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Speakers for difficult placement.

I am looking for a pair of new speakers. My biggest problem, though, is placement options. They cannot be placed more than 15 inches from the back wall and the separation distance is around 9-10 feet. My listening chair is also about 10 feet from each speaker. there is a door than opens into the right speaker so I would need something with a small footprint. So basically I need a speaker that sounds good separated (good center fill) and can set close to a wall without giving away too much in depth of field. My electronics are Sunfire and I have more than enough power. I also will be using the speakers with a Vandersteen 2Wq sub. I would love Vandersteen speakers but they are configured wrong anatomically (need smaller footprint). I have recently read some reviews of the PSB Synchrony's and was wondering if these might fit my bill. Any thoughts anyone?
donwass65
donwass65 OP
4 posts
 
I've auditioned Vandersteen speakers and loved their transparent warm sound.
The problem is the side door opens towards my speakers and the Vandy's are too wide. If they only made them thin and deep it would be perfect. The Quatros are configured like this but I just can't afford to spend 8 grand. I almost thought about a used pair of Thiel 1.6's or the PSB synchrony 1's or 2's.
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knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Have you looked at the Totem speakers? Their floor standers (they call them "Columns") can be placed as close as 6" away from the wall and you can tune the bass by mass loading a chamber inside the speaker with sand. Totems are known for their great dispersion and broad sweet spot. The manufacturer claims they can be placed up to 12' apart.

Depending on how big your room is you might be able to get away with the Arro, in which case you would have a great sounding slender little tower that is only about 5" wide by 7" deep, and your sub can be used to provide some umph on the bottom end. But even their "bigger" column speakers are pretty small compared with the amount and quality of sound that comes out of them. High WAF too across the range if that matters to you...
iplaynaked
193 posts
 
Those Gallo 3 sig's are a superior speaker all around, IMO. I installed a pair for a client who was replacing some original Vandy 2c's with some 2ce Sig's, then on to these finally. My impression was that they offered not only stronger dynamics, the Gallo's did, but they offered a much faster sound, while a more open and less colored sound than the original 2c's.
While they're not as completely transparent as say a pair of Wilson's, they are pretty darn good overall, and better than any Vandersteen IMO. (and I've sold and dealt with most of the speaker offerings out there over the years)
And, yes, they have a small narrow footprint, and slimmer build. Worth a look/listen, IMO.
Might be worth looking into
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Here's a strong second for the Gallo Ref. 3s. Mine are sitting about 8 feet apart and I still get a good center image even when I'm sitting directly in front of either of the speakers. And yes, indeed, they are "fast", transients are very quick.

Thay can be had for $1500 or so right here on Audiogon...

-RW-
gsm18439
895 posts
 
You do not state your budget or your ideal footprint size. I use Zu Definition 2s (footprint 12x12") within 4" of the back wall in my main rig and Celestion SL700's within 12" of the back wall in my bedroom. Both like to be "farther" apart.

Audio Note speakers are designed to go in corners, but (I am told) also work well agains the back wall, but not in corners. Other British speakers (older Linns) are designed to be placed near the back wall.
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