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Speaker Help Required

I have a 12'x14' living room with a cathedral ceiling.

My 2-channel audio system is along the 12' back wall. I have a 6.5' audio / video rack which houses all my audio gear (mostly Linn) with a bookshelf speaker (Linn Katan) at each side of this rack (roughly 7.5' apart) sitting on stands (Linn Katan stands). The left speaker is about 3' from the side wall and 2' from the back wall with a powered subwoofer (Linn Sizmik 10.25) between the left speaker and the side wall in the corner. The right speaker is also 2' from the back wall but no side wall since it is an opening to my hallway.

Because of this setup, I’m hearing more of the left speaker than the right speaker. I tried different amounts of toe-in, which seems to help a little but I’m still not 100% satisfied. Some people have suggested that since the Katan are very small speakers, the subwoofer is not only providing the added bass but may be participating in some midrange too which is why I’m hearing more of the left channel.

Since I cannot move things around in my living room nor add a door to the hallway opening, I’m looking for a pair of “full range” floorstanding speakers to replace my bookshelves / subwoofer combo in hopes of rectifying this problem. Also, my wife is totally opposed to any “room insulation / sound proofing” idea since we use this room for entertaining friends and family and the décor is her territory.

What floorstanding speakers would you recommend for a $2000-$2500 budget that will help with my issue?
agiaccio
s7horton
1,077 posts
 
Before you move to a floor stander, I would suggest that your sub in not adding anything in the midrange. Double check the crossover setting on your sub. If you are at 80Hz or below, theory says it is omnidirectional, meaning you should not be able to tell where it is coming from.

My hunch is that with your sidewall on the left, you are getting reflections, which you are not getting from the right side. Moving to a floor standing speaker will not solve this problem. Does any of your gear have a balance feature?

I would start there. That should help correct your problem.

To prove me wrong, put your sub on the right side of the system and see what happens.
sns
3,395 posts
 
Speakers are not your problem, your problem is the opening to the hallway on the right speaker. You have the right idea, adding a door, will give added reinforcement. Since you can't add a door, how about some temporary free standing room treatment, typically you would use absorption here. You would then need another absorption panel on the left side as well. Just remove them when not listening to music.
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
S7horton is absolutely correct. Don't change your speakers it won't help.

I partially agree w/SNS, but not sure you need a panel on the right(movable or not). Absorption on the left is key. Take a look at my room photos. I have portable panels on my right side, that would make sense for you, too. Of course if you are going to the trouble, you might as well put them on both sides for serious listening.

There is a company that makes absortption panels that look like reproductions of famous works of art(Chagall, Monet, etc). They're kinda pricey, if I recall, but could be a lifesaver given your situation. Perhaps someone can chime in w/specifics about them. Cheers,
Spencer
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