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Recommendations for against the wall high efficiency speakers

I’m a believer in synergy, not individual components.   I’m setting up a new system in my condo and like most condos, I’ve got some limitations.   My room is 16’ wide and 35’ long, 9’ height.   The system will be placed 2/3 down on the long wall.   It’s the living room and my wife says no ugly room treatments as it’s our living room.   Just to head this off - I don’t need a new wife.    I listen at moderate levels (usually 70-85db).   Mostly progressive rock and jazz, all streamed, no phono.   Budget is $8k, for used speakers.   Once the speakers are mostly set, I'll work on amps, preamp, DAC, streamer, & cables ($25k all in budget, all used components).

 

The speakers will need to be placed right up next to the wall, so I was thinking of Ohm or Larsen, but these aren't very efficient – are there other options?   I’d like much higher efficiency as I like the dynamic presentation I generally get with that setup, but I don’t know of any efficient speakers I can place next to the wall.

 

I can add subs, if necessary, but I do need to take into account my neighbors above and below me.

 

I should add that historically, I've really preferred the sound of dipoles or open-baffle designs, but I don't have the space for them here.

 

Any suggestions or recommendations for my new-to-me main speakers?

noodlyarm

Showing 4 responses by noodlyarm

noodlyarm OP
90 posts
 

@roxy54, Interesting idea.   I've not heard the Audio Note, but they are well reviewed.   I'll see if I can find a pair to audition somewhere.

 

@rar1, I love Zu and had not thought about them.   Can they be placed up against the wall?   I've only heard the Druid 5 out in the room a ways, and figured that ruled them out for me.

 

@paradisecom, I used to own a pair of La Scala's way back in the late 70's.   I loved them, particularly after I modded the crossovers and adopted the new (1980) mid driver.   They would be too large, but the Cornwall IV...   Hmmm.

 

@hedwigstheme, they don't have to be high efficiency, I just generally like the sound and dynamic contrasts of high efficiency speakers.   I've never heard of Gradient revolution, but I'm looking them up right after i hit send on this reply.

 

Thank you all.

noodlyarm OP
90 posts
 

Thank you all for significantly broadening my search!   It’s the journey as much as it is the end, and I like the end a lot too!

noodlyarm OP
90 posts
 

Thanks Everyone.   Great suggestions that really broadened my thinking and approach.   I’m very intrigued with Zu and Audio Note.   Both look like good options.   Now I’ve got to figure out where to go to hear them in the S. Florida area.

noodlyarm OP
90 posts
 

The right speaker will be placed 6-7 feet from the side wall along the front wall (facing the stereo).   The left speaker will be about 8-10 feet from the right one (a long ways from the left wall).   All placements are theoretical at this moment until I get the speakers in here and start playing with them.


@lonemountain, thank you for the suggestion on ATC.   And thank you all for your thinking and suggestions.

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