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Apartment Dweller's Paradise - The Ideal 2 ch. system?

We've had really great threads on Audiogon so far, so I'd like to keep the ball rolling.

One subject rarely covered enough in the music world are systems that are specifically for apartment dweller's. These systems are more modest in size and cost. Dolby Atmos? Forget-about-it!

How would you put together a system, under $10k, soup to nuts?


erik_squires
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,575 posts
 
Right now I have Clearwave Duet 6 monitors powered by Marantz Reference integrated with matching SACD player and it sounds great. Looking forward to hearing the new Elac Adante monitors next month. Used to have anything from Legacy Classic speakers (too big) to Hornshoppe Horns to Decware Radials and MMGs.

Most anything can work if you're willing to give up some functionality and turn your living room into a dedicated listening room. Despite the small nature of apartment spaces, listening in the near field has its advantages.

All the best,
Nonoise
larryi
3,738 posts
 

If you ever looked at Japanese audio magazines, you will see a lot of systems in tiny apartments that seem to defy logic--they are HUGE horn systems.  The reason for horns is that they actually sound fantastic at whisper quiet volume levels.  Aside from the footprint of the speakers themselves, these types of systems are quite apartment friendly.  They also tend to be very efficient, which allows for the use of the best sounding amps: low-powered pushpull or single-ended triode amps.

Another recommendation I have, in addition to those I mentioned earlier, for an apartment speaker is the Gradient Revolution.  This speaker can be configured (the bass section can be made to fire in different directions) for a fairly wide array of setup options, including against the back wall.  I have heard it sounding really good in a small room and at fairly low volume.  One downside is that it is not very efficient.

courant
119 posts
 
As per a number of my responses in other threads, I'm a Condo Dweller and have pondered variations of this thread for a number of years...

In building my own systems, I first identified speakers that were (1) condo/apt friendly and (2) had a "house sound" I could live with. I figured that speaker choice would then provide guidance for components. Other key points I needed to remember included that (1) my ceiling neighbor was the current HOA President and (2) my wall neighbor was the previous HOA President. And so, even though I lusted after Wilson Sashas, I knew it wasn't going to happen...

My current speakers Harbeth C7es3s paired with a Naim SuperNait2 in the great room (transparent Ultra RCA IC; NACA5 Speaker wire), and Harbeth P3esrs paired with a Linn Exotik/LK85 combo (AQ Niagara IC with AQ Bedrock Speaker wire) in my media room. Almost went with Focal 1008 BE, but preferred the C7s. In addition, I run a Naim unitiserve through both systems via a router/access point. I like the Naim/Linn "FlatEarth" sound, so all is good.

Lower cost alternatives to the Harbeths that I would consider would include Linn Majik 109s or Majik 140s; and Vandersteen IICes. Prior to the Naim SuperNait2, I had an Ayre AX-7e with Majik 109s.

Hope that helps...
schubert
7,386 posts
 
courant, I l hear you, live in a condo as well .
My solution was to find a unit with a outside wall onto a 8 feet wide stairwell, and a 20 foot bedroom on the other side of my living room.
Floor is 3 feet of concrete as it is roof of underground parking. Haven’t heard anything from ceiling in 3 years so whatever it is OK.
No sweat to listen at normal volume at 3 AM . Took me over a year to find it .
.Oh, also put thick cork mat over inside of door .
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
Move out of the apartment and buy a house gives a lot more room,
might even be able too have 2 systems like me.
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