Monitors for Large Room

[sjm820]

I plan on adding a second audio-only system in my fairly large (14x24x8) living room where I have significant spousal constraints (couch and large chairs in center of room). Speakers will have to be at one end of the room, close (1-2 ft) to the wall/window and project over furinture (30 inches high) in center of the room. My target is to put together a used system (speakers, integrated amp (tube?) and CD player) for $4-5k. I am starting with speakers and considering monitors that would be mounted on stands. I am looking for any advice on system design but need feed back on potential speakers in the $1200-1600 range (used). Options include:

Ariel 5Bs, ATC SCM 11s, B&W 705s, Green Mountain Callistos, Harabeth HL-P3ES2s, Paradigm Signature S1s or S2s, PSB Platinum M2s, Spendor SP3s, Totem Model 1s and Usher Be-718s.

I have heard the B&Ws and Paradigms but don't have ready access to demo the others so I would like some feedback on how they might play in a fairly large room with placement constraints. I don't think Maggies/planars or even floor speakers will work in the space. My musical taste is eclectic and includes folk, jazz, accoustic rock and blues. The audio side of my HT system consist of B&W speakers (703s, HTM3, and D3Ss), Velodyne sub (DD-15), Pioneer Elite SC-25 AVR, Bryston 6B SST amp and an Oppo 83. I am a B&W fan but want to consider all options. I am intrigued by the Green Mountain Callistos but don't know anyone who has had them. I would also like to know about any Focal - JM Labs that might be in my price range. Thanks for any input.

 

[markw]

Generally, a large room does well with large speakers. With smaller speakers , you might "get away" with small scale acoustic folk, but anything with any bass whatsoever will come off quite weak.

Are you considering a subwoofer?

 

[sjm820]

Yes, I would consider using a sub to supplement the low end.

 

[GranteedEV]

we're just talking two-channel stereo, right? Why not go all emotiva, that would work out pretty crazy like

1 x ERC-1
1 x USP-1
2 x UPA-1
2 x ERM 6.3

and then throw in a quality subwoofer

 

[zieglj01]

I would also like to know about any Focal - JM Labs that might be in my price range. Thanks for any input.

Go to Ebay and do a search on Focal Chorus speakers. Look at
the 836V towers.

 

[ohskigod]

I've heard the Harbeths, very nice, very british......hard to describe, a bit laid back (which is right in my wheelhouse)

I've heard the BW 705 and wasnt a fan, especially for the price. a skosh glary

havent heard the others, but the Spendors should be similar to the Harbeth as they are british as well (I know some serious Spendor fans....dont think you'll go wrong with them)

havent heard the green mountain but I hear good things.

can't see you going to wrong with those except for the B&W, but that is my opinion

 

[Davemcc]

Sticking to monitors, I can heartily recommend the Dynaudio Focus 220 for a room that size when used with a good sub (or without for music only depending on your musical taste). You can get them new for close to your budget. If you really want used, maybe you could find a set of the Dynaudio Contour series depending on what's for sale when you're shopping. I certainly preferred the Dynaudio Focus 220 over the Focal Chorus in my listening. The Chorus 800 series are pretty nice, though. It's just that in all my auditioning, I have not found a single set of speakers that has ever made me regret buying the Dynaudio in that price range.

One other suggestion for you to investigate and try to locate is the Salk Sound Ellis 1801b. http://www.salksound.com/ellis 1801b - home.htm I've been impressed with Salk, I just have not heard this particular model.

 

[shadyJ]

At that listening distance and your budget, you might be a good candidate for some Klipsch Palladium p17s. They would be a bit over your budget, but you wouldn't need a monster amplifier to drive them.

 

[just listening]

If your serious about a quality monitor, on Audiogon right now they have a pair of Harbeth Compact 7 ES2's for $1600.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1291087940&/Harbeth-HL-Compact-7es-2-louds
Feed them with quality electronics and good stands and you'll have no problem filling the room. Though some may desire a sub.

 

[KEW]

I would also like to know about any Focal - JM Labs that might be in my price range.

After many auditions with an A-B system in my own room, my favorite speaker is my Focal Solo6Be. These are very accurate studio monitors (which you may or may not like - they can be brutally honest).
The Pair will set you back $2600, but that includes amplification (1 amp for each driver) in an active crossover design. The mid-woofer uses a 150Watt RMS amp and the tweeter is 100Watt RMS.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Solo6Be/

 

[cornelius]

If you're going with Harbeth, go for the P3-ESR - with the radial driver - great speakers, my fav in your list. In a room your size, they might be a little small - although they do sound a lot bigger than they look - maybe a sub would help.

I definitely agree with KEW on the Focal Studio Monitors - I have a friend who has a pair, and they have made his life so easy when mixing - I heard them a few times and immediately liked them...