Guidance for speaker upgrade


Hello, I got some good advice here some months ago and added the VTL 2.5 to my system. I'm now looking at upgrading my speakers (Mirage M7 si). I have a Bryston 3BST, Benchmark DAC1 and Airport Express (I rarely use my Adcom GCD 600).
I really enjoy the wide soundstage and clarity of M7's but the bass could be improved. Room size is 10.5' x 24, unfortunately I'm restricted in placement to about 1.5' from front wall (long wall).
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Should I consider bookshelfs?
pjboud

Showing 4 responses by mdhoover

Might want to add a high quality subwoofer. I own a Rel Storm 3, augmenting Intuitive Design Summits. Those already go so low that the crossover on the Rel is set at 27 hertz.
There's no reason at all that a floorstander couldn't be used with a subwoofer IF the subwoofer is well integrated and IF the subwoofer is restricted to reproducing the lowest frequencies (by setting the crossover low enough). In my opinion only the very largest floorstanders are truly "full range." For example, my Paradigm Studio 100 V3's benefitted tremendously from the Rel Storm 3 I was using. However, the crossover point was set at something like 28 hertz. With my current speakers, it's set even lower at 27 hertz. One caveat is that the sub has to be up to the task.
Pjboud,
Do you have a ballpark figure for your speaker budget (including any subwoofer)?
If you're truly satisfied with everything about the sound of your system except for the bass, then I'd strongly consider keeping the speakers and spending as much as necessary (up to the budget level, of course) on a truly high end subwoofer, but the selection process may take some time. Proper integration is absolutely vital.