A little help from you audio gurus

[admin_exported]

Hello eveybody,

I really need an help from audio gurus like you guys.

I working on an audio setup for a quite small room (just a sofa, a table)... a room where to relax myself.

Audio comes out from my mac (I almost ripped at maximum quality all my CD collection), then enter into a Yamaha HTR-6030 Ampli (I find it a good all around amp the use) then ... I need a suggestion for the speakers.

(a) first question: the room is small and the only zone where i can put speakers doesn't allow stereo separation (I mean if I want to put 2 speakers, I almost have to put them at 10 cm distance from each other), so I was wondering what about using just one speaker. Is it possible panning out all the signal from the amp to the left or in another way?

(b) if it is possible what do you think: considering the room I have, and the budget (250-300$) better just one better quality speaker or two cheaper ones?

(c) any particular suggestions on sepakers (i love woodden speakers). I tought about a B&W cm1 (but I can afford just one), or a couple of tannoy (there are some cheaper models), others

Sorry gor being so long and for my bad english. I just try to be as clear as possible.

I really need a good advice from you.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Lorenzo.

 

[chebby]

You need a good pair of headphones and a DAC/headphone amp plugged into your Mac.

(I need to have a photo of this room as I cannot imagine a room that will only allow 10cm seperation!)

 

[matthewpiano]

Don't even think about running an amp with only one speaker on the end of it. You'll end up damaging the amp by placing unequal load.

Chebby's headphone suggestion is the best way forward.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, guys. Thanks a lot for your quick answer but...

I don't want to hear music with headphones all the time. I understand that with the situation I expalin you, headphone are the best choise sound quality speaking, but I need anoter option...

There is more space in the room than 10cm but, trust me, there are many other factors ... I can't separate the two speakers.

If you tell me I'll gone break the amp, I can even use two speakers very near to each other.

But, really, is there no way to use a single speaker? It seems so strange to me. Maybe I can output mono form the amp, or other... (I remember that when I use studio monitors to montior my home recordings years ago, sometimes I used just a mackie speker, just one, pan potting from hte mixer all the way to left channel)

Please, any other suggestions are really welcome.

Thanks a lot again

 

[Anonymous]

The only other option I can imagine by myself is buying a box (like UBL on stage, Vers Audio 2x) and skip the amp... but I'd prefer to use the amp and speaker... anyway if it's the only option...

 

[Anonymous]

A dock with a line in?

 

[Anonymous]

matthewpiano:Don't even think about running an amp with only one speaker on the end of it. You'll end up damaging the amp by placing unequal load.

Sorry but this is completely wrong, the amp would be fine, less stressed in fact. How many people run 7.1 amps with the surround back channels unused? Same principle. If you really wanted to use both channels you could biamp a single speaker.

The main problem is you should really use a mixer to sum left and right channels together, else you will be missing things panned to the missing channel. It is not a good idea to mix them with a Y-lead or adaptor

Hmmm, so much about good hi-fi is the soundstage and spacial envelopment. Can't you wall-mount some speakers a decent distance apart?

 

[matthewpiano]

We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. Its certainly not something I'd want to do to my amp but I don't think a long winded discussion about it is going to help the OP.

Anyway, what is the point? Good hi-fi through a single speaker is absolutely pointless. Might as well buy a cheap all-in-one.

 

[Anonymous]

You know from the description of the room I am thinking that there is no right answer on this one... basically you can only do your best with what you got and what you got is not suitable for really high end, but that does not mean that things are impossible.

The headphone suggestion is the best, but if you do not want to always be wearing headphones then I would suggest that you buy some kind of Ipod docking all in one system. You will be able to put your computer straight through it and it will, if chosen correctly, give you something that will be pretty acceptable, I mean do you really need a computer going into a amp going into one speaker for such a small space?

Finally if you must have it all why not try flat panel wall speakers... I think that they have difficulty with bass but they can be placed oppositionally within the room in order for you to get the best stereo results... they go from expensive to cheap so you will be able to find something:

Reasonable Bang & Olufson

perhaps also search out people who specialise in selling flat and in the wall speakers...

LINK

 

[Anonymous]

First of all, thanks a lot for all the answer.

Now, some few more considerations.

- I have an Ipod speaker (a UBL soundstage II), and even if it sounds pretty good and loud (I'ts one of the best all in one dock I tried), I still think that an amp (I already have it, I don't have to buy a new one) with speakers (or just one?) sound better. But maybe I'm wrong.

- As I told you I already have the amp so now, the cost for a good ipod dock (the one I have is already in use in another room) is more or less the same I can invest in a good speaker (200-300 $) so... what'se best choice?

- I give some importance to the "look" of the setup too. I love wooden speakers. The only dock I found is really good looking is the Vers Audio 2x but it seems it doesn't sound so good. At the same price I can buy a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 so... any alternative? what do you think about it?

- Finally I'm courious to know if it's possible without loosoing sound quality to position Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers horizontally. In these situation I should try to position them near to each other but I can connect 2 speakers. I ask this because, as you know, they are not squared angle boxes, they have some curves and I'm afraid that they can move and not stay stable. I tried to google for it but I didn't find any answer...

Thanks a lot again to this great community.

Lorenzo

 

[JoelSim]

Can you post a picture of this room Lorenzo and we will be better be able to help you?

 

[idc]

l.mucca:

- Finally I'm courious to know if it's possible without loosoing sound quality to position Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 speakers horizontally. In these situation I should try to position them near to each other but I can connect 2 speakers. I ask this because, as you know, they are not squared angle boxes, they have some curves and I'm afraid that they can move and not stay stable. I tried to google for it but I didn't find any answer...

The best sounding music in a shop I have ever come across is one where they have B&W 685s on their side on thick shelves. They are too high to see if they are attached in anyway. If you can mount the speakers on the wall horizontally, it would be worth a try.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry guys, I'm not able to take a pics because i'm in another town right now and so it will be for the next 3 weeks.

Try anyway (even if I know a pics would be better) to "answer" or give advice on my last considerations ... It would be really appreciate.

Ah... about horizontal positioning, I know I can position speaker horizontally (as B&W, for example), my specific question is about Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 because Wharfedale Diamond are not squared angles boxes but they are rounded ... you know what i mean about their shape.

Thanks a lot again

 

[idc]

How about these off Amazon clicky. I cannot find any brackets that would hold a speaker horizontally, but there is no reason why they have to be fitted high up. Ideally when you sit down you want the tweeter at eye level, but a good second would be to have the speaker tilted forward so it points down at you.