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speakers for 15' by 12' listening room?

Hello,
I know sound is subjective and the best way to decide is to listen to the equipment but I 'd like some input on speakers.
I live in a small apartment, my listening room is 15' by 12' and I don't crank up the volume too much.
My current speakers are Kef 104.2 ( they sound Amazing but are too big and the bass can be too much). I also have some Rogers LS3/5a in smaller bedroom and those are perfect there.
My stereo equipment consists of a CD Player Rega Jupiter, a Linn 5103 Preamp, 1 Linn Klout amp, 1 integrated amp VTL iT85 and 1 Linn Chakra amp (I switch amps depending on mood and music).
Ultimately, I would like to find a pair of compact speakers that don't need to be in the center of the room to sound good (the closer to the wall the better).
I listen to many different styles but mostly Jazz, Vocals, and Electronica.
The sound I'm looking for is non fatiguing like the LS3/5a but more full range like the Kef. Warm, dynamic and detailed even at low listening levels would be great!
Look & sizewise, I like Totem (Aro, Staff, Hawk and Model 1), Spendor S5e, Harbeth, (can't remember which 2 ways monitor), and Gallo reference 3.1.
I haven't heard any of them, I would rather not having to break the speakers in and since my budget is tight, I am looking at second hand market.
Any advice and recommendation will be highly appreciated, many thanks!
csacred
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
have you auditioned the magnepan 1.6s ? the bass response won't over power your room.
hchilcoat
152 posts
 
I have a room almost the exact same size. I am currently trying a pair of Usher Be-718's on loan from a local dealer. These are wonderful speakers in many ways and have very good bass for standmounts. The berylium (sp?) tweeter provide lots of detail without being too bright, soundstanging and imaging is very good (although I'm still playing with position), nice dynamics and tone. I do miss the weight of bass from a floorstander speaker. That said, I haven't tried a lot of different positions to see if I can enhance bass by placing closer to rear wall. I've auditioned Totem Arro and Staffs in a larger room a few years ago in a house we previously owned. I preferred the Staaf over the Arro, but also thought both were nice speakers. I can't compare the Totems directly to the Ushers, because of room and equipment changes and it was about 4 years ago. I'd be very tempted by the Ushers because they do a lot well for the money, and are an impressive little package, are reasonably priced for what they do, and I recommend that you consider them. I'm probably going to stick with a floorstander but am considering a range of options.
imin2u
392 posts
 
Had the same size deadish room. The Acoustat 3's finally gave me the low-mid's (high-bass) that was very attenuated. I've have JM Lab Daline's, Dahlquist Dq-10, 28's and many other's trying to alleviate that problem. The Dq-10 are by far the best soundstage though and I'd never leave them.
jhold
116 posts
 
Another vote for Harbeth and Spendor.
geoffpatrick
8 posts
 
I have Vandersteen 1C speakers that I use in a room that is about the size of yours with a Rega Jupiter/Cursa/Maia setup. I have them centered on the long wall about 7 feet apart (with a couch in the middle) and 18 inches out into the room (although they can go back another 6 or 8 inches without getting boomy). They sound absolutely fantastic and represent one of the best values I am aware of in hi-fi. They are dramatically better than the Quad 11L speakers I previously owned.
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