Off Axis Listening

bally · « **on:** 14 Feb 2003, 07:41 pm »

G,day,due to circumstance for the last couple of years the majority of my listening is off axis.I would say 20-30% to the outside of the speaker.Every now and again i can move a chair into the middle of the room and enjoy the full potential of the speakers(NZ made Image 404) but this is pretty rare.I have been looking around for speakers which may give me a little bit more.A local retailer is selling a pair of Mirage OM-10 which he reckons may fit the bill or maybe the new Omni series.
Any of you had experience with Mirage or suggest any alternatives.
The room is approx 18ftx12x8.5 and where the speakers reside there is an opening either side also they can sit a max of 1.5ft from the back wall.As you can guess i do not own the house.HELP!!
Cheers
Peter Ball

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 07:49 pm »

Peter,

The nOrh 4.0 in either ceramic or marble (not wood) would be my pick. With a good subwoofer it would be just right for your circumstances.

bally · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 08:02 pm »

G,day Marbles,I have thought of the smaller Norhs.But its near impossible to place a sub without tripping over it.I previously had the Norh 6.9,s which were great until one of my friends kids tried to ride it like a horsy and i just managed to catch child&speaker before they hit the ground.That was the reason for the change to the Image 404.So its either a floorstander or a goodrange monitor with wide dispersion charachteristics.
Cheers
Peter Ball

Ravi · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 08:30 pm »

Bally, I've listened to quite a few speakers lately that have pretty good horizontal dispersion.

I've heard the entire GR Research line, and all of it is without fault at their respective price points, so you can't go wrong there.

My personal favourite for on and off axis listening is the Ellis 1801s. They have an uncanny ability to sound good no matter what angle you're sitting at. The tweeter is in my experience the best I've heard for off-axis (and on-axis if that matters any

. It sounds crystal clear anywhere in the room.

Here's the website:
http://www.ellisaudio.com

Regards,
Ravi

bally · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 10:01 pm »

Thanks Ravi,have read only good things about both speakers.The problem would be that freight,customs&tax in New Zealand would definately price the Ellis out of range.As i am in Singapore next month for a Trade fair might be able to find something there.
Cheers
Peter Ball

Marbles · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 10:03 pm »

Can you make your own?

Seems like there could be some really good kits available. You might even be able to design some so that you could find a way to build them into walls etc. so you can be in or closer to the sweetspot.

In answer to your first question on the Mirage, I have heard some Mirage speakers a few years ago and they were pretty decent for the money. These are made in Canada, so I suspect much more reasonable for me than for you. The ones I heard were small monitors.

Will the local vender let you return them if not satisfactory?

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 10:30 pm »

I don't mean to be sarcastic, but what I'm wondering about is the "why" of this whole scenario. Why are you choosing to listen off axis if it is bothering you? What's preventing you from moving the chair and\or the speakers where you want them?

bally · « **Reply #7 on:** 14 Feb 2003, 10:55 pm »

G,day Nathan,the reason being after a breakup i moved in with a mate of mine who owns the house and just puts up with my hobby.in the middle of the room he has a large coffee table(its bloody huge) at the back of the room he has a fire place all seating is down both side of the walls.The only time i get in the sweet spot is when he is away with a lady or on hols.I need to stay in this situation for at least 12-16 months till i build my own place.
Marbles,totally inept at building most things so kits not really the go(would love to try it at some time).The guy from Strawberry Sound will bring them around for a try ,hopefully in a week.
Cheers
Peter Ball

Tyson · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 02:55 am »

If you can find them, the Shahinian speakers should be perfect for you - close to omni-directional sound, floor standing speakers with good bass.

Tyson · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 02:57 am »

Also, I thought that if nOrh would come out with the new pyramid speakers in a floor standing cabinet with 2 8 inch bass woofers (one front, one back), they would really have a nice omni-directional speaker.

nathanm · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 03:20 am »

Quote from: Tyson

Also, I thought that if nOrh would come out with the new pyramid speakers in a floor standing cabinet with 2 8 inch bass woofers (one front, one back), they would really have a nice omni-directional speaker.

You just described the exact same pencil sketches I've been drawing for the past week! Heh! The Tang Bands are so damn good IMHO, I bet with some more bass juice underneath them it would be sweet. I thought about combining Norh's Pyramids with what VMPS has done with the 3-way woofers on the RM\X. I'm thinking a Pyramid with a prism-shaped cabinet bass bin\stand underneath with three way woofers.

markC · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 04:43 am »

Oh oh... visions of speaker projects dancinig in their heads...

nathanm · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 05:29 am »

Yeah well...visions of unfinished projects more than likely.

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 06:06 am »

Can you get the Swans M1 in NZ? They're Chinese made and have impressive soundstage. If I cant listen to speakers anywhere I want then they're not good...

www.swanspeaker.com

bally · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 07:40 am »

The swans still have to be freighted in from the states and the freight kills the idea.Tysons idea about the Shahinians would be great if i could pick up a pair of 2nd hand Obelisks for a good price life would be good.Really appreciate everyones input on this!! :
Cheers
Peter

Psychicanimal · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Feb 2003, 01:25 pm »

I'm pretty sure *you* could get a pair of Swans (or anything else) from Hong Kong...just have to do some research. Why don't you try Leonidas Juki (2Juki)? He can get lots of stuff!

There's a couple members here from HK and I'm sure they would be glad to help you.

Like Master Yoda said in Star Wars:

"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."