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Need Ambient Speakers to Hang in Corners. Really

Hello All,

I've finally got my listening room almost set up, and that means that the living room is becoming an actual living room, rather that a "stand-in" alternative listening room. I need all of the real estate for living, and music listening will be more "ambient" there. So, I want to get a decent integrated amp and a pair of speakers I can hang from the ceiling. I'm looking for some suggestions.

The room is 14' wide and 18' long, and the ceiling slopes down from 14' to 8'. The speakers would go on the 14' side, but could be hung at any level and at any angle. I have a good subwoofer to go with them (ACI Titan). As for integrateds, I was thinking of maybe a Panache or a Unico Unison SE, but would be open to others. I'm attracted to the SE because it has a remote and it supposedly drives Quad 988's nicely (IF you believe Sam Tellig?!!!!!). I have Quads in my main room, so the SE could be a backup. Anyhow, I'm not looking for hifi nirvana here, that is in the main listening room. I AM looking for nice for ambient listening - e.g. for talking with friends, cooking in the adjacent kitchen (open connection), etc. All musical tastes apply.

So, what speakers would you recommend for this "hanging" application. Anyone heard the Norh or the Gallo Duos? Thanks!
peter_s
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Hey Peter- I do have a pair of the Omni-Mount brackets, the centenial nerd mentions, that you can check out if you haven't seen them. They're the ones I'm using in the kitchen. Meant for a 20-lb max and do require drilling into the back of whatever you choose for speakers if they are not pre-tapped as he mentioned. Good mounts - solid.

Great to hear your gear this weekend! Very nice job on the room! I'm looking forward to another session soon! I'll bring some music next time and we'll photograph the room for your system page!

Marco
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Peter,
If you can get a chance to listen to an Audio Aero Prima Hybrid amp, I highly recommend it. You can occasionally find the MKI (6922 tube) version here for around $650, and the MKII (remote & hard-soldered 6021W tube) goes for maybe $1350. Far more musical than the Unico, IMO. I know, it's only for ambient music, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix. You can also find them via www.canuckaudiomart.com
And no, I don't believe Sam Tellig, not after he called the Pathos Classic One one of the best amps anywhere, at any price. We heard it side by side with the Prima, and again, the Prima was far more musical, with much better separation and definition of instruments, and tighter bass.
Hope I haven't thrown a wrench in the works.
Best of luck to you,
Howard
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I'm pretty sure it was Art Dudley who spent his wad over the Pathos Classic One....perhaps that's what made his sample sound so great? He does tend to gush a bit much, but I must confess, I do enjoy his writing very much.

Marco
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Stereophile Recommended Class A Component October 2004 - Sam Tellig said "the Pathos Acoustics Classic One is one of the finest-sounding amp I have ever heard, of any era, from anywhere - including amps costing $20,000 and more.... I know of nothing on the market that surpasses the Classic One where it counts; in harmonic accuracy, resolution, and illumination..."

And I heartily disagree with Sam.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Ah, well then Sam and Art have started a circle jerk as I'm pretty sure it was Art who initially reviewed it for Stereophile. He even said something quite similar. So with an opinion like that, I wonder if the Pathos is now in Sam's reference system? If I felt that way about a component, and it were that affordable, it sure would be in mine!

Marco
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