2. speakers
  3. 140726-1604

Big speakers in small room at moderate volume levels

My office is 11’W x 10’L x 9’H and is where I can listen to music for the next few years. I have a toddler and, for now, he has commanded the big spaces in the rest of the house. I have auditioned the Magico A3 and wanted to buy it but that was before I was relegated to the smallish office (I was expecting to move to a bigger room). I have removed the closet doors in this office room. The removal of the closet door gives me another 4 feet of depth to this room, though for only 1/2 width of the room. I can sit unobstructed 8 feet away from the speakers before I hit the area where the closet ends (so near field listening).

I currently I have KEF LS50 with Peachtree Nova 150. It is good and I can listen for the whole day without fatigue. I listen to FM, digital files on ROON, and my Sony SCD-1 SACD player. I want a bigger sound so I am looking at bigger speakers. I also do not want to use a sub since I am not a fan. I will also upgrade the NOVA 150 to the NOVA 500 in Spring 2019 and use with the LS50’s in a bedroom.

I came to the conclusion that my tastes would be best served by one of KEF Reference 1 or Magico A3. I was thinking that I would use the Lyngdorf 3400 in this room but I am having seconds thoughts on this now (some A’gon comments that it maybe a little dry). I am interested in solid state AB units like the Hegel H590 and Mark Levinson 585 to drive the speakers. I have heard the ML 585 and it is a fatigue free sounding unit that was a joy to listen to. I have not heard the Hegel H590 yet (but have heard other Hegels with KEF) and I am in the process of getting an audition of the H590. I have also discounted the class AB Micromega M-One 150 (with MARS room correction) because I do not want a cooling fan blowing in the room.

I must mention that I do not listen that loud when I am working and when I am working very late at night the volume is very low. The Mark Levinson and A3 combo was very good at low volumes during my demo but that was in the dealers perfect large room.

1) Am I making a mistake foregoing room correction with the 2 integrateds I am considering? Should I go with the Lyngdorf and A3 or KEF Ref 1, though I have never heard the Lyngdorf?

2) Will the Magico A3 work in this small room at moderate volumes WITHOUT room correction or will I subject myself to headaches and fatigue?

I am going to ask the dealer selling the A3’s this question when I am ready to buy but i wanted to ask on A’gon first to get some feedback. I doubt I could get the A3’s into my room for a trial but I have not asked the dealer yet.

I think (not 100% sure) the KEF Reference 1 with a non room correcting amp should work in my office space but I would prefer to buy the Magico A3 for the office. I have plans to buy another KEF model once my kid is a bit older and I can kick him out of the big room.
yyzsantabarbara

Showing 7 responses by pokey77

pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

The LS50 is nice for what it is but as you may know, they need quality power to sound good. The KEF Ref 1 is just OK as I remember. If you are willing to spend Ref 1 money, take a very serious look at the Harbeth SHL 5. I've heard them twice in the last two days. Just so good with a Luxman 509X, Marantz SA - 10, Nordost wiring. Also heard with a nice TT and phono pre (Clear Audio + Luxman phono). This is a very musical setup on both digital and vinyl. I've never heard a speaker in this price range that is better. And IMOHO, it is much better than the Magico A3 and I've heard the A3s two or three times. The A3s didn't even make the list with TAD and Wilson and now Harbeth.

I've heard the TAD ME-1s many times (last time around a week ago) and they are stellar but are also 2X greater cost compared to the Harbeths. 
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

I have heard both the 30.2 and the SHL5+ and for the minimal cost to move up to the SHL5+, it is a no-brainer. They are much much better than the 30.2s.

@ianrodger 

In my opinion, the Harbeths are in a different class compared to the Klipshorns. I heard Klipsch for the first time over 30 years ago and most recently in the last six months and several different models. The SHL5+ is sublime and the horns are dynamic but nothing sublime about horns.

@yyzsantabarbara 

BTW, I've also heard the equivalent Graham LS5/9, which is similar to the Harbeth 30.2 and the Harbeth is very significantly better.

And to beat a dead horse: Harbeth SHL5+ and Luxman 509X - delicate, beautiful, dynamic. Just an excellent  synergistic match created by these two.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

Alright, hope your demo goes well.

I've heard the Treo CT and the Quatro Wood CT. Treo was with McIntosh MA8000 + digital server and the Quatro Wood was at Randy's in Santa Monica with Ayre Integrated and DAC/server. For me personally, I think that the Harbeth/Luxman combo is a lot more musical.

The SHL5+ really isn't much bigger than the 30.2. If you can get both delivered to your home, you can decide if the 5+ is too big. The combination of the tweeter and super tweeter in the 5+makes for a very sweet and delicate sound. I was very surprised at just how much better the 5+ is compared to the 30.2.

I've wanted to hear the Lyngdorf but never had the chance. I know Grannyring (Bill) likes it a lot.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

Saying the TAD ME-1 is a better version of the KEF R1 is very much understating the ME-1. The ME-1, for me, blows away anything in its price range; it is very sweet with sublime clarity, has a big soundstage, very high resolution (with the right supporting equipment), and for its size, excellent bass. The ME-1 and the HSL5+ are both much more musical in my opinion and would be the better bet for listening 8+ hours everyday.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

Although I've not used the, yet anyway, I've heard nothing but good about GIK.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara 

Will be interested to see photos of your GIK-treated room.

I've heard the Marten Django L a number of times. I can tell you the best I ever heard them was in a system with Zesto that was many multiples of the speaker cost. Heard them with several different CD players and they just weren't very good no matter what we did. But put a table in the equation and they are really nice. If you are thinking the SHL5+ is big for your room, then the Django L will be too big I'd think.
pokey77
1,269 posts
 
The great thing about the SHL5plus and the ME-1s is that the 5plus has a front port and the ME-1s have a diffused side port so neither should interact with the side walls in a meaningful way.

My own thoughts are the 509X should be an easy resell.

I've heard the Magico A3s several times and have never been impressed like you.

Can't wait to hear about your room treatments. GIK is supposed to be a very economical solution.
More to discover