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Why are big speakers in small rooms bad?

I'm moving shortly to a new house and a new dedicated room that is 11x15. I was hoping to use an old pair of PSB Goldi's that are, no doubt, a bit large for that size of a room.

My question is, what are the reasons behind big speakers being a no no in smaller rooms? I've heard that the bass will overpower the room. If so, then why are people recommending monitors with a sub for a small room? Is it simply because of more flexable placement?

So, if you're able to place your speakers anywhere in the room and apply suitable acoustic treatment to the room, what are the physics behind the universal disdain for large speakers in smaller rooms? Not tiny rooms mind you, but say a 150^2 ft. room vs. a 300^2 ft. room. All rooms have nodes and other problems, is it just easier to treat a large room?

Thanks.
superfund

Showing 3 responses by distortion

distortion
571 posts
 
I suppose that the limited amount of drivers typically found in a monitor more easily integrate given the reduced listening distance.

I also suppose, that typically the greater bass quantities that larger speakers output may over power some rooms. Though you're exactly right, you can treat these problems pretty easily.

IMO, big speakers in little rooms arent necessarily bad. Look at my "small two channel" system. I am currently setting up what most would consider at least a medium sized speaker in an 11x11 room. I just started this system this week so no applicable knowledge is yet to be gleaned. Its currently breaking in.
distortion
571 posts
 
Cruz, I sure will. The speakers (Sol6.2) need a ton of break-in. As it is they have about 40 hours at the most. There is certainly a bass hump no matter where I place them. Patience is a virtue, so I'll dont plan on jumping the gun on bass control devices yet.

Super, I dont dont have any experience with Planars in small rooms. I see in the systems area that members Pcking and Ace427 both have Planars in small rooms. Maybe a direct email wouldnt be in order. I do recall a memeber building an all A'gon system on the cheap and commenting several times about the small room and how well it sounded. I am pretty sure he was using MMGs. So apparently some folks liked that arrangment.
distortion
571 posts
 
Thats "would" be in order =)
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