@captouch I agree with @soix to first work with speaker placement in your new room--i too run Aerial Acoustic speakers (7T) in a room 1' smaller than yours in the long dimension but 2' wider side to side--i do have a nearfield setup which i like as this is purely a music room but if you're opposed to that you may need to go with different (smaller) speakers and many excellent ones have been recommended. Fact is there are always lots of speaker options for any size room but there's nothing wrong with your 7B's and i don't think they are too powerful for the room--perhaps some REW measurements to ensure they are not located in bass node areas would help but in your place i would work with them first...
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. . .
Showing 6 responses by wyoboy
@captouch From the pic you sent above w/ the Sonus Faber's (?) it appears to me that you need to play with moving further away from side walls--just a guess--but when you do that your listening position does change-closer to speakers. Have you tried using a room mode calculator? This one came to my attention a few years back on A'Gon and it's a free app from an Austrian guy, that was immensely helpful in locating the modes in my room--and keeping my speakers and turntable away from bass nodes. It's fun to play with a wealth of information on room modes: https://amcoustics.com/tools/amroc Lastly, someone above mentioned that if you liked the Aerial Acoustic sound and wanted smaller speakers the Aerial 5T might work--they are well-reviewed and maybe you can demo them--but are standmounts. FWIW |
@captouch The graphic shows at what frequency modes exist with biggest concerns below 250Hz for bass integration and below 150Hz for where you don't want your speakers or subs or turntable located--but there's another 3D room graphic as i recall that shows where those modes are actually located in the room on walls, floor and ceiling. It took me a while playing with it to finally get it -- have fun |
@captouch My understanding is that the modes are based solely on the dimensions of your room regardless of what kind or placement of speakers--the speakers will only excite the room modes more or less in the locations shown so the graphic shows you where to avoid placing various components. Of course an REW app will help confirm that and there are several free good ones out there--i use one called Audiotools and it's excellent--it confirmed the modes depicted on the Amroc graph. |
@captouch Just to clarify, i have a pink noise generator that helped to confirm the modes and whether or not i was strengthening them with my speakers (eg boomy bass that you've experienced). I moved my speakers around and the basic modes did not move but were either strengthened or left alone--they were never weakened... |
@captouch Well, speaker placement does play into it to the extent speaker location can emphasize strong nodes even more--but i was initially confused about superimposing all the nodes and wondering where there wasn't one--but then i only paid attention to the main nodes below 150Hz to avoid placing my speakers where the bass would become overemphasized--and where my turntable would experience greater vibration. Plus knowing where the nodes are allows you to treat those areas if you wish (i did not as far as bass traps). |