2. speakers
  3. 118944-6720

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.
jetson
jetson OP
140 posts
 
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....
jetson OP
140 posts
 
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.
freediver
1,189 posts
 
OP:How in the *^*K can a so called Authorized Dealer not know his own product?That’s a BIG RED FLAG to me.Here’s an idea.Take back BOTH the amp & speakers & get the upgraded amp with those funds!PS:I’m curious how did the Arro’s sound when you demo’d them & what amp was used?Also the Treo’s are a textbook example of easy to drive!They could be more sensitive though.Have a look at Living Voice, Reference 3A speakers & Omega speakers.
jetson OP
140 posts
 
Not a bad idea.

The Arro's sounded pretty darn good at his place. He used a PrimaLuna Integrated - the Dialog, I think. 

That's what pisses me off the most - that he should have realized he was giving me a bad match. I bought most everything from him.

The dealer I worked with sells Vandersteen but I spoke with a different dealer to see about auditioning them.  I'll look into the others you mentioned. Many speakers I've looked at aren't that easy to pair on the charts. So far I have the Vandersteen 3a Sig, Acoustic Zen Adagio and the Paradigm S6 on the list for further consideration.

Thanks for your help freediver. 
(BTW I take it you freedive. I scuba and I always love it when a friend taps my shoulder with no gear. Those long fins are so graceful too!)

freediver
1,189 posts
 
Yea the Dialog would have no trouble with the Arro’s.If you could trade up to that amp you would NEVER need another & speaker choices would be wide open INCLUDING Magnapans!The Paradigms require a well treated room to shine.Never heard the Acoustic Zen but ALL my cables are by them!I am actually a Retired U.S.Army Deep Sea Diver.Born & raised in Central Fl.I’ve been breath hold diving since I was 3 years old!52 + years however has taken it’s toll on my back so SCUBA is out & I don’t care for surface supplied any more so FreeDiving it is.I try to stay above 60’ unless I’m chasing BIG fish.Be sure to keep us updated,nothing worse than OP’s leaving us wondering how everything turned out.Good luck...
More to discover