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Accurate speakers for a verity of genres?

Hello guys – I’m looking for L/R speakers to fill a 15x15 room – the budget is <4K (new/used). I’m not much of a PC user and was recommended by a good friend of mine to post here for advice.

I don’t have subs yet, so wanted something that could extend into the mid 30’s if needed. I will get subs next year so it’s not a big deal. My background is in music (have a degree from NYU) and come from a family or producers. Being that the speakers will be in my living room, I want something nice looking, and also capable of home theater usage and powered by a receiver.

I’m pretty young (under 26) and my musical tastes are leaning towards the more compressed side. Pop and some rock if I’m feeling casual, house or funk if I’m reminiscing and “real” hip-hop if I’m looking for stories or lyrical material. All mood dependent. I’m ‘classically trained’ and very critical in many genres’ being exposed to them my entire life though. Unfortunately, I do not listen classical music in my home although I do respect it. My instruments of choice are typically percussion based rather than string based and I really like both hard hitting bass and rolling basslines - but clean bass. Never boomy despite the musical choices.

Some examples of the types of music I listen to

Common – The People http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7B2VgRShew
The Roots – Boom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyLEgfp4b-k
Nicolay and Kay – As the world turns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q-apEQa8Vg
Geoffrey Oryema – Piri Wango Iya http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL4F21FAD18930ECDC&feature=player_detailpage&v=HIoY_7qCOHk#t=68s
Afefe Iku – Mirror Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja1LS1AkN-Y&feature=related
Sigur Rios- Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RpKOawpMtsk#t=309s
Nosaj Thing – Aquarium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPfDjZAct-0
LP – Iridescent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLYiIBCN9ec&ob=av2n
James Blunt - I’ll take everything http://www.youube.com/watch?v=LX9sn5aAp_8
Sublime – Santeria http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEYN5w4T_aM&ob=av2n
Metallica – Unforgiven ½ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoTcb6vtGEo
Alicia Myers – I want to thank you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9wGnnwBc9M
Jackson 5 – Hum Along and Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xRcmIDj2cc
Level 42 – Starchild http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOpYmMyo1FM

Strange eh? I enjoy an accurate sound, that isn’t harsh in the upper band. Perhaps I have sensitive ears nowadays. I know to appreciate flat req response, and smooth off-axis response, great crossovers, etc. Now the question is – Where do I begin looking? Thanks for your time!!!!
bthought
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Re: integrating Maggies/subs

Per Phasecorrect, this is a notoriously tricky task. I agree that trying to set this up by ear may end up a really frustrating exercise.

However, the SMS-1 provides a video readout from a mic that you set at the listening spot. There are a lot of controls (level, phase, x-over frequency, etc) to adjust, so it's time consuming. Lots of trial and error. However, once you get a flat line thru the x-over frequency that you have selected, you're in great shape. You may (or may not) wish to tweak further by ear, but you will be in very good shape, either way. This will take some time and effort, but that visual aid was IME really, really helpful.

As I indicated above, there's no magic to the MMG, just a smokin' good value. I have also used Ohms and Carvers (and several others too expensive to be relevant here) in the same set-up with the Rythmiks and the SMS-1. In every case, the manual set-up with video readout (eventually!) got me to GREAT results.

Good Luck,

Marty
bthought OP
15 posts
 
I like the idea of the sub tuning aspect. I don't have much space upfront.. Will look at other bookshelves now.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
A few points to clarify:

I mentioned the Carver CRM a few times in my posts. They're actually Sunfire (Bob Carver's second company) CRMs. I didn't see any available here, but these:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/sunfire-crs-3-cinema-ribbon-trio-speakers

look like they might be the big brother to mine.

If you find any monitor appealing and affordable, it will probably end up working well with the Velo SMS and either the SVS or Rythmik subs. As mentioned above, the SVS, Rythmik, and Velo products are all sold on-line with return rights, so the buyer can check it out and see if they can get the desired result.

Marty

PS You'll also have to choose a high-cut slope to determine how sharply the top of the woofer output rolls off. That's one more parameter on the Velo. You also choose a center point and "width" of 6 bands of parametric EQ. It will take work to get that "flat line", but it can be done and IME it's worth the effort.

BTW, a "flat line" actually means "gently wavy" line.
bjesien
1,260 posts
 
Wow this thread is all over the place. I would second Verity Audio. There is a pair of monitors listed that might would be nice. I agree with the finn as well.

At 4k you need a sub and you need to play your music at appropriate volumes. You have a good bit of material below the mid 30's. Probably 20%.

A pair of speakers that play all this cost much more. Think beyond a Wilson Sophia 3 or Magico V2. You need to get creative.
dayglow
1,770 posts
 
An overlooked speaker company is Focus Audio. I own the FS 8 model. I was quite surprised at the impact and quality of bass provided from such a modest sized speaker 38x7.5x10. The 2 way floorstanding FS 7se with a 7 inch woofer might be the best fit for your room(15x15)and needs. I have no reason to doubt the claimed bass(35hz)output of the FS7se.
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