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Speaker choice without need for deep bass

I am slowly moving away from large full size/full range speakers and migrate to smaller 2 way.

This effect is caused by me adding a great 18" subwoofer to the system, and later playing with the 'main' speakers (and main amplifier) relieved of the 50 Hz and below heavy lifting duties (low pass to sub with own dedicated amp, high pass to main amplifier/main speakers). 

So the big full range speakers were replaced with large bookshelf. Everything is fine, except that I have a HUGE (by volume and area) open main listening room.  But now the 2 way speaker with one 6" woofer just CANNOT 'move enough air' to listen to high level music without starting to distort. 

Therefore the next speaker design I want to try is a still small speaker but with two low/midrange drivers simply to be able to play at 'concert level' without distortion; but still no need for very low bass. 

Since still in the trial and error and validation phase of my 'concept', any small 2 (if needed 3) way candiate must also fit the VERY low price (used) criteria ($1,000 or less). 

What comes to mind? 

Note: I had also inquired about the KEF LS50 for example, but was told they (and similar speakers) would suffer from the 'just not enough square inches' issue required for very large rooms. 

 

kraftwerkturbo

Showing 1 response by audiokinesis

audiokinesis
2,763 posts
 

@kraftwerkturbo wrote: 

"the next speaker design I want to try is a still small speaker but with two low/midrange drivers simply to be able to play at ’concert level’ without distortion; but still no need for very low bass. 

"Since still in the trial and error and validation phase of my ’concept’, any small 2 (if needed 3) way candidate must also fit the VERY low price (used) criteria ($1,000 or less)."

I have been designing speakers specifically for use with subwoofers for close to two decades.  As you mentioned, this frees up the main speakers from needing to handle the low bass, so they can be optimized for the rest of the spectrum.  But the main reason I embrace this approach is that imo there are subwoofer solutions whose in-room performance is significantly better than equivalent-on-paper main speakers in the bottom two octaves.

Unfortunately I have no recommendations on how to achieve "concert level without distortion" above the subwoofer range for less $1000; explore the used speaker offerings on this site and hopefully something will stand out to you.  You might especially look at companies that have a prosound heritage.  JBL and Klipsch come to mind; include Zu because they use prosound-type drivers.  Also look at Tekton; I don't think their Mini Lore is realistically capable of "concert level without distortion", but it probably comes closer than most in its price ballpark.

Very best of luck in your quest!

Duke

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