Most of B&W speaker lines have high WAF. The 700 series as well as the more expensive nautilus series. The CM series has very high WAF, but I don't like the way they sound. |
Once you're a couple inches out from a boundary where the port faces is irrelevant without acoustic treatment. Given a 2-way speaker and treatment you're better off with a rear facing port where midrange leakage can be attenuated.
2' out from the wall the direct sound will be confused with the first reflection that comes 4ms later, you're going to have a notch at 141Hz, you'll have boosted bass problems at lower frequencies most notably below 70Hz, etc.
Switching to in-wall speakers on a long wall will eliminate all these problems plus baffle diffraction. In-wall speakers plus corner-loaded sub-woofers will provide even more uniform frequency response.
Excellent in-wall speakers are available although I have no experience with them.
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I just received the Audio Note E's yesterday and I already love them! They are far batter than the Tannoys I was using and they work very well with the mcintosh components. They are wife friendly as the finish is nice (mine are walnut) and they are placed against the wall and out of the way of the room. |
I'm not an audiophile - but I have a pair of Aerial 6's. And I auditioned them with McIntosh amps when I bought them (they paired much better with my Krell integrated).
I think the Aerials might be too laid back for your McIntosh. At the store, the Audio Physics (the $3000 ones) sounded very nice with the McIntosh. ( the McIntosh was a $3300 tube). |
went from alon ii's (wonderful speakers) to audio physic libra (bigger brother to the virgo)..
would also suggest the virgo's II's in your situation. you might even get better bass response since the alon II's really like to be pulled out quite a bit (dipole).
the virgo are a higher resolution design but they dont have the dynamic "freedom" that the alons have. the presentation is very, very, very percise with the virgos but the alons have a highly detailed musical presentation when set up right and totally disappear. they are also more critical of the gear and setup than the alons ( had to change out my amps to a very high resolution design ( classe cam 350 monos) and power cords..
most of all- the wife likes the way they look.. |
I was just going to recommend the SF Cremonas but with a 2' constraint from the back wall I wouldn't be too sure if they would image well. |
Silverline Audio Sonata III in rosewood. Gourgeous and wonderful speakers. I bought new but there is a pair listed on ag for a great price. |
I think most would agree the Sonus Faber Cremonas sound good with the Mcintosh equipment.
Ya gotta love the woodwork too. |
I made a pair of Voigt Pipe with TWL Mod. (folded swing panels) using Lowther drivers. The speakers are made of oak, and I match them with my furniture in the living room--my wife is very pleased. If you need DIY step-by-step info, write me analog60076@yahoo.com It took me a week to complete this project. |
Thanks everyone for the suggestions - I am taking notes and will do some auditioning in the near future! |
Those speakers saved my couple;best WAF I cannot find & sound is amazing:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1106717378
I am driving them with Threshold T-2 & T-400.
Here is the web site:
http://www.gershmanacoustics.com/
Good luck,Yves. |
Go to the local video rental store and get a full-size cardboard cutout of Johnny Depp and one of Brad Pitt. Cut out holes to accomodate the drivers of the speaker of your choice. Paste the cutouts to the face of the speakers. Viola! Instant "wife-friendly" speakers! No worries bringing them further out into the room either. Oh, and as a bonus you can impress the pants off your friends and neighbors who'll think you have visiting celebrities. I don't think it'll cut the muster with any fellow audiophiles, but who the hell cares what they think anyway?!
Marco |
Hello,
I've owned several different floorstanding speakers over the years but only one has met my wife's approval; and the winner is (was) Thiel 1.5s. I'm sure the replacement version would suffice. Easy to live with visually but need a sub for full range sound. My two cents. Good luck. |
Aerial 6s would fit the bill nicely. front-ported. |
Hi, I have a set an Audio Physic Virgo's that the wife enjoys both musically and aesthetically. Most Audio Physic speakers are a beautiful 2-tone woodwork. Many times being a lighter and then darker color wood. I got the all black version, which blended in well with our decor. For our home black was a color that blended in and did not become the focus of the living room. Let your wifes decorating tastes drive the look of the speakers. Then play all her songs.
Of course, when she wants to her more "Gnarly" Carly Simon, I just use earplugs.
Good Luck
Hi, I have a set an Audio Physic Virgo's that the wife enjoys both musically and aesthetically. Most Audio Physic speakers are a beautiful 2-tone woodwork. Many times being a lighter and then darker color wood. I got the all black version, which blended in well with our decor. For our home black was a color that blended in and did not become the focus of the living room. Let your wifes decorating tastes drive the look of the speakers. Then play all her songs.
Of course, when she wants to her more "Gnarly" Carly Simon, I just use earplugs.
Good Luck
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The Nola's need a lot of space. Consider the Audio Note E's. They go well with
your music preferences and are intended to go close to the wall/corners. I will
be able to tell you after next week how they sound with the Mcintosh 2102/
2200 : )
While you're at it check out an Audio Note DAC! |
I have never "heard" these speakers, but since your room is only 12 by 12 you may want to give a listen to Legacy's on-wall speakers. The design is supposed to compensate for being close to or on a wall, and they sure look nice, again I have never listened to them so you would have to get a demo. |
In the spirit of full-disclosure I have a pair of Buggtussel Amygdala's in Cherry for sale on Videogon -- having said that, my girlfriend loves the way they look and sound, very appealing in a unique way.
These were a close second in looks only to a pair of Meadowlark Audio Osprey's, that I didn't like in terms of sound, but were unique in appearance.
The Buggs were demoed with Alison Krauss when I bought them.
There are a lot of great looking speakers out there.
Happy Holiday |
