Best speakers for 15X14 ft room

Prp2K writes:
>I am seeking advise/recommendations from the collective knowlege base on speakers for a 15X14 listening room. I'm moving and can't use my large rear ported speakers in such a small area. The new speakers will need to be say a foot off the back wall. Sealed enclosure better?

Ported or sealed, front port or rear port, it doesn't matter.

A 100Hz sound wave is 11' long. 50Hz 22' long. They wrap around your speaker like it wasn't there. In fact, the on-axis energy has dropped 50% by 380Hz for a foot wide speaker and 500Hz on a skinny 8" one.

Problems result where you use a speaker voiced for use away from the wall where the designer will have boosted the lower frequency output because they're expecting a smaller contribution from reflections off the front wall due to the added distance and less coherent addition.

If you change speakers you want in-wall speakers (they'll have fewer diffraction issues), on-wall speakers, or free standing speakers which at least have a boundary compensation switch like some revels.

Assuming you have at least a port diameters worth of clearance to avoid loading the port, you could also use your existing speakers and apply a line level shelving high-pass filter to compensate for the placement perhaps in the form of a room-correction unit.

Bass traps will be the best idea, although notch filters can tame things for a single listening position.

Prp2k, I have a 10 x13 foot room in the Summer. I have a pair of LSA1 Statements that I am going to use there. I have heard them in a small room and was shocked with their sound. I would really suggest that you also look into these relatively inexpensive speakers.

Hmmmm, just before I suggest anything its hard to even capture the thought based on what you already have as the existing amplification since the list could go on forever which is a great thing.

Something like the Totem Model 1 Signature series with a set of Target R4's filled with lead shot will surely be nice for space restricted zones. Some mid size speakers might work as well depending on how much time you are willing to allocate on experimentation.

Good luck!

The JVC TH-L1 has many imputs and features, for the sound quality...makes them perfect for a 15ft room.

A room that size pretty much sucks without a lot of acoustic attention. My room is 15x14 with a vaulted ceiling and an open plant-shelf wall to a kitchen/dining area. A room this size has peaks at 40, 80, 160hz. I have six ASC tube traps, 1 GIK super trap, 4 GIK bass traps, 3 242 panels, 4 diffusor panels, and now the balance is very respectable post treatment. The speakers in use are sealed box 27" out from the frt wall.

I don't know of many speakers that function within 1 ft of the wall. Guru speakers are made for that application. Otherwise I would think a small standmount that does not extend much below 90hz combined with a sub or pair of subs. This will allow some flexibility in obtaining quality bass.

When I last had the N802's setup, they were 39" from the frt wall masured to the frt of the tweeter and the balance was pretty good, maybe a bit heavy around 40hz and a suckout at 60hz but very listenable. Good luck in your endeavor.

I'm curious as to this turns out too.

I'm guessing you've already put the Dahli's in place and didn't like the results?

waht didn't you like?

Tried both walls or are you relagated to only using one? Which?

My vote is for monitors, or mid sized speakers.

Prior to making the switch though, I'd introduce some room treatments to suck up some of that bass , and some diffusers to eliminate some reflections.

Getting new/different speakers is always such a hassle when your rig is already very good or better. usually it takes still more changes than a simple swap out of loudspeakers.

Merlins are perfect for those dimensions,good luck,Bob

A ton of absorption and a pair of Revel Gem2's and a JL F112

Your question, versus the information supplied is not aligned.
A 14'X15' room is 'tricky' acoustically speaking.
The speaker, while essentel is important is a 'part of the elextronic puzzle' of this kind of question.
To paraphrase many engineers, "Square ain't good"."
Pressures from nearfield cancel others creating a very non linear response. So whatever happens in this room is really more at the result of the accoustic space of the room rather than, 'at the feet' of the equipment.
Having said this, know that with judicious placement of speakers and listeners that many things can become 'magic', if we're prepared for it.ratios of 1X 1.6 X2.5, for example make life easier with regard to reflected sound. But, know this, with work all rooms can be adjusted for 'perfection'.
Call me at home for further advice... 502 618 3158.
Larry, your friend in audio.

Larry

Aesthetix Calypso Signiture Pre Amp
Bryston BDA DAC - fed by a modified Squeezebox
Rowland 501 Monoblocks w/ PC1 DC conversion
Dali Helicon MK2

Listen to everything from Rock, Soul to Sinatra, Some jazz and some classical.

In addition, what speakers are you using now, and what do you like and not like about them?

Whats your budget, whats your music preferance and what electronics are you using?