Help me pick speakers for my big room!

[Goran-P]

So, I'm looking for a pair of speakers for my library which is 23' x 32' x 23' high. Vaulted wood ceiling, wood floor, wood book shelves and 1000's of books + some big and small windows.

Speakers will go along the 32' long wall, ~10' from the side walls, and ~12' from each other. The primary listening position is in the middle of the 32' wall on the other side of the room, so ~20' away. I will mainly listen at low-ish volume, say 70 dB (+/- 5dB), and sometimes at medium volume (say 80 dB). I never listen very loud. I want this to be a reference-on-a-budget system. I am budgeting $6,000 for speakers, but if I can spend 1/2 of that without giving up too much, I'd be happy(er) with that. Hopefully I can find what I want used, but if not, I'll likely be at the top of my price range. I'd prefer not to have subs (WAF concern + sound cohesion concern), but will put 1 or 2 in there if absolutely necessary.

I have a Rivo+ streamer (with an LPS) already, am looking at DACs such as the Denefrips Pontus 15 (but need advice on that ... for a different thread), and a class D amp(s) of 400-600 w @ 8ohms (amp will depend on speakers).

I'd like a neutral but musical sound, a wide and deep soundstage, and good separation of instruments / voices. Ideally, the sound will be immersive, but precise (if that makes sense). My biggest constraint is size/WAF. Have better chance of WAF the smaller I go, but have better chance of filling the space the bigger I go. That's my dilemma. So I have broken down the choices i am looking at below in 2 categories: 1- small towers / big standmounts / higher WAF; 2- medium towers / lower WAF. I will lean heavily towards those that can fill the room without the use of subs.

Cat 1 - smaller size / higher WAF
KEF R7 Meta - 41.8" × 7.9" × 15.1"
Audio First Cadentia 3 - 23.2" × 11.8" × 17.0"
Wharfedale Super Linton - 23.8" × 11.8" × 13.0"
Revel Performa3 F206 (or the 226be) - 41.4" × 9.8" × 13.6"
Paradigm Founder 80F - 38.2" × 11.7" × 14"
Acoustic Energy AE320 - 41.3" × 7.9" × 13.7"
Ascend ELX Tower - 43.0" × 7.5" × 10.5"

Cat 2 - larger size / lower WAF
Philharmonic BMR Tower - 44" H x 12" W x 15-1/2" D
Revel Performa3 F208 (or the 228be) - 46.8" × 13.6" × 15"
Sonus faber Lumina V Amator - 45.3" × 14.6" × 18.7"
KEF R11 Meta - 49.2" x 7.9" x 15.1"
Paradigm Founder 100F - 41.9” x 12.9” x 16.1”
Mofi sourcepoint 888 - 42.1” x 12.6” x 16.1”
Monitor Gold 300 6G - 43.3" x 13.3" x 18.3”

Any thoughts on this list and which of these might fit my parameters? This is already a long list, but I am happy to add to it if someone has a different idea.

 

[Duke]

My suggestion, from your list, would be the biggest Revel towers you can manage. Hopefully the 228Be's.

 

[skankhobag]

Have you given any thought to KEF LS60s? Totally active, have sub outputs if you may want them in the future and they list for $6k per pair.

Accessories4Less has factory refurbs for $4,800 with free shipping.

KEF LS60 PAIR Wireless Powered Speakers w/Wi-Fi, BT, & AirPlay 2 Black

KEF Recertified Product

www.accessories4less.com

Here’s a comprehensive review:

KEF LS60 Wireless Powered Speaker Review

KEF LS60 Wireless Powered Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

With these all you need is a source. If you have your music on your laptop or phone, it couldn’t be much easier.

 

[Hear Here]

I'd agree - big Revel or KEF. This is only a suggestion based on printed specs, but your room may dictate otherwise. The only brand I have first-hand experience with is KEF. Great speakers, though mine were from the mid-80s. Their Reference 107 was considered a masterpiece at the time and KEF continue the tradition of superb design and construction.

 

[Goran-P]

the KEFs are a perfect size. and they get great reviews. And I don't have to worry about getting an amp. My only worry is the quality of the wireless signal, and what that does to sound quality. ANy thoughts? Any way to hardwire them?

 

[kharan]

The LS60s are a terrible idea, they are one of the most output limited floorstander that Kef makes.

The only choice I would consider in this list is the Mofi 888, arguably OP should upgrade of the Sourcepoint V10 if they have the means. 80 dB isn't a lot, 80 dB at more 20 feet away in a 736 square feet room with a high ceiling is.

If OP can get closer and size is still a major concern, the R11 meta is another good choice, it's tall speaker, but it's not very wide or imposing, it should be elegant enough to integrate into most decors. Though looking at the R11's spinorama, they are designed to be placed against a back wall.

