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Auditorium 23 SoloVox...

are they really sensitive to placement?

I've got the five year upgrade itch; plus I've got a new listening room configuration to deal with. My listening room "was" once a 15ft wall of mostly windows which allowed me to place speakers 4ft out from the wall or move them in and around the corners. The downside with that room (other than the big German Shepherd who dogged her post in front of one window): it was a huge open ceiling rectangle that continued onto the dinning and kitchen area, much like a big loft. Well the wife also had an itch and we remodeled (even though it was my money my opinion did not weight in). Suddenly I've been reduced to a near(er) field experience. I now have a 20ft or longer wall but there are entry doors on either end. The speakers can be no more than 2 ft. from the wall. My listening chair is about 8ft. from the speakers and I have another wall 2ft behind my head. So it's more intimate than before although the ceiling remains open and pitched.

So besides comments like you got screwed, I'm looking for advice to rectify the situation. Over the years I've worked my way through the Vandy line, Maggies and Merlins. Now I have a desire to move towards more efficient speakers.

I was very interested in the Audio Note HE model, but alas it prefers corners and I have none. Thus here I sit reading the Jules Coleman and Michael Lavorgna reviews wondering whether this SoloVox would work in my environment. Coleman didn't seem to have too much of an issue placing the speaker, but Lavorgna must have spent days moving his library from one wall to the other.

I'm very interest in anyone's trials and tribulations with the SoloVox, or any other efficient speaker that is less sensitive to placement. I'm also anxiously anticipating DeVore's two-way Orangutans. Thanks!
dpe
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Dpe - I listened to (and loved) the SoloVox at Don Better's home. I really wanted to get a pair and build a system around them, but Don told me that the room I had available would not allow them to sound right at all. They would have been only 2 feet from the back wall, about 7 feet apart at their centers, and I would have been listening somewhat near-field. According to Don, they are very sensitive to room placement. They need to be in a large room, well separated, and well away from the rear wall and side walls.

They do sound intoxicating, though. One of the very best speakers I have ever heard for solo instrumental and small ensemble music. Exactly why I wanted them. Still do, but it ain't gonna happen.

I too am interested to hear the Orangutans. I have the Silverbacks in my primary system and love them!

BTW, how efficient do you need your new speakers to be? Verity has come out with some new offerings that are more efficient than their predecessors and they are very impressive. I am referring to the ones I have heard, namely the Finns and the Leonores.
dpe OP
60 posts
 
Thanks Chashas1 and 4musica44107! You guys have been very helpful. Bottom line Michael Lavorgna's review was closer to the truth with regards to placement, although I don't remember any mention of room size issues. As a matter of fact (and I'll need to review the article) I though if anything the SoloVox was very intimate; especially at lower levels of volume, and, as you've mentioned 4musica44107, extremely articulate when listening to solo instrumental and acoustical ensembles which is my pleasure as well.

Also thanks for the Verity plug. Many years ago I did demo a loaner pair of Fidelios and went with the Merlins instead. I'll check out the Finns and Leonores, although I've never been a fan of the rear woofers.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Dpe - Glad to hear that the info you are getting has been helpful. For those who want a system for listening only to solo instrumental and small ensemble music, I am not aware of a better speaker than the SoloVox unless one makes the mega-bucks jump to the Shindo Latours.

I understand what you mean about rear-firing woofers. I have the Fidelio Encores (my first ever pair of speakers with rear-firing woofers) in a secondary system and it has taken a lot of time and effort to get them positioned to sound their best. I finally did and the result has been outstanding.

Now if I could just get my wife to go along with a house addition to accomodate a SoloVox-based system . . . . ;->

Good luck!
chashas1
596 posts
 
You also might want to talk to Don or Jonathan again if you haven't already. From all I've read from Keith Aschenbrenner and his PHY friend, the solovoxes were made for real listening rooms,ie. smallish rooms, like most european ones. It sounds like your room would be fine.
Getting a pair might be the hard part, can I say hen's teeth?
Good Luck...
aronsss
110 posts
 
My room is not much different from yours and I went with Tannoy Kensingtons and they can be close to the (rear wall). Call Stephen Mishoe at In Living Stereo who has them on display and Jonathan Halpern wo told me about them. I believe you will be very favorably impressed (and they are excellent on all types of music). I presume that Stephen will also have the new DeVore's soon too.
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