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Seeking advice for speakers for my Family Room

 Hello experts,

I am starting out on my quest to finally get some quality speakers, mostly making do with off-brand in-walls, in-ceilings for the most part for my family room.

And wanted to get your advice on what speakers to get for my kind of use case.

USE:

So, these will be used in my Family Room where I will be using them for 60/40 movie watching/listening music.  Ocassionally, we would like to be able to pump up the volume and listen to either multi channel audio or 2 channel music for parties etc.

ROOM:

The room has a lot of hard, reflective surfaces (tile flooring, some, tile on the wall behind the TV, it also is a large room (36' wide x 18' deep with 9' ceilings). However, my main listening position/couch and media cabinet and the floor standers will be in the left 15' portion of the width of the room and at 13' away from the speakers/TV.  Pictures attached below.

 


EQUIPMENT:

My receiver is Denon x3700H and I have a Polk PSW-505 12" sub. Eventually, I am open to getting an external amp to use with the pre-outs of my receiver, something like this Class D amp Purifi based VTV stereo amp. But first, I wanted to get my speaker selection nailed down.

 

SOURCE: 

At the moment, I have tried only YT Music (at 256kbps AAC) since I already have a subscription for this. I am not an audiophile and neither is my use case for critical listening. So, while I understand there are better SQ options for streaming music, I have my reasons for sticking with YT music (lyrics, music videos etc)

 

SPEAKERS AUDITIONED:

I have tried the Klipsch RP-280FA with the Klipsch RP440C center channel and found them unbearably harsh/bright. Tried several modes, but couldn't even get through 2 songs without having to stop. This was at loud volumes...

Next, I tried the KEF R11's and these were MUCH better, but I still found the highs a bit bright.

Other contenders (based on what I am hearing are considered a bit more warmer speakers) I have not tried yet but would like to get some advice on before just going through the hassle of ordering, setting up, trying etc:

-Wharfedale EVO 4.4

-Sonus Faber Lumina V (would have to wait a long time to even get these)

 

Maybe later, I might look into room treatments, but I am thinking I will leave that for later, that can be a slippery slope/money pit, but for now, I am looking for speakers that don't sound harsh/bright at loud volumes for extended periods of time. I will probably get a matching center as well (for HT/movies) that would need to provide clear dialog. 

Thanks,

KG

 

ROOM PICS:

 

 

kgtunes
kgtunes OP
9 posts
 

@auxinput Thanks, that's exactly what I was thinking/heard that in terms of warmth: Sonus Faber > Wharfedale > KEF > Klipsch in the 3 speaker brands I was considering/looking at. This is also what I have experienced first hand in my room.

Since Marantz and Denon are owned by Sound United, would you say the Denon 3700h would sound similar to the Marantz?

@mesch @sbank Yes, would definitely be adding curtains on the windows, larger rug, but will look into the ATS Acoustics sound absorbing panels as well. 

@carlsbad Not sure what you mean by the last statement.

@bjesien Thanks! Yes, will add those things surely, I already have the Polk PSW505 sub. I just tried it out, there IS a slight slap echo on the right side of the room (the other side of where my HT/audio/listening positions are). Sounds like I will need the sound absorbing panels as well...

Post removed 
vinylvin
145 posts
 

I have a Denon, not as nice as yours. I've had it for 10 years. I think it

sounds really good. I've been using Polk LSi 15s as fronts. The new

Polks seem nice & have great reviews. Maybe you could audition them.

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
926 posts
 

My suggestion.

Before you even start to consider speakers or audio components. Reduce the rooms hard flat surfaces, both walls and floors, by perhaps 75%. By adding large rugs, wall hangings, artwork (sculpture), plants, etc.. This will help break up the worst reflections of what is less than perfect room for sound. It won't be perfect, but at least it will allow you to get a better idea to what a component actually sounds like. As it currently is, your room will make anything sound more harsh and bright.

 

 

 

auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Since Marantz and Denon are owned by Sound United, would you say the Denon 3700h would sound similar to the Marantz?

I don't have direct experience with Denon, but I would not automatically assume that it sounds the same.  Marantz is also the only receiver to have discrete analog output stages.  The higher end receivers are better.

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