 

[kemmler3D]

My only worry is the quality of the wireless signal, and what that does to sound quality. ANy thoughts? Any way to hardwire them?

I have the LS60s because they were easily the best speakers that met WAF criteria. The wireless signal is via Wi-Fi, i.e. lossless, and there are plenty of ways to use wired connections as well. The main speaker can connect to the second speaker with an Ethernet cable. Zero sound quality concerns on the connection front, although you can get dropouts like any Wi-Fi audio device when using streaming.

I use a WiiM Pro to add room correction to the setup.

I tend to agree they're not the best for a huge room but they are really great speakers if you don't need them to go very loud. Add subs to raise the ceiling on them a little...

 

[kharan]

17000 cubic feet or 480 m3 room, just saying.

 

[Gary_G]

Go big.

Summit Makalu

www.jbl.com

 

[Colonel7]

Up the speaker budget by not spending $$$ on a DAC. Or save $ by not spending so much on a DAC.

 

[Mort]

This is an extremely narrow listening angle. 60deg is a near universal standard. Among other things, you'll probably lose precision in the soundstage. If you don't care, spend less.

 

[Defi]

Are all of these positions set in stone already? 20' away is massive and 12' spread is small for that distance. You're going to have a hard time matching the speaker size to the room size if another opinion in the house wants them to basically appear non existent. I suggest creating a skeleton frame wrapped in acoustically transparent fabric around the biggest JBLs you can afford. 4367 or M2. If you want 80db at 20 feet, you're gonna need ~98 dB 1m from the speakers.

 

[Mort]

If you want 80db at 20 feet, you're gonna need ~98 dB 1m from the speakers.

Good point. The volume near the speaker could be deafening even at 75db when you are 20 feet away. Walking by could be an experience.

 

[kemmler3D]

Comments mentioning the need for big, loud speakers at the specified distance are correct... @OP maybe consider sitting closer to expand the pool of viable speakers?

 

[Groove01]

Are you open to the 2nd hand mkt? Personal preference here, but I’m partial to Aerial Accoustics.

Check out the 7b on the secondary mkt.

 

[Sal1950]

My suggestion, from your list, would be the biggest Revel towers you can manage. Hopefully the 228Be's.

Amen, you'll never go wrong with Revel

 

[Mort]

OP, what kind of music do you listen to? Anything bass heavy (modern pop, hip-hop, electronic) will require a subwoofer in that space.

I would get a pair of Philharmonic Audio HTs. They go VERY loud, neutral and a huge soundstage from their wide directivity. They are also quite small for their output.

 

[Goran-P]

I listen to a wide variety of things, rock (bruce s., U2), new wave (clash, cure), ska (english beat), reggae (elovaters), soft rock (matchbox 20, jack johnson, sam smith), but also enjoy some classical and piano. Very little is bass-heavy. To be clear, the sides of the room are about 9 ft tall, then there is a very steep, wooden vaulted ceiling, the peak of which is 23’ from the floor. Kind of church-like. I may have misrepresented that originally. And yes, I can spread the speakers wider, either to 16’ apart, or to the corners (~30 ft apart), but can’t change the main listening position (couch). I can temporarily move a chair around, of course, but that’s not ideal. I just did a decibel test, and my max enjoyable volume is 75, not 80. But I’ll be in the 65-70 range most of the time.

 

[skankhobag]

The LS60s are a terrible idea, they are one of the most output limited floorstander that Kef makes.

The only choice I would consider in this list is the Mofi 888, arguably OP should upgrade of the Sourcepoint V10 if they have the means. 80 dB isn't a lot, 80 dB at more 20 feet away in a 736 square feet room with a high ceiling is.

If OP can get closer and size is still a major concern, the R11 meta is another good choice, it's tall speaker, but it's not very wide or imposing, it should be elegant enough to integrate into most decors. Though looking at the R11's spinorama, they are designed to be placed against a back wall

From the KEF LS60 product page
Max SPL measured at 1m: 111 dB
That is really loud. Don’t know where you get the idea that they are output limited unless you’re looking for Metallica volume levels.

Also, the poster stated that his listening will be at very conservative levels (85dB) so LS60s will have no problem filling his room.

They not only meet, but drastically surpass all his criteria as well as saving him money.

You should click on the review link that I included in my initial response. You don’t seem to know anything about the speaker.

 

[Klonatans]

Philharmonic BMR Towers that feature in your list are objectively excellent speakers (measured by Audioholics) and do not require a subwoofer, so they could fill your room with ease. I'd give them a try provided that lower WAF is not a deal breaker (I personally would prefer them in black or white finish). The only weakness stated by Audioholics is low sensitivity (85.4dB), but as you plan to buy a powerful class D amp it's not an issue.