Big speakers in a small room

I agree with you, small speakers are crap for rock music.

Stick with the big speakers and just turn the volume down a little!!

Regards

NB

[This message was edited by NB on FRIDAY 03 January 2003 at 13:12.]

....This combo can lead to problems, but the room/speaker interface is so unpredictable all you can do is try whichever speaker you fancy in your own room.

My room is quite small, about 14' x 16', with a very low ceiling but houses N802's very well (I strongly recommend that you audition these as they work very well with Naim gear and 135's are plenty in a small room). A bigger room is much better particularly for the bass response.
I get soom boom, but only over a small frequency range and for most CD's it isn't a problem.

One advantage of a small room is the ability to play music at silly levels. I had Underworld ("Kittens" of the Beaucoup Fish album) up at 106 db last night. A glorious cacophony of structural noise you could taste, touch and feel right down to your toes.

Colin Lorenson

I agree with the above comments.....

(1) The only way to tell is to try

(2) My listening room is 12ft x 13ft, in a 1930s house with 8ft 6in ceilings and a suspended wooden floor.I have run Isobarics, and Proac Response 3.5s sucessfully

The more powerful the power amp, the better controlled the bass, eg. 135s give much better bass control than my 140 did

(3) In general, speakers with rear ports are more problematic...in a small room it is difficult to get them far enough away from the rear wall.

(4) One advantage of a small room, mentioned above, is that it is easily possible to achieve "realistic" listening levels

best wishes
laurie S

Bas, I am such a fan of Vienna Acoustic speakers. For over 15 years I did not like ANYTHING I heard enough to upgrade, till I heard Beethovens. It took 30 seconds and I knew I had to find a way to afford them.

Now I have Mahlers, which I purchased without even a listen, simply because I know who’s behind the design, and that they did everything better than Beethovens.

But don’t lament, the Mahlers IMO are definitely too big for your room. Go for its smaller brother. I think they’ll be fine. They’re terrific! Beware though, I have found that both of these VA flagships speakers take a lot of experimenting, time and patience to set up properly.

I did hear Grand Pianos, but much preferred the Beethovens. As I recall, they both resolve very well, but the VA’s are just a bit meatier and sensuous.

Let me know the outcome please. Tom.

Hey Tom!

Great you like the VA's that much. Have you also tried the Mozarts? I'm a bit worried about the Beethovens, as they have 2 ports on the back, and the one closest to the bottom has to stand just in front of my radiator (< 10 cm's). The one on the top has about 50 cm's to breathe in front of my window. Would this cause problems? The SF's have the port on the front, but I think these speakers generate more bass (quantity) than the VA's, so expect bigger problems with these. Any comments?

Greetz, Bas

Bas, I chuckled a bit with your mention of a radiator. Tho I grew up in cold climates, it’s been so long since I’ve even seen one. Phoenix is forecast to approach 80 today. Sorry. Anyway, it seems that heat would be more of a concern. I just can’t imagine anything near the ports (particularly, non-solid) making a noticeable difference, as it would to a driver. However, I am concerned, because the big VA’s like lot’s of free space to do their thing. Hopefully you’ll have the option to demo the Beethovens in your home, or to return them if they don’t make peace with your room.

If I did hear Mozarts, I don’t remember their performance since I was so enamored with the big B’s. Frankly, and I have no vested interest in VA, any in their line are terrific. It’s just that, as you know, when you go down the line, you lose the soul and drama of a deeper, more powerful punch. There’s always of course, the superb option of a sub. I absolutely loved my REL Stadium with the Beethovens, but not with the Mahlers.

Even my listening room at roughly 16' sq+ (it’s not square) is a bit too small for the Mahlers and I’ve had to use all kinds of acoustic treatments (see my bio) to tame the bass. Good Luck!

Tom.

Hi Tom,

Today I went for a quick listen again. They are so great, without a doubt the best I have ever heard at this price. BUT, my girlfriend really dislikes the color of the beach-version, as it has an "IKEA-look". Now, the black ones I think are ugly, so what about the rosewood version? Have you ever seen these? The dealer tells me they are almost never sold in the Netherlands as most people go for the beach ones. I have seen them on a photo, but they look a bit shouty. What do you think?

Greetz, Bas

BTW Have also seen the Mahlers and they are way too big for my room. I guess about 1,50 metres high or so? Looking good though...

