Advice on new speakers used just for music in regards to small room size.

[Gravenhurst]

Hi,
I currently run Monitor audio BX5s with a Marantz Pm6004 amp and am thinking of upgrading.

My room is not very large roughly 12 foot by 12 so big speakers are out, when I originally chose the BX5s I came to the conclusion that BX6s were too big for the room.

Would any of the following speakers be suitable for a room of my size?

Monitor Audio RX6
B&W 684
Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 6
Tannoy Revolution DC6
PMC GB1i or Twenty 23
Dynaudio Exite X32

The music I listen to is mostly guitar driven. This includes classic and modern rock, folk rock, progressive rock, post rock, shoegaze and some more experimental stuff

Do you have any alternative ideas or do you think good bookshelf speakers would be better suited to my room?

Thanks

 

[GSB]

For what its worth,i have roughly the same size room as you and the kef R100's are superb,worth a listen.

 

[Gravenhurst]

Thanks

Ill add them to the list

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you feel the BX5's are too big for the room, then ignore the RX6's, and most other floorstanders. The PMC's are out of the 6004's league, even though they will work well in a smaller room. Many speakers like B&W's and Dynaudios need a bit of space, so stick to small standmounts that are within the 6004's league. If the speakers need more control and current that your Marantz can give, you'll end up with a soft, dull bass that lacks punch.

If you really want a floorstander, try the KEF Q500. This is a sealed design that works quite well in smaller rooms, and they're a nice easy load too. You could also try the Q300 if you want a little more bass, and even try the R100 that GSB recommends. If you really want to stretch your amplifier's limits, try the ProAc Studio 115's or maybe even the PMC DB1i's.

Alternatively, you could keep the speakers you have and drive your BX5's with a better amplifier, which will give better current delivery and control. Try the Pioneer A50 (or even A70 if you want the use of a couple of digital inputs), the Rotel RA12 (again with the added bonus of an onboard DAC), or a Naim Nait 5i.

 

[Gravenhurst]

Thanks for the advice,

I think the BX5s sound good in my room, its the BX6s which seemed too much.

I think your probably right about the 684s and the Dynaudios i have heard they need space. How about the others?

In regards to the amp if need be ill be upgrading it also.

Any other small Floorstanders you could recomend?

 

[chebby]

If you really want a floorstander, try the KEF Q500. This is a sealed design that works quite well in smaller rooms...

Why do KEF describe them as bass reflex speakers?

 

[Frank Harvey]

PMC Twenty.23's, but they'll need a better amp. You could try the B&W CM8's as they're leaner than some equivalent floorstanders, but again they'll need a better amp. You might get away with the KEF R500's if you fully plug the lower reflex port and use the outer bung for the higher port, but again, they'll ideally need a better amp. You might get away with the DC6T's, but a change of amp would be recommended to get the best from them.

You have to remember that most speakers aren't designed around budget amplification (except for maybe entry level ranges like the MA Bronze), so better quality speakers generally need a very capable amplifier in order to sound how they've been designed to sound. You want a right grip on the bass and a nice punchy sound? You'll need an amp that can grab hold of your speakers and tell them exactly what to do!

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you really want a floorstander, try the KEF Q500. This is a sealed design that works quite well in smaller rooms...

Why do KEF describe them as bass reflex speakers?

THe Q100 and Q300 are ported, but the floorstanders of the Q range are sealed. The passive drivers act like a reflex port so maybe they're referring to this.

 

[Gravenhurst]

Thanks again,

I think ill try and demo the PMC Twenty 23s, RX6s, Tannoy Revolution DC6 and the KEFs.

How about PMC GB1iS or Mordaunt-Short Mezzo 6s do you think they would be too much for the room?

 

[Frank Harvey]

You might get away with the GB1i's, but I can't say regarding the Mordaunt Short speakers as they're now only available through Richer Sounds, I believe.

 

[Gravenhurst]

Thanks again David

 

[Lo Fi]

I have RX6s in a fairly small room and they are great, I did not like the DC6 not so good for bass reproduction. I block the rear ports on the RX6s and put them close to the rear wall.

 

[Gravenhurst]

I love my BX5s so it will be interesing to see how much of a step up the RX6s are, i have a feeling they will be one of the front runners for my new speakers.

