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need recommendations for standmount speakers

Hi guys.

I’m looking for new standmount speakers. Budget is up to 3k but can stretch if needed. 

My current setup in my small bedroom (about 3x3m size) is as follows:

Cambridge Audio cxn v2
Benchmark dac3b
Benchmark hpa4
Benchmark ahb2
B&W 606 on b&w stav 24 stands
Rel t7i

Music is from tidal/roon and I have done REW on this setup. Somehow feels like something is missing.. I can’t pinpoint what exactly, but perhaps lacking some weight in the mids..

I’ve tried the Buchardt S400 for a month before eventually returning them. Although very good speakers, I felt they lacked a bit of high end sparkle. I preferred the top end of the b&w.

Unfortunately, I can’t have the speakers more than 20 cm from the back wall. They’re about 5 feet apart.

Any recommendations for new speakers? I was considering the B&W 705 s2, Dynaudio Special 40 and Focal Aria 906. Home demo is pretty hard to arrange where I’m at.
128x128docroasty

Showing 3 responses by nquery

nquery
103 posts
 
@vinguard, I have owned both of those speakers ...

imo, I wouldn’t say that the Special 40’s lack sparkle, it’s just that they lean a lot towards the mid-bass. OP wants both more mid-bass weight and some top end sparkle - I think the S40 tonality might be a good match. The bigger problem might be that they need space around them - 20cm from wall might cause problems in that 3m x 3m room. would probably want to try the single port bung.

Sierra RAAL ribbons have revealing/clear top-ends for sure and would work well in the small space, but might not satisfy the desire for weight in the mids ... I found them (including the towers) a little too neutral/dull for music. But they excel in multi-channel home theater (which is where I use them).

nquery
103 posts
 
It would be remiss not to include ATC SCM19's (or SCM11's) on this list, as the sealed design works well near walls, they have revealing tweeters, and mid-bass punch ... downside is that they are too neutral and/or analytical for some.
nquery
103 posts
 
The speakers were about 10 cm away from back wall and in a small cove ie not much space to right and left of speakers. Speakers placed about 5 ft apart. Room was smaller than my own.

Were there any foam bungs in the rear ports? Surprised it didn't get all messy in the bass given those confines.
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