Speakers that behave well near wall

[Geo2160]

So far most of the recommendations dealt with the distance from the back wall (speaker's view), but my first impression was, that here the problematic boundary is the side wall/door next to speaker S1.
Speakers for placement close to a back wall exist in great numbers, but what about this problem?
View attachment 485690

Apologies. That was just a quick sketch. That is the window wall and I have thick curtains that should help with reflections.



Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I've added the Q11 Meta, Q7 Meta and the Super Lintons to my list. Larsen and Carlsson are not available in my area. If you want to keep this conversation open, it may be useful to other people too.

LE: Also found an open-box Kef R11 (non-meta) for roughly the same price as the Q11 Meta. Would they be a better option?

 

[Timcognito]

So far most of the recommendations dealt with the distance from the back wall (speaker's view), but my first impression was, that here the problematic boundary is the side wall/door next to speaker S1.
Speakers for placement close to a back wall exist in great numbers, but what about this problem?
View attachment 485690

Swap walls couch and smaller credenza.

 

[Wayne Highwood]

Also found an open-box Kef R11 (non-meta) for roughly the same price as the Q11 Meta. Would they be a better option?

It seems to have that low shelf tuning too, although a bit rockier looking (differing measurement techniques, not exactly apples to oranges) but similar. They're probably worth checking into.

 

[Thighsofsteel]

I think the Lyngdorf FR1 or FR2 are meant to be very close to the wall. Never seen nor heard them, but that is the Marketing

 

[valerianf]

Directly placed at 5cm of the wall two large tower speaker equipped with a front firing BR port are doing the job.
Dirac Live is a good add-on for the clarity of the soundstage.

 

[krabapple]

I wouldn't keep them there if it sounded bad.

I noticed last night that one of my now-wall-adjacent speakers (which are all highpassed at 80 Hz) was resonating rather startlingly at low frequencies -- I tried tightening front panel screws, which did nothing, but then I swapped in another of the same model and voila, it was gone. So, I guess I can thank near-wall placement for highlighting a broken speaker for me? (I'll be opening that puppy up to see what's gone wrong).

It led me to run bass sweeps that told me there were other, less startling 'resonances' in my setup...some were just things rattling a bit in the room, but some seem to be port noise from the mains. (Behringer B2030Ps, which are front-ported wave-guided monitors.) After making sure the front panels are screwed on tight, I'm going to try stuffing the ports with foam. (Online research tells me that port stuffing is a standard recommendation for wall-adjacent speakers, generally to cure 'bloated bass' from SBIR, I've yet to see much about port noise amelioration). Then I'll be running Audssey again....

 

[Timcognito]

I noticed last night that one of my now-wall-adjacent speakers (which are all highpassed at 80 Hz) was resonating rather startlingly at low frequencies -- I tried tightening front panel screws, which did nothing, but then I swapped in another of the same model and voila, it was gone. So, I guess I can thank near-wall placement for highlighting a broken speaker for me? (I'll be opening that puppy up to see what's gone wrong).

It led me to run bass sweeps that told me there were other, less startling 'resonances' in my setup...some were just things rattling a bit in the room, but some seem to be port noise from the mains. (Behringer P2030s, which are front-ported wave-guided monitors.) After making sure the front panels are screwed on tight, I'm going to try stuffing the ports with foam. (Online research tells me that port stuffing is a standard recommendation for wall-adjacent speakers, generally to cure 'bloated bass' from SBIR, I've yet to see much about port noise amelioration). Then I'll be running Audssey again....

FYI if you haven't seen it.

Behringer Truth B2031A Review

noaudiophile.com

 

[krabapple]

Yeah, the guy who fiddles with the tweeter grills, I've seen that. I don't need his bass boost, since I use subwoofers and now have SBIR to help.

The thing is, an active speaker is likely a qualitatively different beast than a passive. I'm not sure they are directly comparable.

His B2030As performed well, punching above its price category weight.. My B2030P didn't do too bad either: Amir measured it here and was happy to recommend it, with a bit of treble EQ -- a calm amigo

 

[Geo2160]

If anyone is still following, I ended buying the Super Lintons. They barely fit. Here's some pics of the placement and moving mic measurements from my Wiim Amp Ultra with a UMIK-1. I've limited EQ window to 20-500hz. The room still qualifies as a male living space, with empty walls and it seems I sit right in a null zone, since I'm pretty close to the back zone.

Honestly, I expected more from imaging. I like the wide presentation, but I don't get the same holographic effect that I get from my Genelec 8020Ds that I have at my computer desk. Can this be fixed with better room treatment or is it just a function of the wide dispersion? I'm still in the return window and I'm having second thoughts.

