Best Speaker for audiophile-grade small room rig
Be sure to try them in your room. I do not have a large room either. I found that rear ported speakers did not work well in my room. See my system if you like. I have some changes planned, but it sounds good now. Also, I recently upgraded to Osiris stands. The advice about good stands for monitors is correct. |
That'a a great list of monitors. Add the new Harmonic Precision Caravelle to that list. I just sold my M20s for these babies. Should get delivery in a few days. Will give you the tympanic low down when I've listened galore. Remember, monitor speakers require stands. And stands will add significant $$ to your system/a fundemental extension of the speaker. peace, warren |
I would be first be concerned with the room interaction. I had a friend that had a 10X10X10 foot room with terrible bass problems. It is very possible that you will have great speakers that will drive you crazy. I second anyone that recommends, listen IN YOUR ROOM first. That said, many of the speakers above are excellent and there are many more. I wouldn't buy anything without trying the B&W805 signatures, the Krell LAT2 or their new less expensive bookshelf, the small Dynaudio, the Totem 1 signatures, a small Martin Logan, or the Red Rose. Seeing my list above, you surely have your work (or fun) cut out for you. Richard |
I also have a square, 14 x 14, listening room. I have the Harbeth M30's, and recently set them up to listen diagonally. The improvement in the bass ( and overall sound) was huge. The Harbeth is a great speaker,like many of the above recommendations, but the square room is tricky to work with. Good luck, Mike |
I had a room of almost identical dimensions and had tremendous success with Aerial Acoustics Model 5s. They're perfect for nearfield listening. Most speakers need some distance between you and them to integrate properly and to tame the tweeter. The tweeter on the Model 5 is one of the best I've ever heard. Smooth, airy and...oh, so extended. Stay away from ported speakers. They'll only frustrate you. If you need the bottom two octaves use a subwoofer (REL Strata?). In my opinion, the Aerials are head and shoulders above the rest of the above recommendations with the exception perhaps of the ProAc 1SC or Harbeth Compact 7ES, but I believe the Aerial Model 5 is better suited to such a small room and would be an excellent match with your electronics. Let us know what you end up with. |
I suggest either the Dynaudio Special 25 or the Totem Mani-2 both are highly regarded. For my taste, I also like rock and female vocalist (Enya & Patricia Barber)so I prefer the Mani-2. I got a pair after reading the Stereophile review, first time that I have purchase a pair of speakers without hearing them. The bass is incredible deep and tight, mid and hi are top class. Good luck. |
I have posted in the past on best small monitors. Look at Penaudio. They offer a progressive growth listening system concept that allows you to build your system based upon price and sound all within the same footprint. Their $1500 Rebel 2 are an excellent starting point. Joe Abrams of Portal Audio is their US importer. I have been using their Chrisma monitor for a year and will never change. Send me an e-mail off line if you want more info. |
Merlin TSM's or Focus Audio 688 |
If you have sufficient amplifier power available , the little ATC SCM7's are very hard to beat. I've had Spendor S3/5's, SP1/5's,LS3/5a's, Harbeth P3 ES-2's, Monitor Audio Studio 2's, and find the ATC's to be the most satisfying so far. Don't try to drive these with 25-30 watts, though. They are tiny (11.8"x6"x8" lwh) but demand strong amplification and a high quality front end . They will reward you with sound and music out of all proportion to their size. I drive mine with Odyssey Stratos monoblocks, and occasionally with a 60wpc tube amp, about the bare minimum from which I would expect decent dynamics. |
Smaller OHM Microwalsh or 1000 floorstanders worth consideration in addition to all the good smaller monitors mentioned. Totem Arro floorstanders or slightly larger models worth a look also. Don't forget you need decent stands to go with monitors wheras you do not have to worry about that with the smaller and better floorstanders. |
