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Speaker for low volume listening with high WAF

It's that time of life when the large home is no longer needed and a New Orleans French Quarter condo is more exciting. So I'll be saying good-bye to my Wilson watt puppy 7's, wonderful "Big Mac" MC2000 (get the tubes right and this amp is incredible), Hovland HP100, Dodson DAC, Sony SCD-1, Lector CDP 7TL and mucho other stuff I spent years perfecting with tube rolling. Now I'm looking for a very good speaker system that will complement a Luxman L-590AII integrated amp along with a single box cd player. I don't particularly like speakers that are overly warm but prefer accuracy, clarity, wide soundstaging and musical dynamics which the watt pup 7's serves up with the right equipment. I would be interested in hearing from others who live in smaller spaces and share a similar musical taste and bought speakers that mirror my musical taste. Prior to the watt pups (I've owned the 6 & 7's) I had ML Prodigy and Quad ESL 63 stats (fast & transparent but low WAF).
rickjames
rickjames OP
24 posts
 
I wish I could keep the big speakers but going from 4500 sq ft to 1200 sq feet just makes it impossible. I also agree with my wife that the place we bought has such a unique elegant look that large speakers would take away from the ambience. The Focal mini utopia be's sound interesting as I have to get away from the floor standers. When I really need realistic volume I can just walk a block to Preservation Hall and take it all in. Silver lining in every cloud!
rickjames OP
24 posts
 
Forgot to add that the speakers recommended should be capable of quality sound even if they are place within 12 inches of a wall...Thanks
xti16
1,525 posts
 
Have you considered Dynaudio C1's with a sub? That combo works well in near field listening. I moved my C1's around and you will loose some depth being that close to the wall but the soundstage and detail won't suffer. They are rear ported. As far as WAF -- I personally do not care for the looks of Dyn's confidence series but the sound is what I care about. Every female thats seen my C1's (so far) say they are very good looking.
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
If I had a choice amongst them smallish Merlins would be choice.Then not sure how far off wall but why not the Silverline 17.5?Great monitor.And you could go to low power any time be it tube or T power.Bang for buck the Tiny dancers seem to have a lock $$$ if you like sound and most do.Sound Anchors for any monitor.Nothing beats heavy iron.And
Chazz
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
P.S. Micro Utopias are small Mini's aren't so.if you could swing that size then add Harbeth or Totem Mani 2's (if you want huge bass)with totally different sound but damn good monitors both.Wish I could say I have heard them at low level (acid test for listening).I know a pair of Audio Physic Sparks did much better in that regard than larger models so think how much you can crank out or not and how much late night listening.Wish more reviewers included that important (to some of us) aspect.Lastly to get funky read Mark and Daniels write ups at 6moons
Chazz
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