Speaker Ideas...

[Chopin_Guy]

I think I might have brought up my speaker concerns before here but since having been in my new living space for a couple a months I know a change is needed more now that I have been listening for a couple of months. I should say that the RTi12's are quite good speakers and are great for HT and sound good on music.

However, I feel that they 1) need more power than my 3808 gives and 2) need more room to speak than what my living room now provides. I previously lived in a loft and the room they were in was 27' long 24' wide and 16' high which gave them alot of room to speak despite being close to the walls which was not ideal. However now living in a much more traditional living space, the ceilings are 10' and the living room is smaller than that great room and the speakers MUST be close to the wall due to space contraints.

So, in this new space they just don't seem to sing the way they did previously although I always felt I needed more space from the wall and more power in the previous room.

All this brings me to the question with the speakers having to be close to the wall -- what might I consider for new mains that would be powered well by my 3808 and sing in this new space?? I could sell the 12's for somewhere between $500-600 hopefully and would be willing to spend another 1K so lets say $1,600 tops...

What might you fine audioholics suggest for me -- I have looked at Def Tech BP towers and Mythos towers -- Paradigm Studio 60's -- etc....

Here's a photo of the space...

 

[lsiberian]

I think I might have brought up my speaker concerns before here but since having been in my new living space for a couple a months I know a change is needed more now that I have been listening for a couple of months. I should say that the RTi12's are quite good speakers and are great for HT and sound good on music.

However, I feel that they 1) need more power than my 3808 gives and 2) need more room to speak than what my living room now provides. I previously lived in a loft and the room they were in was 27' long 24' wide and 16' high which gave them alot of room to speak despite being close to the walls which was not ideal. However now living in a much more traditional living space, the ceilings are 10' and the living room is smaller than that great room and the speakers MUST be close to the wall due to space contraints.

So, in this new space they just don't seem to sing the way they did previously although I always felt I needed more space from the wall and more power in the previous room.

All this brings me to the question with the speakers having to be close to the wall -- what might I consider for new mains that would be powered well by my 3808 and sing in this new space?? I could sell the 12's for somewhere between $500-600 hopefully and would be willing to spend another 1K so lets say $1,600 tops...

What might you fine audioholics suggest for me -- I have looked at Def Tech BP towers and Mythos towers -- Paradigm Studio 60's -- etc....

Here's a photo of the space...

I suspect your speakers are overpowering for your room. One way to help reduce this is to raise your crossovers on your receiver. I suggest you raise your crossovers to 100hz and see if that helps. I have to do that in my room or the lfe is overpowering

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I have tried that but really did not do much of anything in terms of SQ....unfortunately...

 

[64met]

I think I might have brought up my speaker concerns before here but since having been in my new living space for a couple a months I know a change is needed more now that I have been listening for a couple of months. I should say that the RTi12's are quite good speakers and are great for HT and sound good on music.

However, I feel that they 1) need more power than my 3808 gives and 2) need more room to speak than what my living room now provides. I previously lived in a loft and the room they were in was 27' long 24' wide and 16' high which gave them alot of room to speak despite being close to the walls which was not ideal. However now living in a much more traditional living space, the ceilings are 10' and the living room is smaller than that great room and the speakers MUST be close to the wall due to space contraints.

So, in this new space they just don't seem to sing the way they did previously although I always felt I needed more space from the wall and more power in the previous room.

All this brings me to the question with the speakers having to be close to the wall -- what might I consider for new mains that would be powered well by my 3808 and sing in this new space?? I could sell the 12's for somewhere between $500-600 hopefully and would be willing to spend another 1K so lets say $1,600 tops...

What might you fine audioholics suggest for me -- I have looked at Def Tech BP towers and Mythos towers -- Paradigm Studio 60's -- etc....

Here's a photo of the space...

FWIW... Have u checked out Aperion? I had the Polk Rti10's b4 moving over to Aperion; and could not b happier. Even better is Aperion gives u 30 day trial in home with FREE ship BOTH ways if u don't like them. Lastly; let's say u opt for their smaller mains and 6 months down the road you want to upgrade to their 6T's... they ONLY charge u the difference. Their CS is the BEST in the industry! Good luck

 

[jostenmeat]

Off-the-cuff musings. First of all, some rooms are just tough. Period. (I know, I've tried one to the best I could, with about 300lbs of treatments. It was absolutely impossible).

I'm not familiar with your speaker specs, so far as minimal impedances, or phase angles, but the general sensitivity and nominal impedance seem to be rather benign.

