[Zero]

For most of us who breathe the same air as everyone else, we all run into a sacrifice of some sort when approaching our main systems.  It then becomes a matter of determining what sacrifices you are willing to make in order to harness the strengths you favor.

There are many challenges a floor-standing speaker present in contrast to the smaller monitor design.  On the downside, typically a floor standing speaker requires room to breathe and pin point placement in order to utilize and balance out its fuller-range capabilities.  Anything less than adequate will often result in awkward frequency humps in the lower registers which could result in muddy or jumbled bass.  It may be difficult to pull off a large speaker in your room given its current configuration. On the bonus side, there is no replacement for displacement (borrowed quote here). The large, lush sound a large speaker creates is a strength that will almost always be superior to that if its smaller counterpart.  

A monitor speaker by contrast gives you a bit more flexibility with the critical application of room placement. There are quite a few monitors in your price-range that approach full-range standards (ie, bass solid down to the lower 40’s, and mid-upper 30’s). The downside is that they still will not have the sheer thumping force of a tower.  Usually monitor speakers are less efficient as well, requiring a bit more juice to sing on the level of their larger cousins.  On the bonus side, it is much easier to control the sound of a monitor, and typically the result is a quicker, clearer mid-range.  Sub-integration is usually a bit easier while working with monitors.

Either way you look at it, there is a sacrifice which has to be made.  Only a fortunate few need not worry.

[mcrespo71]

AJM- If you are thinking of buying a Totem Floorstander for your small 12X12 room, I'd bet $ the Totem Arro sounds best, given your space constraints.  You can then spend your $ elsewhere.

Michael

[Zero]

Aye Crespo, good suggestion.  The Arro truly is a fantastic speaker that would perform remarkably well in his room.  It is just durable enough to take abuse while maintaining fidelity enough to appease critical tastes.  Combine this speaker with a good sub (either a Totem thunder/lightning, or other from the likes of Rel, MJ Acoustics, etc...) and you have one brilliant sounding, cost effective and very well put together system.

I am not sure how Odyssey gear performs with Totem Acoustics, but I do know NAIM and Musical Fidelity gear match perfectly well.

That is at least one sure-fire set up.

[doug s.]

i would absolutely *NOT* recommend the totem arrow to anyone who wants to ROCK.  a coupla years ago, i had a pair of arro's in my rig; i was absolutely enthralled for almost two hours - jazz, acoustical, folk, etc.  then i wanted to crank it up, & put on little feat's "waiting for columbus".  i had to stop after 3 minutes - it *SUCKED*.  *everything* fell apart.  now, i know i had a huge room, but the arro's were crossed over to subs at 70hz.  and the tiny proac tablette ref 8 signatures (10.5h x 6"w x 9"d, w/4.5" woofer), absolutely *ROCKED* in that same room/system...

ymmv,

doug s.

[rosconey]

i honestly wouldnt spend that much for "rock & roll" speakers.

my friend has cerwin vegas and if "rock" speakers are what you want look no further-
he's a metal head and these are the perfect speakers.

you may be better off  saving some cash and get some c-v's

[doug s.]

i honestly wouldnt spend that much for "rock & roll" speakers.

my friend has cerwin vegas and if "rock" speakers are what you want look no further-
he's a metal head and these are the perfect speakers.

you may be better off  saving some cash and get some c-v's

*i* would.  cuz i listen to all types of musiic, & i want it *all*.     if i *only* listened to rock & roll?  well, i'd certainly want dynamics at the top of my list, but i'd also still want relative accuracy in frequency response.  which would leave c-v's off the list...  mebbe some avantgarde acoustics duo's...  

doug s.

[AintJoM0mma]

Mis post!  

[AintJoM0mma]

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of Totem Forest + Rega\Naim\47 Labs. The Forest is not to big of a speakers, much smaller than my current speakers, and Totem beaks could help me overcome some room problems. Other than that, Id be willing to play with placement a lot to get good sound.

Thanks doug, your right, im looking for some accuracy and musicallity, not just blaring heavy metal.

[Mad DOg]

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of Totem Forest + Rega\Naim\47 Labs

WOW! without doing any auditioning you've been able to narrow your choices down to 1 setup!  

no wonder the older generation always gripes about the younger generation not listening...

seriously, it'd serve you well to heed the advice that the others have offered you. it's all about listening and auditioning...

[byteme]

Thanks doug, your right, im looking for some accuracy and musicallity, not just blaring heavy metal.

Which is why you removed the Lorelei's from the list right?

Hmm, let's see, universally known for the level of musical information they provide, superbly engaging, wonderful musicality, plenty of detail, soundstage and low end.  PERFECT match with your amp, which was made by who again?, comes with their own version of "beaks".  Ya, I guess I can see why you ruled them out!

Are you sure you're not John Kerry?  

Flip, flop, flip, flop.....

[Mad DOg]

...Id be willing to play with placement a lot to get good sound...

AOJ,

hate to tell ya, but in a room as small as 12 x 12, there's not much playin' w/ placement that u're gonna be able to do to get good sound especially if you like to CRANK it up to ROCK out...

