The time has come for me to look at purchasing speakers to complete my hifi set up. Very exciting and i've spent the last couple of weeks (years actually *ROFL*) rigorously researching.
The room in generally 3m wide x 8m long, ceiling is bog standard modern build height of roughly 2.3m. We have a couch breaking up the space between living space and dining space. There's a sliding conservatory door at the back, and almost room wide window at the front. There's also a couch beneath the front window, though that will change once our 3 year old grows up a bit and we can trust her not to destroy any new furniture whilst we're not looking! To the left of the window is where our TV is as that's where all of the cabling comes in and there's power. HiFi is located up the other end of the dining space. I'd like to have the speakers located in the TV end of the room, so i'm looking at between 8 and 12m of cables for each speaker (or 12m for both just to be sure). Floor is laminate (may change in future) and there's a big fluffy rug just in front of where the speakers will be over to the couch. Listening position will be varied, as it's rare that I get a chance to sit still when the music is on.
I listen to mostly UK indie rock (charlatans are MY band) as well as lighter rock, pop, and 90s style garage house. I also love bands like Flock of Seagulls, Dire Straits etc... I appreciate all music, as long as it's not too heavy. I appreciate deep lows but also like to hear a deep and wide soundstage with clear detail, but not so bright. Something fun.
Amplifier is Cambride Audio Azur 651a.
So, on to what I'm thinking. I have Richersounds vouchers, so anything should be available from there. I have yet to audition, but will do in the coming weeks. Looking to have the speakers in place in mid Feb.
Ideal world, i'd have something like the Tannoy XT6F, but I think something of that size may be too big for the better half to be happy with. I've been looking to see if there's a more subtle solution. I always thought I could maybe get away with something like the Cambridge Min 22s in each corner of the room mounted in the corner of the ceiling, backed up with a sub. I don't think the top end would keep me happy though. I've been looking at stand mounts from KEF, Monitor Audio, Q Acoustics, and it's more recently that I discovered that the Tannoys seem to work with other people's Cambridge amps. I have found that Tannoy also make the XT mini and this could be paired up with the TS2.8 subwoofer to achieve the bottom end that I like. Would the XT6 be that much better than the mini to justify the extra outlay? Also have been reading about the Elac UNI-FI UB5 SLIM which may fit the bill.
Any other options out there that I should be auditioning? Something similar to the XT6F, but not as tall? Acoustic Energy 109 look to fit the bill but aren't available from Richer Sounds.
This is a big outlay for me so I want to get it right, hence the reason i'm asking here. I'd say £600 is probably my budget, but prepared to spend a wee bit more to get it right.
Thanks for any help!
The room in generally 3m wide x 8m long, ceiling is bog standard modern build height of roughly 2.3m. We have a couch breaking up the space between living space and dining space. There's a sliding conservatory door at the back, and almost room wide window at the front. There's also a couch beneath the front window, though that will change once our 3 year old grows up a bit and we can trust her not to destroy any new furniture whilst we're not looking! To the left of the window is where our TV is as that's where all of the cabling comes in and there's power. HiFi is located up the other end of the dining space. I'd like to have the speakers located in the TV end of the room, so i'm looking at between 8 and 12m of cables for each speaker (or 12m for both just to be sure). Floor is laminate (may change in future) and there's a big fluffy rug just in front of where the speakers will be over to the couch. Listening position will be varied, as it's rare that I get a chance to sit still when the music is on.
I listen to mostly UK indie rock (charlatans are MY band) as well as lighter rock, pop, and 90s style garage house. I also love bands like Flock of Seagulls, Dire Straits etc... I appreciate all music, as long as it's not too heavy. I appreciate deep lows but also like to hear a deep and wide soundstage with clear detail, but not so bright. Something fun.
Amplifier is Cambride Audio Azur 651a.
So, on to what I'm thinking. I have Richersounds vouchers, so anything should be available from there. I have yet to audition, but will do in the coming weeks. Looking to have the speakers in place in mid Feb.
Ideal world, i'd have something like the Tannoy XT6F, but I think something of that size may be too big for the better half to be happy with. I've been looking to see if there's a more subtle solution. I always thought I could maybe get away with something like the Cambridge Min 22s in each corner of the room mounted in the corner of the ceiling, backed up with a sub. I don't think the top end would keep me happy though. I've been looking at stand mounts from KEF, Monitor Audio, Q Acoustics, and it's more recently that I discovered that the Tannoys seem to work with other people's Cambridge amps. I have found that Tannoy also make the XT mini and this could be paired up with the TS2.8 subwoofer to achieve the bottom end that I like. Would the XT6 be that much better than the mini to justify the extra outlay? Also have been reading about the Elac UNI-FI UB5 SLIM which may fit the bill.
Any other options out there that I should be auditioning? Something similar to the XT6F, but not as tall? Acoustic Energy 109 look to fit the bill but aren't available from Richer Sounds.
This is a big outlay for me so I want to get it right, hence the reason i'm asking here. I'd say £600 is probably my budget, but prepared to spend a wee bit more to get it right.
Thanks for any help!
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