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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Small spaces

Post Subject: Scale, SPL and Room LoadingPosted by Paul S on: 3/23/2014

Consigned to the root cellar? In such a small space, "cranking it up" is a relative term, but I think this could be more interesting than headphones. Anyway, there's no substitute for trial and error. I would say, basically, use a good front end and play with speaker/amp combos. While this appears to be a perfect fit for FR SET, like a 45 (or, list your favorite here), it could turn out that the sort of "non-breathing" speakers that best serve a space like this need more power in the end than one would initially suppose. Maybe try some small, nearfield monitors, like Harbeth, etc., or even the small (self-powered) Audio Engine. Nice head scratcher, but you will simply have to keep cutting and pasting until you get it where you want it. One hurdle I see going in is the inescapable "progressive back loading" of the drivers, resulting in a sort of dying swan dynamics, also affecting tone, etc. Depending on how much you plan to load the room, you might have to give up some things in front in order to have acceptable performance as the pressure increases.

Best regards,
Paul S

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