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Devore O/96 vs Stenheim Alumine 2

Looking for some high efficient speakers for my secondary listening room / Den.   15' wide by 11' deep by 9'5" tall.  I've always wanted the Devore O/96 speakers but worried that I would have to keep them very close to the front, 6", wall and they are ported on the back.  Probably too big of speakers for the room and should look at the O/93 or baby.  Plug the ports on the O/96?

But we will probably move into a larger home where I would have more space.  

A good friend recommended Stenheim Alumine 2, efficient speakers and ported in the front.  Worried they might be too small if/when we move into a larger home.

Want this room to be a warm sounding room, lots of texture, jazz and female vocalist, low volume levels, vinyl, possibly tubes but maybe low power class A.

Thoughts?

 

chauncey

Showing 3 responses by metaldetektor

metaldetektor
148 posts
 

If you really have Devores on the brain, the o/baby is what might work in that room. Easier to place than 96 obviously.

On the Stenheim 2 being bass shy — I hear it as a high-resolution (not one note) and linear bass, there’s no artificial bass bump/boost. You can of course increase bass response by bringing the speaker closer to walls (it likes walls, whereas the devores don’t).

 

metaldetektor
148 posts
 

Big picture, the Stenheims are much easier to place than Devores (I've heard one audiophile joke that "Devore" is a Dutch word meaning "space from walls"...lot of truth in that). 

The Devores have an overt personality (warmth and texture), whereas the Stenheims are more neutral and transparent to recordings and electronics. If consistent warmth/texture is the goal, can definitely achieve that in a system featuring either speaker.

(PM'ed you if you have more questions)

 

metaldetektor
148 posts
 

I'd get the right speaker for the room you have now, not some anticipated room that may never happen and if/when it does, may differ from your expectations. If you want the Devore sound, consider the o/baby for that size room. Smaller rear port. Devores are easy to re-sell -- sell them later, if you do move and it doesn't work in the new space. Bear in mind the long lead time for a new pair.

I had Devores that just didn't work in my 12 x 22 room...knew I would eventually move, but didn't want to listen to "off" sound every day until that time. Carpe diem. Stenheims are everything I want, in my current room. YMMV.

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