Am I Better Off With Limited Low Frequency Speaker In A Small Room?


In my 12'x12'x11' room, am I better off with limited low frequency speakers, such as those which only extend down to 40-50hz, or will the mere introduction of a speaker that extends down to 35hz be potential for trouble (The extent of my knowledge is that lower frequencies need larger spaces to truly breathe, and the wavelength goes up exponentially). My listening space is my living room, and there's not a lot of space for room treament. I'm auditioning a single GIK Soffit bass trap. I'm not sure how much it will help. 

analogj

If your cubical room is a problem you may want to try a diagonal setup in your listening room.

I completely agree and I believe the OP is already doing this.  At a show in NYC Jeff Joseph was showing hiswonderful Pulsars in a very small room and had them set up like this to great effect and definitely made the most of it. 
 

 

Yes, I do listen diagonally (or kitty-corner as I call it).

 

I'm auditioning Harbeth C7 XD over this weekend. Interesting speaker. It sounds wide open. Bass is fairly deep and tight, no bloat. Images are large. The speaker is easy to listen to. With smale scale music, it's quite good. These speakers seem to fit into my room quite well. 

 

Downside is that the speaker can sound bright but at the same time, not all that airy in the soundstage. And tonally, it sounds a bit gray. Nothing is so harmonically fleshed out that I believe it's real. It also. never feels like it really lets loose. 

 

Downside is that the speaker can sound bright but at the same time, not all that airy in the soundstage. And tonally, it sounds a bit gray. Nothing is so harmonically fleshed out that I believe it’s real.

This largely seems odd (except the airy part) and begs several questions:

- What’s the rest of the equipment in your system?

- What sound characteristics are most important to you?

- What improvements are you looking for over your current speakers?

- Where are you located and what speakers do you have access to?

- Can you purchase from the US?

You really haven’t given much to go on here, and the more info you provide the more effective and productive this post will be.

I heard those Harbeth's and found them too relaxed sounding and no snap to the sound. Just not engaging and a bit dry sounding. Agree did not sound real and always like a speaker was playing. 

Listened to the new model stand mounted Vienna Acoustic “Hayden” speakers last week in a dealers large room.  I was surprised at their performance as far as musicality and the range they projected.   I heard a previous Hayden model a few years ago and these are a definite step forward in sound quality. Worth an audition for a room your size.