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Need Speakers to be Close to Wall $10k budget

I've been enjoying my Audio Physic Avanti III speakeres for a few years now, powered by Joule Electra Grand Marquis 160 (160wpc OTL monoblocks). I currently enjoy the speekers in a large room that allows placement pretty far into the room, which suits the speakers. However I'm moving to a new place this weekend and space is more constrained - I'll need to have the speakers closer to the wall, and perhaps just a few inches away from the wall. This won't be an ideal setup for the Audio Physics, so I'll likely need to change to something more suitable. I can spend a bit more too this time. I'll be buying used and my budget would be in the area of $10k, though would be happy to spend less.

I'd prefer not to have to sell/swap out my amps but might consider it if absolutely necessary. I'm much more inclined towards tube amps, but could possibkly spring for something like Bryston 28BSST for the Magico's if the ss match was deemed essential.

I was thinking maybe Magico Mini II or Wilson Sophia II or perhaps Rockport Mira or MBL 116. These are speakers I'm a bit familar with (other than the Magicos) and I like what I've heard - I listen to a wide range of music and watch a lot of movies too. I've a Velodyne DD18 sub on hand too, so the speakers don't need to go that deep necessarily.

I'd welcome any suggestions. Thanks!
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Showing 1 response by larryi

larryi
4,155 posts
 
The Audio Physics will not have quite the same kind of imaging close to the wall as it is capable of in a more free standing location, but, that would be the case with ANY speaker that must be located nearer to a back and/or side wall. Because the Avanti's are NOT excessively heavy in bass response, I would bet that you can make it work so give it a try.

For speakers designed for relatively close to the wall location, you should look at the Gradient Revolution. It is extremely flexible, in terms of placement, and sounds quite good. Another possible candidate would be an Audionote speaker--these are all specifically designed for near corner locations.

I don't know about the specific MBL model you are looking at, but, the speakers I've heard from that line all seem to be quite touchy about location and all sounded best quite a bit away from all walls. That might be tough to work with.

The Rockport Mira and Wilson Sofia are not that much different from your Avanti's in terms of position requirement--all sound best away from walls, particularly the back wall, but they are nice sounding speakers so they might be worth investigating anyway.
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