A Very Narrow Listening Room

I'll be looking into the Triads, Rhljazz. Thanks.

It makes sense to shy away from speakers with a wide pattern.

My listening position will be more like 6 to 8 feet from the back wall (the one behind the chair). How much, if any, adjustment will I have to make for realistic bass?

Brilliant. Thanks to everyone for your help.

I've actually plotted my speaker placement with help from the Cardis site. It's looking like 2.5 ft. from the side walls and 4.25 from the back (approx.). My listening chair for critical listening will be around 5 feet from the speakers. The back wall (behind the speakers) is scheduled to be empty, with the exception of a large 1 inch thick canvas drawing of Beethoven in the middle, and two equipment racks on the floor. There is shelving planned along the left and right walls, beginning about 1 foot away from the speakers. The other end of the room will be used for a work area for cleaning and cataloging vinyl and maybe a loveseat in case anyone visits. I'm planning to allow for room treatment (traps, corner busters, etc.) in my overall budget.

Also in the budget will be money for new equipment. At the moment I'm using a Creek 5350 SE / Totem Model 1 combination. I was thinking of a Unison 140-watt intergrated with Von Schweikert VR4-jr's as a possible combination, if I can tame the low end. Am I way off "bass" here ?

I haven't thought of Quads or electrostats. I used to have a pair of Acoustat Model 1s that I loved! Can I get them far enough apart in my narrow room? For that matter, can I get ANY pair of speakers far enough apart?. I love the Totems but occasionally I listen to music where I feel I'm really missing the bass. I using a Hsu Reserch sub with the Totems, but they never seem to fully intergrate with the Model 1s.

The Excaliber / mono is a thought. Could they sell me just one? Can't quite swing the 325K for the pair, unless someone here could buy the one I'll have left over (kidding of course).

Well, there you go. I'm liking that idea. In your opinion, would something like the VR4-jr's work with that arrangement? And I'm headed to the Rives site today. Thanks for your time and tip.

Got it.

The toe-in method sounded great with the Totems in my old room. I believe I can make this puppy work. Thanks!

Again, thanks to everyone for their help. I have many things to think about. Hopefully I won't go into "audio paralysis".

Would it be of help (or interest to anyone) to give regular updates as my project progresses (it should begin late next week), especially if I can find a way to add pictures? I'm a bit new at this.

I AM planning on running dedicated power to my room, use better grade outlets and will be treating the room (Echobusters possibly) as things progress.

Again, thanks to all who've helped and looked at the thread. If anyone needs a great discount on new vinyl, go to VinylMatters.com and mention this Audiogon thread and I'll hook you up.

The new Listening Room project has begun. I'll post some photos as soon as I learn how to post them on Audiogon.

It turned out to be an 11.5 by 20-foot space just off the current 10 by 10-foot Library, so in total, it will be an L-shaped area with music in the rectangular area and books and computer in the square one.

The electrician will be running two 20-amp dedicated lines tomorrow (Wednesday).

I'm thinking that, with careful speaker choices and placement, along with acoustical treatment of the room, I'll be happy with the results. At the moment, I'm listening to music in our foyer so it WILL be a step up any way it shakes out.

As far as looks go, I've decided on a "Retro" kind of motif, with a charcoal/grey/off-white paint scheme, chrome track lighting and silver/chrome equipment racks. I feel that the better the look of the room, the better the music will sound. After all, we spend a lot of time there, yes? Might as well look pleasing...