Speaker recommendations for an open-space apartment with a high ceiling

[jammymalina]

Hi everyone,
I'm reaching out for some speaker recommendations as I'll be attending an audio show next month. I'm in the market for new speakers and would love some advice tailored to my specific living situation.

My Space:

• Open-plan apartment
• High ceiling (approximately 3 meters / 9'10")
• Width of placement area: about 4 meters / 13'1"
• No current room treatment (might consider this next year)

What I'm Looking For:
Speakers that would perform well in this environment, considering:

• The open layout
• High ceilings
• Lack of acoustic treatment

I'm particularly interested in speakers that can fill the space without sounding strained or losing detail. Given the openness, I'm thinking floorstanding or open-baffle speakers might be a good option, but I'm open to bookshelf speakers if they can handle the room.
Some additional details that might help:

Budget range: max 5000€ (can go a bit above)
Music genres I listen to most: Power Metal, Folk Metal, Classical
Current amplification: I currently don't have any good amp besides SMSL one for my desk speakers so feel free to put amp recommendation too

If you've had experience with speakers in similar spaces, I'd love to hear about it. Any brands or specific models you'd recommend I look out for at the audio show?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[HeadDoc12]

I recommend you listen to the KEF LS60. They include amp, streaming, everything. You can just play music from your phone and don’t need any other hardware. I’m not sure how loud they can get in your space, or how much they cost where you live.

 

[AnalogSteph]

What kind of listening distance are we talking about? How "live" / "wet" is the space acoustically, how is it furnished (flooring, existing furniture etc.)? This situation may be calling for something of highish directivity.

 

[jammymalina]

What kind of listening distance are we talking about? How "live" / "wet" is the space acoustically, how is it furnished (flooring, existing furniture etc.)? This situation may be calling for something of highish directivity.

Currently, there is not much furniture that would reflect the sound. The flooring is PVC, but I plan to put the rug in the living room area once I have the speakers. The listening distance will be around 4-5 meters (13-16 feet give or take).

 

[jammymalina]

I recommend you listen to the KEF LS60. They include amp, streaming, everything. You can just play music from your phone and don’t need any other hardware. I’m not sure how loud they can get in your space, or how much they cost where you live.

Thanks for the tip. I will check them out. They fit my speaker budget nearly to the tee.

 

[Mart68]

Thanks for the tip. I will check them out. They fit my speaker budget nearly to the tee.

Check them out but I thought they were disappointing and I don't think they will be enough for your space and the music you like.

Impossible to give a specific recommendation but I would look for a big, efficient, three or four way tower. Probably from the used market, save you some money for a powerful amplifier.

You will need to damp the room down, that doesn't necessarily mean deploying dedicated treatment, but no speaker in the world sounds good in a highly reflective environment.

 

[jammymalina]

Check them out but I thought they were disappointing and I don't think they will be enough for your space and the music you like.

Impossible to give a specific recommendation but I would look for a big, efficient, three or four way tower. Probably from the used market, save you some money for a powerful amplifier.

You will need to damp the room down, that doesn't necessarily mean deploying dedicated treatment, but no speaker in the world sounds good in a highly reflective environment.

I was already considering getting the amp from the used market if needed, I might check out the speakers there too. TBH I am hoping to get a good deal at the audio show, but not sure if that happens.

My current plan to damp the room if necessary is to add rugs and plants. Maybe add a bookshelf too

 

[HeadDoc12]

If you want to go passive plus amp, Revel F206 or KEF R5 Meta (or R7 Meta if budget allows) are excellent. But you’re gonna want a powerful amp if you’re cranking Helloween…

 

[WalterW]

Where I live, 3 meters is considered low ceiling.

 

[jammymalina]

Where I live, 3 meters is considered low ceiling.

Yeah, I might have over exaggerated a little. Where I live it is indeed above average but mostly for the apartments not for the houses.