 

[Moti]

^Room symmetry and long listening distance(?) are against Lintons vs. your Genelec. If you live alone, can you re-arrange your set-up?

 

[Geo2160]

What would this re-arrangement entail? The TV is wall unfortunately wall-mounted and the space is pretty limited as I've mentioned before.

 

[kyuu]

You're unlikely to get anything like what you're used to with your nearfield setup with a farfield setup like that.

That shortfall between 50-100Hz in your measurement is likely not helping.

 

[Geo2160]

As far as I understand, that null in the 50-100hz region could be fixed with a properly placed sub, which I intend to buy at a later date. But I need to be 100% sure that the speakers are not at fault here.

 

[Marc v E]

Not sure why, maybe because it looks so crowded, but to me that doesn't look right.
If it were me, I'd return the lintons and buy Genelecs. Try the G series. Or the 83x0 series with SAM (eq)

Or Ascilab with no back radiator. Imaging is their best trait.
'AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Review' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ascilab-f6bs-speaker-review.63324/

 

[krabapple]

As far as I understand, that null in the 50-100hz region could be fixed with a properly placed sub, which I intend to buy at a later date. But I need to be 100% sure that the speakers are not at fault here.

Or you could move your listening seat forward?

 

[sigbergaudio]

Not unlikely that the largest difference is due to nearfield vs sitting further away. Can you temporarily move the Genelecs from your desk to the living room to see what happens?

 

[Torin Krell]

Geo2160, Unfortunately your lack of room symmetry with your listening and speaker positions will compromise your soundstage and may even compromise matching left and right speaker frequency response. Perhaps placing your speakers and couch on the opposite walls will enable a more symmetrical setup. Interestingly speaker placement against walls was explored decades ago by some well known speaker companies, like Klipsch and even more extensively by Allison Acoustics. Roy Allison's research on methods to account for room boundary interaction with speaker design is still interesting reading today. Several Allison speakers were designed specifically for placement directly against the listening room's front wall.

 

[Geo2160]

Not unlikely that the largest difference is due to nearfield vs sitting further away. Can you temporarily move the Genelecs from your desk to the living room to see what happens?

That's actually a good idea. It will be a hassle to untangle all the cables, but I will do it tomorrow.

Not sure why, maybe because it looks so crowded, but to me that doesn't look right.
If it were me, I'd return the lintons and buy Genelecs. Try the G series. Or the 83x0 series with SAM (eq)

Or Ascilab with no back radiator. Imaging is their best trait.
'AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Review' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ascilab-f6bs-speaker-review.63324/

I would have loved a pair of 8040Bs or 8050Bs, but they pretty much require a sub and they would blow my budget. I got my super lintons + wiim amp ultra for 2000eur. 8040bpm+7050b would mean 3000eur and I would still need a streamer.

Not sure why, maybe because it looks so crowded, but to me that doesn't look right.
If it were me, I'd return the lintons and buy Genelecs. Try the G series. Or the 83x0 series with SAM (eq)

Or Ascilab with no back radiator. Imaging is their best trait.
'AsciLab F6Bs Speaker Review' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ascilab-f6bs-speaker-review.63324/

AsciLab are on back-order on the audiophonics.fr (the only site that I can order them from in the EU). They were on my list, but I wanted to try something local. I'd love a pair of Genelecs with a sub, but, as i mentioned above, they would be way above my budget.

Geo2160, Unfortunately your lack of room symmetry with your listening and speaker positions will compromise your soundstage and may even compromise matching left and right speaker frequency response. Perhaps placing your speakers and couch on the opposite walls will enable a more symmetrical setup. Interestingly speaker placement against walls was explored decades ago by some well known speaker companies, like Klipsch and even more extensively by Allison Acoustics. Roy Allison's research on methods to account for room boundary interaction with speaker design is still interesting reading today. Several Allison speakers were designed specifically for placement directly against the listening room's front wall.

Thank you. Unfortunately, reversing the furniture is not feasible.

 

[Torin Krell]

Geo2160, If you really like Genelecs (as I do) be aware that although it may have some advantages combining Genelec monitors with Genelec subs, Genelecs can be used with quality subs from other companies with excellent results if carefully configured at significantly less overall cost.

 

[Geo2160]

Geo2160, If you really like Genelecs (as I do) be aware that although it may have some advantages combining Genelec monitors with Genelec subs, Genelecs can be used with quality subs from other companies with excellent results if carefully configured at significantly less overall cost.

I know, I use a Kali WS6.2 at my desk with my 8020D. But a good sub for a living room is still >700€ that I have to factor into the cost.