Tiny Room (6' x 9') speaker advice


Dear fellow Audiogon members

I have been an avid Audiogon reader over the past 10 years and have learned a lot from the community and have come to trust the advice I read on here over most other platforms.

Did a lot of listening during lockdown and I decided that I really like vintage audio.  I recently purchased a vintage HH Scott, Type 200 tube amp with separate Tuner, which are currently being reconditioned. 

In addition, I have a Thorens TD-145, which has an upgraded 8" Jelco arm and Ortofon 2M blue cart (plan to upgrade tot he bronze in the very near future).

For speakers I have the KEF LS50s that are currently connected to a Music Hall 15.3 50W amp (which is being replaced with the HH Scott). 

I want to replace the KEFs with speakers that at least look vintage, i.e. does not need to be vintage just want a wooden box like the Klipsch Heresy IV, Harbeth 30.1, etc. that have a large deep sound stage/excellent imaging.

I have heard and really like the Klipsch Heresy IV and the Harbeth 30.1. The issue as per the title, is that my listening room is tiny. I actually had my system in several different locations in my home but being non-dedicated spaces it did not get nearly the use that it has in this small room.

I have searched the web, including all previous audigon posts, for the "best speakers" for small rooms and the definition of a small room is very subjective (i.e., I have read several posts where it was defined as 15' x 15' or smaller). The best I could come up with is speakers for near field listening, most of which are low sensitivity and not ideal for a 12W tube amp (that said the KEFs can easily reach levels that are well beyond comfortable using the Scott before I sent it to be reconditioned).

Right now my KEFs are approximately 4 ft apart, about a foot off the wall, and my head when sitting is about 6 feet away. They are current on isoacoustic stands on solid walnut shelfs that are bolted to the wall at ear level.

Now comes the question.

What speakers should I try to audition that fit the following criteria?

1. Wood vintage look.

2. Small enough for the room. Again I would go for the Heresy IV, which would fit, but I am sure are way to big for the space.

3. Open airy soundstage. I have a sound in my noodle that I keep searching for, which I can only describe as a Fender Strat played on a 65 Princeton Reverb. Again the Klipsch and Harbeth mentioned above came as close to what I imagine I am looking for as possible.

4. Finally, I would like to keep the price under $3K.

Thanks for your suggestions

Budd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

munneuro

6’x9’ room? If you are looking considering Wharfedales, the Dentons are the ones you should put ears on. The Lintons would probably be way too big for that room. The Dentons would also come in under budget. My brother found a lightly used pair of Denton 80th anniversary with matching stands for about $400. However,with your budget, I would be looking at Harbeth P3SER, or any of the other LS3/5 derivatives. I run a pair of Graham Chartwell LS3/5’s in a small room(9x13) with great results. Another brand to consider would be Falcon. The make highly rated LS3/5a speakers.
Best of luck.

6 X 9 rooms ... sounds like the 8 X 10 room I had in an apartment in Astoria years back.  I used a Marantz 2216B receiver with Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s and a bare bones TEAC  CD player and it was pretty damn nice.  If you want that vintage look, I would go with the Wharfedale Dentons.  I use the Dentons in a bedroom system today with an Outlaw receiver.  I might also look at the Omega Super 3i @ $700/pair.  You can have the cabinets done up anyway that you would like.  They would work nicely with your Scott set-up.

Omega Super 3i 

Rich 

 

Awesome, I will check out the Omega Super 3i as well, thanks Rich!

I agree with the comments above that the Linton is probably a little too big, will give the Denton a listen. 

As several have suggested, headphones are a great alternative, I typically use Sennheiser 660s and HIFIman HE-400i with a Cayin player. While I like them both, I find headphones difficult to use for extended periods of time, which is why I am on the hunt for something small that will sound good in a small space. That said the new Scott has a headphone out so may be worth a shot.

The Infinitesimal was a great little speaker, but the tweeter wasn’t a ribbon.

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OK you got me, I replaced the planar diaphragm. Trust me one looked like ribbon tinsel from a Christmas tree.

I like the cast aluminum case and hardwood caps. It was a super fun project.

I wonder what Danny at GR could do with them.. I’m gonna send him a set.

I have two pairs. One pair with a mismatched tweeter, wrong color but the right static resistance.

They look like they are ready for a fallout shelter, pretty friggin’ sturdy. :-)

GR Research has a real nice sounding unit just not retro. I like something that sounds exceptional too. Not just good. GR is one of a kind for sure.

https://gr-research.com/product/desktop-mini/

Pick your finish. I picked the best of everything.. 607.00. AND finished.

OP I got a few upgrades for a TD145 too. I usually keep 4-6 160s or 165s here for projects.. Ear plugs.. There is a tip.. 2.00 put them in the suspension springs..

Regards

but the tweeter wasn't a ribbon.

They are a true ribbon when you blow it and it delaminates.