 

[kemmler3D]

+1 for the LS60, I have found they are very forgiving of the room (as much as they can be) because of the point-source concept, i.e. coax with woofers on either side. They go almost full range, look nice (matter of opinion) and are really convenient.

 

[Timcognito]

MoFi SourcePoint 888 Review and Measurements by Erin

Impressive speaker, nicely balanced. 5000 USD. https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/mofi_soucepoint_888/

www.audiosciencereview.com

Not sure of EU prices/availability, but there have been discounts in the US lately

 

[jammymalina]

MoFi SourcePoint 888 Review and Measurements by Erin

Impressive speaker, nicely balanced. 5000 USD. https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/mofi_soucepoint_888/

www.audiosciencereview.com

Not sure of EU prices/availability, but there have been discounts in the US lately

I saw a review for these from New Record Day!

 

[amper42]

Revel F228Be on sale for approx. $6k a pair. Consider using the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and Purifi amp with them. The loudness feature on RME is amazing for customizing the sound just the way you want it. The Revel F228Be will fill that space nicely.

 

[EERecordist]

I would suggest investing in Room EQ Wizard and a calibrated USB microphone, the software is free and the microhone about 100 Euro. You can post your measurements here for discussion. Second, I would try to find a dealer who would allow you to demo the speakers in your room.

At your measurements, you might need to toe in your speakers. Try to get the HF drivers at ear level in the listening position and try to reduce early reflections between the speaker and you. A carpet with a jute, not a foam, pad between the listening position and the speakers is good. Anything you can do with deadening material behind the listening position will help. In the US our carpet remnant warehouses can often do edge binding of raw carpet to make it into an area rug, which you can then place over.a jute or wool pad at a very inexpensive price.

Seconding the RME DAC. Very stable and good support. It has a graphical interface and presets on your laptop or tablet, plus the real time spectrum display.

Welcome to ASR and the listening engineering journey!

 

[WillBrink]

I saw a review for these from New Record Day!

He raved about the Ryan R610's and he's 100% correct, best speakers I have had in my space. They are 2k retail, astonishingly good. Your budget allows 2 subs, boom, killer good system there for 5k ish. I purchased the Ryans partially due to his review, and that I got them for such a great price. Company wise they seem to keep a low profile.

 

[jammymalina]

Revel F228Be on sale for approx. $6k a pair. Consider using the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and Purifi amp with them. The loudness feature on RME is amazing for customizing the sound just the way you want it. The Revel F228Be will fill that space nicely.

Where did you find such a good sale? Most of the prices I see are at least 5k+ per single speaker. Not that I can buy it since I live in EU but I am still curious.

 

[Sokel]

4-5m listening distance and we are recommending speakers that may fall apart at 105dB SPL at that distance and ignoring the request of filling-room sound?
Without even considering the EQ that they might (surely) need and the ability of the speakers to stand it after the corrections?

Dear @jammymalina I will maybe disappoint you but 5k will not cut it.
You need big speakers with enough woofer area and quality woofer (disregarding the subs,that's another matter) to fill such a room.

I know,I've been there,my room is similar and I listened to a lot of big rooms,anything limited will sound strident.
I consider the triple eights @Timcognito suggested the minimum you have to look at.

 

[Timcognito]

OP, Keep your eye on the last few pages of this thread and check reviews at ASR and EAC.

(Europe) Master Deals Thread on Audio Product Sales

Hey EU Folks, This is an alternative version of @amirm original Master "deals" (massdrop, ebay, Amazon, etc.) Thread on Audio Product Sales ... But this time specifically focused on deals available for shipping to (most) EU countries. It turns out that I am already an active member on French...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[amper42]

Where did you find such a good sale? Most of the prices I see are at least 5k+ per single speaker. Not that I can buy it since I live in EU but I am still curious.

The F228be is on sale now for $3475 each and I was able to find a dealer who would sell the pair for $6k. Revel offers free shipping.

Revel PerformaBe F228Be (High-Gloss Black)

Floor-standing speaker

www.crutchfield.com