Room size

Bottom end performance does set the table for the vbalance of the presentation... IMO.

I'd say also, floorstanders... with or without a sub. With, is my preff. My room is similar, appox 14W x 20+L x 8 w/slope.

With openings and a powered sub, it was OK... pretty nice, even. Closed off, it is far, far, better. With or without. With sub however is still better as much more of the m,usic presentation is afforded me. Immediacy, impact, and the sub affects the tonal balance to preffs as well. Enhancing vocals adding warmth and presence.

I've had several medium sized floorstanders... thought long and hard about monitors too, and am quite glad I went wityh floor speakers instead

Two subs might well be the best fit for your room size, and that way even good sized monitors could well fit. I use one DD15. Two would be better I'm sure... or an 18. *I use my DD for HT too... not just music. it's nice either way, but I'm a bass junkie and would merely prefer more snap and pop with greater thunder in HT. Musically, it's fine overall.

Good luck.

Whether you classify your room as large or medium really doesn't matter. Choosing an appropriately sized speaker depends not only on room dimensions but also openings to other rooms, wall/ceiling construction, listening volume preference and musical tastes. You also have to take into account that some speakers are designed to work best in real rooms and others are simply boxes with drivers that measure well in anechoic chambers.

Being that there are so many variables, you can really only try an individual speaker in your room and see if it works. I'm not saying that the advice offered by others above is wrong, but what they said will unnecessarily limit your possibilities. I've heard very large speakers perform wonderfully in rooms much smaller than yours. I've also heard small speakers sound great in really large rooms. I've also heard mediocre to bad sound in each situation. This subject is too complex for easy generalization.

From the perspective of system matching, I'd say moderate to moderate +. From the perspective of room acoustics, it's either small or large. Yours would be considered small.

Bryan Pape
Lead Designer - GIK Acoustics

Your room is close to my listening room, 24x14 w/ vaulted ceiling. Mating the speaker to the room is the best way to start building a sytem. My first speaker was Vandersteen 2C which was ok but a little too big to really breath and bloom in this size room, from that I went to Alon 1's which is a bit smaller floorstander that was a much better match for my room. I currently am using Totem Mani 2 monitors which is the best match yet. Plenty of bass and I am able to power them up to get the best out of the speaker. You will need a rather muscular amp to drive these though, I am using a Bryston 4B. My room seems to sound better with the smaller speaker being driven with a bit more power, rather than the larger floorstander with the volume lower. One thing you won't have to worry about is the Totem filling the room, but you will need an appropriate amp.

Thanks for all responses so far. Zenblaster, the Mani 2 is the speaker I have been seriously considering. My original post was in reference to comments like " needs a large room to breathe" , or " will overpower a small room." I was just never sure what was considered large or small. Sounds like the Mani 2 has potential . Thanks again.