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Thoughts on Speakers for a Small Audio/Video Room

Hoping to get some thoughts from the group here. 

I recently moved into a dedicated TV/audio room, but the room size is on the small side: 15.5ft x 11.5ft.  As pics will show, there's quite a bit in there, so empty volume is decreased further due to that.

I've been using Aerial Acoustics Model 7B speakers, which I've been very happy with in larger spaces, but they seem to be overwhelming the room and I'm getting fairly overwhelming bass. Vocals have sort of a chestiness/congested nature to them, and there are bass undertones to most songs.  If I play records loud, I need to activate my rumble filter, which I never used to have to do.  As a sidetone, I also have Monitor Audio Gold Reference 20's in my collection.

Preamp is a recapped Mcintosh C35 and amp is a recapped MC2255.  Phono pre is a VTL TP 2.5 II, TT is a Marantz TT-15S1 running a SAE1000LT MM cart.

I borrowed a friend's Sonus Faber Electa Amator II's and they sounded very good in my room - sweeter, more natural, no congestion, though I did give up bass slam/impact, which I kind of missed.

Here are pictures of the room:

Front:

Back:

I'm playing around now with plugging the rear ports of the Aerial, as well as putting some acoustic panels in the back corners of the room.  Both of those seem to have helped quite a bit.

As far as measurements, those Aerials are currently about 80" apart, 16" from speaker back to front of cabinet, 96" from each speaker to the listening position.

What's your opinion: With some room treatments/plugged ports, can the Aerials work well in a room of this size, or do I need to move toward smaller speakers?

If I go smaller, any thoughts on something like the Sonus Faber Concerto Domus (there's a pair local to me) or Sonetto III?  Those seem to be more modestly sized, don't go as low.  Would those be at least a lateral to the AA Model 7B's, or a step down in terms of overall speaker quality?  I only mention Sonus Faber models as I was impressed with my friend's speakers and generally do enjoy the smoother, more musical speakers and will give up some detail/pinpoint accuracy if needed to avoid brightness/listening fatigue.

Thanks all. . .

 

captouch

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 

Where are you?

I’d love to hear my restored AR-2ax speakers in that space. zero ports.

because they have 10" woofers, I suspect you would not need a sub.

level controls for the tweeters and mid drivers, a tripod mounted SPL mic, a CD with test tones

combined with the OEM or built-like stands designed to lift them up, tilt them back, aim them up would do a world of good by properly aimed dispersion and various angles of reflections off floor, clg, and side walls.

................................

next, I would like to hear speakers with Richard Modafferi’s ’infinite slope’ 100db/octave crossover in your space. Joseph Audio uses the crossover in his designs, pricey, and there are vintage JSE Speakers to find, the model 2 is too large, a smaller model perhaps. There is a conversation now about JSE .5 speakers, the OP knows a lot about the other models.

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,770 posts
 

JSE Model 1, use UPS pack and ship

you give size and weight to UPS, they give you accurate estimate, seller simply drops them off unpackaged, in your name. You get exact price, you pay UPS, they are responsible to avoid damage. I’ve used it 3 times successfully

http://JSE Model 1 specs and review

 

when you paste an image ADDRESS in (top bar, 6th icon from left) enter 555 in the ’width’ box, that avoids distortions

replacement tweeters, mid, woofers all are known, I wish I had a space for them

 

JSE, never saw this model, seller says tweeter and 2 8" drivers

 

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