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Anyone Successfully Go from Floor Standers to Bookshelf Monitors w/ Subs?

My system is in a Large Living room which opens to dining room & Kitchen. I figure about 6k cu ft. I have Silverline Sonata speakers now with subs. Unfortunately I did not build my addition when I should have 10-15 yrs ago. Now I'm not really up to the task. Too old & wore out. So I'd love to make the LR a prettier room for my wife. One thing we talked about was the large speakers, and possibly using Watkins Gen 4 monitors. But as good as they sound, I am concerned about the ability to fill the room, or at least my listening area. As I understand, it is about moving air. I cannot see how a 6.5 & 1 inch speaker can move as much as a 10, 7, 3 & 1 inch. So I am quite concerned about that. Right now, the system sounds very pleasing to both of us. We don't want to take a backward step but can live with a sideways step if it is more visually pleasing.

Has anyone made this kind of a step from floor standers to monitors, both with subs, in a large room, with success? Or am I thinking correctly about the small speakers inability to move the proper amount of air for the room size? Thanks for your help.

OH, FWIW, The addition may not be completely out of the picture. But it depends on whether I can get one of my previous sub contractors to do a large part of it. 
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mitch2
3,682 posts
 
I did but calling them monitors is hardly accurate.  Aerial LR5s with dual Aerial SW-12 subs.  The "monitors" are each 105 pounds with dual 9-inch woofers.  On their Signature Sound Anchor stands each speaker/stand weighs about 175 pounds.  The subs, also on SA stands, weigh 157 pounds each.  With enough power, the sound is dynamic, clean, and tonally rich.  
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dbphd
1,614 posts
 
I replaced older KEF Reference 107/2s with newer KEF Reference 1s supplemented by a pair of Velodyne HGS-15s.  The sound was superb for smaller orchestrations, e.g., the jazz and baroque I prefer, but disappointing for large orchestrations until I raised the crossover from 40 to 80 Hz.  That transformed the setup, making the soundstage seem larger and deeper, and large orchestrations as enjoyable as they were with the 107/2s.  I use a SMS-1 bass manager that provides acoustic room correction, and plan to add a third HGS-15 diagonally across the room, behind the listening area. 
turnbowm
353 posts
 
When I moved some years ago, I ended up with a smaller listening space. Found that my Vandersteen 2CEs just didn't work well in close quarters. They need room to breathe and that's something I didn't have. Ended up replacing them with Kef LS50s and a Rel T/5i sub. The LS50 coincident/coaxial driver design works very well in nearfield listening situations.   
headphonedreams
522 posts
 
There are many floor standing speakers that are quite thin and uses 8 + 6 inch drivers or many 8 inch drivers. One of those with a sub may be a good compromise. Could look good and fill enough of the room.

You can also listen to the Kii Three which moves a lot more air than you would think. But that would replace your amps as well.
markmuse
240 posts
 
Slightly off topic: Do you remember the double large Advent speaker setup? I have often wondered if that kind of synergy occurs with other monitor type speakers. Anyone here ever try that with today's high quality monitors (Watkins, Fritz, ProAc, Harbeth, etc)?
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