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Bookshelf speakers, small room, close to wall.

wscottdo said:
Current list:
Revel Performa M106
Ascend Sierra EX v2
Ascend Sierra LX
Focal Vestia No.1 or Aria 906
Spendor Classic 4/5 or A1
Legacy Audio Studio HD
Click to expand...

I also tried ChatGPT, now with this list. See the result:

Let's sort the listed loudspeakers based on the three criteria:

1. Minimum SPL 95 dB with a 50-Watt amp:​

This criterion evaluates sensitivity or efficiency, which determines how loud a speaker will get with a certain amount of power. Speakers with higher sensitivity ratings (typically above 87 dB) will be better suited for this.

2. Fit for Near Wall Placement:​

Speakers with front-ported or sealed cabinet designs are generally better suited for near-wall placement as they minimize bass boom and room interaction.

3. Availability in the U.S.A.:​

Brands with a strong distribution network in the U.S. or ones that are made in the U.S. will score better on this criterion.

Sorted List:​

  1. Legacy Audio Studio HD
    • SPL: 94 dB (high sensitivity; can reach 95 dB with minimal power)
    • Placement: Front-ported, good for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Made in the U.S., widely available
  2. Ascend Sierra LX
    • SPL: 91 dB (good sensitivity for a 50-Watt amp)
    • Placement: Front-ported, suitable for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S.-based company with strong availability
  3. Focal Aria 906
    • SPL: 89.5 dB
    • Placement: Front-ported, decent for near-wall placement
    • Availability: French brand, but widely available in the U.S.
  4. Revel Performa M106
    • SPL: 87 dB (lower sensitivity; requires more power to reach 95 dB SPL)
    • Placement: Rear-ported but has boundary compensation, manageable near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  5. Focal Vestia No.1
    • SPL: 90 dB (better sensitivity than Aria)
    • Placement: Rear-ported, less suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  6. Ascend Sierra EX v2
    • SPL: 89 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  7. Spendor A1
    • SPL: 84 dB (low sensitivity; not ideal for a 50-Watt amp to reach 95 dB SPL)
    • Placement: Sealed design, perfect for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.
  8. Spendor Classic 4/5
    • SPL: 84 dB (low sensitivity, requires more power)
    • Placement: Sealed, good for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.

Summary:​

  • Legacy Audio Studio HD is best for reaching high SPL and works well near walls, with excellent availability in the U.S.
  • Ascend Sierra LX is a good second option with reasonable sensitivity and near-wall placement capability.
 
Timmy said:
I also tried ChatGPT, now with this list. See the result:

Let's sort the listed loudspeakers based on the three criteria:

1. Minimum SPL 95 dB with a 50-Watt amp:​

This criterion evaluates sensitivity or efficiency, which determines how loud a speaker will get with a certain amount of power. Speakers with higher sensitivity ratings (typically above 87 dB) will be better suited for this.

2. Fit for Near Wall Placement:​

Speakers with front-ported or sealed cabinet designs are generally better suited for near-wall placement as they minimize bass boom and room interaction.

3. Availability in the U.S.A.:​

Brands with a strong distribution network in the U.S. or ones that are made in the U.S. will score better on this criterion.

Sorted List:​

  1. Legacy Audio Studio HD
    • SPL: 94 dB (high sensitivity; can reach 95 dB with minimal power)
    • Placement: Front-ported, good for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Made in the U.S., widely available
  2. Ascend Sierra LX
    • SPL: 91 dB (good sensitivity for a 50-Watt amp)
    • Placement: Front-ported, suitable for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S.-based company with strong availability
  3. Focal Aria 906
    • SPL: 89.5 dB
    • Placement: Front-ported, decent for near-wall placement
    • Availability: French brand, but widely available in the U.S.
  4. Revel Performa M106
    • SPL: 87 dB (lower sensitivity; requires more power to reach 95 dB SPL)
    • Placement: Rear-ported but has boundary compensation, manageable near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  5. Focal Vestia No.1
    • SPL: 90 dB (better sensitivity than Aria)
    • Placement: Rear-ported, less suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  6. Ascend Sierra EX v2
    • SPL: 89 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  7. Spendor A1
    • SPL: 84 dB (low sensitivity; not ideal for a 50-Watt amp to reach 95 dB SPL)
    • Placement: Sealed design, perfect for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.
  8. Spendor Classic 4/5
    • SPL: 84 dB (low sensitivity, requires more power)
    • Placement: Sealed, good for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.

