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Downsizing Speakers in Main Listening Room - Your Feedback on Some options

All,

So I am looking to move to a smaller speaker to allow better low volume listening and possibly a little change in sound quality. I like the sound of my PSB Synchrony 1s at higher volumes - not room shaking but loud enough I am asked to turn it down when other family around <smile!> They could still use bit more bass kick (not thumping  loud - just a bit more punch). So I am thinking a higher quality bookshelf for closer, lower volume listening that still has some bite.

My current system is the following:
  * Speakers: PSB Synchrony 1
  * Integrated Amp - Ayre Ax-7e
  * CD/SACD - Ayre C5xeMP CD Player
  * DAC - PS Audio DLlll
  * Sonos Connect
  * Cables - Morrow MA4 Balanced Interconnects/Morrow SP3 Bi-wire Speaker Cables

Room setup is roughly 16'x20' (one side is open to adjoining room and dining area). Theater sloped higher away from setup -- starting at 7.5' to about 16'. Standard living room with fireplace and windows - hardwood floors, but have the usual rugs and furniture. Speakers are about 8' apart (slight toe in) and about 10' from main sitting position. Done usual minor acoustic tweaks to try to improve sound - within reason as this is the main living room.

Listen to all music genres but country(sorry) -- but most often jazz, rock, world.

Recent speakers I have enjoyed -- Aerial Acoustic 7t and Sonus Faber Olympica I and III. Enjoy the sound of both even though they are different (and different from my PSBs, which again I like as well).

So I am considering the following bookshelf speakers and just a few smaller floor standers (most looking at buying used), budget is max at about $2,500(used):

BOOKSHELF:
  * Sonus Faber Olympic I, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M, Sonus Faber Liuto, Sonus Faber Venere 2.0
  * Dali Epicon, Dali Euphonia
  * Monitor Audio PL100, Monitor Audio Gold 100 (or GSX 100)
  * Focal 1008 BE
  * Aerial Acoustic 5t
  * ATC SCM 11 v2

FLOOR STANDERS:
 * Monitor Audio Gold 200
 * Aerial Acoustic 6t
 * Sonus Faber Liuto 

So while I am expecting to listen to several of these in coming months - probably cannot access all of them -- likely will hear Monitor Audio, Aerial Acoustic, and again Sonus Faber.

So please give me your best feedback on the list above and feel free to comment in any capacity. Thank you for your valuable opinions!

sbleam
helomech
1,673 posts
 
I doubt moving to a smaller bookshelf speaker will give the results you seek, as most are of rather low efficiency. Also, speaker size does not dictate quality of low volume listening.

What you want is a high efficiency speaker with either a sealed or transmission line cabinet. Such speakers typically perform better at low volumes than the ubiquitous ported, medium-sized floor standers, like that of the MA Gold 200.
sbleam OP
35 posts
 
Helomech - thanks for the advice - I have seen several of the sealed cabinets in the bookshelf size but not in a floor stander. Any recommendations for either size ? Also not familiar with the "transmission line" style cabinet - can you recommend an example as well ? - thank you again for the feedback.
larryi
3,982 posts
 

For extreme dynamic punch from a smaller sized package, Zu speakers should be on your list to audition.  For a completely different sound, but, particularly good a lower volume, Audio Note speakers are contenders.  I personally find all of the Audio Note line to be extremely musical and listenable and don't have to be played particularly loud.

I don't think you can judge how well speakers will play at lower volume by their size.  The most dynamic and full sounding system I heard at low volume had speakers the size of small cars standing on their bumpers (horn-based system).  My own system, which is optimized for low volume sound is not so miniature either (2' X 2' x 3.5').


1markr
594 posts
 
@sbleam  For your needs/requirements, I would highly recommend a good subwoofer or two to supplement a pair of bookshelf speakers.  I was / am in the same situation, and I have gone with a pair of Omega Super Alnico HO monitors which are very efficient, and very real sounding with my 8wpc SET amp.  I can get by without using a sub with the Omegas, but I do like to get the bottom octaves at times.   
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