I think... in your shoes, the only proper way is to get the candidates in your room. Either you can find what works well for you, or (hopefully not) find out that your room despises all speakers. Then you know it would be time to simply enjoy what you can, and are assured of not throwing away money. Or get into the whole headphones thing.

I'd check out some bookshelves from Salk, Ascend, as you will be out, I'm guessing, $50 at the very most when you return them. Probably more like $20. Maybe even nothing, if you can nicely convince them, or catch a good promotion.

EDIT: or as 64met advises, some Aperions too.

 

[Robof83]

IMO, the best that can be had for that price is a pair of Salk Songtowers.

This is a very good read on another forum http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=995082

The OP ended up with a more expensive pair of salks after many, many auditions but he said that without a doubt for $1500, the Salk Songtowers were by far the best bang for your buck.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

That link was quite a read with lots of good information...Much appreciated...

 

[bandphan]

I agree on the Salks. Great detail, good off axis response, and very tight low bass. The quater wave transmission line cabinets are one of my favorite designs. TL is a great speaker design.

 

[Swerd]

I own a pair of SongTowers, read my listening impressions, and I recommend them over any of the Polk towers I've heard, although I have not heard the ones you have.

As a follow up to what was said about the Salk SongTowers…

Power requirements The OP mentioned how his Denon 3808 doesn't provide enough power for his Polks. I have heard SongTowers driven very nicely by numerous different amps, from a tube 35 wpc amp to a 200 wpc solid state amp. I have no doubts that the Denon 3808 would drive them very well. When I first received my SongTowers, I used a 70 wpc Denon receiver, without any problems. They handle high power well, but do not require it to sound good.

Placement The SongTowers, in my experience are very forgiving speakers when it comes to room location. In particular, they do very well when placed directly up against a wall. I have tried a direct comparison between 2 feet out from the wall and less than 8" from the wall. The imaging and bass response do not change significantly. This conflicts with conventional wisdom about speaker placement, but I know other SongTower owners, as well as the designer, who all confirm these same observations. Read this post, and the various responses that follow. Read this post and the various responses that follow. Note, Dennis Murphy designed the SongTowers, as well as several other Salk models.

These speakers also have very wide dispersion of the mid and upper frequencies, creating a very wide sweet spot for listening. It would be better to say sweet zone than sweet spot - it is that wide .

The SongTowers, with a standard veneer finish, now cost $1800, and $1700 in black paint. That's a bit higher than your $1600 budget, but I think they are well worth it.

Salk is an ID seller, but if you contact Jim Salk by email, see his website, he can locate some of his customers in the Houston area who might let you hear their speakers.

 

[lsiberian]

I think towers are too much in a small space

I think going bookshelf is best for most apartment dwellers. I'd at least give the behringer 2030p's a shot. Hey if it works it could save you some serious cash for other things. If not start stepping up. You can get a free 30 day trial from zzounds on the speakers usually. So give em a couple weeks and if they don't work ship em back.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I actually have the 2031's in my office through a Denon 2308ci and they are great, but would not have the impact I want in my living room....I do love the sound of them however, and the price is even better...

I have been reading up alot on Def Tech and have been interested in the BP towers but have heard they have issues if in a corner and wasn't sure if my right channel would be considered too close or not??? I would have enough room from the wall in back but the corner thing makes me wonder...

 

[Chopin_Guy]

So I have decided that I propbably going to be going with the Mythos line from Def Tech, but I am really on the fence with which mythos to go with....I am considering the Mythos STS or Mythos One towers and not sure if the $$$ price difference is justified as I have a PB13 Ultra sub which is plenty compitent. Will I be gaining anything more with the STS aside from the bass response??

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Holy Crap!!!

So, I had been searching for new main spekaers on and off for a while now....and today I was on my last stop today to hear the new Paradigm Studio 60's. I had been around Houston to the various more high-end stores to hear the usual suspects...

As my last post suggested I was leaning in the direction of Def Tech Mythos towers...that was at least until today when I heard the new V.5 Studio 60's from Paradigm....wow! I was really taken with their sound-stage, dynamics, and clarity....plus they were not overly forward and very natural / smooth in their reproduction. I had an interesting mix of music from Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto to Dave Matthews and Sara Brightman...

In the listening we ran the speakers without a sub so I could get a good idea of their sound without any lower octave help. With each of the varied genres, the Paradigms delivered a wonderful smooth balance and clarity...quite impressive at the price point--I feel. When finishing up with with the last CD, I knew my search was over...and given they had a nice sale with them well below retail -- the decision was even more easy.

