A better approach would be to put the speaker behind you so that the desk is not a big reflective surface. If you do not want to do that then some small monitors on the desktop (preferably with some DSP) would be choice #2 for me.
Take a look at my office Virtual System and see how I eliminated my desk as a reflective surface and also my computer (100% silent) connected to 6 monitors. The sound is excellent though I needed to treat the room OR use DSP via Convolution filters running on ROON (or JRiver). I do not use the DSP anymore with my current speakers, the Magnepan LRS+ ($1000).
I have not heard the following French speaker brand, but reviews are stating that it is a bit better than the Maggie. The cost is a lot more $8k - $50k.
The LRS+ is amazing on low volume, with a soundstage that is hard to match. I use the $1k speaker with a $16k amp that is very powerful. It is actually not overkill since the speaker needs a powerful amp. A $1000 used PeachTree GAN400 also worked well with this speaker, though not as good as my CODA #16 amp.
When I did this, my research pointed me to Totem Mites with a matching small subwoofer. They are simply beautiful real wood speakers with a wonderful punchy / natural sound. I love listening to them.While I have heard and respect the KEF I would not recommend for this application. I think you may get too much treble energy.
My friend Danny who knows more about audio that I ever will recently came over to listen to my other system. He listened to my office system too. He was blown away by the LRS+ and said why would you need anything else in a small room such as mine.
Given the space the LRS+ is a great choice. Listening to the speaker behind me has never been an issue. The room is so small and filled with music. Imaging, soundstage, details, are all as expected if facing the speaker.
The LRS+ is the best sounding speaker I have had in this room. Not saying it is the best speaker I have had in the room, but the best sounding when the room interactions are taken into account. I think the LRS+ is easier to place and that soundstage is huge and deep.
Here are the amps that I used with the LRS+ and were good to phenominal.
PeachTree GAN400 (400 watts Class D GAN, $1000 used) GOOD
Sanders MagTech (Magnepan + Tech, Class AB 500 | 9000 watts @ 8 |4) GREAT
CODA #16 (mostly Class A (100 watts). 150 | 300 | 600) Phenominal
I also use ROON. Mitch Barnett at Accurate Sound will make almost ANY speaker sound good in your space. So that can be a safety net for you. His solution is configured remotely (with measurements by you) and works great on ROON. I do not use this anymore, but it can make a bad audio situation great.
I use a Schitt Yggi+ Less Is More DAC at around $2400). I love this DAC and it replaced my Lumin X1. Though I neeed a streamer for the Yggi+. The Lumin X1 streamer is amazing. I also use fibre optic with the Ygg+ and previously with the Lumin X1 (easier with this one).
If you are interested in a MagTech amp. I would be interested in selling it since I plan on using my CODA #16 permanently with the LRS+ and I am almost sure to be getting the latest CODA SYSTEM 150 for my Livingroon system, where the Sanders now resides. I want Class A over AB for the NS5000 speaker.
BTW - prior speaker that are also very good in my office was the KEF LS50 Meta with the KC62 sub. Do not put a floorstander in a small room. It can work well but you can get great with a speaker with less volume. The LRS+ sounds much bigger.
I am from Toronto (yyz) but now live in Santa Barbara, CA. There is a great CODA dealer out of Winnipeg I forgot the guy’s name. Doug at Coda can give you the dealer info for Canada.
Your room is much better than mine for audio. Whatever, you put in there can be made to sound great. Even a floor stander would work in that space. If you are in Toronto, go to Kennedy HiFi and listen to the Yamaha NS3000 monitor. I have the NS5000 speaker in the Livingroom and it is much better than the LRS+. I love the LRS+ in the office but the NS5000 in the bigger space is something else. My friend Danny was raving about the NS5000. My intention was to get the Yamaha NS3000 monitor from Canada (not sold in USA) and use with the KEF KC62 sub. However, the LRS+ made that moot. Do not let the Yamaha name fool you, this is Magico, Vivid, et al level audio genius.
The Sanders amp was built by CODA long ago on Sanders specs. I like it more that the CODA #8 amp (splitting hairs). The #8 would work great with any speaker. The new CODA S5.5 I do not think would be ideal for the LRS+. Would be amazing with the NS3000.
(1) first and foremost, the ATC SCM 40’s and Monitor Audio Gold 300 5G are large floorstanders that will highly likely simply overwhelm the room ( and you ….) from your proposed quasi or full nearfield listening position.
As @ghdprenticehas pointed out….stick with suitable bookshelf / standmounts with an added subwoofer.
