https://www.muraudio.com/sp1 I heard these Hybrid Electrostatics at AXPONA and they were excellent. With curved panels, dispersion and imaging were magnificent. As I recall, they were well under your maximum. Low WAF if I had to guess but the sound may just override that resistance, if you face that problem. |
You owe it to yourself to at least audition Vandersteen 7 ii's. After listening to them, you may find a way to come up with a way to defray the cost of the balance between your budget and the actual cost of the 7's. |
Focal Stella Utopias with Boulder amplification.
I have a large, difficult room and they fill it effortlessly. I am part of a soundsystem and domestically i require a powerful, but unfatiguing, musical sound with excellent PRaT, but also with texture and intimacy
The only alternative i might consider would be dipoles.
Ime JBL's can be fatiguing
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For something that size you'll need speakers that are easy to drive!
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Sam Laufer's new line array speaker (The Note) is a good candidate. It is not an OB design. It does require subs. I believe he is still in Brooklyn so not far from you.
There is lots of tasteful room treatment available. I would strongly recommend consulting with a professional in this area. The room doesn't have to look like a sound studio to be treated.
We design and manufacture dipole line source speaker systems and know about room integration challenges. A true line source is worth considering. Call Sam and ask about The Note. I have no affiliation with Sam or his company.
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Several here have suggested MBL, I concur. I will add, propper amplification IS required. I power mine with an ML 33H amp. someone else has suggested Dunlavy. I have these as well and highly recommend them.
MBL can be enjoyed by many as the listening/seating position isn't as critical do to their design.
Best,
Jose |
My vote is Meridian DSP 8000, a subwoofer will not be necessary and you will not find a smoother effortless exact sound especially at lower pleasant volume. They can easily fill the rom in stereo and many Meridian owners are hooked on Trifield as well. Since they are digital the lengths of wire is nothing in comparison. You can pick up preowned pair for $16K and upgrade to SE later. I believe there is also a single on this site. If you look on the Meridian Hitchhiker site a lot more information on preowned equipment. I will say that I have been enjoying and building my Meridian system for over twenty years. I had Magnapan and Martin Logan prior, and got tired of the amp, preamp and wire games. |
I’ll second the comment by Atmasphere above, to the effect that special consideration should be given to speakers that are easy to drive. That would be beneficial in several ways: Whatever amplifier(s) you choose will most likely sound better; the need for less power is likely to lower the cost of suitable amplification considerably; a greater percentage of whatever amount of money you choose to invest in amplification would be likely to go toward quality rather than toward watts; and, finally, less heat is likely to be put into the room by the amplifier(s), if that may be a consideration for your apartment. One speaker which certainly meets that requirement, and that would be suitable for use in a large space such as yours, and that I believe is consistent with your budget, is the Daedalus Zeus that was suggested earlier in the thread. Although with those as well as many of the other speakers that have been suggested the need for multiple listening positions would seem to be problematical. If you want to consider Daedalus a conversation with Lou Hinkley (its designer/manufacturer), who is wonderful to deal with, is likely to provide you with helpful guidance about suitability and placement. Good luck. Regards, -- Al |
Sonus Faber Stradivari with a pair of REL G1. Incredible sound and they also look fantastic. You like the Sonus Faber sound. Send me a pm and I can let you hear this set up. Thanks Vincent |
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I'm going to through this out there - Shahinian Acoustics "Diapason Ensemble". They are located not far from you on Long Island.
Good Luck, TISH
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@racamuti ,
I like the Shahinian's. But, they are more in the class of Ohm. Very spacious, but nebulous sound. If the OP wants this, then they would be a great choice. On the other hand, if the OP wants something that provides a detailed soundstage, I would opt for either Vandersteen, MBL, Sound Labs or Magnepan.
I wish I could demo the Daedalus or Sonus Faber, as so many here on Agon have sung their praises.
Bob |
My recommendation for the best audio system sound I ever heard had the Von Schweikert Ultra 11s in a huge room. After that, at half the price are the Ultra 9s good for large rooms as well. They are expensive but would have fit my previous home's room of 20w X 25+d X12 h Now my room is only 15w X 20 d X 10 h and I will probably settle for the VR55k |
The VR55 speakers were in one of the best systems I've ever heard. If I had the money I would build a system around them. |
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dpal, your 'living space' is as large as one of my shop buildings sans restroom. *L* A lot of air in there.... ;)
You haven't mentioned ceiling height(s), which in that large an area will effect what anything will sound like. Just be aware...
