2. speakers
  3. 192677-88656

Thoughts on Speakers for a Small Audio/Video Room

Hoping to get some thoughts from the group here. 

I recently moved into a dedicated TV/audio room, but the room size is on the small side: 15.5ft x 11.5ft.  As pics will show, there's quite a bit in there, so empty volume is decreased further due to that.

I've been using Aerial Acoustics Model 7B speakers, which I've been very happy with in larger spaces, but they seem to be overwhelming the room and I'm getting fairly overwhelming bass. Vocals have sort of a chestiness/congested nature to them, and there are bass undertones to most songs.  If I play records loud, I need to activate my rumble filter, which I never used to have to do.  As a sidetone, I also have Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20's in my collection.

Preamp is a recapped Mcintosh C35 and amp is a recapped MC2255.  Phono pre is a VTL TP 2.5 II, TT is a Marantz TT-15S1 running a SAE1000LT MM cart.

I borrowed a friend's Sonus Faber Electa Amator II's and they sounded very good in my room - sweeter, more natural, no congestion, though I did give up bass slam/impact, which I kind of missed.

Here are pictures of the room:

Front:

Back:

I'm playing around now with plugging the rear ports of the Aerial, as well as putting some acoustic panels in the back corners of the room.  Both of those seem to have helped quite a bit.

As far as measurements, those Aerials are currently about 80" apart, 16" from speaker back to front of cabinet, 96" from each speaker to the listening position.

What's your opinion: With some room treatments/plugged ports, can the Aerials work well in a room of this size, or do I need to move toward smaller speakers?

If I go smaller, any thoughts on something like the Sonus Faber Concerto Domus (there's a pair local to me) or Sonetto III?  Those seem to be more modestly sized, don't go as low.  Would those be at least a lateral to the AA Model 7B's, or a step down in terms of overall speaker quality?  I only mention Sonus Faber models as I was impressed with my friend's speakers and generally do enjoy the smoother, more musical speakers and will give up some detail/pinpoint accuracy if needed to avoid brightness/listening fatigue.

Thanks all. . .

 

captouch
gkelly's avatar
gkelly
375 posts
 

703 Owens Corning rigid fiberglass panels come in 2’ x 4’ x 2” thick panels. 
using the supplies I mentioned before, Including mounting hardware was less than $500 Plus my time and labor. 
The only Thing I would’ve done different is I would’ve gotten two cases of Owens Corning fiberglass panels and made some of the panel panels 4 inches thick for better base absorption. Alas, that is another project for me in the future. 
Even if you were to consult a professional, he’s gonna have you start with some form of this set up. I looked up GIK acoustic panels and they start out at $120 each for a 2 x 4 x 2“ panel. Sure the first one you make isn’t gonna be as nice as theirs, but the learning curve is really low and by your third one you ain’t gonna be able to tell the difference between who made it. Just put your first couple ones kinda out of sight. The rest will impress your friends, people Have often commented to me how nice they look.👀 

if you’re lacking in the DIY gene, I would still use a local upholster and or cabinet maker would probably still come under GIK asking price, a lot of their cost comes in shipping. I could be wrong on this, but then I’m one of those let’s support the local economy. 

Good luck in your journey, but I can’t stress enough doing this simple step Is the path you need to follow!! 


 

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
375 posts
 

Just another quick thought ever go into a guitar center and see one of their recording rooms? Notice how it’s floor ceiling in absorption. That’s that small room factor coming into play

captouch OP
43 posts
 

@yogiboy Looking at the Harbeth specs, my concern is that the bass only goes down to 75Hz.  I’d definitely need a sub in that case, whereas a monitor that went down to 38-44Hz I may be able to go without.

@soix I’ll take a look at the Revivals.  I think the challenge with any recommendations that can’t be demoed is you just have to take your chances.

@everyone I am getting the message about importance of treating the room.  So whether I do it before pursuing a smaller speaker or after as the final finishing optimization, I hear that message loud and clear.

@ristretto Do you remember where in NorCal?  That might work out great if I can drive there and demo different models and drive a demo pair home.

The thing that, at least initially, attracts me to Fritz is that it would likely allow me to bring all this lower powered tube gear into rotation.  The fact that it uses the series crossover making it an easy load usable with low powered tube gear is something that’s tangibly different and differentiates it from other monitors that are similarly sized and priced.

I also like the idea that if I do end up spending ~$3K for a pair of Fritz speakers, I’d have the option to pick my veneer and can pick something fairly distinctive and unique.  It’s a pretty conventional looking box, so a distinctive veneer is a nice option to have.

ristretto
7 posts
 

@captouch I believe he is in Marin. You could ask him if you could demo your equipment at his place, or better yet borrow a pair and demo at your home.

soix
10,178 posts
 

I’ll take a look at the Revivals. I think the challenge with any recommendations that can’t be demoed is you just have to take your chances.

Agreed, but these speakers are quite popular right now so you’d probably have little downside risk buying used as if they don’t work out you could likely sell them for little/no loss. Given the superlative reviews and feedback from people who’ve heard them the odds would seem in favor that you’d keep them so seems like a worthwhile risk to take. I’d say the same thing for Fritz speakers BTW. Here’s another excellent pair of monitors worth researching as they also get consistently excellent reviews, and I believe the seller offers a return policy as well…

https://tmraudio.com/speakers/bookshelf-speakers-monitors/reference-3a-mm-de-capo-be-bookshelf-speakers-gray-pair/

More to discover