Big speaker in a small room. Took me a while to circle back to the Thiel CS3.7. I was worried it would be too big for this room, but it is not fatiguing. I just implemented Digital Room Correction using Convolution file(s) running on ROON. Jaw dropping improvement in sound. The DRC perfected the sound frequency curve for my speakers in my room. Just brilliant stuff.
Since I wrote that statement above, I have added an acoustic panel that is placed in front of my CD rack. I have also moved some gear away from my LEFT speaker. This has caused by system to sound great without the Convolution filter I mentioned above.
Those 6-computer screens on my desks are connected to 1 computer. The computer is silent, and I remotely connect to other machines located in my garage or the cloud to do my work. So, the office computer is always silent because the CPU is never taxed. This computer is also my ROON client. My ROON server is in the next room over connected by direct Ethernet.
Getting rid of the side desk and the plants have made the sound much improved. I am sending room measurements to Accurate Sound of Canada to make some Convolution files for my room. Measurements were taken with the room looking like the last 2 photots.
Used model. I painted the shell and it looks like new.
Audience Front Row
1 meter speaker cable with SpeakON amp end connectors
CODA #8 Amp
Amp drive my Thiel CS3.7. Connected by either the CODA 07x preamp or Benchmark LA4 preamp. Changing preamps is a simple matter of interchanging the 2 sets of 15-foot Benchmark XLR cables from each preamp.
The Thiel's became black because I messed up the sanding of the veneer. However, I like this color more than the original brown.
The unit in-between the KRELL and the AMT3SE is the Magnum Dynalab MD 102 tuner which I use daily. A great unit though the signal from famous KCRW that I want to pickup is not the strongest.
I need to update this system description since I have sold some gear and bought others. Zeroing in on the final system.
We have talked so many times, but I can't believe i never checked out your system before. Love the unique look of the Thiel speakers, very nice! I also like how you're using plants to spice things up a bit. What is the device sandwiched in between the Krell and AMT3?
I just got DRC added via CONVOLUTION file to my ROON server. I got Mitch Barnett from AccurateSound.ca (in Canada) to do the files.
All I can say is that this was the icing on the cake, just incredible how much improvement happened. I should create a new thread, "Big Speakers in a Small Room Part II", to describe the process.
Thanks. The liquor is long gone (tasty) and I also removed the second desk to clear out more clutter (last photo). In about 1 month I will have this system ready to do the final phase of my build out. Which is the Digital Room Correction using ROON with Convolution file(s). I have already started the DRC implementation but had to stop because we found out that 1 COAX speaker driver was damaged. I need to replace that first. I have ordered 2 new OEM COAX drivers and hope to have everything sorted out soon so that I can start the DRC implementation process again. I also need to break in the 2 new COAX drivers for about 200 hours.
I bought the Torus about 10 years ago because I was living on an apartment next to the beach that had awful electricity. I was scared that my gear would get fried so I spent the $2K for the RM15. My gear survived a few power glitches in the area.
Today I am in a great house for electricity and I am not sure if the Torus is needed for safety. The Torus does provide power to the amps on certain difficult passages so that is useful. I have never taken the Torus out of the system so I cannot tell you if it improves the sound.
I had a second headphone system recently and it was plugged into a Audio Magic power conditioner. It is kind of a stupid device that I bought in 2005. It sounded similar to the Torus system. So I think if you live in a good area for electricity the Torus maybe a lower priority item.
BTW - in a few months I am going to put a much bigger speaker into this room. PM me if you want to discuss how.
I also have a small room: 9 x 10, 8ft ceiling. I am considering a Torus power conditioner. Do you think RM15+ really improves your SQ? Does it sound better than smaller RM? I would love to hear your thoughts.
I am almost of the opinion that you should put all the CD's and books in the closet and try listening with the doors reattached. Maybe put the Just a thought...
Not to sound like a broken record (if you have a kid, you probably don't remember), but the VLR's would really be a good fit in your room. They don't look like much, but they do sound great. The Treo's will work, too, considering their smallish size- and having them close to the walls should improve bass.
The VLR's are really good for the size, and price, but the Treo's are really amazing (and I owned the 3a sigs before them).
I really must post some pics of my setup, but I am trying to learn Jriver along with the Jriver Id. My poor old mind takes so long to learn these things nowadays.
@gdnrbob I cannot make any alterations to the room. I was thinking that removing that 31" wall would make audio life easier but that is not in the cards.
I have not put up any blankets on the windows but that is something I will do if I need to deaden the room further. Room is rather good now without treatments for the LS50. It sounds very promising for a bigger speaker.
That second desk will not make a reappearance in the office. The improvement without it was huge. I can adjust my work tasks to be done on that one big desk.
Yes, I can understand wanting floor standers. My VLR's are very good, but the Treo's are outstanding-Though I do use them with a pair of 2wq subs.
I can sympathize with your opinion about sub integration, but the use of the Vandy sub w/crossover makes integration seamless. IMHO.
I also think you would be able to put the desk back to get a full stereo image-especially if you add room treatments.
My one major change would be to get rid of the closet and open up the remaining space-and perhaps adding a second door at the corner. But, I know that would be big hassle.
Have you tried putting a blanket/rug over the window/shades to see if it makes things less reflective?
@gdnrbob I am planning on placing the speakers in the same spot as the existing KEF LS50. Unfortunately this would mean I am hearing the music with my right hear closer to the speakers than the left ear, unfortunately that ear is on the other side of the head. Sounds OK at the moment doing this.
Now that I think I can get floor standers into this room, I do not want to get any small monitors anymore. I have had them for 10 years now from AudioEngine A2, Thiel SCS4, KEF LS50, Audience 1+1 V3. All because I moved to Southern Cal and lived in audio unfriendly places. Now that I have the best room in 10 years I want it to be floor stander or something that can approximate the audio happiness for me of a Thiel 3.7 or KEF Blade. I have yet to find a monitor that gave me that kind of sound.
The floor standers that I have demoed recently, Vandersteen Treo CT, Magico A3, Vivid Kaya 90, all had that big sound that I am looking for. The KEF Reference 1 not so much but it came real close.
I understand the sentiment towards using subs in my room but I have never liked separate subs and preferred the low freq to come from the speaker. I have some sensitive hearing that way, maybe a medical thing, but subs get to me in a bad way.
Today, I contacted a Canadian dealer on the Yamaha NS5000 speaker. Something, that sounds real exciting for a office system, super cool audio technology. I was told it would work in my room with room treatments (100% required) and guaranteed with the DSP of the Lyngdorf. If that observation is correct, that also means the other floor standers I have auditioned would also work with the treatments and DSP.
Treatments were delayed in shipment and went out today.
I am going to demo another floor-stander tomorrow, the Paradigm Person 3F. I maybe able to check out DSP via the Anthem components.
I still think you should look at a pair of Vandy VLR's. I think they will fit in you office perfectly. With a pair of HSU subs, you would be in heaven.
@hallock01 No sub in plans. Looking at one of Harbeth SHL5+, Magico A3, Vandersteen Treo CT driven by Lyngdorf 3400. I also have GIK treatments coming this week or next.