Since all your windows are on the west wall, I'd like to suggest a different approach based on the noted 'use areas' in the floor plan.
Have a 'Nice' pair of speakers flanking the windows; it suggests having a drink, preferably with the significant other, watching the sunset or the view you're paying for. ;) Subwoofer optional...*S*
The wall with the 2 circles could have a flat screen of your choice flanked by a front pair with a back pair by the same manufacturer. An obvious location for the 5.1 system. If you opt for Ohms, you shouldn't need a center infill, but a small sub would be terrific. The back pair, also Ohms, could be smaller to be less intrusive, flanking the sofa.
You could drive both arrangements with a single 'well bred' receiver with a decent speaker selector.
As for the rest of the rooms, Bluetooth as desired, unobtrusive as possible.
Careful shopping ought to keep within the budget. *G*
All I'd ask is let me come listen someday...;) I'll BYOB to share... |
Oh, the Ohm/Walsh 5.1 ought to fill the main space nicely.
Mine does. *VBS* |
I would also echo the recommendation for Meridian digital active speakers as suggested above. In addition to the DSP8000s, you can also consider DSP7200s and their Special Edition variant which will fall within your price range. Worth a listen and consideration. |
A little "out of the box" thinking here. :)
Given the size of the room and the hardness of the surfaces... why not use a myriad of well placed ceiling speakers,. with the requisite number of subs at floor level? |
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Pity the audition is in the typical hotel room....
HO, line source speakers sound best in a large uncluttered space, more ’hall’ than ’cluttered’. Not the typical living room with the usual 'living room accoutrama' .
Lines could work @ the window wall location; @ the circles, feeding into the dining area...*ehh* |
*Oooo* Post #666! *L*
"The devil made me do it..."
Oh, BS...I can do fine by myself...*LOL* |
With your budget and the amount of space to fill - hands down I would choose either the Sound Lab 845s, 945s or the Maggie 30.7s. Either, when set up properly ( in the location of your red dots would work great - just would have to experiment with distance from the wall behind and toe in) would make a beautiful, well balanced and detailed stage and imaging that would not shift, change, or collapse, regardless of where you are in the room/rooms. Whether seated or standing anywhere near the sweet zone, either would present a very large, deep stage with pin-point imaging and timber to rival any of the speakers mentioned.
The need for massive amounts of power is a bit over stated. I can't imagine any tolerable sound level that couldn't be (with high quality) attained with a pair of Carver, Crimson/Raven 350 mono, tubes or a quality, high current SS amp.
If a low powered SET amp is your thing, I agree that the super efficient, very nice, open baffle, Spatial Audio X3, would be a great speaker for your large room/rooms. Un-rivaled in performance by anything even close to it's less than $8K price tag - would save you many thousands to put somewhere else.
Jim
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gammajo That's even larger than my former listening room. Do you think that the 55Ks would be okay in a much smaller room, 15' X 20' X 10' high? The room is extremely well insulated (16" compound walls/12" 3000 psi reinforced concrete floors-$160K built). The bass wouldn't be a problem as I am currently using Legacy Focuses with 6 12" woofers but the bass is limited to 25 Hz (okay with me). I know the Ultra 9s are way too big. |
$50k for speakers! Lot to consider, appearances, sound quality, size. Since you mentioned omni directional MBL would be quite the conversation piece and if you trust the reviews they’re always mentioned in Best sound at the show. I have a would be buddy with a room about your size and he’s struggled mightily trying to get music in that room. I can tell you what didn’t work, but for every one I mention someone else will disagree. He is currently using the persona 9h, has a large throw rug over much of the hardwood, but the 20’tall window wall presents challenges. I haven’t been over to hear his latest system, but will soon and can report if interested.
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I have the Dynaudio Evidence Temptations and they can fill a room beautifully. I love the setup of your home. I wish I could find one in Michigan just like it. |
I agree with agustus and for the cost of used Meridian DSP you can’t go wrong, however they will no longer be offering the se upgrade after the end of the month. Having done it myself I can say I’m done. Now when I go out listening to demos my system is the reference and I don’t hear anything better, good, great, impressive yea, but nothing I’d risk losing the musical harmony I have here now.
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