(2) None of your wishlist speaker options are inexpensive. What I believe @ghdprenticehas subtly inferred in his post includes a key second guidepost embodiment of the following: ergo:
- don’t fall for the common trap that Uber high-priced strata speakers with comparative budget strata upstream electronics will be that magic silver bullet to provide you with that “aha” or “Jesus” moment in your audio performance improvement and enjoyment satisfaction .
Rather, here’s the better philosophy that is clear.
- A comparably affordable speaker with decent / better amplification and source, makes a lot more sense than an expensive strata speaker paired with a comparatively budget strata performance / cheap amp and source.
@akg_ca - thanks for your advice. My room is roughly 300 sq ft. @yyzsantabarbara suggested putting the speakers at the back. With that would floorstanders be fine?
A floor stander like the Paradigm Personal 3F with a super warm amp. Something along those line. I may have misspoken when I said a floor stander could work great. I was assuming the clear listening space was 13 x 21. I now think that is your overall room size. Your fellow Canadian Mitch Barnett can make almost any floor stander work in your room. I speak from experience.
If you like classical music, then the LRS+ is what I would try first. It will have a bigger sound stage and depth than any bookshelf. The French brand I mentioned may have a better driver, but for a small space the LRS+ is amazing.
The KEF LS50 Meta + KEF KC62 sub were great but the soundstage is smaller than the LRS+. The Yamaha NS3000 will have the very best driver from anything I mentioned. Maybe the best in the world for a cone.
I use the KEF KC62 sub with a crossover setting at 50Hz for the LRS+. It is hard to beat this in a small space at any price.
***********************************************
Here is another option that will sound better than anything else in a small space (no room to deal with). I use this for late night listening while I work.
RAAL 1995 Immanis (I use the older phones, until I can afford the Immanis)
BTW - I have photos of my office in the link provided that show LRS+ | Thiel CS3.7 | KEF LS50 Meta.
@yyzsantabarbara@grislybutter - do you think Kef Reference 1 Meta will be better for my needs. I don't need to go high volume. I just want detailed pleasent sound
@yyzsantabarbaraI don't have an office system per se, I have one room and I do have 2 places to listen, one being my desk much like the above setup all the way across except my room is about 10'x20'. I do not like the sound when I am not facing the speakers or I am not in or near the sweet spot.
@ilikeclassicalI always thought of the KEFs as too bright, not warm, and I am fond of warm. I would say they are so detailed, they would work well for classical music. The brand itself is fantastic, a lot of bang for the buck in comparison with pretty much anything. But I am more drawn to less industrial design (Scandinavian or traditional/mid-century) which is totally personal.
I like classical music too when I’m working at my desk.
but positioning large speakers behind you as a choice to simply “ go big” , appears to be a force-fit option IMO that is anything BUT optimal. IMO it’s like putting a square peg in a round hole, with significant damage to the peg.
Classical music has never been presented live nor recorded when delivered from a soundstage that is 180 degrees BEHIND YOU that is out of whack with a live stage or orchestra pit performance otherwise in front of you . Without prejudice to the obvious perversion, the “live performance” reverb and reflections normally pleasantly and subtly behind you that fill out the experience are now in front of you ?? Think a bit weird, n’est pas? Think Wagner - RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES or The Planets, Op.32 (Holst, Gustav) in reverse .
Maybe pop music delivered from behind you might be okay as a comparatively mindless elevator music ditty …ok …. Fine .,,, carry on, I guess ….Just not classical or other fine 2-channel recordings.
TAKEAWAY….. a proper “ normal” 3D soundstage delivered from in front of you is the real deal , actually the only option IMO. ERGO…. Think nearfield listening standmounts options,
The KEF Reference 1 was a speaker I was considering. However, I upgraded my KEF LS50 to the KEF LS50 Meta and heard a big improvement. Contrary to what I read online about it being a minor improvement. I have really good gear and could hear the difference.
The KEF LS50 Meta and the KEF KC62 sub will have more bass than the Refence 1. The Ref 1 will have better concentric driver. Now what is more flexible when you have room issues. I think the LS50 Meta + KC62. The room is the most important piece in your situation. Only way to eliminate the room is headphones or call Mitch (DSP done professionally).
The Yamaha NS3000 monitor will be much better than the KEF Reference 1, Magico A1, Vivid S12, Focal top end monitor. Just have a listen to the NS3000 and use that as a baseline to see if you can get better. The LRS+ is still what I would take in my office over the easier to drive NS3000. My room is smaller than yours and I am at the edge of making it sound bad.