Summary:​

  • Legacy Audio Studio HD is best for reaching high SPL and works well near walls, with excellent availability in the U.S.
  • Ascend Sierra LX is a good second option with reasonable sensitivity and near-wall placement capability.
Click to expand...
The Legacy Audio has a sensitivity of 86dB according to John Atkinson's measurements and the Ascend Sierra-LX has a sensitivity of 82dB according to their spinorama. They are also both rear-ported, not front-ported. Can't trust that robot.
 
TimW said:
The Legacy Audio has a sensitivity of 86dB according to John Atkinson's measurements and the Ascend Sierra-LX has a sensitivity of 82dB according to their spinorama. They are also both rear-ported, not front-ported. Can't trust that robot.
Click to expand...

I confronted the »robot« with this :cool: ... It then changed the ranking:

Corrected Sorted List:​

  1. Focal Aria 906
    • SPL: 89.5 dB
    • Placement: Front-ported, well-suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Widely available in the U.S.
  2. Revel Performa M106
    • SPL: 87 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, but includes boundary compensation, somewhat suitable for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  3. Focal Vestia No.1
    • SPL: 90 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, less ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Widely available in the U.S.
  4. Ascend Sierra EX v2
    • SPL: 89 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  5. Legacy Audio Studio HD
    • SPL: 94 dB (high sensitivity)
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Made in the U.S., widely available
  6. Ascend Sierra LX
    • SPL: 91 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  7. Spendor A1
    • SPL: 84 dB
    • Placement: Sealed design, great for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.
  8. Spendor Classic 4/5
    • SPL: 84 dB
    • Placement: Sealed, excellent for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.

Summary:​

  • Focal Aria 906 now takes the top spot due to its front-ported design, making it the best suited for near-wall placement while still meeting SPL requirements.
  • Rear-ported speakers like Ascend Sierra LX and Legacy Audio Studio HD rank lower due to their placement limitations, despite good sensitivity.
  • Sealed speakers like Spendor A1 and Classic 4/5 are best for near-wall placement but have lower SPL, making them less suitable for high SPL demands with a 50-Watt amp.
 
I confronted the »robot« with this :cool: ... It then changed the ranking:
Timmy said:

Corrected Sorted List:​

  1. Focal Aria 906
    • SPL: 89.5 dB
    • Placement: Front-ported, well-suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Widely available in the U.S.
  2. Revel Performa M106
    • SPL: 87 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, but includes boundary compensation, somewhat suitable for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Well-distributed in the U.S.
  3. Focal Vestia No.1
    • SPL: 90 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, less ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Widely available in the U.S.
  4. Ascend Sierra EX v2
    • SPL: 89 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  5. Legacy Audio Studio HD
    • SPL: 94 dB (high sensitivity)
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not ideal for near-wall placement
    • Availability: Made in the U.S., widely available
  6. Ascend Sierra LX
    • SPL: 91 dB
    • Placement: Rear-ported, not suited for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.S. brand, good availability
  7. Spendor A1
    • SPL: 84 dB
    • Placement: Sealed design, great for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.
  8. Spendor Classic 4/5
    • SPL: 84 dB
    • Placement: Sealed, excellent for near-wall placement
    • Availability: U.K. brand, moderately available in the U.S.

Summary:​

  • Focal Aria 906 now takes the top spot due to its front-ported design, making it the best suited for near-wall placement while still meeting SPL requirements.
  • Rear-ported speakers like Ascend Sierra LX and Legacy Audio Studio HD rank lower due to their placement limitations, despite good sensitivity.
  • Sealed speakers like Spendor A1 and Classic 4/5 are best for near-wall placement but have lower SPL, making them less suitable for high SPL demands with a 50-Watt amp.
Click to expand...
Hmmm...
I appreciate the help for sure.....but, the 'machine' still not without errors.
Vestia is front ported, for one.


The SPL for Spendor is a concern with a 50w amp. I think we can cross those off the list for that reason, right?

Current list: (In order, based on my summation of this thread so far?)

Revel Performa M106
Focal Aria Evo X No. 1
Ascend Sierra EX v2
Ascend Sierra LX
Legacy Audio Studio HD


Question: With speaker placement close to the wall, what does the science say regarding the expected measurementsand performance for front ported vs. rear ported with plug ?
 
