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Tiny Room (6' x 9') speaker advice

Dear fellow Audiogon members

I have been an avid Audiogon reader over the past 10 years and have learned a lot from the community and have come to trust the advice I read on here over most other platforms.

Did a lot of listening during lockdown and I decided that I really like vintage audio.  I recently purchased a vintage HH Scott, Type 200 tube amp with separate Tuner, which are currently being reconditioned. 

In addition, I have a Thorens TD-145, which has an upgraded 8" Jelco arm and Ortofon 2M blue cart (plan to upgrade tot he bronze in the very near future).

For speakers I have the KEF LS50s that are currently connected to a Music Hall 15.3 50W amp (which is being replaced with the HH Scott). 

I want to replace the KEFs with speakers that at least look vintage, i.e. does not need to be vintage just want a wooden box like the Klipsch Heresy IV, Harbeth 30.1, etc. that have a large deep sound stage/excellent imaging.

I have heard and really like the Klipsch Heresy IV and the Harbeth 30.1. The issue as per the title, is that my listening room is tiny. I actually had my system in several different locations in my home but being non-dedicated spaces it did not get nearly the use that it has in this small room.

I have searched the web, including all previous audigon posts, for the "best speakers" for small rooms and the definition of a small room is very subjective (i.e., I have read several posts where it was defined as 15' x 15' or smaller). The best I could come up with is speakers for near field listening, most of which are low sensitivity and not ideal for a 12W tube amp (that said the KEFs can easily reach levels that are well beyond comfortable using the Scott before I sent it to be reconditioned).

Right now my KEFs are approximately 4 ft apart, about a foot off the wall, and my head when sitting is about 6 feet away. They are current on isoacoustic stands on solid walnut shelfs that are bolted to the wall at ear level.

Now comes the question.

What speakers should I try to audition that fit the following criteria?

1. Wood vintage look.

2. Small enough for the room. Again I would go for the Heresy IV, which would fit, but I am sure are way to big for the space.

3. Open airy soundstage. I have a sound in my noodle that I keep searching for, which I can only describe as a Fender Strat played on a 65 Princeton Reverb. Again the Klipsch and Harbeth mentioned above came as close to what I imagine I am looking for as possible.

4. Finally, I would like to keep the price under $3K.

Thanks for your suggestions

Budd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

munneuro
charles7
102 posts
 

I have heard great things about the Infinity Infinitesimal and BBC L3S/5A, but unfortunately being true vintage they are tough to find for audition.

How do you audition equipment for a room of your size at a dealer's place? Wouldn't the sound be completely different? Do you have a different way to audition?

ricmech23
103 posts
 

What about JBL’s line of bookshelf speakers? 

jan_mc
13 posts
 

I'd look at something like GR Research NX Studios.  Something somewhat OB.

sameyers1
127 posts
 

In addition to the LS3/5a types consider the Totem Acoustic Sky bookshelf/stand mounts. Lower bass response than the Harbert/Spendor/Falcon units, can be placed within a foot of a rear wall, excellent imaging and detail and nice mahogany finish. For half the price (a bit over $1,000) the Totem Skylight is another alternative. If your Scott drove you Kefs it will drive the Totems. 

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
456 posts
 

Wow. My office is 6' 4" by 9'3"   so I get your situation completely. For a vintage look, the LS3/5A is your winner. It is designed as a nearfield monitor, where none of the other speakers mentioned had that as a consideration. The Infinity's are too 'modern', the Wharfedale's are too big, and the Heresy's are WAYYY TOO BIG.  If you're really a Klipsch fan, consider the RP-400 or RP-500. Also, Acoustical treatment in a small room is crucial. Get about  6 or 8 24" square or 12" X 24" rectangular 2" panels  for you walls and ceiling, They will make remarkable difference by controlling the early reflections. Acoustimac made mine, and I am thrilled. I use them in my lots-of-glass living room, where they help more than the sound system, I use them in my theatre, along with bass traps. And I will use them in my office shortly. Good service, good price, good selection.

I'll stay out of the amp discussion for now other than to say you won't need much, but it must be cleqn. The LS3/5A's are sealed, so having a subsonic filter isn't a big deal, but the Klipsch are, so being in close proximity to you turntable, a 20Hz high-pass subsonic filter will be a must. Woofer flap is not good for the speaker or the SQ. And as much fun as a tube amp would be, that's a small room and it could get very stuffy very fast from tube heat.

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