[doug s.]

Yeah I was thinking more along the lines of Totem Forest + Rega\Naim\47 Labs

WOW! without doing any auditioning you've been able to narrow your choices down to 1 setup!  

no wonder the older generation always gripes about the younger generation not listening...

seriously, it'd serve you well to heed the advice that the others have offered you. it's all about listening and auditioning...

sometimes this member of the "older generation" *does* purchase before auditioning.  (a lot, actually!   )  but, when i do, it's *always* used, & at a decent-enuff price so i won't take a bath if/when i decide it's time to sell...  i actually *enjoy* doing this - it's fun to hear equipment at your leisure in your own home.  and, it does *not* keep me from participating in demo's when mfr's mail around gear; or stop me from listing to equipment at friends'/stores/etc...

ymmv,

doug s.

[Mad DOg]

Which is why you removed the Lorelei's from the list right?

Are you sure you're not John Kerry?  

Flip, flop, flip, flop.....

byteme,

there's no rhyme or reason here...i suggest we all do as zybar did earlier.

AOJ'll learn his own way on his own terms...everyone has to embark upon their own journey in life...

[lonewolfny42]

...Id be willing to play with placement a lot to get good sound...

AOJ,

hate to tell ya, but in a room as small as 12 x 12, there's not much playin' w/ placement that u're gonna be able to do to get good sound especially if you like to CRANK it up to ROCK out...

I think we'll be on to room treatments soon.......

[byteme]

sometimes this member of the "older generation" *does* purchase before auditioning.  (a lot, actually!   )  but, when i do, it's *always* used, & at a decent-enuff price so i won't take a bath if/when i decide it's time to sell...  i actually *enjoy* doing this - it's fun to hear equipment at your leisure in your own home.  and, it does *not* keep me from participating in demo's when mfr's mail around gear; or stop me from listing to equipment at friends'/stores/etc...

ymmv,

doug s.

Ditto here.   The used market is a great way to audition stuff for esentially the cost of shipping.  Sometimes it's even cheaper than being on an audition tour!

I'd love it if a-gon allowed you to track purchases and sales by individuals so you could see how many members have owned and then sold the same piece, what it went for, etc. and kept the ads for it too.  I'd FOR SURE pay for that feature!  Just to see that the preamp you want to listen to in house has been across the country 5 times already, owned by 7 different people and has actually gone UP in price the last two sales!  What a riot!!  

[doug s.]

Ditto here. The used market is a great way to audition stuff for esentially the cost of shipping. Sometimes it's even cheaper than being on an audition tour!

I'd love it if a-gon allowed you to track purchases and sales by individuals so you could see how many members have owned and then sold the same piece, what it went for, etc. and kept the ads for it too. I'd FOR SURE pay for that feature! Just to see that the preamp you want to listen to in house has been across the country 5 times already, owned by 7 different people and has actually gone UP in price the last two sales! What a riot!!

it's true - specific pieces of gear i'm interested in, i've seen bought & sold several times.  as well as specific pieces *i've* owned!  

doug s.

[Mad DOg]

sometimes this member of the "older generation" *does* purchase before auditioning.  (a lot, actually!   )  but, when i do, it's *always* used, & at a decent-enuff price so i won't take a bath if/when i decide it's time to sell...  i actually *enjoy* doing this - it's fun to hear equipment at your leisure in your own home.  and, it does *not* keep me from participating in demo's when mfr's mail around gear; or stop me from listing to equipment at friends'/stores/etc...

ymmv,

doug s.

doug s.,

true dat! i'm wija on dis!  

[Mad DOg]

...Id be willing to play with placement a lot to get good sound...

AOJ,

hate to tell ya, but in a room as small as 12 x 12, there's not much playin' w/ placement that u're gonna be able to do to get good sound especially if you like to CRANK it up to ROCK out...

I think we'll be on to room treatments soon.......

funny...i was thinking the same thing when i typed up that reply...

[Zero]

edit: ok I will play with the quotes another time

Good one!!!

[doug s.]

...Id be willing to play with placement a lot to get good sound...

AOJ,

hate to tell ya, but in a room as small as 12 x 12, there's not much playin' w/ placement that u're gonna be able to do to get good sound especially if you like to CRANK it up to ROCK out...

I think we'll be on to room treatments soon.......

funny but true!  seriously, a 12"x12" room will be *wery* difficult to eek a good soundstage outta.  and, it will also be hard to rock out.

i'd recommend someting like my proac tablette 8 reference monitors, crossed over to a pair of subs that are rated down to the mid/high 20hz range.  

my recommedation, in another thread, was for the coincident research victory's, which would still work ok in a smaller room, imo.  at 97db/1w/1m efficiency, a flea-power amp would blast ya outta the room.  and, the ribbon tweet is one of the best, imo.  this tweet's limited wertical dispersion would actually be of benefit in a smaller room.  another nice thing about the victory's for a small room, is that it's recommended *not* to pull them out much further than 3' into the room.  i'd still actively cross 'em over to subs, tho!  

ymmv,

doug s.