The 3-way Reference 1 will work in your space, but I think it leave a little less margin for error than the other 2-way montors I mentioned. Though in my space the LRS+ would be best for soundstage, depth, and even bass (shocking) since it does not overwhelm.
@akg_ca@ghdprentice - I think both of you are suggesting bookshelf. I currently have a pair of Jamo C803. If I want to upgrade my setup in the 10k range, what do you suggest?
For a room that size and for the music you mention, I would highly recommend looking into the Vivid Kaya 25. It has the speedy performance of a high end bookshelf with better bass extension through a bottom firing port. They are slim and easy to move around, and you will have the right amount of space for the air they need around them. You may be surprised at the way they charge the room without bloat, and you may not need subs. They deliver higher resolution and fidelity with lifelike presence and holographic imaging, and they won’t be as beamy as KEF.
I wouldn’t characterize them as warm, though, but to me Vivid speakers are as natural and transparent as they come. They will tailor around the amplification they are paired with, and they are not hard to drive. So if you want a warmer sound, pair with a good Class A solid state or tube amp and you’ll be set.
I am a Vivid Audio dealer, so take that how you’d like, but I’ve tried everything from the small Kaya S12 (which I use very near field in my home office) to the Giya G1 Spirit, which I use in my reference system.
@akg_ca Are you speaking from experience? of doing this in a small room. If not then you need to understand the issues of a desk, monitors, and others reflecting in front of you. That will be worse than elevator music.
@ilikeclassical I gave you a link to my buddy who is in the audio business with some background info on his audio skills. I got an enthusiastic stamp of approval from him on the LRS+ setup. My prior setup with the Thiel CS3.7 was not really that good and he told me so. I ended up doing a lot of changes in furniture positioning, dsp, reflections etc (no gear changes) to improve the CS3.7.
My rear facing setup is so good that my 2-channel setup rivals my RAAL earphone setup. People I know have dumped their Magicos to go with the RAALs.
If you plan to place your speakers in front of you then look at something that you can place on your desk or even the Vandersteen mini thing that goes on the ceiling. It will all be a pale imitation to what I am suggesting with the rear facing setup.
I have not tried the Vandersteen (not a fan of the sound) but I have tried Audience 1+1 | KEF LS50 | Audioengine A2 on my desk and they were universally mediocre. I did not try it on front of me since I intuitively knew it would be worse than on the desk with the issue of reflections.
If you are close by, go have a listen to this and compare with Magico, Vivid, KEF, Focal, Paradigm in the same price range or much higher. I have with the bigger NS5000.
Firstly, I don’t drink any KoolAid that erroneously suggests that the price point alone is any measure of the Holy Grail in speaker best options.
If $$$ spent are somehow your bespoke and primary key alone to your audio satisfaction as you journey down the Yellow Brick Road to Audio OZ l..then , fine ….think the $USD 12,000 REFERENCE 3a REFLECTORS standmounts as your true contender and no pretender.
HINT: think that EACH speaker is 75 lbs in weight and very efficient too at 92db.
Their Reflector is a rather large stand-mounted speaker, measuring over 16 inches high, about a foot wide, and over 17 inches deep. Their most noticeable specification to some might be their weight, especially for those that have to lift these 75 pound speakers onto their stands. Why are they so heavy? On their website Reference 3A says that the Reflector's cabinet's sides are made from layers of glass, laminated with a proprietary material that is "structurally integrated" onto the main cabinet material. They use perforated cross and vertical spine braces, which not only add to the weight of the cabinet, but prevent any movement of the cabinet walls. They use heavy brass tension rods that can be tuned, in both lateral directions, that aid in preventing the cabinet's outward movement. Reference 3A claims that the construction of the cabinet enables it to be more silent than even their flagship model, which uses resin board panels. Reference 3A manufactures their own hand-built drivers, including the woofer, which is made with carbon fiber, and the driver's proprietary "hyper-exponential" shape is said to seamlessly couple the motor to the cone and avoid break-up modes. Most noteworthy is that the Reflector used no crossover between the speakers two drivers.
Google the reviews . …here are two samples:
“ … The flagship monitor from Reference 3A
The Reflector monitor is considered by Reference 3A as their pinnacle of technological achievement. A main reason for this, next to a new custom driver for this model, is the extremely rigid cabinet, which aims to compete with designs such as those by Magico and TAD. Having heard what rigidity of cabinet can do to timbral fidelity and believability from the Magico M Project speakers in the system of Ian (WBF member Madfloyd), I was very interested in these Reference 3A monitors since quite some time.
