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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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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.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"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.
Robsker (Threads | Answers | This Thread)"

I know your way is the best way, of course, but have you considered that when you use 4 speakers like that, you destroy the format? Maybe the OP doesn't want that, even if your way is best.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
They are not loud enough for my taste
The MMG's sensitivity is 86db with 2.83v, and since it is 4 ohm, that is 2 watts. So with 1 watt, it would be 83db. You should be looking at speakers with a much higher sensitivity for this large room. Then you will not have to increase the volume knob on the amp as much. The Aerial 5B that is recommended is the same as the MMG, and would be no different with volume, but likely a different sound character.
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.

Room treatment is advisable to improve sound quality, however will do little to nothing for the volume issue in this large room.

You definitely need to be looking for speakers that have a sensitivity rating of at least 90db, and higher would would be even better.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Room treatment is advisable to improve sound quality, however will do little to nothing for the volume issue in this large room."

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My idea was to but some panels together that are large enough to be a temp/movable wall. They wouldn't have to be a complete and perfect fit, but if you were to get 70 or 80% of a full size wall, it would probably go a long way in making the room "smaller" for the audio system.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
it would probably go a long way in making the room "smaller" for the audio system.
Yes, smaller, visually, but how are fiberglass panels, that absorb sound waves, going to solve the volume problem?
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