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Small Room Question

Hi,
I need some help from some of the more experienced folk out there. I am currently driving B&W Nautilus 805s with a SF Power 2 (or occasionally a McCormack .5 Rev A) in a small room (12x14x8). In general I like the sound and don't necessarily need/want deep deep bass (<35 or so), although a little more than the 805s 45hz would be helpful.

My problem is that my headphones sound way better than my speakers with regard to openness, seamless integration of frequencies, lack of boxy sounds, feeling of envelopment.

I want to seriously upgrade my speakers and would like to hear the experiences of anyone who has is similarly restricted/challenged (?) with regard to available listening space. I can place speakers about 3ft from rear wall (covered with heavy curtains). Would floorstanders/electrostatics go berserk in a room this small?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Haven't decided on price yet but would like the speakers to match the quality of my anciliary equipment so $4 to $6k, maybe cheaper if used.

Thanks
Audioq
audioq
jahaira
108 posts
 


My room is 14'x12'x9' and I'm using a pair of monitors right now. I also have a pair of floorstanders that I use too (just interchange them from time to time). In both cases, I bettered the sound of my room by using a set of DIY Room Lenses. They give more detail, air and a wider soundstage. For $60-100 a set/3 you can't do wrong. I also use a carpet over my hard floors(ceramic tyle over a cement foundation), courtains to cover my glass windows, two DIY accoustic panels at the front corners of the room, and a DIY 72"x30"x2" decorative foam panel behind my listening position that helps to absorv the back-reflecting sound.

Even with my monitors (Madisound Geminies with Dynalab drivers in D'Appolito) the bass is pleasent enough and don't need a subwoofer.

Before investing that sum of money for the new speakers, try:
1- to move things around using different settings,
2- move your speakers around at different lenghts from back/side walls,
3- a near field configuration do the trick sometimes, even when you get used to seat farther,
4- have someone near you with Room Lenses to take them to your home for a demostration (or check how to make a set at www.audioasylum.com tweaker asylum).

Keep us informed and good luck.

Regards,
Ag insider logo xs@2x
muzikat
921 posts
 
My room is very small, (12'x11'). I have been through many speakers and even a sub/monitor. Floorstanders did not work. Linn speakers worked well, also ATC an AVI monitors worked very well. I finally settled on Joseph Audio RM7si. They do every thing right, they are front ported. I listen in the nearfield with a futon as my seat and a large dhrury (sp?) rug hanging on the wall behind me.
Good Luck
audioq OP
5 posts
 
Thanks to everyone who replied. There is certainly lots of food for thought here. Without trying to answer all the questions posed I will note the following:

1. I have tried a number of different speaker/listening positions and I think I have just about the best I can get. I'm listening in the nearfield (6ft)to remove as many reflections as possible
2. The entire floor is covered with carpet.
3. The speakers did sound slightly better in my previous room (approx 25x15x9) since they were "miles" from the side walls (?) Although they never came close to the headphones and were always a little bass shy.

Having read a little bit about acoustic theory today I did a clap test in the room and definitely noticed a little ping as the sound decayed (Not as much as my bathroom but a good deal more than my bedroom). Probably caused by bare side walls.

Based on my reading and advice here I will take a closer look at some treatments, echo busters or whatever and let you know

Thanks guys!

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