I was already familiar with the sound philosophy of the company and its designer Tash Goka through my Reference 3A MM DeCapo BE monitors that I loved. These monitors have an incredible performance/price ratio at $ 3K. I expected similar value from the Reflector monitors, which at $ 12K have a significantly lower price than flagship monitor designs from other companies. Therefore, the decision to buy them once I had sufficient funds was a no-brainer for me. So eventually I bought a pair.
This review may also be interesting for those readers who already have MM DeCapo BE monitors and love them, and are wondering how much of a difference an upgrade would make. I will compare here my 2016 version of the MM DeCapo BE monitors with the Reflector monitors; the newer version, MM DeCapo BE-RD, has a rear damper panel similar to the Reflector monitors that adds stiffness to the cabinet and helps suppress vibrations. Obviously the expectation would be that the new version will sound better, coming closer to the Reflector in sound than my 2016 MM DeCapo BE monitors, while there will remain a substantial gap.
Reference 3A speakers generally are known for their tone, dynamics and overall vividness, also facilitated by the crossover-less design. The flagship model Reflector follows this tradition, and adds advantages that arise from the rigid, structurally inert cabinet. This design also allows it to extend further on the basic qualities of the Reference 3A family just mentioned.
Let me state upfront: While the Reflector, combined with great subwoofers, falls short in several areas compared to the best speakers I have heard – logical, given the physical limits of its size and two-way design –, in some also important ones it compares well. This is a remarkable achievement….”
” ….
Conclusion
Don’t bother skipping to the conclusion of this review, as I’ll tell you right now: The Reference 3A Reflector is a great speaker. If one has been searching for a stand-mounted speaker anywhere near its asking price of $12,000, these are the speakers to get. Not only do they do everything that one would expect of for a speaker of its size and price, but much, much more. They commit no errors of omission I can think of, other than missing the deepest bass, nor do they commit any errors of commission that I’ve become aware of during its audition period.
I listened to these speakers with both tube and solid-state amplifiers. I’ve listened to them in two different rooms and two different systems. I’ve listened to every genre of music that I like, including solo instruments, large orchestras, bombastic rock ‘n’ roll, and music with vocals and instrumental music. I won’t pretend that these speakers are inexpensive. They are not. Nor will I pretend that the Reflectors are perfect. No speakers are. But Reference 3A has taken what is an imperfect design, that is, a speaker that is too small to reproduce the lowest bass, and instead concentrated on what it can do, that is, reproduce the midrange and treble, and they ended up with a speaker that has a degree of both transparency and excitement that is very rare in a stand-mounted speaker, and certainly rare in any dynamic speaker I’ve heard.
Reference 3A has produced a speaker that just about any audiophile with ears will be able to live with for what I assume will be a lifetime. It may sound as if I’m painting myself into a corner, so from now on will not be able to review, let alone recommend any other stand-mounted speaker. That’s not so. Audiophiles have different requirements that must be met before they’re going to lay down twelve-grand for a pair of speakers. Besides not reproducing the low bass I’ll also admit that the Reflector might not meet some of other requirements that an audiophile might have, but since I can’t get inside the heads of these audiophiles I don’t know what these requirements might be. But – in my listening rooms, with my associated gear, playing the music that I like, the Reflector is a speaker I’d buy for myself if I was looking for a stand-mounted model anywhere near its price.…”
do you have the requisite high-end upstream electronics ( that’s all of amp, and source(s) ) EACH of the same pricepoint strata or preferably better than your wishlist speakers?. (See philosophy of amps vs speakers caution posted earlier ). If not , then think again before you choose wisely.
Having personally auditioned all of my YouTube post suggestions above several times ….. If it’s 2.1 channel “ normal” nearfield listening arena that is a key driving compromise or limitation , then it’s the HARBETHS first …full stop.
FWIW ….full disclosure for my suggestions and preference based on my actual hands-on auditions at either dealers, audio expos, or at home ….just in case anyone challenges me with an unfounded some kind of other bias slant.
i do own :
- HARBETH M30.2 XD’s standmounts with an ATC C1 SUB MK2 subwoofer in my “A” system and
- REFERENCE 3a DULCET BE standmounts with a MARTIN LOGAN DYNAMO subwoofer in my “ B” system ( farther down from $USD 12K in their food chain of speaker model options);
I deleted my last two posts because I misunderstood where you were putting the speakers. So many good suggestions already. You can’t go wrong with the Harbeths as mentioned. I would look at Tannoy Eatons also. For low level listening the larger paper/pulp speakers are very nice and easy to drive. They respond well to a lot of different amplification as well.