Hi Bas,
Glad to see you found the ideal speaker that suits your needs. Isn't the VA available in cherry ?
btw,I noticed you already have your Proac Tablette 50's for sale !?
I must confess, when I saw your ad it was very tempting... I'm quite curious how the little tablettes sound at the end of a Nait-2.
(according to Tony Lonorgan, who went from Tablette 50's to Kans, the Kan's outperform tablette's, but when I recently heard some old, cheap (though modified!) Mission 760 totally wiping the floor with my Kan's, I'm not that fund about the classic old Kan anymore...)
I listened to the tablette 50's at the HiFi-Studio in Weerdinge and found 'em a tad too shouty although I like their fast,tight bass.

I love the looks of the Tablette's though, and wished I bought 'em when I had the change, early this year. I'm sure they sounded better in my room then those SF 'Concertino's I bought. Big,Big mistake!

well, good luck with the VA speakers!

Greetings,
Alco

Time for a new girlfriend. No, just kidding. I had and prefer the Beech, same as my Mahlers. Rosewood would be my second choice, black last.

Not to worry. If she's worth it, pick the color she likes, turn off the lights and get engrossed in the music...

Hi Bas,

so did you get to examine the VA Mozarts too, when you were over at the store - since you were a little concerned about the double ports in the Beethoven, right?

My bad Tannoys in the living room are ported too, but I stuffed a sponge in the ports. Lots of people do something like that.

You are already sold on the Beethovens, aren't you? You clearly want them. Even though they may be a little big for your current space, my guess is the two of you are not going to live forever in your current abode, and you'll have a better space for the speakers at some future point. So consider it as an investment in the future, too!

What however is not going to change is the veneer. For that kind of money you should really insist on the rosewood, even if the chap has to order a pair for you, don't you think so?

Herman

How can I inserty a picture? I can then show you how they look in rosewood. VERY BUSY!!!

I really love the Beethovens and I do agree with your view Herm, but I am thinking if it would be wiser to keep something smaller untill I have a new house. But, this will take at least another year...

I know how they look in Rosewood, Bas. I thought you wanted the rosewood.

If you don't want the rosewood (it is a little flamboyant indeed), and you don't want the beech (looks too cheap), and obviously you don't want black either (you don't wanna turn the place into a funeral parlor) - is there a cherry veneer? I thought Vienna were so proud of their veneers.

Once again, did you check out the Mozarts this time?

Herman

No Herman, I didn't it. They have two ports on the back too, so their smaller size is no guarantee they'll work better. As I said, the dealer told me the Beethovens are much easier to place than the Mozarts. And I think I would regret buying the smaller ones now once I'll move.
VA have no other colors than these three. I know, stupid, but reality. The girlie thinks rosewood might look good, as they are not that "simple". Well, I know they have a pair in Weerdinge, so maybe I'll drive over there to see what it looks like...

Greetz!

Hi,

If Your favorite music is rock or similar, my opinion SF is not for You. I tried a few SF's with my CD5/NAC115/NAP150 and "hard" music didn't sound good. VA like SF are loudspeakers for cllasic and "less hard" music (if You understand what I want to say). My opinion ,B&W is quite good, Dynaudio is much better.

Mmmmmmmmmmm, my Kans sound great.

In fact over the last 20 years I have found as I improve things at the front end they just sound better and better.

Bas

The Mozarts or Beethovens may not be a good match for a small room. I have a pair of Mozarts in a large living room and they do need a good 3ft behind them to shine. That may be a problem in a small room.

Shawn G

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr Underhill:
Mmmmmmmmmmm, my Kans sound great.

In fact over the last 20 years I have found as I improve things at the front end they just sound better and better.

---

Yep, I agree. I also think the Dutch in general are too obsessed with their loudspeakers. They are not penis extentions guys! Who gives an 'f' about the color or the size, as long as they do the right stuff at the right time.

Go out and improve your front ends!

willem

James wrote:
<q>Actually, size does matter</q>

James,

I can live without (much of the) bass, it's e-motion I'm after and that comes from the front end.

Have fun!

willem

Bas/NB - I listen to mainly rock through my Kans. They sometimes sound like very big speakers. They've got pace and can track a bass tune (I play bass BTW).
One day I might get some briks though (sigh...).

Paul Rowlands