Sometimes Less is More?


I have a 12x12 sunroom with cathedral ceiling, tile floor, and windows on three sides.

It is by far the hardest room in my house acoustically.

I find less is more in this room. Small Triangle Titus monitors that only go down to 50 some hz or so seem to do best in there. Other speakers I use in there that extend lower tend to overpower the room resulting in fat obscuring bass.

So I am of the opinion that sometimes less is more, even in high end audio.

How about you?
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xmapman
You nailed it, IME in small high reverb rooms like your sunroom work well with a small scale setup at lower volumes especially. I've had a theory for quite sometime that alot of the gear changing going on is because the rooms are being overpowered with bass and/or treble. Had some bipolar Mirages back in the day and in my first house they sounded like sh** bass and treble wise due to the plaster walls and odd bass wave action and no imaging. In the same room a pair of Kef 107s were freaky real. Not until a had a large room with breathing room did the Mirages not offend. I kind of chuckle when fellas are selling something that I know has serious potential and the pictures of the room clearly explain why.
My 'sunroom' is outside and around the corner from my front door. Its open all around and above as well. Nothing would work there since its technically outside.

All kidding aside, my only room to listen in is my living room in my apartment which is about 10' X 15' and about 8' in height. Being in the same boat, so to speak, I'd agree wholeheartedly that less is more due to room overloads and all that's negative about smallish rooms. My speakers only go down to 40Hz or so but it sounds great. One doesn't need much to achieve great results when one operates in the nearfield.

It also helps to keep the operating budget in a realistic realm as well.
I don't think less is more - a speaker that is a good match for the room is more. It's difficult to find and not always the one you think it will be. Especially in difficult rooms. I'm glad you were able to find a good match.
Agree Mapman, but on a slightly different level. I have a fairly large room 17 deep X 35 wide. I had towers which went well down into the high 20's. Sounded good. But now I have Cain & Cain Abby's. Sound great.
Sometimes less is more, more or less. We also find that the little system at the lake, ( Jadis front end Red Rose speakers ) can have something special. It is give and take, the smaller system has a certain magic, the big rig has impact and detail. Which do we prefer, usually the one we are listening to.