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Speaker recommendation

Hi everyone,

I need your advice in selecting new/used speakers to match my Peachtree Nova 125 + OPPO BD-103 + tablet/JRiver MC20.

The setup is in our living room, which is HUGE (L32 x W20 x H12 feet), opening into a large dining room on one side (L23 x W16 x H12 feet), and again, into a fairly large den on the other side (L20 x W16 x H12 feet)!!!

Since I reside in the remote island country of Madagascar, size is also an issue... as shipping very large/heavy speakers to Madagascar costs and arm and three legs.

I'm wondering if a combination of top notch standmount speakers with subwoofers would be acceptable... I already have subs (SVS SB12-NSD).

My listening habits range from jazz, pop/rock, classical, and world music.

I have a relatively modest CD/Vinyl collection ( couple of hundred in total) and thousands of songs/albums downloaded at various resolutions, and varying qualities...

I like my music fairly loud, but as I get older, tend to appreciate more and more, high quality sound.

Listening to high quality FLAC files from HDTracks through JRiver MC20 has proven to be a breakthrough for me, as I discover "better sound".

Voilà! To make a long story short, I want to splurge in a pair of speakers that will match my eclectic musical tastes, last at least ten years, offer superior sound quality, and hopefully, come in a small enough package so that I don't have to spend too much $$ in shipping/import taxes.

By the way, my budget is $2000-$3000, (closer to $2000 being preferred...) which I figure, constitutes a minimum to really hope for a pair that will match my needs and last forever...

Oops, I almost forgot, I now use a combination of Magnepan MMGs + a pair of SVS SB-12NSD subs.

They are not loud enough for my taste (I have to turn the knob on the PTA Nova125 to 2 O'clock to get to a listening level I like), and the treble seems somewhat muffled... I need more "bang" if you catch my drift.

Granted, this setup is fairly new, I still have to tinker in order to get the best out of it... But I think I made a mistake in choosing the MMGs... I probably should have gone towards the Revel F12 - Monitor Audio RX6...

I am very curious about the Tekton Designs Pendragons... What do you think?

I know, I know... you're probably thinking: "didn't he write that he preferred a standmount + sub setup?"... I do, becaus it will cost me less in shipping + taxes, AND I already jave a pair of great sounding SVS subs... However, I can't help thinking that integrating subs properly in a stereo setup may be beyond my capacities... unless you can reassure me that I can easily mlearn how to!

In any case, thanks for your precious input, I will of course look for deals here at Agon!!

Cheers! jlr261
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zd542
5,339 posts
 
I can't recommend a speaker because we may like different things, and it would just be random guessing. But I may have a different solution for you. Given the size of the room and your equipment and budget, what you are looking to do is probably going to be very difficult. I'm not saying it can't be done or to not try, just that it won't be easy. It may be possible, and a lot cheaper, to try and do something with the room instead. If you were to put together some lightweight panels made out of fibreglass, that you could put them behind your listening chair in an attempt to make the room smaller. I'm assuming that building a real wall would not be something you can live with. At least with some lightweight panels, they would be easy to move around and wouldn't be permanent.
tbromgard
814 posts
 
Cant go wrong with Tekton Designs Pendragons or Enzos
tjassoc
258 posts
 
Try a pair of used Aerial 5B speakers or Von Gaylord Audio VG-8 MK II Speakers.

Both of these speakers can play loud, sound great, go relatively low and are easier to mate with sub-woofers. They also should be cost effective to ship.

In addition, the Von Gaylord are very efficient and easy to drive. The Aerials sound good with nominal power - though they do sound their best with better electronics.

Kindest regards, TJF.
robsker
132 posts
 
OK. You might not take this serious but here is what I have done. I run two channel with four speakers --- I have a my preamp run my main speakers through an amp and then feed signal to an integrated amp that feeds my back speakers. By having 4 speakers (two in front and 2 in back) you fill the room with music and, if done right, the imaging is much better than with just two speakers (as is palpable presence, richness and fullness). Your "it is not loud enough problem" will go away FAR better in such a room with this setup --- FAR better than will be the case with ANY two speakers you choose. Think about it. That said... your budget is really small.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,299 posts
 
I would think that a pair of mmgs + pair of 12" powered subs would go as loud and clear as needed if teh crossover is done in a manner that offloads most of teh bass below 50-60 hz or so to the subs.

Do you know if that is how you have yours setup? Either the Peachtree or subs would have provide the crossover needed otherwise you would have to use an external one.

If you like the Maggie sound but just need more volume and impact I would check that first in any case. Switching to higher efficiency main speakers (Maggies are NOT efficient at all) might help but still not be the final solution. In msot any any case, in a large room, with a 3K max budget , letting the subs carry the bass load will put you in teh best place possible. The same crossover solution would work with any mains but the settings to blend in well will be different with different main speakers.
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