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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
larryi
4,578 posts
 

The Volti Razz and even much larger horn-based systems tend to work very well in smaller rooms.  It may have something to do with the controlled directivity of the midrange driver which allows for placement near side walls.  If you look at Japanese audio magazines, you will see that a lot of horn systems are placed in extremely small apartment rooms.  This i because horns work well in such rooms and because horns sound very good at extremely LOW volume levels, they are suited for apartments where you cannot play the system at high levels.  

audiopacer
75 posts
 

ATC SCM40; the fully sealed design makes placement easier than rear/front ported ; they are wide dispersion, have amazing dynamic clarity, and pretty much convey every other attribute of high end sound, in spades. These are total sleeper speakers. To my ears, they blend high resolution with sweet musicality, punch, expressive and highly natural midrange, dynamics, and scale like nothing else I’ve owned. If you’re lucky u can find a good pair of the SCM40/v2 for around 5K. I have them in my 14.5 wide by 12.5 deep by 15 ft vaulted ceiling office and they are perfectly balanced and throw a huge stage. They are on the long wall. Just wrapped up a months long comparison b/t Sonus Faber Maxima Amator and the 40’s. The 40’s did everything better to my ears. Amazing value in high end audio. I do have acoustic treatments in key places, which are necessary to make them disappear and sound coherent and authentic to the source. Whatever you choose, don’t forget about this important step. 

audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
275 posts
 

I’d suggest you hold off on any speaker purchases until you’ve tried your current gear at your new place. You might find that they sound far better and you’re expecting and the desire for the new/change might just disappear.

Just a thought.

turnbowm
373 posts
 

 

@audiodwebe - "I’d suggest you hold off on any speaker purchases until you’ve tried your current gear at your new place...." 

Good advice.

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