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Help! need informed opinion

I am looking for some help in speaker considerations.
My room is 14’ wide 16’ long.
There will be a 12’ vaulted ceiling.

speaker placement can be 12” to 36” from rear wall.
listening position about four to six feet from speakers (nearfield).

I am looking for small bookshelf (on stands) speaker set up.

I prefer rather neutral sound..I play everything from classical to jazz, to Rock.
I do not care for exagerrated highs or lows, need tight well controlled bass and nicely balanced midrange.

i have narrowed things to a few somewhat conventional speakers
Aerial 5t, Dynaudio special 40, Revel M126be

there’s one intriguing option I am considering.
Audience 1+1 v3 (with a subwoofer..REL ?)

any thoughts would really help!

thanks in advance
 




128x128johnlnyc
freediver
1,214 posts
 
It helps if you state a budget,electronics using,type of room(hard/overdamped or balanced),any acoustic treatments...
 Without knowing these I can say that I LOVE the Special 40 driven by Class A SS or KT88 tubes..I also happen to own Audience 1+1 v3 in a desktop nearfield set up(no sub) & find them highly resolving & beautifully voiced not including ANY bass to speak of.The bi-pole arrangement takes a bit more set up & really needs acoustic treatments at first reflection points & corners behind speakers..You should ABSOLUTELY add Harbeth P3ESR-XD(w/sub),M30.2/30.2XD to your list but if you want bass deeper than about 45hz.you'll want a sub(I have 30.1's & don't miss anything so no sub mucking up the amazing midrange)...
 
 
ghdprentice
7,038 posts
 
Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 1 is a good solid moderate cost speaker. Excellent rendition of all kinds of music, nice looking. Of course there are also better ones. 

What are your electronics? Also, do you want to be making a step up… then bring the rest of your system along?
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Genelec 8351b, they’re designed for your criteria. Close to wall, nearfield listening, neutral. Little better but more $$ Dutch and Dutch 8c. In nearfield you wouldn't need a sub with either.
motokokusanagi
189 posts
 
ATC SCM 11 (or 12 Pro variant); would think these would beat the Aerials and Dynaudios, but you should demo if possible or get something that can be returned.
johnlnyc's avatar
johnlnyc OP
59 posts
 
Some help.
Room is ‘14 by 16’ and unfortunately, one side wall and the rear wall lots of windows. Wall behind speakers is solid and one side wall also solid. Ceiling is high 12’
Listening position should be up to 10’ max. Speakers can go 12” to say, 3’ away from back wall and up to 11’ apart.
Budget for main speakers is around 4k. (if I decide on those Clair Audience’s —understand they released V4 version of the 1+1-a sub is a must. I may need one regardless so I figure a grand or a bit more.
The amplifier is a Krell KST 100 (135 watts and high current) I bought it new back around ‘92 and had it refurbished to spec by Krell two years ago. A great amp.
As noted I prefer a closer to neutral sounding speaker. Given the room, brightness which I dislike could be an issue. Also no bass exaggeration. I will go to a sub if needed. Accuracy very important.
Especially vocals and instrument timbres.
I picked a few contenders based on reviews and YT videos. Hard to go around auditioning these days. Help here important because of real world experience from aficionados. 
Still intrigued by my “wild card” Clair Audience plus a sub..I listen to a lot of rock…They are controversial but appear to offer a lot of characteristics i like.
The Dynaudios also sound interesting. The Revels another. I have been listening to the old M20’s for decades. (They are going into another room).

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