Where can I find the curve you speak of and the 35 degree reference?
Most speaker curves I find are sensitivity vs. freq.
Most speaker curves I find are sensitivity vs. freq.
A little help please
My room is 13' x 21' x 8.5' ceiling. Speakers are located along the short wall about 12-18" off the wall. They can't come out as they'll block an entrance way. They are about 4' from the side walls.
Currently I have a Prima Luna Classic Integrated with their standard tubes. Source is Rega Apollo R, MMF-5/Clear Audio Nano V2, or Proton DAC. Speakers are Totem Arro (no mass laoding).
I realize that my placement isn't ideal and my wife's need for decorating balance with furnishings,etc require some trade-offs but I just don't think these speakers are up for the job in some cases. Some songs, like acoustic blues, female vocals, even piano sound great but I'm sometimes finding other recordings seem to sound muddy and there's no real pop and umf on some drums; like I'm hearing music but not feeling it some times.
The totems are not mass loaded. I have heard that mass loading them will tighten up the bass. I could also try some different tubes, but overall I'm not sure either or both will make that big a difference. Which leads me to a discussion of a sub or some new speakers.
I lean towards new speakers.
Possibilities (depending on what I can get my wife to agree to in price and size) are:
PSB Imagine T2, Quad 25L, Revel F206 - As noted above there are decorating issues. A sofa is located about 2.5 feet in front of the right side. As it is now imaging is good, my concern with these is they all have some low driver positions that will be an issue unless I can relocate. Relocating to the long wall is an issue because I'd have to straddle a working fireplace as well as other considerations.
A larger Totem Forest - leaves me wondering if I'll have similar issues with bass.
Audio Physic Tempo 25 (NOT the plus version) - demo from my local store.
Vandersteen 3A - Signature - also demo from my local store. These are likely too big for my wife's taste; and quite possibly my amp.
One thing I didn't note so far was the possibility of a sub-woofer. I'm not thrilled with the idea but I haven't given it an ear so I can't say.
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks for reading and taking the time to respond, Jetson.
Currently I have a Prima Luna Classic Integrated with their standard tubes. Source is Rega Apollo R, MMF-5/Clear Audio Nano V2, or Proton DAC. Speakers are Totem Arro (no mass laoding).
I realize that my placement isn't ideal and my wife's need for decorating balance with furnishings,etc require some trade-offs but I just don't think these speakers are up for the job in some cases. Some songs, like acoustic blues, female vocals, even piano sound great but I'm sometimes finding other recordings seem to sound muddy and there's no real pop and umf on some drums; like I'm hearing music but not feeling it some times.
The totems are not mass loaded. I have heard that mass loading them will tighten up the bass. I could also try some different tubes, but overall I'm not sure either or both will make that big a difference. Which leads me to a discussion of a sub or some new speakers.
I lean towards new speakers.
Possibilities (depending on what I can get my wife to agree to in price and size) are:
PSB Imagine T2, Quad 25L, Revel F206 - As noted above there are decorating issues. A sofa is located about 2.5 feet in front of the right side. As it is now imaging is good, my concern with these is they all have some low driver positions that will be an issue unless I can relocate. Relocating to the long wall is an issue because I'd have to straddle a working fireplace as well as other considerations.
A larger Totem Forest - leaves me wondering if I'll have similar issues with bass.
Audio Physic Tempo 25 (NOT the plus version) - demo from my local store.
Vandersteen 3A - Signature - also demo from my local store. These are likely too big for my wife's taste; and quite possibly my amp.
One thing I didn't note so far was the possibility of a sub-woofer. I'm not thrilled with the idea but I haven't given it an ear so I can't say.
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks for reading and taking the time to respond, Jetson.
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- 53 posts total
Totems and JMRs are completely diverse in their make-up. The core problem for you is to avoid buying blind again and nobly relying on the recommendations of a third party, without actually auditioning the speaker / upstream kit set-up. My two-bits worth: dont gamble .... Full stop. Drag your amp to a formal speaker audition either at a dealer or at a friend's , if you cannot borrow a weekend loaner in-house (preferred) if if you are going to roll the dice with no prior audition, that's über risky . You can mitigate that risk -- to a degree-- by first inquiring what your electronics are frequently married up to at either the dealer and/or the audio paloozas. The quality audio mags reviews may be a decent first step to weeding out the herd down to a manageable lot. In my experience, a quality British or Euro build speaker will likely have the ethereal sonic signature you may be seeking. Try to define what that is first, if Possible. if you try to list what "you want" , that's hard. But if formally list what you DON'T want , then I'm guessing that the points are helluva easier to identify as you compare your wish list to others experiences and search for""that" sonic signature. ( you know that they vary ) Then as you lazily contemplate the lint in your navel as you scour the reviews (What Hi-Fi has a decent online , UHF Magazine also...) yiu make your notes. An easy weekend sojourn: go personally audition the REGAs just as a first benchmark. I'm predicting that you may like what you hear .... and they have many dealers that make it comparatively easy to find a convenient local dealer. Then scour Pinkfish media/ audio forum for a UK forum point of view of experiences and user posts. Canuckaudiomart is another source. Now you will have a base to compare to the next brand and model on your list of contenders and pretenders Its a journey ...not a destination. |
OK, found it looking at Revel speakers. Learning. http://and%20the%20%20%20http//http//www.stereophile.com/content/revel-performa3-f208-loudspeaker-measurements#tYU5F0eX0XFlRjWR.97 |
Based on this curve it looks like the Vandersteen Treo might be a good fit. http://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-audio-treo-loudspeaker-measurements#EbRROVZC5tb5m7K5.... |
I won't be going blind - no way. My mistake last time was in not looking at the difference of the two PL amps - - I thought that I was auditioning essentially the same set-up; albeit not at my home. I also made the mistake of putting too much faith in my local high end audio guy - in business for years and years, selling some very expensive equipment -- and restricting my choice to him and his brands. I talked to him about not liking the Arros the other day and he suggested maybe the Revel F206. Looking at their curve, I'd be unhappy again. Arrgh. |
- 53 posts total