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Modest Speakers for Large Room

I'm dipping my toe into Hi-Fi and have a pretty large listening room. Approximate dimensions are 14'x35' with peaked ceiling at 9' to 12'6" (9' on the long sides). Even these dimensions are a bit misleading as this room is also open to my dining area at one end (opposite my intended speaker location)which adds another 14'x14' or so. I realize there is a lot of acoustic tuning to be done in this room, which I'm working on, but It's time to start looking at speakers. I'd like the be in the $1500 range for my first set. Also, there is only one hi-fi shop in/around my home so I'll likely be traveling to ATL to audition some more speakers, but I'm wondering if you kind folks could point me in the right direction so to speak. Help lead the blind and you'll surely be rewarded with gobs of good Karma!
chunkster
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
For current offerings, you'd be hard pressed to beat the Monitor Audio Silver RX8, at $1750 full list. It's amazing how large and full-sounding these modestly-sized speakers sound. At the same time they bring a modern linearity and detailed resolution to the table with a natural-sounding tonal balance. TAS Review here.

If you go used, look for a pair of Mirage M1si or M3si bipolar speakers. You should be able to get these for at or well under your budget. With clean fast amplification they are still enjoyble and even competitive. They can really fill a space and provide the low frequency energy to energize a fairly large space.

You may need to augment the Monitor Audios with subwoofers, but I can'tsay for sure you try them on their own first.
ddd1
261 posts
 
Klipsch Forte, Chorus or Cornwall. Great user community, access to spare parts and 3rd party upgrades (ie. Crites) and easy to sell if they don't work out.

They will not have any trouble filling your large area with sound even with a lesser amp than yours.
manitunc
795 posts
 
At your budget, the PSB Image series would work well. I own a number of PSBs, from Image 4t through Synchrony One. My Image t65 uses 3-6.5" woofers, so it can move some air without strain. That is the biggest problem with large rooms and smaller speakers, you just cant load the room.
So look for something with a least a single 10" woofer or multiple 6 to 8".
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
You should audition the Vandersteen 2CE Signature II speakers. Just a bit over your budget but a little dealin may get them there. If I had a room and, more importantly, a wife that would accommodate them I'd give them a try.
chunkster OP
4 posts
 
Thank you guys for all the responses. I've got a list going with all the speakers I'd like to here. I've got an old prejudice against Klipsch. My best friends dad had a set of very expensive Klipsch speakers in the 90's that to my ear never sounded worth a crap. Of course I didn't know or care about room acoustics at that time and neither did he. I definitely want to here a pair of Vandersteen's. Used 2ce are within my price range and they seem to be a well regarded classic. I'm having a little trouble finding reasonable distance dealers for some of the other brands. I'd like to here some Revel's but can't seem to find any reasonably close dealers. Thanks again for all the info, keep it coming!
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