@akg_caA big ditto! Of the many smaller standmounts that I have owned the p3 was always my favorite. I now use the larger HL5 but in a smaller room you can’t beat the P3. But if you feel the need to spend 15 grand then look elsewhere!
@ilikeclassical , thank you for posting your room's dimensions.
This past Sunday I attended the SouthWest Audio Fest in Dallas with my wife, and she and I agreed on what our second-favorite room was. Surprisingly it was actually one of the SMALL rooms, probably slightly smaller than your room. The speakers in that room were the Rosso Fiorentino "Volterras". Their timbre was rich and full-bodied, and their spatial presentation was "you are there", which is extremely rare for a small room at an audio show. They had very solid and natural-sounding bass, which is a requirement for my wife (she's a drummer).
I was listening with my "critical" ears on... I'm a speaker manufacturer and was hoping to hear something WRONG with my competition. Song after song only reinforced my disturbingly-positive first impression.
The Volterras are priced slightly north of your price range, but imo are worth considering if the budget isn't carved in stone. The only room my wife and I liked better was several times the size, and was using speakers about ten times the price.
I have been a dealer for twenty-four years and a speaker manufacturer for nineteen years. I have zero affiliation with Rosso Fiorentino, just giving credit where credit's due.
Recently heard Revival speakers $5000 - just plain killer. I was pretty floored and we have had more speakers in our listening room than most people have even heard. Don't let the price fool you. Simply awesome.
+1 @soix I was thinking the same thing about Joseph Audio Pulsar. I would recommend taking a look at Fritz speakers as well, tremendous bang for the buck. I think both of those would give you exactly what you are looking for, particularly with the right components. Both are non-fatiguing speakers that are neutral to warmish and can be listened to for hours.
Would you sit backwards listening to live music? Hell NO!
In your room you can easily change your layout so you are sitting dead center of a pair of speakers, getting great sound as well as amazing imaging, hard to do in an office. I changed mine, 1st time ever having great Imaging in my office, dead center on my keyboard/monitor/chair. YouTube Videos, sound centers/images on the monitor with L/R side effects as recorded/engineered.
You can put a row of stuff including speakers on the front wall, working around the existing window.
Pull your desk back to leave a small aisle in front of your desk (you have plenty of depth).
My room is smaller, so I put 12" bookcases with 14" top, thus I have a vertical TT and Vertical Reel to Reel, as well as Little Luxman Integrated Tube Amp. You could easily put a cabinet with a top big enough for both speakers and a Horizontal Turntable now or later.
Use your existing desk, or for more surface, you could make an L shaped desk, keep keyboard/monitor centered on the speakers in the front, add side surface on the right side, side aisle to the front wall on the left closet side
mine is Left L, yours would be Right L. My front is simply a countertop on a file cabinet one end (keyboard shelf to keep desk surface open)., and side counter with support on the wall side.
Note: pick efficient speakers to reduce power needed, which reduces money/size/heat while increasing placement options, and allows a small tube amp (small amount of heat) if desired. In my case, I do very well with 10wpc tube amp.
Lower volumes in office, no need for very high efficiency, just avoid low sensitivity models.
Oh yeah: Pick speakers with NO REAR Port.
Note: you want the tweeters at your seated ear height, thus my bookshelf speakers are horizontal. Middle Image shows my current Restored AR-2ax speakers (white linen), other photos show prior Wharfedale 225’s (black fabric) (I used a small sub with the Wharfedales, just so they did not seem small; not needed with AR-2ax’s 10" woofer
more photos in my Virtual Systems on this site (just click anyone's name, their virtual systems, if they have made any, are shown below their name).
Power: Luxman’s power button stays depressed, Chase RLC-1 unit has powered rear outlet. I use it’s remote control for Luxman power on/off, turn TT and R2R power on when in use. IOW, no need to go to the front aisle for PC based content.
................................
minimum cables:
cables from desk: single usb, all other cables on/within the front row devices
cable to desk: ethernet for Fios (can be wireless).
power outlets/cables: think it thru. there are advantages of L shaped desks related to power outlets/cables
@elliottbnewcombjr - thanks for your detailed response. My design has the image on the wrong side. This is how the setup looks right now with my Jamo speakers. It is fine to keep them on stand like where they are? This room is practically empty and I have lot of flexibility in placement.
