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speakers for a large room

Although the room is 45' x 15' , it is separated into an eating area, a sitting area, and a listening area(15'x15'). However, the ceiling is slanted and high and the separations between the areas is achieved with partitions only. The listening area is well damped with curtains and thick carpet.

Currently I moved a pair of magnepan 3.7i driven by a pair of sanders magtech mono block amplifiers into this room. These amps are rated to 2000w into 4 ohms and I have to be careful not to blow the fuses on the maggies . Preamp is a Schitt Freya +. The sound is superb. Until I set this system up, I really didn't know what people were talking about when they said they could 'see the instruments'. Positioning the maggies 5' away from the back wall is no problem but they cannot fill the room. I added a pair of rhythmic subs and the lower end is better. The imaging does require proper positioning and seating. You cannot really have a good listening experience unless you are in the sweet spot. That limits the experience to two people sitting really close. In addition, they are big and now with the subs, I am getting dirty looks from the boss of the house.

So I am looking for a pair floor standing speakers that can stand up to this room but that might be less imposing. Budget <12k. The walls have heavy curtains, thick rug on the floor so echo is well controlled. The weird asymmetric shape of the room also prevents any boominess. I listened to the B&W 802D but found them harsh (I don't remember the amp that was driving them). I remember a pair of salon2 and they had quite a large sweet spot along with beautiful clarity. Used the salon2 are around 11k. I have looked at (but not listened to) the Golden Ear Triton reference as well as the Triangle Magellan reference and the Gershan avant garde. Revel f228be are also on my list. I would like to keep my amps and preamp. 

I mostly listen to vocals, jazz standards, and folk acoustic although I also put on some ambient when I am reading, cooking, etc. I am getting on in years and have noticed fall off in my ability to perceive the upper frequencies but still enjoy listening. No video/movies.

Which speakers would work well with my amps and this big room? I am looking for a bigger sweet spot (soundstage?) , more presence to fill the room a little better without losing the clarity, the realism and the quick response (articulate?) of the maggies.


topjetboy
mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
My standard advice on speakers is sort out what "types" of speakers you prefer (e.g. boxed, open baffle, horns, stats ribbon planars) and then choose manufacturers.  As you now own panels, going to cones & domes may be problematic. 

I have Soundlab Majestic 845's in a 2-channel room down and Martin Logan Theos in a H/T room on the main floor.  Since one can see through a Martin Logan panel, they are one of the better panels aesthetically. 

Soundlab has recently released a "Bass Focus" technology to their panels, providing an experience much more similar to their previously full-sized speakers.  So, their smaller panels may be an option.  But even the Majestic 545's aren't petite at 56"x24".  But as the picture here http://www.soundlabspeakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Majestic-545-ETM-June-2017.pdf, depicts, they're dwarf-sized compared to their larger counterparts.  Plus, as a line source, they are less effected by walls or a lack thereof.  Besides once heard, the coherence of a full-range stat, and electrostatic bass, are very enticing.    

The bottom line is that the Maggie panel-type sound will be hard to beat.  Happy hunting....

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
The Martin Logan Expression ESL 13A are very Impressive and are on sale in your price range. These speakers are a tour DE FORCE in your living room. Be assured you will not regret making the switch. However, If you think your going to replace the large presentation by switching to smaller (wife friendly speakers) DONT do it! I regret getting rid of my Mirage M3’s back in the day. Get speakers of equal size or close to it.

www.martinlogan.com/en/product/expression-esl-13a


Matt
johnto
1,023 posts
 
If you like the Maggie sound why not move up the line. I'm wondering too why your Maggie's would blow fuses I'm running mine with a Pass 250.8, 500 watts into 4 ohms and never a problem, maybe the amp needs to be changed.
topjetboy OP
10 posts
 
@johnto I spoke with Sanders and he said I was overpowering them. 

With regards to active speakers like D&D or the JBL M2, I really can't spend for a new active eq amplified setup. In retrospect, I should have considered a fully active system like Linn.

For now, I am leaning towards a used pair of revels. 
ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,883 posts
 
topjetboy buy speakers that are 2% efficency or more
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