Speaker suggestions for small listening Area. Downsizing. Considering Naim and Moving to new speakers.

Naim IBL recommended. Old, no longer made, but superb!

Yes IBL's are a great little speaker.

Also worth considering SBL's.

Avoid Saras ( I say that even though I have a pair for sale) and Kans......they are over hyped and honk.

Regards

Mick

The room dictates short wall placement and 30-36" from the speaker's back to the wall behind them. Speakers designed to go close to the wall behind them will NOT work inb this room. Other suggestions?

Jay

Thanks Khoi. Why are you seling?

I think these two speakers are also designed for close to the wall placement, am I correct?

How far back are they designed to go. 30-36" is my prefered distance.


Jay

.... you could try some ported speakers. I think everything proposed so far is sealed box and these normally go close to wall (but someone correct me if this is wrong - why did I bother writing that, of coure someone will correct me if I'm wrong). There are stacks of stand and floor mounted speakers you could try e.g., B&W, Castle. I tried a bunch of these 18 months ago and ended up settling on Proac's (sound size and GAF).

David

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Originally posted by Jaybar:
The room dictates short wall placement and 30-36" from the speaker's back to the wall behind them. Speakers designed to go close to the wall behind them will NOT work in this room. Other suggestions?

Jay

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Does the room slope down or have glass or... a better explaination rather than they won't work may help us help you... B&W CDM1SE ??? gets rave reviews and is standmount and £750.

John

John
Shore

is that you look for a used pair of Spica TC-50's.

I think they will suit your situation quite well.

A few points:
1. They are sealed, which means that they are NOT prone to excessive mid-bass energy (I gather this is your biggest complaint).
2. Even though they are sealed, they are designed to work 36 inches from any boundry.
3. They have one of the most beguiling midranges I have ever heard, without suffering from a soft-squushy quality in the bass.
4. They are generally quite fast (sealed, remember).
5. They have this uncanny ability to "push" midrange enstruments out in front of them, which gives the impression of an almost eary sort of presence. This is what I call "intimacy", which wall-huggers can't even hint at.
6. They have very little low bass.
7. Cheap (200-400). There are three pairs available now on ebay (none of which are mine, BTW).

Take a chance on love.
Judd

Johno-

The wall behind the speakers has a 4 foot high by 11 foot wide window, that is covered by heavy drapes and there is also a baseloard heater running the width of the room. If I leave the drapes open there are problems caused by all that glass. If I close the drapes and place the speakers within 12-15 inches of the drapes, the sound gets somewhat muffled. Also because of a vertical sophet on the left hand wall (thus narrowing the width of the room as one gets close to the front of the speakers) the sound sucks anywhere close to the wall behind the speakers. Bass boom, shouty, honky, bright, accemtuated midrange presence. Think of lots of ills and they are there. The sound frees up considerably as you move a but into the room.

Jay

The best performance in this room has been with sealed box speakers such as the former Celestion SL 600.

It would also be a plus, if the speakers bolted to the stands (heavy stands are better). This would prevent frisky cats from jumping from high shelves onto the speakers and knocking them off the stands.

Jay

Jay,

I love my Vienna Acoustic Bachs, although they are floor-standers. They just sing with my equipment (cd5/fc/112/hi/150). They are best in free space, and can go any distance from the back wall you would like. They cost $1500 new, but I have seen them used for $800 on Audiogon.

Bruce

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Originally posted by Khoi:I would suggest Rega Elas or even Kytes. They are very cheap, work in small rooms and have a beautiful top and midrange

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Kytes are good but no longer in production.
Try Dynaudio speakers, very fun with Naim.

King

Having had the 1.8's which has far far too much bass for my room, I am reluctant to get involved with them. Are the 1.1's or 1.3 a different kettle of fish?

Jay

Justin wrote:

"A few points:
1. They are sealed, which means that they are NOT prone to excessive mid-bass energy (I gather this is your biggest complaint).
2. Even though they are sealed, they are designed to work 36 inches from any boundry.
3. They have one of the most beguiling midranges I have ever heard, without suffering from a soft-squushy quality in the bass.
4. They are generally quite fast (sealed, remember).
5. They have this uncanny ability to "push" midrange enstruments out in front of them, which gives the impression of an almost eary sort of presence. This is what I call "intimacy", which wall-huggers can't even hint at.
6. They have very little low bass.
7. Cheap (200-400). There are three pairs available now on ebay (none of which are mine, BTW)."

Ah, for a moment I thought you meant LS3/5A:s...

They should also work in Jays room, I use them in similar circumstances.

JohanR

Epos ES11 (or ES12/M12 depending on vinatge), or Linn Katans. Easy !

Shahinian Super Elf. Go see Dick Shahinian on Long Island, or give him a call. They are superb with your kind of system.

Spend the rest of your budget on something like quality speaker stands like Linn Kan II stands and a Mana Sound Stage for the speakers. Enjoy!

I would nix the CDM1s, they have a bass boost. The Matrix 805s are leaner, but still a bit boomy. Haven't heard the Nautilus.

I think you might try Neat Petites, but I don't know where to find them. Put them on the very massive Osiris stands, which is what Rob Doorack uses with his (plus 112/150/flat). I think his are more like a foot from the wall, though.

Epos M12 or used ES11/12 would certainly be worth a shot.

I'm curious about Shahinian but would you believe there are no NYC dealers?

I'm wondering, though, have you experimented much with moving the Signums around? Measure from the center of the woofer and the center of the port to the floor, wall, and ceiling and try to avoid the distances being multiples of each other for a more even room response.

--Eric

Just call up the factory in Long Island, they will demonstrate the speakers there. You can work your way up the range too. Its just a quick balst up the L.I.E

since i have no car

Get the Long Island Railway to Medford station, if Dick Shahinian knows that you're using that mode of transport, you can almost guarantee he will be picked up from the station. He may even drop you off there if you buy a pair of speakers from him.

Acoustic Energy AE1.These will work fine 3 feet from side/rear walls.Can pick up a recent pair for 4-500 pounds,or even buy new!
Avoid early ones,as the foam can rot on the bass drivers.
Cheers,
paul.

Hi Jaybar,
I firmly agree with Martin M. I think that you should consider something in the Shahinina range. You should definitely try the Super Elfs as suggested. It might also be worth trying their 'Starter' or their 'Compass' - really excellent musical sound throughout the range. I myself have Arcs and am really pleased with them.
good luck
Raphael
ps. If you do try some, be aware that all Shahinian speakers take quite some running in.

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I think you might try Neat Petites, but I don't know where to find them. Put them on the very massive Osiris stands, which is what Rob Doorack uses with his (plus 112/150/flat).

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Wot, no Nait3? Rob's 3series/Petites system was the coolest reviewer reference, ever.

You should listen Epos speakers

MY sistem : Naim Nait 5 amplifier,Nad c 540 cd player,B&W 601 speakers,Naca5

Why not try a pair of Gale 301's. They are designed for use away from a wall, they are a closed box, they are bass shy and are stand mounted. I have used a pair for 12 years in a room 11ft x 17ft, as my other equipment has improved these speakers have just got better. Very accurate but smooth. If you like Kans you will hate these speakers. If your ears can not remain in the same room are as those dreadful sounding Kans you will love them. The steel grills also look fantastic.

FATCAT

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I carry Neat! They're the best speakers in the whole world!

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Agreed, and I haven't even heard all the world's speakers.

What do you think of the new bass driver for the Mystique/Elite/Petite? Just put mine in a few days ago. Still breaking in, but they're already quite a nice improvement.

New one's on the right: