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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

Showing 1 response by jahaira

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,
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