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Starting from scratch in a large room

I am hoping to set up my first hi-fi system, but I have some room/equipment constraints and would appreciate some advice.

I am looking at an all-in-one amp and passive speakers. Right now, I am leaning toward a Naim Uniti Nova and KEF R3 speakers. I am a total novice and open to suggestions on both the amp and speakers, however, I do think an all-in-one like the Nova is the right direction for simplicity and space considerations. Other speakers I have considered are the Focal Aria 906 and BW 706 S2. I listen mostly to modern/classic rock, mixed with a little bit of everything, exclusively through streaming (preferably AirPlay).

The challenge is that I have a very large room, but I can’t use floor speakers or standmounts--the speakers will likely have to be on the built-in bookshelves, on a shelf that is 24" deep (it's not really a shelf, more like a wooden countertop on top of a closed cabinet). The room is 33’ x 18’ with 11-foot ceilings. I’ll be listening from either 13 feet or 25 feet. There are rugs covering most of the wood floors, heavy drapes on one of the long walls, and large canvas paintings hung on drywall on the other long wall. I understand I have some pretty major room limitations, but I'd like to have something that sounds as good as possible for around $10-15K. I've read somewhere around here that having two subs might help compensate for the smaller speakers. This is our living room/kitchen area, so I am limited in how many, if any, "treatments" I can make to improve the listening conditions. Would some kind of base between the speaker and countertop make a difference? Thanks very much.

deertrail7
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,519 posts
 

@deertrail7 

The rule of thumb for starting your speaker setup is using an isosceles triangle. So if you’re listening position is 13 feet from your speakers, your speakers should be 13 feet apart to start with and if you’re listening position is 25 feet from your speakers, the speakers should be 25 feet apart to start with.  Also, most rear ported speakers need to be away from the front wall at least a couple of feet and a few feet from the side walls.

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,700 posts
 

Everyone here didn't get the system they now have by going on a forum and asking the participants what to buy. They started with a beginner system, and started the process of learning and upgrading. You have to put in the hard work yourself, or pay an audio consultant to put together a system for you, based on the requirements you give him. Lots of major cities have such hi-fi dealers, look for them.

jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
574 posts
 

deertrailer,

Your 1st system? May I ask your age?

Does music move you?

 

Curious

grislybutter
2,802 posts
 

definitely start with low end speakers, if you are streaming via airplay, you will want a room filling sound, from e.g. JBL, PSB or Triangle speakers?

given your space you may not want cables, so go wireless?

this thread has back to the wall speaker suggestions

.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,303 posts
 

Certainly the 24" deep shelf is your best option for larger (deeper) speakers than in bookshelves. Not too deep, some toe-in will be needed.

What height is that shelf? Generally you want your tweeters at seated ear height.

A bit further back than an iso triangle works better for many, so: a few feet from side walls, 18 ft wide room, speakers perhaps 12’ apart, 15’ even18’ back should allow decent l/c/r imaging. against rear wall, probably no real depth imaging.

You could start with your all in one amp, and then some smaller inexpensive speakers intended for a second system later. ’Learn’ the room, mess with locations, heights, toe-ins. After gained knowledge (researching ’real’ speakers all the time), then more informed choices can be tried.

Nothing wrong with a moderately priced set of speakers and better speakers a few years later either. We all have ’moved up’ over the years.

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