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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
kota1
2,706 posts
 

A pair of Paradigm PW600 active speakers have everything you need to get started. They are powered speakers so you don’t need an amp. They have an app so you can stream from many services as soon as you set them up. You can add a CD player or a turntable using the RCA inputs on the back. You can connect a sub if you ant. They have ARC room correction to help them perform better and adapt to your room. PLUS they are 50% off right now, (check the review):

https://www.soundstagexperience.com/index.php/equipment-menu/833-paradigm-pwsoundbar-pw600-loudspeakers-monitor-sub8-subwoofer

 Configured as a stereo pair, the PW 600s sounded outstanding, easily rivaling separate speakers and electronics costing many times their $1198/pair price. 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,319 posts
 

IF buying an amp first, consider ’extra’ power now IN CASE you might want to try some inefficient speakers (low sensitivity, below 90 db/1w/1m).

Real bookcase speakers are no more than 12" deep, have no ports, and can be used horizontally.

I have re-discovered and reconditioned Vintage AR-2ax, 3 way ’real’ bookshelf speakers, 11-1/2" deep 13 high, 24 wide, 10" woofer, with level controls to adjust output of the mid and tweeter relative to the woofer ’in the space’ to get the best frequency balance in any given space.

Originally purchased for nostalgia reason, Intended for garage/shop, sound soooo good I kept them in my office and bought a 2nd pair for the garage/shop.

I have tools, experience, skills to rehab them successfully, not everyone can do that.

compact with 10" is unusual, and level controls few and far between these days. Perhaps make sure your all in one has balance and tone controls.

Others: Modern speakers that offer similar performance and features???

elliottbnewcombjr
5,319 posts
 

simple 'speakers against the wall' search

https://www.google.com/search?q=speakers+intended+for+against+the+wall&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1025US1025&oq=speakers+intended+for+against+the+wall&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160j33i299l2.12567j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Your only choice for good sound is a divorce and I don't recommend it in most situations.

maxwave's avatar
maxwave
978 posts
 

Idem as @kota1 but more expensive , Dynaudio Focus 10 .

Active speakers with Dirac Live room correction.


Add a sub 

Add some room acoustic treatment with the money left.

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