Thoughts on Speakers for a Small Audio/Video Room

@glennewdick Yes, no idea why the pics are distorted - I tried multiple times and sometimes one pic would be okay and the second distorted and sometimes both.  In the end, I hoped it was an artifact of the posting editor and it would look normal when actually posted, but nope!

I did trying plugging the rear port with some rollers up socks and added one big acoustic panel seen in the front of the room to each back corner.  I think blocking the port is definitely needed if I stick with the Aerials.  I also purchased right sized 12” wide acoustic panels that would fit more properly in the rear corners - those will arrive today.

I’ve heard great things about Audio Note.  Will see what shows up on the local used market.

@soix I will definitely try your suggestions, thank you.  At what point is a listening setup near-field?  I thought the ideal was close to an equilateral triangle.  If I end up say 7ft from each speaker at the LP, I guess that’s still not near field.

@yogiboy I’ll keep an eye out.  My 7B’s are over 20yrs old, so no idea if the sonic character of the newer Aerial models matches what I have now, but it’s a good thought to guide me.

Thanks for all the comments so far!

Ideally, I’d go with smaller monitors and a separate sub to better be able to adjust bass levels in the small room. Applying DSp/room correction as needed should also be considered.

I use KEF ls50 meta + sub in similar tight quarters. THese are as good as it gets for the size and for modest cost. YOur amp should drive them fine. I use Roon DSp with these and others in other rooms, but I have found very little if any correction needed with the ls50 setup.

Listening nearfield is another option to consider when the room just cannot cut it for whatever reason.

DSP/room correction should work pretty well with the speakers you already have, though I think smaller speakers+ sub(s) are more ideally suited for the room due to increased flexibility adjusting the bass as needed.

Good luck!

Definitely hard to get a sense of space when everything is squishy.

Perhaps try setting only the picture width when you upload it or just make it smaller. Has the look of software trying to cram the picture into the space.

I will find a way to post unsquished pics.

The complications with a sub:

a) C35 preamp doesn’t have a sub out.  So I’d need to find some sort of line level combine two channels into one device and let the sub high pass filter out what it doesn’t need

b) A sub in the rear of the room behind the listening chair is the most “ideal” place space-wise for a sub.  In fact, I have a large SVS sub already there for Atmos duty.  I could stack a new smaller sub for music on top, but hard to place it elsewhere unless front of room is possible, but front cabinets span entire front wall, so it would have to likely be front right side as there are no record racks there.

I could try and double duty the SVS for music, but it’s more of a HT sub than music sub

Absolutely you'd love Fritz.  Does free trials.  Get something wiht a split paper woofer and ring radiator.  DOn't know the model names.