I wonder if this makes sense in my situation:
The current setup has 2 bookshelf speaker and a 15" sub (also a center and 2 surround speakers; the amp has plenty of power). I do like the sound of it all but I wonder if I could improve the sound in terms of clarity and less strain in the mid section and upper range by using larger tower speakers instead (I would get them from the same line and manufacturer as the bookshelfs are)
Often enough I listen to high volume... going to eleven so to speak with very dynamic music (20th century classical and also film scores for example). I notice that the speakers feel a little strained with sounds of choirs singing fortissimo - I assume that is an example that will put just about any speaker to its ultimate test. My hope is to find a solution to give it more headroom and make feel more at ease even.
Has anybody had any experience regarding this? Thanks for your comments.
You are absolutely thinking along the right lines.
There is this constant myth that I perpetually try to correct, that if you have a good sub all you need is good bookshelves. This is just plain nonsense, at least for classical music, and especially if you are playing twentieth century orchestral and choral music.
The fact is that there is only a tiny amount of power in the sub range. In a lot of this music the sub will be almost silent.
The real power is in the bass above 60 Hz and right across the mid range. To really reproduce this music with any semblance of reality, then the peak power demands are colossal. Not only that, these power demands can continue for an extended period of time. I'm quite certain your bookshelf speakers a suffering severe dynamic thermal compression and distortion. Even a three way with one mid range driver does not cut it.
In my experience you need at least two drivers with really robust motor systems to do the job.
Now I fully understand a lot of people have no desire to listen at concert levels. However there are times when you want to hunger down and really bring the concert hall to your home. And to be honest unless you have a big budget you will not achieve that.
I was at Orchestra Hall Minneapolis about 10 days ago for a performance of Elgar's the Dream of Gerontius. First performed at Birmingham in 1900. The stage was so packed with performers they were at risk of falling off the stage. In that 1800 seat hall the sound pressure level at times was enormous. The Demon's Chorus was case in point. ("I've written on Hell of Fugue" said Elgar).
My current rig is the only one I have had that can reproduce that kind of repertoir convincingly in the home at full concert level.
So yes, more powerful speakers with more voice coils to share the load will help. But for the sort of repertoir I think you are talking about requires a really meaty and accurate speaker system. So unless you have a very high budget you will have to make some compromises. But you are right a pair of bookshelves and a sub from any manufacturer will get you way wide of the mark.
