Best speaker/amp combo for small room (€4k–4.5k, movies + music)

[Yoyomeister]

Hi there,

I’m looking for a new speaker and amp combo, as my previous active speakers said their farewell. The room is about 18 m² (194 ft²), with a listening distance of just over 2 m (6½ ft), though I can adjust that if needed.

Usage will be mostly movies and TV shows, with some gaming and music (rock, folk, post-rock, etc.). Music will mainly come from Spotify. Budget is up to €4,000–€4,500.
After some research, my current favorite combo is the KEF R3 Meta with the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120, mainly because of its room correction feature. The Ascilab C6B also looks like a strong contender. I might add a subwoofer later (budget around €1k), but I’d like to start without one.

What would you recommend for my setup? Also happy with other suggestions (e.g. Floorstanding speakers, active setup).

 

[VMAT4]

I'd recommend the the WiiM Pro Plus>boXem A 5517 N2>R5 Meta. You could use WiiM room correction. This is a bit above your budget by a couple hundred euros.

 

[Oddball]

As far as room correction, never had experience with Room Perfect. Currently lots of people are drooling about Dirac ART being available on D&M products, so you might look into that.

As far as speakers, especially without subs, I would look into some towers within that budget. KEF's are great but their R towers are really expensive.

 

[Yoyomeister]

A bit more specific would be great.

 

[Oddball]

With bookshelves like R3 without subs you will not hear the low end of the recording. They will be great in what they can reproduce in their range though. So it's really up to you. Bigger tower speakers will reach lower and will do the low end better.

Room correction is a rabbit whole on its own. Not many are doing Lyngdorf Room Perfect, but I guess most of them say it's epic. Dirac fans say Dirac is epic, Audy fans say Audy is the best, ARC fans say its the best invention since the wheel.

 

[MarkS]

I have the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120 and the AsciLab C6B speakers. I highly recommend both.

I also recommend adding a sub. I have the SVS 3000 Micro, but pretty much any sub will do. The extra solidity to the low end is well worth it, IMO.

Lyngdorf's RoomPerfect works well for me and is easy to set up. I have not tried any of the other systems. But I would never go back to having no room correction.

 

[Yoyomeister]

You are also using it for movies or just music if I may ask?

 

[ZolaIII]

Wharfedale Linton's, Yamaha R-N 1000A and a 12" subwoofer. Linton's about 1000 €, Yamaha 1350~1450, SVS-SB1000 Pro about 750~800 €. Minimum of necessary cables and a phone.
Edit: If you are for towers take a look at Polk R700 with a price of 2000~2400 € for pair.

 

[Yoyomeister]

Saw the Wharfedale Lintons. I am a bit torn if they are beautiful or the opposite.

 

[Drengur]

Saw the Wharfedale Lintons. I am a bit torn if they are beautiful or the opposite.

It's a matter of taste. But they do look quite good up close and personal.

 

[ZolaIII]

Aesthetically I could rant in categories, in mean manner how they sound you get a bit more extension with R700 and about +3 dB handling/capacity for a mid bass. Tho there are and Super Linton's which have more extension and other small improvements to regular one's and price is almost double so R700 wins there. Arguably R700 could (but really shouldn't) pass without sub. Yamaha has; arguably not great YPAO room correction, high/low self filters and YPAO automatic Loudness (equal loudness compensation) along with Musicast app... and generally it's fine as amplifier.

 

[MarkS]

You are also using it for movies or just music if I may ask?

I am using the TDAI-1120 just for music. It has RCA analog inputs but no HDMI input.

 

[Yoyomeister]

Isn't the HDMI (ARC) enough to connect it to your TV?

 

[MarkS]

Alas I have no idea, I don't connect my TV to anything. Somebody else will have to answer this.

 

[ZolaIII]

Isn't the HDMI (ARC) enough to connect it to your TV?

Well it's more convenient that way tho good old Toslink will do the job little better at least for two chenel stereo (PCM downmixed anyway from sender - TV). That's still all regarding so far propositions for primary music (stereo). On AVR surround and in a relatively mid sized room I have no clue for the budget (I do but don't know how would that play out and centar speaker dileme remains). There KEF Metas at least have lineup (set) but I don't think it fits the budget.

 

[Ellebob]

ARC is good for connecting to TV. I use a 2.1 system in my family room. I work on this industry and test a LOT of equipment in this room. Currently it is Paradigm MilenniaOne speakers and their new Element 10 sub and MRX SLM. Anything that lives in this room except for testing has to be small, so you don't have this limitstion.

Actually I do measurements outside but then give listening tests inside. There are a ton of options here. I would spend more on the speakers than the electronics. I do recommend a sub for a couple reasons. One is to fill in the low end and more importantly the best location for bass is not the same as mids and highs. A sub allows that placement flexibility. Try to listen to speakers to see what you like.
Did your current active speaker fail or just time to move on?
Anyway, here are some suggestions.

Electronics.
Eversolo A6 or Play for amp built in.
WiiM Ultra or Amp Ultra.
Lyngdorf 1120 as amp or preamp. I like Room Perfect and we don't carry this at work but have set them up a couple of times and they are very nice.
Various AV receivers. Anthem, Denon, Marantz, etc. Some have very good room correction but might be too pricey. I would spend bulk of budget on speakers.

Active speakers:
Kali SM-5 or 8
Genelec various models
Neumann KH150
Adam A2V
Focal Solo 6


Passive Many models in your price range:
Kef
Ascilab
Revel
Mofi
JBL classic
Wharfedale
MANY other brands.

All in one, no streamer, amp or preamp needed:
Kef LS-60 maybe with a discount, a little over budget but one of my favorites.
Klipsch Nines
Kef LS-50 definitely with sub

 

[Yoyomeister]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Now it's even more complicated, haha.

 

[JeremyFife]

"proper" 2.1 (i.e. sub management) starts with WiiM Ultra, or WiiM Amp Pro.
MiniDSP Flex (as preamp /DAC) gives you more control, and the option of 2.2 later.

Add any decent power amp and passive speakers, or go straight to active speakers (my preference) and you're good.

 

[FERCSA]

Just get a wiim amp pro/ultra then spend the rest on speakers. Ascilab a6b, radiant or any purifi based one. How simple is that? (rq)

 

[fritobugger]

Kef LS60 would be a good choice. The Polk mentioned above would be a good choice too.