Speakers for a large vaulted room?


I have a listening room that is new to me. I have had trouble with my gear in this room and I want to see if anyone thinks the speakers will make a difference.

First, the room is rectangular with a brick fireplace flue that goes floor to ceiling pretty much dead center of the room. from front wall(speaker side) to back wall; a distance of 23'. I sit with my back to the 2 1/2' fireplace with all the empty space on either side of me. The walls on either side of me are 16' apart and only 4 1/2' tall then the ceiling take over and goes to a 12 or 13' peak.

Second, I am using an SP-6 preamp, V70 power amp from audio research and Magnapan IIIa's. I realize that the Magnepans need more power so I wanted to go with PSB Synchrony one's.
sonorous1

Showing 1 response by frommerstop

I have two listening rooms in upstairs rooms (in my home & cottage), but neither is as large as yours. Never the less, I've never had much luck using panels of any kind in those rooms. I just don't think dipoles lend themselves to angled side walls. I'd try shifting to a good dynamic speaker, not because of peak output, or sensitivity, but because I think you will have a much easier time getting integration with the room. Also, assuming it could be done, I'd consider setting up a near field listening set up turned sideways, with the speakers against one of the sloped walls, and you sitting against the other. This obviously wouldn't work with the tall Maggies, but a pair of short towers, or mini-monitors could be just the ticket set up that way! I wouldn't think in terms of "filling the space" so much as using the space to keep the room from getting in the way of the speaker/ear interface.
Cliff