audio noob seeking advice on speaker choice

2

Comments

  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited November 2010
    When considering speakers, is there such a thing as too small a room for certain speakers?

    My 2-channel set up will be in my bedroom which measures 12' x 14' so its on the small side.

    I'm still considering a variety of options (turntable is on backorder and won't arrive til a little after Christmas) including Monitor 70s and potentially some SDAs. Would my room size be a hindrance to a pair of floorstanders?
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited November 2010
    9 ft ceilings
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • raffi
    raffi Posts: 114
    edited November 2010
    I might be wrong (Im a noob also) but with the size of your room I'm guessing that any SDA larger than the CRS will be overkill for your room size, since it's a bedroom and not more open (I'm making an assumption that it's 4 walls and a door). Seems like you've got some good options, good luck.
    2 channel rig: MMF 2.2 turntable, Adcom GFP-715, Adcom GFA-555, Adcom ACE-515, Carver M-1.0t, Denon 5900 CD/SACD, SDA-SRS 2.3s (Zardoss modded), AQ Diamondback & King Cobra IC's and AQ Type 4 speaker cables

    HT rig: Panny 50" G20 plasma, Directv DVR, Insignia BRD/DVD/SACD/DVD-A, Denon AVR-890, Fronts: Polk Monitor 70's, Rears: Deftech Mythos Gems, Center: Polk CS1, Sub: Polk PSW-505
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    Thanks, raffi. That makes since to me.

    Any non-noobs (no offense raffi) with an opinion?
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    What other gear do you have (specifically amplifiers). SDA's are pretty picky on what will bring out their true sound.

    Also is this just 2 channel or going to be a HT system?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    2 channel, for now they will be driven by a HK 3490
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    2 channel, for now they will be driven by a HK 3490

    Thats a tough call and a setup I was thinking about going for at some point. If you have never heard the SDA effect before to know if you like it, I might err on the side of caution and go LSi.

    With that said depending on condition you shouldnt have a problem selling the CRS's on the forum if you wanted to buy them either...

    So maybe buy both and sell the pair you dont like?????
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    When considering speakers, is there such a thing as too small a room for certain speakers?

    My 2-channel set up will be in my bedroom which measures 12' x 14' so its on the small side.

    I'm still considering a variety of options (turntable is on backorder and won't arrive til a little after Christmas) including Monitor 70s and potentially some SDAs. Would my room size be a hindrance to a pair of floorstanders?

    Ok, the rule of thumb is that you need 3' from any side wall on the side of EACH SDA and a minimum of 4 feet between the SDAs so that's 10' before we add in the fact that the SDAs themselves, together are almost 3' wide? So you need ONE free wall that is at least 13-14 feet long (also you want to be a half foot or so out from the wall with nothing between the SDAs that juts out as much or more from the wall than the speakers do--because that will interfere with the sound-field. Longer is even better. By those standards, you seem to have that? Don't know what you're 14' wall looks like or if it's free.

    This is not an absolute requirement but the 'optimum' space for the SDA 'effect'.

    I'm guessing that SDA CRS+ would probably be fine in your space?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    Thanks, cnh. Sounds like they would work for what I have in mind.

    I think I'm going to chance it and hope the SDA sound is right for me and go for the CRS+
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    Thanks, cnh. Sounds like they would work for what I have in mind.

    I think I'm going to chance it and hope the SDA sound is right for me and go for the CRS+

    Worst case, resell them here. They always seem to be in high demand.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    Just snagged the pair of SDA CRS+'s on the flea market from newrival :smile:
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • Webb_03
    Webb_03 Posts: 42
    edited December 2010
    Moniter 70 II's on sale on newegg.com right now for like 170 per, cant beat that with a stick
    B&W CM10 Mains, Monitor 40 Surrounds, B&W Cm Centre, PSW 125 sub/ CV 10" sub, Marantz 7701 Processor, Carver M4.0T, Carver 705x 5 channel, 60'' Sharp LED, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Sonos, and of course my trusty laptop for hi res ( for now)
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Webb_03 wrote: »
    Moniter 70 II's on sale on newegg.com right now for like 170 per, cant beat that with a stick

    lol...his CRS's beat those hands down!
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    lol...his CRS's beat those hands down!

    thanks! though I've yet to hear them...can't wait
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    thanks! though I've yet to hear them...can't wait

    They should sound great..

    Something to keep in mind w/ them is placement matters very much. If you follow the directions in the manual regarding setup they should sound really good.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    Thanks for the tip. In your opinion any need for a sub with these speakers? I'm going to wait and listen to them first of course, just wandering what the general consensus is.
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    Thanks for the tip. In your opinion any need for a sub with these speakers? I'm going to wait and listen to them first of course, just wandering what the general consensus is.

    Most folks will tell you the 9's produce lots of bass, but that the setup can still benefit from a sub. Whether you feel the need for one is a personal call.

    I can tell you when I get my 9's I still plan on running a SVS sub but I am a basshead and running a HT setup as well...
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Most folks will tell you the 9's produce lots of bass, but that the setup can still benefit from a sub. Whether you feel the need for one is a personal call.

    I can tell you when I get my 9's I still plan on running a SVS sub but I am a basshead and running a HT setup as well...

    We still talking about the SDA CRS+'s?
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,596
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    We still talking about the SDA CRS+'s?

    OOPS, totally.......lol...your CRS's should produce a fair amount of bass, but some still supplement it with a sub... I would give it a couple of days of listening to see if you need a sub.

