Auditorium 23 SoloVox...


are they really sensitive to placement?

I've got the five year upgrade itch; plus I've got a new listening room configuration to deal with. My listening room "was" once a 15ft wall of mostly windows which allowed me to place speakers 4ft out from the wall or move them in and around the corners. The downside with that room (other than the big German Shepherd who dogged her post in front of one window): it was a huge open ceiling rectangle that continued onto the dinning and kitchen area, much like a big loft. Well the wife also had an itch and we remodeled (even though it was my money my opinion did not weight in). Suddenly I've been reduced to a near(er) field experience. I now have a 20ft or longer wall but there are entry doors on either end. The speakers can be no more than 2 ft. from the wall. My listening chair is about 8ft. from the speakers and I have another wall 2ft behind my head. So it's more intimate than before although the ceiling remains open and pitched.

So besides comments like you got screwed, I'm looking for advice to rectify the situation. Over the years I've worked my way through the Vandy line, Maggies and Merlins. Now I have a desire to move towards more efficient speakers.

I was very interested in the Audio Note HE model, but alas it prefers corners and I have none. Thus here I sit reading the Jules Coleman and Michael Lavorgna reviews wondering whether this SoloVox would work in my environment. Coleman didn't seem to have too much of an issue placing the speaker, but Lavorgna must have spent days moving his library from one wall to the other.

I'm very interest in anyone's trials and tribulations with the SoloVox, or any other efficient speaker that is less sensitive to placement. I'm also anxiously anticipating DeVore's two-way Orangutans. Thanks!
dpe
There are several speakers designed to be used against the wall. Regardless of what speaker you choose you will need some type of room treatment behind the listening position, but something tells me your stereo days are over. Good luck.
Rrog,

I'm already experimenting with the sound panels, and yes it may come down to the stereo or my wife. Although the dog comes with me (as well as any new speakers that I purchase) :-).

Anyone care to comment on the SoloVox? Or are they not that popular?
Hi,
it's not that they're not popular- it's that they're kinda rare over here. You can hear a pair at Don Better's in Cleveland for sure. I'm not sure how they work in a particular room other than what we've read. You could try Jonathan Halpern at Tone Imports, a wealth of info.

Also, you're stereo days are far from over, the room, and wife, sound fine. Many fine speakers are at ease close to a wall...

and whether you like the solovoxes or not, the Auditorium guy is a genius...
Dpe - I listened to (and loved) the SoloVox at Don Better's home. I really wanted to get a pair and build a system around them, but Don told me that the room I had available would not allow them to sound right at all. They would have been only 2 feet from the back wall, about 7 feet apart at their centers, and I would have been listening somewhat near-field. According to Don, they are very sensitive to room placement. They need to be in a large room, well separated, and well away from the rear wall and side walls.

They do sound intoxicating, though. One of the very best speakers I have ever heard for solo instrumental and small ensemble music. Exactly why I wanted them. Still do, but it ain't gonna happen.

I too am interested to hear the Orangutans. I have the Silverbacks in my primary system and love them!

BTW, how efficient do you need your new speakers to be? Verity has come out with some new offerings that are more efficient than their predecessors and they are very impressive. I am referring to the ones I have heard, namely the Finns and the Leonores.
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