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Performer-in-Room Quality with Speakers?

I need advice regarding what kind of speakers might help provide what I'm looking for. (For some time now I've been a tube guy for amplication, and that will not change; source components and media vary.)  I want an illusion of the performer (acoustic instrument music, vocals, classical, and combo jazz,) actually being in the room, realism so convincing that it is potentially startling. The only time I've had that sensation is when I use my Stax Ear Speakers. Concerns are sensitivity to room placement, cost, and of course spouse approval factor. Soundstage, imaging, dynamics, deeeeep bass, can take a back seat if necessary. 

Any ideas?  Single-point drivers?  Crossoverless units? Open baffle?  Vertical arrays?  Electrostatrics or planars? 
(For the record I've owned Maggies, Shahinian Obelisks, mid-fi traditional boxes and so on.)

Thanks for your ideas,

OGOgre
ogogre
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Hello Michael, 
There are many ways to skin a cat. However I believe that Bombaywalla  is on to something by suggesting speakers with first order crossovers. 
The builder of my Coincident speakers is a devotee of this type of crossover design. I drive these speakers with their SET amplifier and the result is a very tactile, believable strong in the room presence. True reach out and touch experience. 

I do feel that it is also recording dependant to a certain degree. There are recordings I play that definitely seem to take me to the venue space. I understand your desire to have Chet Baker 7 feet away playing his beautiful trumpet /Fugelhorn. 
Charles, 
ejr1953
917 posts
 
I have had a pair of Focal Sopra No2's for the last 6+ months, once "dialed in" to the room, they did exactly what you are after.

With the beryllium tweeters, I suspect a tube amp will match up well with them.

One thing I found in my auditions is that these speakers don't seem to do well in cramped spaces.  I auditioned them on the short wall of a room that was about 12x16 and they seemed "confined", but in my 24x26 "man cave", they really open up.

I have a 450 wpc solid state amp, when I'm really cranking it, the needles dance around 4.5 watts.
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,792 posts
 
Have you tried Nearfield listening?
Put your listening seat at a point equidistant to the width your speakers are separated (preferably, a chair with a low-rise back i.e., rising no higher than your shoulders).
If your speakers are ten feet apart, measure 10 feet from a speaker to your chair.
Dipoles are even better for this as they cancel reflections from side walls.
This is kind of like using your speakers as giant headphones.
elevick
2,637 posts
 
As I sit here with Merrill Zigmahornets, I feel your needs.  Tiny super efficient speakers that hit most of the frequency range beautifully.  You won't believe what a 4" driver can do in a 1/4 wave transmission line cabinet!  All they are missing is the lows but nothing a little sub can't handle (an REL won't even require a crossover).  10 watts of pure pleasure.  
Yes, they don't have much above 15khz and even less below 60hz but I rarely notice this due to such amazing clarity and imaging.
Lowthers can be bright or edgy, Fostex are the opposite and can fall flat.  Maybe look at someone using Jordan Drivers like the 47 Labs.  You really need to demo a bunch.  There's so many different variations out there from $200 to $20,000.
yashu
196 posts
 
I have a pair  of rebuilt Quad esl57.  They were rebuilt by Wayne Piquet, and sound so realistic, that I can almost see the vocalist in front of me.  Require absolutely no maintenance, and have never failed to please.

I have much more "modern" designs sitting in my closet.  My Proacs, and Spendors just don't give me the same realistic presence that I feel with the Quads.

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