Also do you have any suggestions for high efficiency speakers.
@ilikeclassicalthe CODA dealer in Winnipeg that the Santa Barbara dude mentioned is Al who owns Hifi Art (Google the name for the website), I bought all my CODA gear from him, great guy.
For speakers, you could consider Dutch & Dutch powered speakers with room correction, that way you skip the amp and just need a streamer/DAC. If you want passive try Harbeth for good midrange easy listening.
You do not mention the ceiling height but as it is an office I will guess
between 8-9 feet.
You are fortunate to have a great shaped room that will help any speaker.
If you have flexibility in laying out the desk in the room the sound will be better by employing the long walls for speaker placement. Yes you will be closer which
actually improves the sound. Instead of placing the desk between you and the
speakers why not place it on one side or the other from the listening chair?
The suggestion for using DSP is a good one.
If you are able to utilize the space to it best advantage any speaker you choose
should be pretty good.
As to which brands-you inclusion of the ATC makes me wonder if warmth is
really your preference. It is a very good speaker and perhaps for classical
very good. But I have also heard it is not good for lower listening levels.
My brand suggestions would be- Fritz Carrera 7 BE . Great for low level and detail
yet very warm. At $3k a total steal. As good if not better than the Pulsars for my
ears. Yes I did an a/b in my home with these two.
The Dutch and Dutch-also had an a/b in my home- are better in lows and maybe miss than the Fritz but you lose the highs which are amazing. Fritz 7BEs need a sub or two.
Borresens are a great sound and important to audition.
After that I would consider the Franco Serblin Essence MSRP $20k but
some places will discount. This one may be the best for the classical you listen
to. They are to me the prettiest Box speaker going.
@ilikeclassical You have a great room for your office. I think you can get a floor stander in there easy. Not too big though.
Just for giggles why not try moving your desk back a bit more and them move your chair closer to the speaker side and listen with your back to the speakers. You will have 0 obstruction between the speakers and your ears. The only way I do it with my office and Livingroom (facing the speaker).
Anything between the speaker and me is a sonic irritant.
Some of the photos I have seen of office systems makes me think people do not spend too much time in those spaces. Last year, I had 2 full-time jobs and spent a min of 18 hours a day in the office. Great thing I had incredible sound to help me make money.
Thanks both for your time and complements. I am occupying just one third of the room with my desk and chair. Rest of the room is empty. So I have lot of flexibility. Ceilings are vaulted which go 9ft at lowest level and 15ft at the highest level.
I agree with ATC is not great a low listening levels. I found that today evening reading on some forums. I tried the ATC at a hifi store - so understand that setup was not like my office. I also listened to Harbeth and the same time and in that setup like ATC more than Harbeth.
Any thoughts on Buchardt A700 LE? Reviews claim that they have a good low level listening.
I am also guessing that both of you are suggesting that I put the speakers on the both sides of my chair for best audio. Is that correct?
@ilikeclassical look at my office. It was a PIA to make sound great. I have 6 monitors and 1 silent computer. I sit at the desk and have NOTHING between the speakers and my ears. I say do the same thing for yourself or at least try it out.
I am not a huge classical music listener, but I would think you want something with depth and a big soundstage. The Maggies are great at this type of sonic presentation. They also have less issues with side wall reflection. All of these points on how the sound gets to your ears are important in a small space. Especially, if you have ears that get irritated by bad sound and spend a lot of hours working.
As I said before the LRS+ is killer in my smaller space. In your space it would also be great, maybe even a bigger Maggie. However, if I were you I would also consider the
for your space. The reason being that the above 2 speakers are supposed to sound like a cleaner Maggie. The LRS+ is not the cleanest sounding speaker to me, but with my CODA #16 amp it is just beautiful. The above 2 speakers are supposed to have even better ribbons than the LRS+.
I am not going to try the Diptyque speakers because I think my room is too small and I do not want to mess with a good thing. I have less margin for error, unless I use the DSP I mentioned earlier.
For a monitor the Yamaha NS3000 at $15k CAD would be great. Definitely, better drivers than the KEF Reference 1 and many others. I have the bigger NS5000 and the drivers on that are unsurpassed. Nobody has a tweeter, mid, and 12-inch woofer made from the same material, with the material having the same performance characteristics of Beryllium.
Lucky for you both suggestions I make are available in Canada for demo. Not so in the USA.
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