it I would not think the image is too high or any obvious short coming. In fact, that's the incentive I start experimenting with raising my speakers.
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