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Speakers vs. headphones

OK, desperation is setting in (I'll admit it). I have a 12-by-13 room with 7-foot ceilings (carpeted room and acoustic tiles up top) and I've tried every speaker and sub placement imaginable for my very modest system (NAD 326 amp, Totem Mites, Velodyne SL-800 sub). Even without the sub, I can't get the sound to anywhere near what I'd like it to be. I had an even more basic system (NHT Super Zeros, Onkyo amp, M&K sub) in my old home and it sounded INCREDIBLE compared to what I have now. Like I said, I've tried diagonal speaker placements and everything else, including room treatments (panels on first reflection points – no bass traps yet, but it seems the problems go well beyond bass). The question(s): Is it time for headphones? Is it even possible to get decent sound in a room with these dimensions?
128x128jeddythree
ojgalli
165 posts
 
Have you tried a near-field setup? It may be your only choice in a room that size.

Set your listening chair in the middle of the room, or a little behind the mid point from the front wall. Then set up your speakers in an equilateral triangle from the listening position while keeping them at least one meter from the front wall. If my calculations are correct, you and your speakers will be about a meter apart. The speakers will be well away from the side walls and there'll be plenty of space behind your head. That should make your direct to reflected sound ratio better than 1:1. You'll be hearing the speakers more than the room.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
any chance to resurrect old system?
dodgealum
1,398 posts
 
I agree you should try near field listening. Despite the current frenzy for headphones I tried them (Audeze LCD-2's and Modwright LS100 headphone amp) and found the experience wanting compared to listening through loudspeakers. Also, skip the sub, your room is too small and you are likely mucking up the sound. I had a pair of Harbeth Compact 7's in a room of almost the EXACT dimensions and got pretty good sound using a near field setup. When I moved to a larger room the sound got better (space, air, bass, etc) but it was not a night and day difference--more just a different presentation than anything.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Is this a single purpose room? If so, I agree with the others, near field listening with everything well away from walls and with speakers toed in so that the axis crosses in front of you. It's kind small, but if you close your eyes it can relly sound much larger. If you can't do that, maybe you should move on. BTW, if you listen nearfield besure to get speakers designed for that. Most will sound too bright up close. Something like the old Rogers LS3/5A's.

I have fairly competent headphone system (Senn 650's and a tubed amp, Woo W3). I love it for watching TV. But then I'm lucky to have a larger room :-)
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