    I havent ever heard them so all I can tell you is what I have heard :smile:
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    I've been listening to my new (first) 2 channel rig for several days now and I'm really loving it - I finally know what a soundstage is :biggrin:

    I would like to thank everyone here for all the help in choosing speakers, especially Newrival who sold me his CRS+s - I'm very happy I went with the SDAs. I have learned quite a bit and know that I will continue to lean as I do plan to stick around. From reading through this forum it's extremely apparent that I've only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible - I already have way too many ideas about upgrading my rig! This place has truly been an invaluable help!
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    Sorry I missed this thread Ryan but after reading it YOU DUN GOOD KIDDO! Now get that damn Clearaudio Clamp matched with the shim and your jaw will drop when LPs are spum!
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  • blueboxer
    blueboxer Posts: 621
    edited December 2010
    I was going to recommend some open box LSi 7 or 9's at www.6ave.com, seem well priced with no tax or shipping, BUT seems I am too late.

    Looks like the music is really blowing your cat away as well. Nice...
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  • newrival
    newrival Posts: 2,017
    edited December 2010
    I totally missed this thread!

    Glad to see my babies set up and running! :biggrin:
    Look good.

    Can you list some measurements for me?
    -distance between speakers
    -distance from speakers to side walls
    -distance speakers are from rear walls
    -distance from your ears to the vertical plane of the front of the speakers

    PS, if you're ever going to get rid of them, I get first dibs! :D
    design is where science and art break even.
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    newrival wrote: »
    I totally missed this thread!

    Glad to see my babies set up and running! :biggrin:
    Look good.

    Can you list some measurements for me?
    -distance between speakers
    -distance from speakers to side walls
    -distance speakers are from rear walls
    -distance from your ears to the vertical plane of the front of the speakers

    PS, if you're ever going to get rid of them, I get first dibs! :D

    Yeah I'll be sure and let you know if decide to sell 'em, but I wouldn't get my hopes up for that happening anytime soon - absolutely loving these speakers. I'm out of town right now :eek: (hate to be away from my new setup) so I can't give you the exact measurements. I followed cnh's recommended SDA setup posted earlier on the thread. However, my bedroom is a less than ideal space for these babies
    -they're a little less than 4' apart
    -left speaker is a little less than 3' from side wall, right is about 5'
    -speaker are roughly 8" from rear walls
    -haven't measured distance from speakers to my ears but I'd estimate 8'

    thanks for checking in

    Ryan
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    blueboxer wrote: »
    Looks like the music is really blowing your cat away as well. Nice...

    Funny you should mention my cat, she actually really seems to love the SDA sound :wink:

    But in all seriousness she gives further proof (as if that were needed) of how awesome these speakers are. When playing music her ears are constantly twitching, changing directions and reacting to the music which is seemingly coming from all around. Really seems to like David Grisman - Quintet '80 :smile:
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    Yeah I'll be sure and let you know if decide to sell 'em, but I wouldn't get my hopes up for that happening anytime soon - absolutely loving these speakers. I'm out of town right now :eek: (hate to be away from my new setup) so I can't give you the exact measurements. I followed cnh's recommended SDA setup posted earlier on the thread. However, my bedroom is a less than ideal space for these babies
    -they're a little less than 4' apart
    -left speaker is a little less than 3' from side wall, right is about 5'
    -speaker are roughly 8" from rear walls
    -haven't measured distance from speakers to my ears but I'd estimate 8'

    thanks for checking in

    Ryan

    Ryan, just to let you know those are less than optimal placement for SDAs. I know your strapped for space but your not getting the full SDA benefit and effect.

    IF you can get the speakers, center to center 4' apart, move the left speaker out to 3' keeping the 5' on the right and leaving the 8" from the back wall, your sweet spot will start at 4' from the center plane of the speakers and go back about 2 to 4 feet. At least this way you've met the minimum requirements for placement as laid out in the owners manual and get that wonderful SDA effect.:smile:

    Happy New Year bud!

    Joe
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Ryan, just to let you know those are less than optimal placement for SDAs. I know your strapped for space but your not getting the full SDA benefit and effect.

    IF you can get the speakers, center to center 4' apart, move the left speaker out to 3' keeping the 5' on the right and leaving the 8" from the back wall, your sweet spot will start at 4' from the center plane of the speakers and go back about 2 to 4 feet. At least this way you've met the minimum requirements for placement as laid out in the owners manual and get that wonderful SDA effect.:smile:

    Happy New Year bud!

    Joe

    I think from center to center I may already have 4' b/w them, I was measuring edge to edge. I'll try and manage 3' off the wall for the left speaker when I get back home. Thanks for the advice, Joe.

    Happy New Year to you :smile:

    Ryan
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited December 2010
    Oh, and I went ahead and ordered my twister clamp :cool: Hopefully when I get home both it and the shim will be there so I can start really enjoying the new TT.
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited December 2010
    Cosmic_American wrote: »
    Oh, and I went ahead and ordered my twister clamp :cool: Hopefully when I get home both it and the shim will be there so I can start really enjoying the new TT.

    Per our PMs, so do I! Hehehe!
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  • Cosmic_American
    Cosmic_American Posts: 114
    edited January 2011
    OK, current measurements are:
    4.5' center to center
    left speaker is 3' from side wall
    right speaker is 4'
    ears are 9' from speakers - do I need to move closer to the speakers? I suppose I could get rid of my bed and move in a nice chair...
    2 channel:
    SDA CRS+
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Music Hall mmf-2.2
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