Thanks everyone, a decision has been made: Bluesound Powernode and Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders.
New system, large room, low listening level
My first post, and not for me; for my adult daughter. She wants/needs a 2 channel music system. She lives in the UK in a restored Georgian townhouse which was converted and restored into flats 15 years ago. Very posh. She is on what we would call the 2nd floor, which in the day was probably the main floor of the entire townhouse. 15' ceilings! Her main living space is 20' x 30', functionally divided into sitting area, kitchen, small dining space and small office. It is totally an open floor plan. Curtains on 3 tall windows on the long wall.
The listening position would be about 12' from the speakers which would located along, and close to, the short wall. Aesthetically, she would prefer floor standing. For electronics, no more than 2 boxes, maybe zero or one.
Listens entirely to music from the internet: Qobuz, Spotify, radio (Classic FM), etc.
She listens at relatively low levels, perhaps 75 db max. Musical taste are classical, light jazz.
Would prefer British brands, or at least brands readily available in the UK.
Suggestions, please.
Thanks in advance, Larry
The listening position would be about 12' from the speakers which would located along, and close to, the short wall. Aesthetically, she would prefer floor standing. For electronics, no more than 2 boxes, maybe zero or one.
Listens entirely to music from the internet: Qobuz, Spotify, radio (Classic FM), etc.
She listens at relatively low levels, perhaps 75 db max. Musical taste are classical, light jazz.
Would prefer British brands, or at least brands readily available in the UK.
Suggestions, please.
Thanks in advance, Larry
17 responses Add your response
Hello, One more idea is the Elac active tower speakers ($2300 US) with a blue node 2i streamer and no amp $550. You might be able to get the streamer for $449 if you act today same for the powernode. They have/had a rebate. I saw on the website. Andrew Jones designed these speakers so you know they are good. I would still go with the Dali option for a couple reasons. She can upgrade the amplifier at anytime, They are a little more stylish, they have options to add a center and surround speakers in the future. The streamer could be moved to a smaller area with some book shelf speakers like Dali. Shipping might be better because they are in Europe. They are rear ported but with this little of amplification and they go down to 42 hz she will want the little extra punch to get the bass she would need at low listening levels. If she pulled them about a foot or so from the wall she can crank them up and still sound awesome. I have demoed these speakers. They are a terrific value. They might even be less than what I thought. |
Blue node -Powernode with the amp built in for the amp and the streamer. A pair of Dali speakers. Towers are either $1100 us or even better the $1400 us version. Ohm makes nice towers that can hug the wall but they are $2000 so the bigger Dali’s would be better money wise plus they come in some cool colors. They have a white grey setup for both devices that would look and sound really good. The 1400 Dali speakers are worth the extra few bucks over the baby towers. |
on the cheap, get a couple of HomePods for stereo and stream from your phone. I use HomePods around the house as Roon endpoints. A little more, the ps audio sprout 100 is a preamp/dac/amp in a small package with 100 watts. I use this with either a pair of Jamo floor standing speakers or Usher stand mounted speakers. Read the review in TAS on it. I use it in my large office. |
Remote Balance. I Presume if/when much listening is done at low volume, sitting in dedicated spot, focusing on imaging is not frequent. Therefore, balance adjustment might/can improve whatever is reaching wherever you are sitting. I use the Chase primarily for it's remote volume, and use it's remote balance from dedicated listening to make surprisingly large imaging improvements with small balance adjustments. |
"Loudness' EQ (should have been named 'Low Volume Bass Boost') is important for low volume listening. i.e. Maintaining Jazz Bass Player in low volume listening preserves Involvement. If bass not maintained, becomes background music, no real involvement. Fletcher Munson documented ear's sensitivity variations as volume drops, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-loudness_contour resulting primarily in a need to progressively boost bass as volume reduces. 'Loudness' circuits, (some manual, some automatic) were standard optional features 'in the day'. My vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp has separate optional Loudness filter. All my Vintage Preamps/Receivers had variations of 'Loudness'. Many used it wrong, gave it a bad name, minimal 'pure' signal paths ... it has disappeared unfortunately IMO. IF not properly set up, the progressive bass boost starts too soon, too much bass, and remains too much bass. When properly engaged, it definitely makes a beneficial difference. This Chase Remote Line Controller, RLC-1 has automatic built in bass boost, progressively as you lower the volume. Like vintage equipment, many set it up poorly, and the bass boost begins too soon. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chase-Technologies-RLC-1-Remote-Line-Controller-RLC1-Upgrade-Any-Stereo-NOS... You start/leave it at it's default volume; adjust your preamp/integrated amp's volume for 'normal'. No bass boost. Then, use Chase unit for increased volume, no bass boost. reduce volume, no bass boost until you lower below 'normal', when it then automatically/progressively/properly boosts bass, maintaining involvement. |
If she's as posh as her digs, and really wants the speakers close to the wall, look at Tannoy Sterlings. If she's looking for a cheaper alternative, the Monitor Audio Bronze 6 are solid. The preferred listening levels concern me. Especially in an open-plan environment. I think she'll be happier with four wireless Sonus units placed around the space. |
The Proc D48R would fit the bill. My friend has them and they work great in a large room! https://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/html_files/Speakers.php?Range=Response&Speaker=ResponseD48 LFD is a British brand that would fit nice with the Proacs!! https://generubinaudio.com/shop/ols/categories/lfd-amps-and-phono-stages |