 

[the record spot]

Definitely try out the Tannoys, either the DC4 or 6, both will be impressive. Sit them out in your room and they'd deliver a fluid and highly musical sound with an articulate bass and a nice treble. That dual concentric driver arrangement is a winner to my ears and I can lsiten to them all day. At weekends I often do. Work well with music and movies and throw out a huge soundstage.

If you want something with a bit more thud, then the KEF R100 might float your boat. Personally, I found their bass lumpy, soft and without definition. Money better spent elsewhere and hence why I went for the Tannoys that I did.

 

[Overdose]

Do you have any alternative ideas or do you think good bookshelf speakers would be better suited to my room?

Thanks

AVI ADM9RS

 

[Anonymous]

For what its worth,i have roughly the same size room as you and the kef R100's are superb,worth a listen.

Yes I totally agree, definitely audition the Kef R100's they are superb!!

 

[Anonymous]

Definitely try out the Tannoys, either the DC4 or 6, both will be impressive. Sit them out in your room and they'd deliver a fluid and highly musical sound with an articulate bass and a nice treble. That dual concentric driver arrangement is a winner to my ears and I can lsiten to them all day. At weekends I often do. Work well with music and movies and throw out a huge soundstage.

If you want something with a bit more thud, then the KEF R100 might float your boat. Personally, I found their bass lumpy, soft and without definition. Money better spent elsewhere and hence why I went for the Tannoys that I did.

Nothing lumpy, soft or without definition to the Kef R100's bass, for a speaker of this size you'll be very pushed to find better bass at their price!!

 

[Gravenhurst]

Definitely try out the Tannoys, either the DC4 or 6, both will be impressive. Sit them out in your room and they'd deliver a fluid and highly musical sound with an articulate bass and a nice treble. That dual concentric driver arrangement is a winner to my ears and I can lsiten to them all day. At weekends I often do. Work well with music and movies and throw out a huge soundstage.

If you want something with a bit more thud, then the KEF R100 might float your boat. Personally, I found their bass lumpy, soft and without definition. Money better spent elsewhere and hence why I went for the Tannoys that I did.

I would like to try the DC6s but not sure if they would be a bit overkill in a room my size?

 

[Gravenhurst]

Anyone had any experience with the Mezzo 6s in a smallish room?

Does anyone think they are worth a look?

 

[Gravenhurst]

Do you have any alternative ideas or do you think good bookshelf speakers would be better suited to my room?

Thanks

AVI ADM9RS

Look interesting but not sure where i could go and test them?

 

[jjbomber]

Look interesting but not sure where i could go and test them?

Next Thursday morning after your cult meeting. Yet another person joined the forum with a 12' x 12' room and looking for bookshelf speakers. You didn't specify a budget so let me guess. Is it £1250 with a possibly of £1400 if it will get you a better tweeter???

 

[chebby]

Do you have any alternative ideas or do you think good bookshelf speakers would be better suited to my room?

Thanks

AVI ADM9RS

Look interesting but not sure where i could go and test them?

There is a network of AVI ADM9 owners who are all more than happy to demonstrate their speakers to you in their own homes.

You can ring the manufacturer themselves at any time and arrange a factory visit where the managing director will demonstrate them.

There are also a (very) small number of dealers where you could listen to them. Call AVI for details and then call the dealer to ensure they have stock.

AVI have their own forum (listed on their website). Join that and I am sure someone will help you to hear a pair.

 

[Gravenhurst]

Never heard of these speakers before but I assume they are very well regarded, how much are they?

I’m not really held back by a budget just my room size.

What I’m really looking for are the best speakers possible for my type of music and in a room my size.

 

[chebby]

Never heard of these speakers before but I assume they are very well regarded, how much are they?

The best thing is to visit their website and join their forum. (Top right of the screen in that link where it says 'HDD Audio'.)

AVI's own MD and it's designer and many owners and enthusiasts contribute actively and regularly and can tell you far more than most of us here. (I would only be getting details from the AVI website to answer your questions so you might as well go to 'the horse's mouth' and get all the latest info direct rather than second hand.)

 

[Overdose]

Do you have any alternative ideas or do you think good bookshelf speakers would be better suited to my room?

Thanks

AVI ADM9RS

Look interesting but not sure where i could go and test them?

There's the rub.

Depending on how close you are to the workshop/factory, you could pop in I guess, or maybe some current owners would oblige and entertain you for a listen. If you are genuinely interested, why not post the question on the AVI forum?

EDIT: Sorry chebby, didn't see your post. Jinx.