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Downsizing Speakers in Main Listening Room - Your Feedback on Some options

All,

So I am looking to move to a smaller speaker to allow better low volume listening and possibly a little change in sound quality. I like the sound of my PSB Synchrony 1s at higher volumes - not room shaking but loud enough I am asked to turn it down when other family around <smile!> They could still use bit more bass kick (not thumping  loud - just a bit more punch). So I am thinking a higher quality bookshelf for closer, lower volume listening that still has some bite.

My current system is the following:
  * Speakers: PSB Synchrony 1
  * Integrated Amp - Ayre Ax-7e
  * CD/SACD - Ayre C5xeMP CD Player
  * DAC - PS Audio DLlll
  * Sonos Connect
  * Cables - Morrow MA4 Balanced Interconnects/Morrow SP3 Bi-wire Speaker Cables

Room setup is roughly 16'x20' (one side is open to adjoining room and dining area). Theater sloped higher away from setup -- starting at 7.5' to about 16'. Standard living room with fireplace and windows - hardwood floors, but have the usual rugs and furniture. Speakers are about 8' apart (slight toe in) and about 10' from main sitting position. Done usual minor acoustic tweaks to try to improve sound - within reason as this is the main living room.

Listen to all music genres but country(sorry) -- but most often jazz, rock, world.

Recent speakers I have enjoyed -- Aerial Acoustic 7t and Sonus Faber Olympica I and III. Enjoy the sound of both even though they are different (and different from my PSBs, which again I like as well).

So I am considering the following bookshelf speakers and just a few smaller floor standers (most looking at buying used), budget is max at about $2,500(used):

BOOKSHELF:
  * Sonus Faber Olympic I, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M, Sonus Faber Liuto, Sonus Faber Venere 2.0
  * Dali Epicon, Dali Euphonia
  * Monitor Audio PL100, Monitor Audio Gold 100 (or GSX 100)
  * Focal 1008 BE
  * Aerial Acoustic 5t
  * ATC SCM 11 v2

FLOOR STANDERS:
 * Monitor Audio Gold 200
 * Aerial Acoustic 6t
 * Sonus Faber Liuto 

So while I am expecting to listen to several of these in coming months - probably cannot access all of them -- likely will hear Monitor Audio, Aerial Acoustic, and again Sonus Faber.

So please give me your best feedback on the list above and feel free to comment in any capacity. Thank you for your valuable opinions!

sbleam
1markr
594 posts
 
@sbleam  For your needs/requirements, I would highly recommend a good subwoofer or two to supplement a pair of bookshelf speakers.  I was / am in the same situation, and I have gone with a pair of Omega Super Alnico HO monitors which are very efficient, and very real sounding with my 8wpc SET amp.  I can get by without using a sub with the Omegas, but I do like to get the bottom octaves at times.   
erik_squires
15,952 posts
 
Ask Fritz Speakers for models with a ScanSpeak woofer. :) 


helomech
1,535 posts
 
Helomech - thanks for the advice - I have seen several of the sealed cabinets in the bookshelf size but not in a floor stander. Any recommendations for either size ? Also not familiar with the "transmission line" style cabinet - can you recommend an example as well ? - thank you again for the feedback.
Normally I would recommend Klipsch Heresys, but you'd need a sub with them since you listen to a lot of Jazz.

Look into the aforementioned Zu Audio Speakers but also consider Salk Sound, another internet direct dealer. 

Also, if you don't mind going the vintage route, a nice pair of classic Advent 1s are extremely good at low volume, especially regarding their bass. If up to spec, they can compete with many modern designs, some north of $2K.

In the end, speakers are very subjective. It's hard to say what will sound good to your ears, in your room. 
gdnrbob
4,421 posts
 
Zu's with a sub or two would be a nice way to go.
I have Omen Bookshelves with a pair of HSU-VTF1 subs. Not bad.
I'll probably pair them with Vandersteen 2w's now that the Main Room has the 2wq's.
You could look into Vandersteen VLR's as a bookshelf speaker. They and the VSM pair quite well with Vandy subs. Very nice for lower volume listening.
B
joey54
432 posts
 
I was in a similar situation when I sold my house and moved into a loft. I ended up selling my Vandersteen Quatro’s and buying a pair of Harbeth SHL5+’s. All of the Harbeth speakers sound good at low volumes, to me better than any other speakers I have heard. Based on your room size though you would need the Compact 7’s at least and new they are outside your budget. I have seen some used Compact 7’s in that range and they may be a good fit for you. Another speaker that does really well at low volumes is the RYAN 610.  They are $1999 new.

For reference I use an Ayre AX-7e with an Ayre Codex and an Aurender N100H for my digital front end . As I live in a loft my open space is around 30x16 with cathedral ceilings. Good Luck!


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