Limited placement options: speaker advice/recommendations needed

B

bmillar

Audiophyte
Constraints: I can place the speakers no more than 4’6” – 4’8” apart (center to center). I can tolerate a speaker up to 10” wide. Listening position is fixed at 11-12 feet from the center-point between the speakers. The speakers are placed closely on either side of a wall mounted flat screen LCD TV.

This room is a home-office and I listen to music for several hours per day. I have an extensive collection of live rock and jazz recordings, and this is what I primarily listen to using Stax electrostatic headphones. I would like to have some good sound without having the ‘phones on all the time. I am much more interested in listening to music than the television.

Currently I am using Polk Audio wall-mounted speakers, however, I am looking to upgrade significantly. I have a powered 10" subwoofer and a good quality DA integrated amp. Assume a budget of around $1,000.00 for the speakers, with some flexibility to go higher.

How much of a problem (if any) are the dimensions of my listening area to good sound staging?

What type/brand of speaker might meet my requirements (wishes)?

Will the TV be a problem based on interference?

Are there good sounding speakers that can be mounted on the outside of the wall? I cannot mount in-wall. In theory, I could also fix a couple of small shelves to the wall and put the speakers on the shelves.

I cannot put the speakers on the floor unless I use a relatively tall stand, due to the configuration of the room. What are pros and cons of placing speakers on tall stands vs. wall mounting?
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
If you want something accurate and small, I would get the NHT Absolute Zero monitor for $200 each. I've never seen a more accurate 5-point-average frequency response in my life:

"The Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz."

http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-absolute-zero-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

Amazon.com: NHT N-AZB Absolute Zero Speaker (Black): Electronics
 
J

jcl

Senior Audioholic
If you like the electrostat sound of the stax, and given your setup requirements, perhaps Magnepan's MC1 is worth a look.
MC1 - Magnepan, Inc.

This desktop system also has me a little intrigued.
Magneplanar Mini Maggie

You might find that for your room / placement requirements near field would provide better results. This doesn't just go for the maggie desktop, but conventional speakers as well. However, experiment - that's the best way to find out.
 
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