Which speakers to get for a Very Large Room.


Hello All,

My system is at a point where I think I need to try new speakers. I currently have Ariel 7Bs and would like to try something a bit more efficient, more revealing, and open and forward sounding. I had to do a lot of messing around with the 7Bs to get the base out of them and ended up tilting them back to tame down the upper mids and tweeter. My room is about 22'x38' with a 17' flat ceiling. My current equipment is listed below and I will be changing a few things in the near future. I need something with good base because of the volume of my room and I really like a life like midrange for vocals, sax and acoustic strings. I listen to all rock from the 60s to today, nothing to heavy and adult contemporary with some jazz thrown in now and again.
Joule Electra LA 150 MK11 SE
Butler 2250 Hybrid SS/Tube amp 250/8 400/4
MHDT Havana Dac (may be getting a Burson 160D soon)
Aerial 7B speakers
Integra DPS-6.7 DVD/SACD
Wadia 170i
IPod classic (files in lossless)
Mac Mini on the way.

I very much appreciate the help!

Greg
gregfisk
I will look into the speakers mentioned. Would the VR5s and the Dunlavys be room filling enough?

I'm also wondering how well a horn speaker would do in a lively room. I havn't listened to them much at all and worry about top end harshness in my space.

Unfortunately I can't put speakers in the corners, so I believe this rules out the Klipshorns. I have heard and liked them but not in my room.

Any other room filling speakers in my price range?

Thanks again for all the help.
sounds_real_audio. I do have to set them up on the short wall and you are correct in the spacing. I have no problem going with a sub if needed. Any suggestions on speakers with the above mentioned 8" woofers?

Greg
There is no such thing as an Aerial 9B. The Aerial 9 has not changed since it was introduced. I own a pair and they are wonderful sounding dynamic speakers for largish rooms, although not quite as good for small rooms. The downfiring port and front firing drivers are probably a good thing for your stated 2 feet from the wall. While these may work well in the room you describe, IMO the horn options would also work well with the benefit of requiring less amplifier power to drive. Even though the Aerials are rated 90dB at 2.83 Vrms and 1.0 meter on axis, I would not use less than your 400 wpc @ 4 ohms and preferrably higher to really make them come to life in your larger room. If you like the Aerial sound, the 9 will take you toward the direction you are trying to go, but may not be a night and day difference. Aerial also makes a great sub - you could add two of them with either the 7B or 9 for a very dynamic set-up. Although I really enjoy Aerial speakers, IMO, the horn options will provide a more dramatic sonic change in your large room.
I would think the dunlavy scV or scVI would pressurize and
fill the room with no problem;they are excellant speakers that still compete with todays models.
Mitch2, I think this time around I would like to try something besides the Ariel line of speakers. I would be interested in any suggestions for horn speakers somewhere in my price range. I would also like more suggestions for good full range speakers that would work in my near field application and still give me better bass response and open midrange than I am currently getting with the volume I'm working with. What would be a good full range speaker in general that if needed, I could add a sub to that would fill my room?
Rleff, I looked at the Dunlavy speakers and they seem like they would do the job. After reading a bit about them, I may not be far enough back at 10' for them to work there best. Thank You to everyone so far for your input.

Greg