New room in a new house. What should I be looking for in speakers

[Samson]

Hi All,

My family likes listening to music and records socially, with guests, or Sunday mornings making breakfast. I'm in a new house and considering moving my current system to a different room and putting an upgraded system in its place. Thinking NAD M10 but not sure what to look for in speakers. I want something that would be a clear upgrade from my Dali Rubicon 2, which I think sound very good. Budget about $5k.

The room is 40' x 14' and the speakers will be pointed across the short side. I sit about 10ft from speakers with a window behind me. One side has a secondary stair case, the other is open to the kitchen. I have attached a floor layout and pictures. Speakers will need to have grills and survive general children madness. Also they will be very close to the wall.

Current equipment that will remain in room-
Project RPM9 (I think)
Moon phono pre

What should I consider when looking for speakers?

*Please ignore "stands"

 

[NTK]

Welcome to ASR!

What should I consider when looking for speakers?

For a scientific dive, here are something to read.

https://www.wghwoodworking.com/audio/loudspeakers_and_rooms_for_sound_reproduction.pdf

https://www.wghwoodworking.com/audio/LoudspeakersandRooms-WorkingTogether.pdf

Member @sweetchaos has compiled list of "recommended" speakers. I'd suggest also looking into active speakers. One active loudspeaker that is missing from the active speakers list that I'd recommend considering is JBL 4329P (link to its review in: Erin's Audio Corner).

Active Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for ACTIVE speakers. For PASSIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Active Speakers (aka Studio Monitors): Bookshelf speakers (when turned 90deg)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for PASSIVE speakers. For ACTIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Never Buy This Brand: Passive Bookshelf Speakers: Passive...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[kemmler3D]

I'll just say it because someone will: at $5k, if you like the looks the KEF LS60 should be on your list. I have them in a living room setup and the coaxial drivers give pretty good sound even if you're way outside the sweet spot, so might be good for breakfasts and stuff.

 

[NTK]

I'll just say it because someone will: at $5k, if you like the looks the KEF LS60 should be on your list. I have them in a living room setup and the coaxial drivers give pretty good sound even if you're way outside the sweet spot, so might be good for breakfasts and stuff.

The KEF LS60's are definitely superb speakers. I would have recommended them too had OP not asked for speakers with grills. The LS60, with their exposed drivers, aren't exactly child resistant

 

[kemmler3D]

The KEF LS60's are definitely superb speakers. I would have recommended them too had OP not asked for speakers with grills. The LS60, with their exposed drivers, aren't exactly child resistant

Oh, this is true. I've been thinking I should 3D print something along those lines...

 

[Samson]

Oh that list is very helpful, I was trying to find something like that for amps as well. I don't think I would do the Kef for the grille issue. I watched Erin's review of the Wharfedale aura but maybe concentric driver, something like ref r7 would be better. Would that be a significant step up from the Dali's?

 

[Samson]

Thoughts on Focal Aria Evo? I can't find measurements and get the feeling this community is generally not a fan of the brand. The green colour might suit our room.

 

[Chazz6]

I had Focal Aria 906's. Now I have Revival Atalante 3's, and they are terrific. Much more you-are-there than the Focals; accurate but not confined to being delicate.

 

[terryforsythe]

something like ref r7 would be better.

That would be my choice. But, I am partial to concentric drivers - I have a pair of KEF LS60s and a pair of Elac UniFi Reference bookshelf speakers.

Would that be a significant step up from the Dali's?

Yes.

I haven't heard the Dali's, but given that the R7 has a much larger box and twice as many 6.5" woofers as the Dali Rubicon 2, its bass response will be much more effortless. Also, a properly designed 3-way speaker provides some advantages over a 2-way speaker. The driver producing the midrange isn't also having to produce the low bass. Furthermore, concentric drivers provide better vertical dispersion. The benefit is that you get more consistent tonality at different listening heights, e.g., sitting vs standing.

Erin's Audio Corner recently reviewed the Dali Rubikore 6. Looking at the measurements, it would be a little too bright for my taste, but some people like that. I don't know whether its voicing is representative of the entire Dali lineup, though. So, take that with a grain of salt.

Dali Rubikore 6 Speaker Review

Dali Rubikore 6 Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Erin has not reviewed the KEF R7 Meta, but here is his review of the R5 Meta, which has 5.25" woofers instead of the R7 Meta's 6.5" woofers. It should give an indication of what to expect from the R7 Meta:

KEF R5 Meta Tower Speaker Review

KEF R5 Meta Tower Speaker Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[terryforsythe]

Thoughts on Focal Aria Evo? I can't find measurements and get the feeling this community is generally not a fan of the brand. The green colour might suit our room.

Here is Erin's review of the Focal Aria 906. Based on the measurements, it also looks to be a little bright for my taste but, as noted, some people like boosted high frequencies. Again, not the same speaker as the Aria Evo, but it may give an indication of the voicing Focal uses:

Focal Aria 906 Bookshelf Speaker Review

Focal Aria 906

www.erinsaudiocorner.com