Seeking advice for speakers for my Family Room


 Hello experts,

I am starting out on my quest to finally get some quality speakers, mostly making do with off-brand in-walls, in-ceilings for the most part for my family room.

And wanted to get your advice on what speakers to get for my kind of use case.

USE:

So, these will be used in my Family Room where I will be using them for 60/40 movie watching/listening music.  Ocassionally, we would like to be able to pump up the volume and listen to either multi channel audio or 2 channel music for parties etc.

ROOM:

The room has a lot of hard, reflective surfaces (tile flooring, some, tile on the wall behind the TV, it also is a large room (36' wide x 18' deep with 9' ceilings). However, my main listening position/couch and media cabinet and the floor standers will be in the left 15' portion of the width of the room and at 13' away from the speakers/TV.  Pictures attached below.

 


EQUIPMENT:

My receiver is Denon x3700H and I have a Polk PSW-505 12" sub. Eventually, I am open to getting an external amp to use with the pre-outs of my receiver, something like this Class D amp Purifi based VTV stereo amp. But first, I wanted to get my speaker selection nailed down.

 

SOURCE: 

At the moment, I have tried only YT Music (at 256kbps AAC) since I already have a subscription for this. I am not an audiophile and neither is my use case for critical listening. So, while I understand there are better SQ options for streaming music, I have my reasons for sticking with YT music (lyrics, music videos etc)

 

SPEAKERS AUDITIONED:

I have tried the Klipsch RP-280FA with the Klipsch RP440C center channel and found them unbearably harsh/bright. Tried several modes, but couldn't even get through 2 songs without having to stop. This was at loud volumes...

Next, I tried the KEF R11's and these were MUCH better, but I still found the highs a bit bright.

Other contenders (based on what I am hearing are considered a bit more warmer speakers) I have not tried yet but would like to get some advice on before just going through the hassle of ordering, setting up, trying etc:

-Wharfedale EVO 4.4

-Sonus Faber Lumina V (would have to wait a long time to even get these)

 

Maybe later, I might look into room treatments, but I am thinking I will leave that for later, that can be a slippery slope/money pit, but for now, I am looking for speakers that don't sound harsh/bright at loud volumes for extended periods of time. I will probably get a matching center as well (for HT/movies) that would need to provide clear dialog. 

Thanks,

KG

 

ROOM PICS:

 

 

kgtunes

Showing 2 responses by sandthemall

I had a system layout almost exactly like yours about 2 houses ago! The house I moved into next was perfect for audio. My same audio system took a monumental leap in imaging and clarity with nothing more than a room change. Night and day. Reflective surfaces smear sound and don’t allow you to crank up the volume.

Your biggest problem is your room. And I know you probably don’t want to hear any of this...but no amount of money spent on speakers can fix it.

You have a pretty room but will not do so well with audio. Would be better if the entertainment system was against a short wall but I understand that the short walls are not ideal either as one long wall opens up to other rooms. Still there are simple things tou can do:

My advice is to start with a bigger, heavier rug. About 4 to 5 times the size of your current one. You can run the rug under your couches. Put the rug on a heavy felt rug liner. It will save the rug from dust mites and moths in a way that rubber netting slips can’t do.

Running the same floor tile up the wall is a design faux pas. Maybe take that down and replace with an acoustic wood texture (wood slats etc.).

Use curtains on the windows.

Put some art on the walls but nothing with glass. Exposed canvas paintings are great...wood carvings...textile art...you get the idea.

In a room like that, the improvements will be subtly accumulative.

An acoustic ceiling treatment/tiles might be the strongest solution. Something between your listening position and the speakers.

Hiring a professional is an option.

But it certainly doesn't hurt to get yourself aquatinted with how the room sounds first hand.

Start with clapping several times in the area you will be listening from. Do this as many times as it takes to get a feel for how the room echoes back. Before you clap, imagine what it might sound like and then see if your clap matches your memory.

With each new acoustical solve/addition, clap a few times to hear the difference. After a few months you will start to sense what is happening.