Speakers for a smallish room?

[smrex13]

Happy New Year to you all.

I'm in the process of upgrading all aspects of my system after many years away from listening to higher end audio. My listening room is approximately 10x15 feet with the speakers along the shorter wall. I'm currently using a pair of stand mounted Focal Chorus 706V. Certainly a nice speaker, but I would like to make a step up - and my main question is whether to consider some reasonably sized floorstanding models or to stick to stand mount considering the size of my room. The Focals are only rated down to 55Hz, and sometimes I feel like I want a bit more in the low end. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your input!

Scott

 

[Pyrrho]

If all you want is more low end, a subwoofer or two will take care of that. And that would be, by far, the most economical way to get truly deep bass.

Now, if you are wanting to improve other aspects of the sound, then replacing your main speakers is a good idea.

As for stand mount versus towers, TYPICALLY, at the same price, towers will play louder and give you deeper bass, and stand mounts will be better in every other way.

I recommend that you go out to all of your local audio stores, and listen to as many types of speakers as you can find (e.g., ribbon, dome, horn, whatever), of as many brands as you can stand, that are within your price range, with music with which you are familiar, of all of the types of music to which you listen (making a CDR is a good idea for this). Then buy the ones you like best.

I recommend putting Magnepan on your list of speakers to audition. Since you have not told us how much you want to spend, I will recommend that you spend a couple of thousand on these:

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MG_16

If you must keep the price down, the Magnepan MMG is generally regarded as a great bargain at only $600:

http://www.magnepan.com/model_MMG

My brother has a pair of them, and they are pretty much exactly what the general consensus says about them. Look for online reviews and read them.

There is also a model in between, if you have an in between budget.

 

[zieglj01]

The Focals are only rated down to 55Hz, and sometimes I feel like I want a bit more in the low end. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

I would look at the Outlaw M8 sub. to pick-up the low end
M8 Powered Subwoofer

Or, HSU STF-2 sub
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

 

[jbltmp]

I've been on a similar quest recently and listened to many small-room type alternatives. You may want to check out the thread "Standmount Speakers: $2K, $4k, $6K".
Don't know your budget, but one of the best values I came across was the KEF R300 at $1799 a pair. Spacious and full sound with great imaging, and you may not need a sub with these. A great floorstander was the Revel Performa3 model F-206 at $3500. Very smooth yet detailed, and definitely no need for a sub.
All great advice above. Also, for in-dealer auditions I brought a note pad to write down my impressions. It really was helpful in narrowing down my choices.

 

[zieglj01]

If you like Focal and you want some more bass - Focal 1007S - and a good price.
FOCAL ELECTRA 1007 S BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS (Pr) at Music Direct

 

[smrex13]

Thanks to everyone for your input. A bit more information about my situation:

1. I do want to upgrade my speakers rather than add a sub.

2. Unfortunately, I don't have any decent high-end audio stores around me, unless you want to count Best Buy

3. After looking at the above comments, I'm thinking about a smaller floorstander (Monitor Rx6, Tekton Lore-S, as examples) or a stand mount with slightly deeper bass. I'm afraid that if I have a speaker that goes too deep or is too physically large that it won't work well in the 150sq. foot room.

Thanks again for the recommendation, and if you think of any others please send 'em along!

Cheers,
Scott

 

[zieglj01]

1. I do want to upgrade my speakers rather than add a sub.

2. Unfortunately, I don't have any decent high-end audio stores around me, unless you want to count Best Buy

3. After looking at the above comments, I'm thinking about a smaller floorstander (Monitor Rx6, Tekton Lore-S, as examples) or a stand mount with slightly deeper bass. I'm afraid that if I have a speaker that goes too deep or is too physically large that it won't work well in the 150sq. foot room.

Do not get too carried away with the too deep bass thing - a better bookshelf can work for you,
or small towers like the RX6, which is a good speaker. Do not look real hard at the speaker bass
specs - a lot also depends on the room and placement.

 

[jbltmp]

Indeed you can't tell a speaker's bass by its specs. I agree on the Monitor Audio RX6 also. (I think that's what zieglj01 was referencing). You can get a good deal on those now since they're being replaced by the new Silver series.

Given you won't have much opportunity to audition in-dealer, internet order is something to consider. One standmount I think looks interesting in the Polk LSiM703, $1499/pr on Crutchfield. It's been reviewed well...on Stereophile's 2013 list of recommended components, for whatever that's worth.

All you have to risk is return shipping if you don't like it.

 

[zieglj01]

The word has been good on the Focal Aria 906 - a new design, with some good bass.
Aria 906 - Focal

http://dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/2789/38105

http://www.spearitsound.com/Main_Left_and_Right-Focal_Aria_906.html

 

[jbltmp]

I'll pile on with the Aperion Verus Grand only because it was mentioned several times in my thread. Aperion is an ID (Internet Direct) speaker company with free return shipping, so no risk at all other than your time. I have not heard these so I can't comment on their sound.

Verus Grand Bookshelf Speaker Pair - Verus Family - Speakers By Family - Aperion Audio

 

[smrex13]

Thanks for all the recommendations. Just came across this, which may be too tempting to pass up!

FOCAL PROFILE 918 DIAMOND BLACK (PR) at Music Direct

 

[bikdav]

Your Focal Chorus 706V speakers are really nice as is. I'd probably just add a good quality 8" or 10" subwoofer.

 

[Transmaniacon]

The SVS Ultra Towers are very capable floor standers and for music can definitely go without a sub. I wouldn't worry about too much bass, a good quality tower is not going to be boomy. You get a 45 day free trial with free shipping both ways from SVS, so it might not be a bad idea to give them a look.