I’ve a similar sized, dedicated listening space. Based on my experiences, I’d sound treat the walls and ceiling, as well as add a pair of subs. Knotscott has offered good advice.
Upgrade path
I’m very new to the hobby. In the past I’ve had home theater dedicated speakers, Sonos, various Bluetooth speakers, AirPods. This past summer I stopped by a hifi shop out of curiosity and the step up from what I was familiar with was huge. Here is what I ended up with: ProAc D2Rs (arriving soon - using borrowed Totem Signature One’s in the meantime), Naim Uniti Star, Technics SL-1210GR2, Rega Fono MM Mk 5, Audio-Technica VM540ML. The room is 15” x 20”, 9” ceilings.
The temptation to start swapping stuff out is already strong, but I’m wary of tinkering without some long term plan (that’s already the second phono stage). So, what do people think is the most impactful change I could make? Add subs? A more powerful amp? Floorstanders? Have I already entered the world of small incremental improvements?
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Get all of your components. Hook them up. It will take at least 200 hours for everything to be broken in. The sound at first will likely be trebly and flat. Speakers must break in, the cones must get exercised... but every electronic component must go through breakin as well. During breakin you need to get the setup right. The sound you get will be strongly dependent on the speaker location... the toe in, distance from walls. Then the room may need dampening. I recommend not even thinking about upgrades for many months... six months. In the mean time get a copy of The Complete Guide to High End Audio by Robert Harley. This will start helping you understand the elements of sound, the relationship to components. And the high end speak. Then start thinking about upgrades. |
First, take delivery of your speakers, assemble your system, then listen to it at length - a couple of months at least. Carefully matching good amplifiers to the needs of one's speakers' is always a must. If you find that the end sound produced by the ProAcs pleases you and fulfills your expectations, then taking that step may bring to your system some of what you will find missing in your auditions. |
Significant Upgrades:
Upgrade 1: Subwoofer
Upgrade 2: Since you have a ’long’ room.... Run the preout from your Naim to a fosi audio za3 amp (or some cheap amp with a volume control) and connect it to a 2nd pair of speakers. Set the 2nd pair of speakers behind your listening position, i.e., analog 4 channel stereo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MO3kmCzKsI (You can find several guides on this channel.) You will have a better listening experience than the guys sitting around with their same old 1 goofy pair of speakers, swapping cables all day long. |
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