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Rethinking my system: Your ideas are appreciated

Hi all,

I have a pair of Dynaudio Focus 110s and a Rythmik Audio F12SE sub driven by a Rotel RSX-1055. My room size is 27x24. I listen mostly to rock, blues, funk, guitar/vocal instrumental and classical. I also use the system for movies.

While I really like the Dyns, I'm looking for something a bit stronger in both fullness and presence. Something where the sound doesn't seem to be coming from 'over there,' but rather it envelopes you and makes you feel like you're at the event. Not so much 'louder' as 'bigger.' This could certainly be due to poor speaker placement / imaging on my part. Still, I can't help feeling like I wish the sound was fuller, and at the same time I would rather not rely on the sub as much in order to get that fullness.

Not sure if this means going to floorstanders or possibly upsizing my monitors. Or maybe it means rethinking the Rotel, or at least adding monoblocks. Budget for speakers is around $1500 or so.

I apologize if my audio vocabulary is lacking or if I'm not clearly expressing my thoughts. I realize that everyone's tastes are different and that I'm working with a small budget, but maybe I could get general ideas and suggestions from those of you who have 'been there/done that.'

Thanks!
alderash
rtilden
156 posts
 
Alderash:
I found myself in a similar situation a couple of years ago, after moving my system into a newly-expanded Great Room (30'x30'x12'). I made the correct decision for my situation by upsizing my speakers to Tyler Woodmeres. What I noticed was a much larger midrange and bass reinforcement that I think could only come from larger drivers in a larger cabinet. Now, the entire room is filled with music, and it overflows nicely into adjacent open spaces. Tyler still makes the Woodmeres, although they are not currently featured on his website. Good luck.
oldcar63
145 posts
 
There is a pair of Hales revelation 3s for sale at Us audiomart which will leave you money left for the amp to drive them. Woes gone.
mongoose
5 posts
 
I found the focus 110's just too small sounding for my tastes. I bought the Focus 140's and that was much better. However,I think I need a little bigger dynaudio monitor or floor standers to get that more majestic sound. I think the contour 1.3 mk11's and the 1.3 SE sound bigger (and actually are a little bigger). I have a pair of 1.3 mk11's and they seem just big enough to throw a satisfactory large sound in a small to mid size room.
luvs2listen
63 posts
 
Are you using active high pass on the monitors, or are you running them full range, with the sub simply augmenting the lowest octaves?

If you're not running an active XO between sub and mains, adding the ability to cut everything below 80Hz from the mains will allow them to play with more dynamic range for two reasons:

Reduced excursion requirements on the mains allowing cleaner midrange reproduction

Reduced peak to average ratio on the amplifier, allowing better dynamic peaks for more realistic impact.
manitunc
795 posts
 
With the size of your room, you really need something bigger to load the room if you are looking for fullness instead of pinpoint imaging. At your budget, I would recommend the PSB Golds. You then might need more power to do the speakers justice in that room. Something in the 250 wrms range. I liken your current system to a turbo 4 engine in a car. Might have enough horsepower, but not enough torque, like a V8 would have. You need more torque
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