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Tower Speakers Close to Back Wall

I need some advice on what types of speakers to consider for an upgrade.  The speakers will be in a combination living room/dining room that is 21’W x 24’deep with a cathedral ceiling that is 14’ high.  The listening position is a sofa that is 12’ from the front wall.  The speakers will be be positioned within 24” of the front wall, which is mostly windows.  Due to furniture constraints, the speakers cannot be put out much farther into the room.

My current system is simple.  I have a Roon server elsewhere in the house.  I have a Matrix Mini 3 Plus as a Roon Endpoint/DAC connected to a Rotel 1570 Integrated amp which is connected to a pair of Golden Ear Triton 5 speakers.  I also have a subwoofer. 

I have owned several different sets of tower speaker over the years.  Those speakers have had either down facing, side facing or front firing bass ports.  The wall behind the speakers has windows or window treatments, depending upon time of day.   There is also a metal radiator than can rattle along the entire wall.  I figured that the variety of stuff on the wall behind the speakers combined with the minimal distance to the wall would result in acoustic issues with speakers that have back firing speakers.

I would like to spend less than $4000 to upgrade the speakers whether they are new or used.  I would consider another amplifier as part of the upgrade if I think that it is necessary, but I would prefer not to spend the money.  My questions are whether I should consider back ported speakers or if I should stick to either front ported or acoustic suspension speakers due to the limited amount of space that I have behind the speakers.  I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

flyfish77

Showing 4 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 

Consider Flexible Positioning

My room is smaller, but similar in use to yours, but my speakers are at the dining end of the room.

I have my heavy speakers on 3 wheels, so I can readily move them. Three wheels because more weight per wheel than 4, and 3 wheels don't wobble, put them anywhere, they find stability..

1. out several feet from side and rear wall, normal toe in for best imaging for single centered listener, speakers aimed directly at centered listening chair

2. same location, but alter toe-in for two listeners, maintain inside front corner, rotate left front corner to aim left speaker at right chair; right speaker aimed at left chair. Produces decent l/r sound, some sense of space and imaging; far better than hearing ’your side predominantly’.

3. pushed back into the corners, because the leaves are in the dining table for a large group. They sound darn good, and you are not concentrating on imaging or playing loudly so too much bass is not an issue.

My chairs are all ’transparent’ backs, the center ones rotate 180 degrees, to either listen to music or watch video.

see photos here

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/9511

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 

I used/loved these JSE Model 2’s for many years until I went back to horns.

They come OEM with 4 dual wheel casters (dual wheel = tight axels). Easy to reposition from corner to ______

 

I changed the rear to 1 center wheel for prior noted reasons. Rear anti-tipping corner blocks are sometimes needed, normally 1/2" above the floor, but if the speakers start to tip, the corner block prevents that.

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

They pop up for sale, usually under $1k from time to time.

Anyway, mobility is part of the original design.

These are quite dark, I think Walnut stained to look like Rosewood.

They come in lighter finishes, mine were ’normal’ Walnut, here is lighter finish, and you can see the wheels.

 

 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 

Some speakers, narrow front, deep enclosures can be positioned close to walls/corners, you need to research them

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126018211205?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=38688e5a-50d6-11ee-a5be-333334343561

Always watch out for ports, especially if near walls. Again, research of designer's intent is needed.

I am no fan of side/rear/bottom ports. If port, front facing is my preference.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 

This quickie search

Best tower speakers close to rear wall

popped up many images, might give you an idea which companies to check out

 

 

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