New listening room need help deciding on new speakers


Hello everyone,

I finally have the opportunity to have a dedicated listening room, it’s a rectangle open vaulted ceiling shed on a concrete slab on its own 20amp circuit. The major limiting factor is size. Interior dimensions are roughly 7’x14’. I currently have a pair of tannoy XT6F speakers and a pair of rythmik f12se subwoofers powered by a Raven nighthawk. I’m sure based on this room size I would be better suited with a nice pair of bookshelves or small floor standers. My budget is roughly $5000.

a couple of speakers on my list includes fyne f1-5, klipsch heresy iv and sonus faber concertino g4.

I would like to be able to keep my subwoofers but I realize that room size may not accommodate them well. All suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

james1911

Please also consider the Magnepan LRS+. They’re $1295 including shipping. There’s a good YouTube video on them from The Absolute Sound (I think it’s titled ‘Can anything match the Magnepan LRS+?’). Only 4’ high, and your subs should work great with them. Cheers, 

If you decide to buy new bookshelf speakers, I would definitely suggest looking at the following:

(1) Revival Atalante 3 $3,000, have a 7" woofer for better bass. Also consider the Atalante 5 $5,400 which are small floor standers (28" tall) with a 12" woofer....no sub needed.

(2) Fritz Carbon 7 SE MkII $3,000, have a 7" woofer as well

(3) Buchardt Audio E50 $4,500, sold direct with free shipping......$150 restocking fee if not for you

(4) Rosso Fiorentino Pienza $5,200

(5) Fyne Audio F1.5 $5,200 or F700 $4,600

(6) Tannoy Sterling $5,600 (Upscale Audio), small floor stander 10" woofer

(7) Monitor Audio Gold 100 6G $4,600, 3 way with 8" woofer

@james1911 I have a dedicated listening space within my home, and have also spent much time investigating a design for an outside of the home listening and entertainment space. 

In relation to building a purpose designed space there is ratio calculations to be found that prove optimised for managing sound within a space. If your dimension selected is at a place where a dimension tweak is achievable, I'm sure there is a ratio that will be almost ideal to fit in closely with your selected dimension. 

Room Size is a consideration, but also is the Room Structure. 

The Floor is very important, with in my view a concrete slab being the least complicated where a Interface with a Audio system is being considered. If this is a longterm space being created, it is also worthwhile considering a extra deep concrete is used, which will be more effective as a result of the addition of mass. 

Wall Structures are in general able to be improved for being rigid and for adding mass to. 

Brick or Block with an insulation on the outside fascia and overclad, will leave a good blank canvas for the interior. An insulation on the internal walls will most likely be overclad with a drywall board, which will present flexion issues when exposed to transfered amplitude from sound produced. This can then manifest as new produced sound within the space, (not wanted). An internal brick skin is more desirable and is aesthetically attractive as well. 

Timber Frame Walls are typically designed for minimum framing for acceptable structural properties. When it comes to Audio Purposes, the design for a Timber Frame Wall is able to be improved. Increased Framing, i.e, increased Verticals and increased noggings. A Plywood Stretch Skin Internally prior to a Drywall Board. Insulation types for cavities are known for their acoustic control properties, by the - ?? Kg/m3. 

The Roof / Ceiling is probably best when not over complex and Kept as a Typical structure. Interior Room Treatments will be plenty to capture and control transfered amplitude from  produced sound. 

As advised reading up on the design options will be very beneficial, and the Space will substantially benefit from room diffusion / absorption treatments being added. 

I strongly suggest, putting the focus on the Room, and forgetting Speakers for a while. As the space Speakers are to be used in, if not optimised for sending sound. Might bring about an assessment formed on an experience being had in a space not prepared as near optimised. 

Current owned Speakers, (being a transducer) can be used to assist with the learning about how Electrical energy being covered to Kinetic energy (sound) is delivered as an amplitude and energies present are being managed in the new space. 

 

The Room is clearly described as a Shed placed on a Concrete Slab, by this description it is easily assumed, the space is not a part of the lived in home. Considering Dimension and Structure for the detached Space being designed, prior to passing over multiple $$$$'s for a Speaker is the most sensible, and as a Practice is far removed from expressing foolishness.

I'm certainly not Steering the OP to certain Speaker Models, while other important factors remain unresolved. Obviously not any Shed Builders lurking on the Gon, it seems lurking is reserved for those keenly interested in Speaker Sales only, especially Speakers with no consideration for the made known Amplification.

On the other hand, if a poor form of a Structure, (maybe a green house), is produced as the design, and many $K' s are parted with for a Speaker to be used in the Space.

I have no beef at my end, it's not my money being parted with.