Tiny Room (6' x 9') speaker advice


Dear fellow Audiogon members

I have been an avid Audiogon reader over the past 10 years and have learned a lot from the community and have come to trust the advice I read on here over most other platforms.

Did a lot of listening during lockdown and I decided that I really like vintage audio.  I recently purchased a vintage HH Scott, Type 200 tube amp with separate Tuner, which are currently being reconditioned. 

In addition, I have a Thorens TD-145, which has an upgraded 8" Jelco arm and Ortofon 2M blue cart (plan to upgrade tot he bronze in the very near future).

For speakers I have the KEF LS50s that are currently connected to a Music Hall 15.3 50W amp (which is being replaced with the HH Scott). 

I want to replace the KEFs with speakers that at least look vintage, i.e. does not need to be vintage just want a wooden box like the Klipsch Heresy IV, Harbeth 30.1, etc. that have a large deep sound stage/excellent imaging.

I have heard and really like the Klipsch Heresy IV and the Harbeth 30.1. The issue as per the title, is that my listening room is tiny. I actually had my system in several different locations in my home but being non-dedicated spaces it did not get nearly the use that it has in this small room.

I have searched the web, including all previous audigon posts, for the "best speakers" for small rooms and the definition of a small room is very subjective (i.e., I have read several posts where it was defined as 15' x 15' or smaller). The best I could come up with is speakers for near field listening, most of which are low sensitivity and not ideal for a 12W tube amp (that said the KEFs can easily reach levels that are well beyond comfortable using the Scott before I sent it to be reconditioned).

Right now my KEFs are approximately 4 ft apart, about a foot off the wall, and my head when sitting is about 6 feet away. They are current on isoacoustic stands on solid walnut shelfs that are bolted to the wall at ear level.

Now comes the question.

What speakers should I try to audition that fit the following criteria?

1. Wood vintage look.

2. Small enough for the room. Again I would go for the Heresy IV, which would fit, but I am sure are way to big for the space.

3. Open airy soundstage. I have a sound in my noodle that I keep searching for, which I can only describe as a Fender Strat played on a 65 Princeton Reverb. Again the Klipsch and Harbeth mentioned above came as close to what I imagine I am looking for as possible.

4. Finally, I would like to keep the price under $3K.

Thanks for your suggestions

Budd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

munneuro

A 5 litre box  LS 3/5A-type speaker is the obvious choice. To widen the field, I suggest a listen to the Sonus Faber Lumina II.

That said, if one is talking about literally reproducing the sound of a Strat through a Blackface Princeton, then your existing LS50s will do than better than the BBC type designs. A pair of Yamaha NS10s will do it too but they will be horrible for home based listening.

Audiotroy,

 

agreed small ATC would be a good fit for that small space. 
 

another option is look flr some higher end pro models made specifically for close near field listening. Not sure you could find something that fits the vintage requirement though? 

Are you a tool using man?  The Morel Ardon kit from Parts Express is around $400.00 for the pair and are finished however you choose. Get walnut veneer for the retro look. They will have more dynamics than LS3/5as. Morel tweeters are smooth but detailed. 

ProAc 1SC, Harbeth P3ESR, Spendors A1, or something like an F-1 Fyne with the tweeter mounted within the driver would work well in near field.

Thanks everyone, this is far beyond what I could have hoped for, I really appreciate all of the advice!

I will create a short list based on everyone suggestions and circle back with some photos once I have my reconditioned Scott back from the shop and a new pair speakers.