56suited
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2024
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Be kind to the rookie (please). I've been lurking and reading everything I can, putting off my purchases as long as I can bear...and the moment is finally here. First, some details:
Room Details
Budget & Other Details
Final Thoughts
Room Details
- ~5.5-6m sq (small office)
- just a couple acoustic treatments from GIK (not currently installed as they are on their way)
- listening distance is ~1-1.25m
- Disregard the stupid speaker positioning in the picture. I used freeware room design software that expired so I can't change it. The speakers will be next to the TV, and I will be sitting on-axis with a very slight toe-in for the speakers.
Budget & Other Details
- ~€2,500 - €3,000
- Vinyl, and streaming from Spotify Connect. I want the tactile vinyl experience. Non-negotiable.
- Saving space by going with active studio monitors, and limiting number of components without sacrificing upgrade paths. Also, monitors with dip switches seem more forgiving of placement near walls.
- Upgrade paths cannot include larger spaces. My office is my cave, and my wife asserts dominance over design decisions for the rest of the house. My office has a lock for my own safety.
- Pro-Ject X1 B Turntable (note: getting it price matched to €850 from richersounds.ie)
- mini-XLR
- Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
- RCA
- WiiM Ultra (with HDMI eARC from Samsung Smart TV)
- RCA
- Kali IN-5s (not included in the screengrab; I am getting them from Thomann for ~€344/ea)
- RCA
- WiiM Ultra (with HDMI eARC from Samsung Smart TV)
- RCA
- Pro-Ject Phono Box S3 B
- mini-XLR
Final Thoughts
- I considered Neuman KH120 II as an option pretty hard, but that is way too evolved a monitor for my rookie capabilities. I also do not have a personal computer to take full advantage. I will covet them from a distance.
- I considered Adam A7V pretty hard as well due to their great warranty and various reviews (here as well as elsewhere).
- I landed on the Kali IN-5 (instead of the IN-8) because of space limitations. Worried I will regret this decision, as I know a sub is out of the question for such a small space, not to mention tricky placement (ex: under the desk is pretty much the only place).
- I contemplated a WiiM Pro Plus and a Topping A70 Pro as an alternative to the WiiM Ultra, and decided against it because of no HDMI eARC.
- Room correction through the WiiM app will have to be good enough, as well as the dip switches on the Kalis. I cannot justify the spend on miniDSP products (but appreciate and respect their quality). Maybe a consideration for the future.
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