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Speakers for Small Room

Hi all.  I’ll be moving later this year and significantly downsizing.  My current listening room is 23’ x 32’ x 12’.  The space at my new place is 15’ x 10’ x 9’.  Speakers will go along the long wall due to doorways, windows, etc.  My speakers include Volti Audio Rivals (currently hooked-up), Devore O/96 and Magnepan LRS+.  Amplification is Pass Labs XA30.8.  Looking for thoughts on which of the above would be the best fit, or open to suggestions for other speakers.  I initially thought the Devores, but they’re rear-ported and need some pretty decent space from the front wall, which I won’t have.  Although the Volti’s are large, they can be positioned pretty close to the front wall.  Just not sure how "in my face" they’ll sound as my seating position will be about 8’ away.  Almost forgot to mention, also have a pair of REL Carbon Specials that I doubt I'll need in the new, smaller space.  Of course, amplification might need to change depending on speaker recommendations, so feel free to throw out suggestions on that front too.  I’m agnostic as to solid state or tube, but not interested in integrateds as my Grimm MU2 serves as my preamp.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

jjgasp
elliottbnewcombjr
7,744 posts
 

There is a downloadable list of exhibitors on this page that will help you plan a bit, this is a HUGE show, it can be overwhelming and the aisles might be crowded, perhaps have it on an iPad or something.

Also, on this page you can sort by alphabet

https://axpona.com/exhibitors/

i.e. the two I mentioned

Joseph Audio, 2nd Fl, Nirvana A

I don’t see Tonian Labs, you could ask them at their web site if they will be there, perhaps sharing a room, perhaps a late decision, or not attending.

IMO, if they appeal to you, looks or budget, they are definitely worth hearing before you decide

[email protected]

818-326-1177

You will be 45 minutes from Chicago, if any brand you are interested in is not at the show has a dealer there.

 

zlone
1,344 posts
 

+1 @oddiofyl and Studio Electric. I had a pair of the M4’s and they are excellent speakers. Acoustic suspension design so no ports, and very good bass.

 

soix
11,233 posts
 

That’s pretty restrictive placement.  If it’s a dedicated room and you have flexibility you could try a diagonal setup where the speakers straddle a corner.  Jeff Joseph did this with the Pulsars at a show in a small hotel room and worked really well — allows for more space behind the speakers and greater listening distance from them than placing them on the long wall.  Just a suggestion FWIW. 

gregm
3,425 posts
 

For a smaller room, what's wrong with hooking up your Devores?

Keep them well off the floor (cheaper than buying new speakers) and spend some elbow grease optimising placement and you will retain the full-range sound you are (more or less) used to.

 

Otherwise, any of teh smaller speakerts above will do the trick -- or if you want higher performance, go for Dutch & Dutch or Kii -- both of which are active, however.

Lastly, in the passives the smaller Elacs are excellent.

nubiann
97 posts
 

I’d stick with the LRS and use the spare cash to experiment with a stereo pair of small fast subs like REL T9X If you think the carbon specials will be under utilized. My reasoning is simple, none of the high price speakers suggested on this thread will surpass  the LRS in transparency, soundstage, and midrange realism. What they would lack in bass solidity and texture would easily be found in the REL’s. The combo would be killer in that size of room, with average soft furnishings etc. No need for expensive room treatments the REL’s would totally disappear.

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