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2ch Upgrade for Unfocused Listening

I'm not much of a talker on this forum so forgive me for my rash introduction. I'm a father of two young boys, loves music and has little time to really focus on listening. That said, I am toying with the idea of upgrading my system to something a little more grown up. Current setup is a super modest, running a NAD D3020, pair of B&W bookshelves (10 years old), and a small Martin Logan sub. This system sits in the living room and is predominantly used for background listening though the occasional "sit back and relax" kind of listening does happen from time to time. If I'm not listening here, I'm at my desk working and listening to a pair of KEF x300a's. 

My big thought is to do a full upgrade, albeit a slow one, to something a little more special. Currently I have my sights on the Naim Uniti Atom and a pair of floorstanders (CM10 S2 really catch my ear), taking away the need for the ML sub. The big question is this however, will an upgrade like this where music is played more often than not when I am running around with the kids be something I notice? We all like to listen to music, but if we arent planted in the sweet spot am I wasting my time thinking we can achieve great sound throughout the space, making for a worthy investment at this current life stage. 

I welcome your input. And thank you greatly in advance. 
128x128bgrimes

Showing 5 responses by rego

rego
378 posts
 
It is noticeable and possible.
Having a Space that is 2-3 times longer than wide would help with one possibility.
Speaker selection / recommendation might prove difficult.
An example would be: Two Way vs Three Way Designs.
MBL 126 omnis should give you an idea of what is possible.
I would suggest listening.
Demos / Shows
Find a sound in a playback system that has a / the desired quality.
Already you have some reference with  CM10 S2.
Start with a component that you like!
The current Book shelve Speakers may serve well for some experimentation. 

rego
378 posts
 
Ah ... you are in the neighborhood ... Metropolitan Denver!
The Living / Kitchen / Listening Space is great!
Set up the B&W's opposite from the kitchen Area Space.
This should allow for some well deserved casual ... um ... critical listening.
Wall to Wall Boundry to Boundry.
You may have to move the mains out into the space a bit for the proper effect.
Experiment with spacing between the speakers as well.
The Sound just depends on how the loudspeaker integrates. 
Even without treatment you should be able to have a good idea of what the sound can be.
Lots of possibilities for brand set of Loudspeakers.
Don't look now ... but TMR Audio is listing a Clearwave Symphonia 1
used but Not ... for a bit more than $2K.
Do look!

rego
378 posts
 
Correction
TMRAudio listing does show that the item has had Two previous owners
assuming ’use’ at One year. Same Serial No though.
A bit of confussion.
TMRAudio had a 2018 listing noting unused.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis914j3-clearwave-symphonia-1-floorstanding-speakers-walnut-burl-pair-13670-full-range
Oh well.

rego
378 posts
 

Aurora, Co.

Three Way Designs have consistently Sounded better to me.Mostly that the Listed Price @ $2645 is close to your specified Range.The thing about used gear is having cash on hand when it comes up.

Though I think 2x Designs have improved signicicantly … say in the last ten years.

Improved time alignment driver motor structure X-over … a combination of these and more.

The Symphonia 1 listing notes a 'Coherent Point Source Mid' / 'X-over improvement'.

Also "Bass and Imaging is Outstanding".

Call / Email TMRA and ask for someone to give more input!

Good Staff.

In short a Good well Implemented design for $2.6K.

You can get a Book-Shelf to keep the setup on the periphery.

And You Are Welcome!
rego
378 posts
 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9h78j-acoustic-technologies-classic-series-full-range
A recent post on the Gon.
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