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Can you have a huge 3D soundstage in a small room?

Ok I just came from a dealer where I listened to the Krell Resolution speaker and the sound stage was GIGANTIC. This is what Ive been trying to achieve in my room for years. The dealers room was quite large. I would say about 18w'x 25d'x 12'ceiling approximately. My room is 13'x 35'x 8'ceiling. The speakers have to go on the long wall. Right now I am using the Vandersteen 2CE Sig and I know that they need to go but am I ever going to get that huge holographic sound in my current room? I am willing to spend the money if it will work.

Thanks
braro
zargon's avatar
zargon
453 posts
 
The Vandy 2CE Sigs are very capable of creating a wide, high and deep sound stage. There must be other room related factors here. Vandys like to be out and away from the walls. Can you tell us more about the current location and any room limitations? Have you considered them on the short wall?
audiokinesis
2,728 posts
 
My room is similar to yours in dimensions, and I can get excellent depth and a fairly wide soundstage but still not as wide as in a wider room. On some recordings, I can get sounds coming from outside the speakers and even directly to the right or left of the listening position. I'm using relatively phase-coherent speakers (full-range electrostats) and treating the first reflection zones with diffusion (fake ficus trees).

I agree with Zargon that the Vandies are very capable in the imaging department. Unless your room is overly bright, my standard suggestion is to try fake ficus trees along the sidewalls in the first reflection zones (typically $29.95 each in your local craft store). If your room is too bright, then absorption in the first reflection zones might work better.

You might also try nearfield listening - that is, with your listening chair less than 6 feet from the speakers. The direct sound should dominate with such a setup. Now the driver integration may be a problem at such close range, but experiment with different ear heights (try slouching more than normal) and see if that doesn't help snap the imaging into focus. The

Duke
braro OP
87 posts
 
Zargon, Audiokinesis, I have tried many different locations and methods over the years. I have had the best results with the recomended Vandy placement according to their specs. Currently the 2CEs are almost 3 feet off the back wall, about 5 feet from the right side wall and 30 feet from the left side wall. There is about 12 inches behind the listening position to the back wall. Short wall placement is not an option. The room is carpeted. I would say that the room is bright because I have to turn the treb and mid adjustments down about 2 db to smooth things out. I will be investing in some wall treatments as soon as I get things sorted out. I am currently running

Wadia 861
Supratek pre amp
VTL MB 125 amps (upgrading soon to VTL MB 450)
Cardas Golden Cross interconect
Kimber Bifocal XL speaker cable
(2) Vandy 2WQ subs with model 5 xover

Thanks
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