Last edited:
You can find Spendor A1 in open-box or demo status for $1900. Neutral, made in England. I don't understand 95 dB in a small room.
 
95 dB above the subwoofer band is very loud and only tolerable for showing off a movie scene IMO. Generally you want to listen between 75-85 dB and have the subs putting out 85-95 dB.
 
Chromatischism said:
95 dB above the subwoofer band is very loud and only tolerable for showing off a movie scene IMO. Generally you want to listen between 75-85 dB and have the subs putting out 85-95 dB.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
This is why I specify peak. I would like them to play up to 95db comfortably. That does not imply I listen to that volume regularly. I don’t want them to distort below that volume, is my thinking.
 
wscottdo said:
Question: With speaker placement close to the wall, what does the science say regarding the expected measurementsand performance for front ported vs. rear ported with plug ?
Click to expand...
A speaker placed from a wall at a distance equal to the diameter of a round port has negligible impact on port tuning.

If the port is plugged, it won’t matter where it’s located since it no longer works.

To copy/paste what I said on pg1 just as a reminder,
“Anything can be used close to the wall with proper room treatments and EQ.”
That should be any traditional boxed speaker. Not just anything.
 
Last edited:
wscottdo said:
Revel Performa M106
Focal Aria Evo X No. 1
Ascend Sierra EX v2
Ascend Sierra LX
Legacy Audio Studio HD
Click to expand...

Looking at some pics of those speakers I was surprised to find none of them really looking nice enough for me to want one. The looks of some of those speakers even emit a DIY aura, especially their backsides.

Well – to me, speakers not only have to sound good but also have to look good. Remember: The look is always present, even if the speaker is silent :cool:
 
Timmy said:
Looking at some pics of those speakers I was surprised to find none of them really looking nice enough for me to want one. The looks of some of those speakers even emit a DIY aura, especially their backsides.

Well – to me, speakers not only have to sound good but also have to look good. Remember: The look is always present, even if the speaker is silent :cool:
Click to expand...
You often look at the back side of a speaker after it's set up? Only speakers I can even see that complaint being valid against are the Ascend Sierras anyway. All the rest look quite nice and professionally made. Nothing more subjective than aesthetics, though.
 
kyuu said:
You often look at the back side of a speaker after it's set up? Only speakers I can even see that complaint being valid against are the Ascend Sierras anyway.
Click to expand...

A port's a port, but the binding posts do not look great, that's for sure. Perfectly functional, but clearly a cost savings area. Which is fine with me, spend on the drivers!

Aesthetics are very much subjective, but I do think people should consider that, since not liking what you see can be a bit of a downer

In 20 years, my natural finished laminate bamboo cabinets will look exactly the same, even if they need some scratches touched up. Veneer? Maybe not. That construction was one of the reasons I went with the LXs, admittedly low on the list, but it was on the list. Do I think other speakers look better? Sure, sonus faber makes some absolutely beautiful speakers, the lumina 2 amator is certainly attractive.

Ugly frequency response, but pretty to look at.
 
Pareto Pragmatic said:
A port's a port, but the binding posts do not look great, that's for sure. Perfectly functional, but clearly a cost savings area. Which is fine with me, spend on the drivers!

Aesthetics are very much subjective, but I do think people should consider that, since not liking what you see can be a bit of a downer

In 20 years, my natural finished laminate bamboo cabinets will look exactly the same, even if they need some scratches touched up. Veneer? Maybe not. That construction was one of the reasons I went with the LXs, admittedly low on the list, but it was on the list. Do I think other speakers look better? Sure, sonus faber makes some absolutely beautiful speakers, the lumina 2 amator is certainly attractive.

Ugly frequency response, but pretty to look at.
Click to expand...
Do we have the measurements of SF Lumina II Amator available somewhere? I have only seen the test results of the older Lumina II version.
 
JiiPee said:
Do we have the measurements of SF Lumina II Amator available somewhere? I have only seen the test results of the older Lumina II version.
Click to expand...
My bad, it was the earlier one I was looking at the frequency response for, not the Amator.
 
From my personal experience, rear-ported speakers just don't work well near a rear wall. You need a sealed or front-ported speaker.
 
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