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Big speakers in small room at moderate volume levels

My office is 11’W x 10’L x 9’H and is where I can listen to music for the next few years. I have a toddler and, for now, he has commanded the big spaces in the rest of the house. I have auditioned the Magico A3 and wanted to buy it but that was before I was relegated to the smallish office (I was expecting to move to a bigger room). I have removed the closet doors in this office room. The removal of the closet door gives me another 4 feet of depth to this room, though for only 1/2 width of the room. I can sit unobstructed 8 feet away from the speakers before I hit the area where the closet ends (so near field listening).

I currently I have KEF LS50 with Peachtree Nova 150. It is good and I can listen for the whole day without fatigue. I listen to FM, digital files on ROON, and my Sony SCD-1 SACD player. I want a bigger sound so I am looking at bigger speakers. I also do not want to use a sub since I am not a fan. I will also upgrade the NOVA 150 to the NOVA 500 in Spring 2019 and use with the LS50’s in a bedroom.

I came to the conclusion that my tastes would be best served by one of KEF Reference 1 or Magico A3. I was thinking that I would use the Lyngdorf 3400 in this room but I am having seconds thoughts on this now (some A’gon comments that it maybe a little dry). I am interested in solid state AB units like the Hegel H590 and Mark Levinson 585 to drive the speakers. I have heard the ML 585 and it is a fatigue free sounding unit that was a joy to listen to. I have not heard the Hegel H590 yet (but have heard other Hegels with KEF) and I am in the process of getting an audition of the H590. I have also discounted the class AB Micromega M-One 150 (with MARS room correction) because I do not want a cooling fan blowing in the room.

I must mention that I do not listen that loud when I am working and when I am working very late at night the volume is very low. The Mark Levinson and A3 combo was very good at low volumes during my demo but that was in the dealers perfect large room.

1) Am I making a mistake foregoing room correction with the 2 integrateds I am considering? Should I go with the Lyngdorf and A3 or KEF Ref 1, though I have never heard the Lyngdorf?

2) Will the Magico A3 work in this small room at moderate volumes WITHOUT room correction or will I subject myself to headaches and fatigue?

I am going to ask the dealer selling the A3’s this question when I am ready to buy but i wanted to ask on A’gon first to get some feedback. I doubt I could get the A3’s into my room for a trial but I have not asked the dealer yet.

I think (not 100% sure) the KEF Reference 1 with a non room correcting amp should work in my office space but I would prefer to buy the Magico A3 for the office. I have plans to buy another KEF model once my kid is a bit older and I can kick him out of the big room.
yyzsantabarbara
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,975 posts
 
@tomic601  I spent a lot of time reading on A'gon posts by Treo CT owners, including a few by you. Lot of good info and undeniable passion for the Treo CT. 

@twoleftears  I have not been able to find that search functionality you are referring too. I had to do something like guess what room size a particular component would be used in and then filter by that room size. At least it narrows down the number of virtual systems to leaf through.
mahlman
433 posts
 
A set of Klipsch Chorus I's with MAHL tweeter upgrades worked fine for me. Went to hear some B&W's at HIFI buys in Nashville and ended up getting these upgraded vintage Klipsch speakers instead. Sounded far more musical and put the $20,000.00+ money difference in my pocket. The idea that there is a certain $$ level needed to achieve superior audio is an expensive thing to cater to and why do it if you don't have to. Great sound is where you find it not how much you spent to get it. Cello and pipe organ music are faithfully reproduced in very fine quality as are all other genres I have played and I hope that poor sales guy never hears what cheapo $1,300.00 speakers sound like.
yyzsantabarbara OP
4,975 posts
 
@mahlman As I listened to more speakers I found out that I the ones I liked the most are not the lowest priced ones, except KEF LS50. I have used as my primary (sometimes only speaker) anything from a Audioengine A2 ($200) to a Revel Salon  ($20,000). I have been fortunate to have audio stores or audio shows around the areas I have lived in, so I have heard a good amount of speakers.

We all have different tastes in music, hearing, and different rooms. A general statement like spending more on a speaker is a waste does not come across as accurate from my perspective. 

I have heard Klipsch before when my dad owned some in his HT system. Likely not the same model as you are mentioning.

Glad you have the $20K in your pocket. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,080 posts
 
sent you a PM connecting you w great guy running Lyngdorf 3400 and TREO, quite happy....
ciao..
I have Mile Davis on....lovely 
gdnrbob
4,460 posts
 
I will still stand by my recommendation of the Vandy VLR. Of course, it isn't up to the Treo's, but I have to say it really makes my office alive.
I didn't think they were up to the task, and I tried a pair of Zu Omen Bookshelves, but the Vandy VLR beat them hands down.
You can now get them with the Carbon Tweeters, though at a higher cost.

Bob
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