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Speakers vs. headphones

OK, desperation is setting in (I'll admit it). I have a 12-by-13 room with 7-foot ceilings (carpeted room and acoustic tiles up top) and I've tried every speaker and sub placement imaginable for my very modest system (NAD 326 amp, Totem Mites, Velodyne SL-800 sub). Even without the sub, I can't get the sound to anywhere near what I'd like it to be. I had an even more basic system (NHT Super Zeros, Onkyo amp, M&K sub) in my old home and it sounded INCREDIBLE compared to what I have now. Like I said, I've tried diagonal speaker placements and everything else, including room treatments (panels on first reflection points – no bass traps yet, but it seems the problems go well beyond bass). The question(s): Is it time for headphones? Is it even possible to get decent sound in a room with these dimensions?
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Showing 1 response by ojgalli

ojgalli
165 posts
 
Have you tried a near-field setup? It may be your only choice in a room that size.

Set your listening chair in the middle of the room, or a little behind the mid point from the front wall. Then set up your speakers in an equilateral triangle from the listening position while keeping them at least one meter from the front wall. If my calculations are correct, you and your speakers will be about a meter apart. The speakers will be well away from the side walls and there'll be plenty of space behind your head. That should make your direct to reflected sound ratio better than 1:1. You'll be hearing the speakers more than the room.
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