So I got them home this afternoon and very careful walked through the set-up process, turned them on and *holy crap* -- this is what my previous Polk RTi12's couldn't do...detail, neutral, smooth, and nice wide sound-stage. The opening cadenza in the final movement of the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto is essentially a rapid glissando ascending up and back down the full range of the piano -- On the Paradigm's you really feel the sweep and bravura of this gesture...

So without making this post any longer, the new V.5 Studio series from Paradigm is quite impressive and I would most highly suggest anyone on a search give them a listen -- now I cannot wait for them to get broken in fully...

 

[Matt34]

Pictures or ban!



Congrats!!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

That was the next step....gotta find the camera...

EDIT: Updated Pics....

 

[Lordoftherings]

So, I had been searching for new main spekaers on and off for a while now....and today I was on my last stop today to hear the new Paradigm Studio 60's. I had been around Houston to the various more high-end stores to hear the usual suspects...

As my last post suggested I was leaning in the direction of Def Tech Mythos towers...that was at least until today when I heard the new V.5 Studio 60's from Paradigm....wow! I was really taken with their sound-stage, dynamics, and clarity....plus they were not overly forward and very natural / smooth in their reproduction. I had an interesting mix of music from Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto to Dave Matthews and Sara Brightman...

In the listening we ran the speakers without a sub so I could get a good idea of their sound without any lower octave help. With each of the varied genres, the Paradigms delivered a wonderful smooth balance and clarity...quite impressive at the price point--I feel. When finishing up with with the last CD, I knew my search was over...and given they had a nice sale with them well below retail -- the decision was even more easy.

So I got them home this afternoon and very careful walked through the set-up process, turned them on and *holy crap* -- this is what my previous Polk RTi12's couldn't do...detail, neutral, smooth, and nice wide sound-stage. The opening cadenza in the final movement of the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto is essentially a rapid glissando ascending up and back down the full range of the piano -- On the Paradigm's you really feel the sweep and bravura of this gesture...

So without making this post any longer, the new V.5 Studio series from Paradigm is quite impressive and I would most highly suggest anyone on a search give them a listen -- now I cannot wait for them to get broken in fully...

Hi Chopin_Guy,

I'll bet you love Frederic Chopin Music; me too.

I read your thread from beginning to end, and I found it one of the most refreshing to read. You have a very nice setup. Congratulations!

It goes without saying, that auditioning speakers in your own home is truly revelationary. You did choose wisely with the Paradigm Reference Studio 60 v.5 speakers.
And I know for a fact that you'll be very happy with them for a long time; 'till you decide to upgrade with their more expensive Reference Signature series.

Enjoy your new speakers,

Bob

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Thanks man...

I do love Chopin's music...I'm a pianist so hence the user name...actually had the f-minor Piano Concerto just a bit ago.

But yes, actually getting new speakers in your home really is the tell-all and this was certainly no disappointment...these are simply wonderful speakers that have alot to offer. Paradigm recommends the break-in period is 100 hours see we shall see how they open up in that time...

 

[john72953]

I think going bookshelf is best for most apartment dwellers. I'd at least give the behringer 2030p's a shot. Hey if it works it could save you some serious cash for other things. If not start stepping up. You can get a free 30 day trial from zzounds on the speakers usually. So give em a couple weeks and if they don't work ship em back.

And why would that be? I'm sorry, but that just doesn't make sense.

John

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Looks great Chopin Guy!

I really like the Studio series. I almost bought the 20's before I went with the Ascend 340se's. Very cool to read how happy you are!

 

[PENG]

this is what my previous Polk RTi12's couldn't do...detail, neutral, smooth, and nice wide sound-stage. The opening cadenza in the final movement of the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto is essentially a rapid glissando ascending up and back down the full range of the piano -- On the Paradigm's you really feel the sweep and bravura of this gesture...

First of all, congratulations! You now own one of the best affordable (relatively speaking) speakers money can buy. This is why I think people should put their money on speakers first. They make much more difference than amps (not talking about amps that suck).

By the way, are you still using the 3808? Before anyone tell you to rush out for an amp, there is no need, unless you really need the extra power. When I first listened to the Studio lines they were at V3, and they did well even with a RX-V2400. We (with 3 other people) could not believe we could not hear any difference switching between the receiver and the Anthem amp/preamp.