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Versatile, non-fatiguing speakers for a small room under $1500 used or new: advice needed!

Hi, first post here! And not a very original one, my apologies!:)

So after years of listening to music through miscellaneous mid-fi solutions, I am finally thinking about dipping my toes in hi-fi audio and putting together a dedicated stereo setup. Currently I am looking at speakers, and my head is already aching from the abundance of options, so I am looking for suggestions from you guys, primarily from those of you who have had first-hand experience building a stereo in a small room like mine and achieved results they are happy with.

My room is pretty small (approx. 13’ x 10’), and I will be placing my speakers along the long wall. My listening position will be 6 feet away, give or take; plus the speakers will have to sit fairly close to the front wall. 15 inches from the back of the speaker would be nice, but if needed, I definitely I could move them out farther into the room (up to 20 inches from the back of the speaker), for listening sessions and then move them back again. There are several rows of shelves , filled with CDs and stuff, in the middle of the back wall above my head (not wall-to-wall though) - would that work as dispersion? I’m thinking of applying some room treatment behind the speakers, and on the right-hand side wall as well (if needed) - on the left hand side is a window covered with thick curtains.

Budget: under $1500 used or new.
I listen to all kinds of music, primarily rock of all eras and subgenres (blues/folk/prog/hard/art/psych/indie, etc), jazz, blues, classical, acoustic, singer-songwriters, female vocal, 80s new wave/post punk, some heavy metal. So the speakers need to be as versatile as possible. As someone who likes rock music, the bass is important, but I live in an apartment (neighbors!), so I have to find the right balance there as I don’t want to overload the room - the bass has to be there but under control and not boomy. I want as big a sound as possible in my small room without overpowering it. In general, I’m looking for engaging, non-fatiguing, dynamic sound with good midrange and tone, with enough punch to rock out when needed, nuance to play softer, more sparse types of music, and resolution so the details in fast complex passages don’t get lost or smeared. Not a fan of excessive brightness, sibilance, or harshness in the upper midrange.

I’m primarily looking at standmounts, but maybe certain smaller floorstanders would be fine? I’ve seen opinions claiming floorstanders are the way to go, regardless of the size of the room. What do you think would be preferable in my situation - apartment with neighbors, 13’x10’ room, long wall positioning, distance to speakers about 6 feet, maybe less?

Thanks!
mermaid_smiles
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
I got lucky with my P3ESR's.  In one of my last in-person visits to Echo Audio in Portland I walked in and saw them in the demo room, asked how much (I think they were $1025?), and immediately said I'll take them.  I was lucky they hadn't put them on their web site yet, or they would have been snapped up in a minute.  They're the Special Edition and in almost perfect shape. 

If you look at the sold listings on hifishark, you'll see that they are often available for under $1500.
nypd26
35 posts
 
Vandersteen 1B or IC.Easy to drive with spacious soundstage.
saggy
2 posts
 
I have had a few of these setups in my day.  I also live in a small NYC apartment with a 12x17 room as my listening space (and kids' play space and computer desk and lego storage, and...).

I have had tremendous success with a (Velodyne) subwoofer and both Reference 3a mm de capo and Monitor Audio Gold 50.  I find that at my volumes (not that high) it was even more important to have an amp that was capable of handling the speakers.

The MA Gold 50s were precise and fluid, and very straightforward.  I would not rate them as high as the de capos, which are just an incredibly pleasing speaker to listen to.  Mine have some upgrades that make them even more so.  They create a soundstage that seems like it couldn't happen in such a small space.

Lastly, I also ran a pair of Zu Omen Dirty Weekends in my room and found them to also be excellent. 

I did not like the pairs of Wharfedales, Klipsch, and Martin Logan speakers I tried.

My setup is a Unison Research Triode 25 with a Lumin D2/Sbooster.  
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
@saggy 

agree

ref 3a plus good sub is a wonderful set up
panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
518 posts
 
Lots of good choices here, Certainly I’d look at the new GoldenEar BRX and the Martin Logan 35XTi, perhaps a 2.5 floorstander with 5" drivers like a Monitor Audio Bronze or Silver 200 series, they flank you pricepoint by a couple hundred dollars each way, and will offer better dynamics and bass. The LS3/5a or clones (Harbeth P3ESR, et al) are another route, one I might have taken 20 or 30 years ago but today your budget will buy either an old pair or exactly one new speaker. Not a value. My personal choice would be KEF LS-50s, hands down. From 50Hz up, there is simply no other speaker that has the overall imaging, resolution, neutrality, versatility, technology, and, well, breeding of the LS-50. There are reasons why the LS-50 is the least expensive Class A (Restricted LF) rated speaked by Stereophile - by a factor of 10! It’s because they hold their own with the biggest and most expensive speakers out there and your room size is just about perfect for them. Down the road, when and if you want the last octave of bass, and even better dynamics, a subwoofer (REL?) will provide it. Budget for some decent stands (Pangaea seems to have a good handle on those, without charging an arm and a leg) and decent cables. The only downside, if it is one, is the LS-50s like good clean power, 50-60 watts/ch is the realistic minimum, and 100 watts a side is really the sweet spot. The amp should also be comfortable with 4 Ohm loads. That said,I have heard LS-50s driven by 40W/Channel tubes and were more than engaging,

Acoustical treatment - A few fabric wrapped panels from https://acousticalsolutions.com/ are definitely the way to go. There are lots of DIY options, but most people simply don’t have the experience, tools, time, or space to build your own. They even have entire room kits (549.99 for the Small, your choice of 10 colors) that will do wonders. I’m using their panels in both my theatre/studio and living room listening areas. I like Acoustical Solutions because they are very high quality, and very reasonably priced.
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