Active speakers for a large room


Hi, I am looking to replace my front pair of 17 year old Genelec 1029a active speakers, with 2 active speakers which must be undeniably superior to the old ones. Relevant information:

- the room is large, 36ft x 30ft x 12ft.
- We are seldom in the ideal listening position, so would prefer something multidirectional and immersive. Stereo imaging is of lesser importance. We are usually at least 10ft away from the nearest speaker, often to the side. 
- music genres are varied, including rock; jazz; classical
- I prefer a clean, revealing sound.
- the new speakers would be used in conjunction with a pair of REL Habitat subwoofers, which are very musical and would probably handle frequencies below around 75Hz. So, I think it would be a waste of money to pay for deep bass.
- connections are balanced (XLR) and there is in wall wiring. I prefer to keep it that way.
- stereo passes through an RME ADI DAC
- for movies, which are much less important, there are 3 more Genelec 1029a´s and a Primare P30 AV processor (which is in bypass mode for stereo)
- budget is up to $2,500 for the pair

Your help is appreciated and I look forward to seeing your thoughts. Cheers

garbo
Hey garbo,
More and more choices in terms of Powered Loudspeakers are possible and readily produced.
What I would point out is that Genalec’s Monitor (design) is oriented more towards nearfield listening and low power.
Where as you have indicted an interest in use with more ambience and a preference for Less constraint and some flexibility.
This would indicate a requirement for a different radiation pattern.
This is about how a Loudspeaker integrates into a listening space.
Since AV use is also of interest this opens the way for at least one possible application of Surround Tech but would require more capacity than the Primare P30 offers (XLR connection to satellites as well as mains).
So the idea would be to expand the listening "area" to encompass the greater portion of the room with Surround Sound.
But again is dependent upon the selection of Speaker (type).
This could be accomplished with as few as four "Mains"
Possibly adding a center channel for AV at the listening position.
To me the more conventional approach would be to consider an MTM
Array type baffle for controlled dispersion.
Another alternative for listening on axis outside a critical sweet spot would be at the opposite end of the room ( "area" from current mains axis) requiring enough power and good room integration.
The stated use of current Subs is right on the money.


Another vote for JBLs; very well behaved (good dispersion & off-axis response, etc) and reasonably priced for the performance level. The M3 series probably tallies with what you need
Thanks for your comments. Passive monitors are not really an option as it would mean changing most of the system. Power is not really a problem; the Genelecs are turned way down as it is. Speaker placement is pretty much fixed as it is, being ideal for movies and having already installed the in-wall cabling. The right far field monitor might work, perhaps a JBL. Is there a particular one which is designed to disperse the sound more? I think I owe you some further history. The P30 is a quality 5.2 channel processor which I had listened to for years in 5.2 mode for music. It gave me the ambience I was after, but when I tried the RME stereo DAC, there was a distinct improvement in the sound quality, even off axis, something that I am loathe to sacrifice. I think it would take big bucks to find a multi-channel processor to match it, so I am invested once again in stereo. My hope now is that greater, though not perfect, dispersion might be achieved by changing the two main speakers only. By concentrating my resources on just 2 speakers I can afford a significant upgrade. I am currently looking at a pair of PMC result6, which are a definite step up and might be classed as mid-field. Perhaps it is sacrilege, but I am also finding that extreme toe-in is helping, maybe because, in most parts of the room, the closest speaker is facing away and the far one is facing me. As ever, this exercise will be a compromise. Thanks again for your help; further comments appreciated.

sorry gregm; saw your post after i posted mine. i can´t find the M3. do you have a link?
@garbo, what I would suggest is consider adding a DAC.
As indicated the difference made an impression ...
If the P30 is working the way you want in the system build upon the structure in place.
And an MTM Array (Loudspeaker) config would still be a good suggestion.
Look at Eris E44 (Presonus) for example and see if it makes any sense to you.
Manufacturer Statement: "Eris E44: MTM design delivers the widest sweet spot in its class."
Please note that my example ( Eris E44 ) is not based on direct experience with the Monitor only that the MTM Array makes sense.
A suggestion for Toe In would be heck Yeah ... find the balance for the
’ Standing listening area ’ which should be crossed behind ( or at / or maybe not ) the seated listening position.
Toe In could be minimal so that the axis crosses well behind a first or second listening position.