Large Room Question

[MobiusMu]

My family room is 24'x24' and is used for listening to music mostly, although there is a 60" display but it is used for news and sports so a full surround is not important so I am going 2.1.

I have a budget of around $5k just for the speakers and believe I have narrowed it down to:
B&W CM10
KEF R900
or B&W 805

I really like the B&W sound but my wife cannot stand the tweeter on top so I was thinking the KEF's. However, I was wondering if the improved 800 series would be better even if it is only a bookshelf.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks!

 

[Don G.]

I was in your situation a month ago. I ended up going the used route and got two main towers, a center and a sub for $5k. But not everyone wants to do that. Go listen to as many as you can. Plan on a good quality sub from one of the popular brands like Rhythmic and you will be happy with either of those choices. I would also suggest checking out the Revel speakers in that price range. They get very good reviews and have a VERY high WAF.

Salk Sound is another choice. Probably one of the highest Wife Approval Factor speakers out there. That is what I bought. Their speakers are very accurate, hand made in the US and sound and look great. Just another option for you. Good luck!!!

 

[Cosmic Char]

I have Revel F208's and the matching center channel C208. They are far better than the CM10. I got all for about $5k. With a large room like that, the bookshelf speakers might not be enough. KEF speakers are excellent as well. Listen to a bunch, and see what you like. Just keep in mind the space you are placing them in. With 10 foot ceilings, you have over 5000 cubic feet of space. Consider your listening distance. A center channel will add a tremendous amount of detail to your listening, especially with regular TV watching. Also, you will need 1-2 very serious subs to fill that space. If you really do not care about base, I would forget the sub, get a vey nice set of floor standers with good woofers, and a center channel.

 

[j_garcia]

My room is larger than that with high vaulted ceilings and I have no problem getting more than enough sound out of bookshelf speakers + sub. To fill a room that size, I'd stick with the 2.1 plan, though those could be small towers + sub as well.

 

[Cosmic Char]

Jerry, your hearing must be better than mine! I like to listen to stuff on volume 11... Yes, my amp does go to 11.

 

[MobiusMu]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it!

I will check out the Revel and the Salk. The problem I am running into with listening to them is the environment. The listening rooms are treated and do not have the same effect as my room, which by the way has 20' ceilings, so it is over 11,000cf with openings in two of the corners going into the kitchen and the foyer.

 

[j_garcia]

One more option to add: http://philharmonicaudio.com/

 

[herbu]

24'x24'...20' ceilings, so it is over 11,000cf with openings in two of the corners going into the kitchen and the foyer.

I still agree w/ j_garcia. That's not as big as you might think. Mine is that big, plus open to a foyer and a dining room. Over the years I have upgraded from 5.1 w/ all KEF Eggs, (little bitty speakers). The reason for upgrading was never volume.

Also, +1 for philharmonicaudio. That's where I finally landed after several upgrades. Do some research on the owner, Dennis Murphy. He was integral in some of Salk's best stuff. And he visits here. Guaranteed to give you personal and sound advice.

 

[Cosmic Char]

Agree with the Phill's recommendation as well! They are fantastic speakers at a GREAT price. Had I known about them prior to buying my Revel set, I might have gone that route. I am pleased with the Revels, however.

 

[TheWarrior]

Hear as much as you can before swiping that card!

 

[MobiusMu]

I have been listening...it is just hard to know what the impact of the room will have on the sound.