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Need Ambient Speakers to Hang in Corners. Really

Hello All,

I've finally got my listening room almost set up, and that means that the living room is becoming an actual living room, rather that a "stand-in" alternative listening room. I need all of the real estate for living, and music listening will be more "ambient" there. So, I want to get a decent integrated amp and a pair of speakers I can hang from the ceiling. I'm looking for some suggestions.

The room is 14' wide and 18' long, and the ceiling slopes down from 14' to 8'. The speakers would go on the 14' side, but could be hung at any level and at any angle. I have a good subwoofer to go with them (ACI Titan). As for integrateds, I was thinking of maybe a Panache or a Unico Unison SE, but would be open to others. I'm attracted to the SE because it has a remote and it supposedly drives Quad 988's nicely (IF you believe Sam Tellig?!!!!!). I have Quads in my main room, so the SE could be a backup. Anyhow, I'm not looking for hifi nirvana here, that is in the main listening room. I AM looking for nice for ambient listening - e.g. for talking with friends, cooking in the adjacent kitchen (open connection), etc. All musical tastes apply.

So, what speakers would you recommend for this "hanging" application. Anyone heard the Norh or the Gallo Duos? Thanks!
peter_s
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Ah, well then Sam and Art have started a circle jerk as I'm pretty sure it was Art who initially reviewed it for Stereophile. He even said something quite similar. So with an opinion like that, I wonder if the Pathos is now in Sam's reference system? If I felt that way about a component, and it were that affordable, it sure would be in mine!

Marco
peter_s OP
1,088 posts
 
Thanks guys. I have decided to keep my Odysee Stratos dual mono for the amp, and just get a preamp with a remote control (any suggestions?). I'm not sure about which speakers yet, but maybe a small set of Totems... Trying to keep the price down (building the listening room wasn't cheap!). Open to other ideas.
mor2bz
41 posts
 
use open baffles angled down to you; keep the baffles well away from other surfaces (sounds like that will be easy) a single ciare ch250
in a panel (26X 42?) will provide a very spacious, open, and transparent sound. see diyaudio.com search ch250 norbert. this may become your preferred listening room. cost : about $200 with 3/4 appleply panels and drivers from assistance audio.

i use four moth cicada drivers on an open baffle for a 3 ohm 100 db /watt driver. it sounds very good but is not for headbanging. i am going to the single ciare driver per panel approach very soon to get rid of the comb filter and timing error involved with four drivers. once you go open baffle, you will not go back to boxes.
charivari's avatar
charivari
7 posts
 
If I may make an off the wall, or in this case "off the floor," suggestion, you might want to look into these odd vintage speakers, the Design Acoustics D-12. They're dodecahedral, about two feet in diameter. While they originally came with stands, they were also designed to be hung by a chain from the ceiling and thus perfect for your application and ceiling height.

Many would call them ugly, but you could always refinish them and throw on some grill cloth that better suits your living room. To be honest, I find them to be very interesting in appearance and sure to garner comments and discussion.

Better yet, these can be found for a lot less than most of the above suggestions and would fill the roll of ambiance far better, being omnidirectional.

You can find more information here:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33632&highlight=Design+Acoustics

as well as here:
http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=vintage&n=99068&highlight=design+acoustics&r=&session=

- JP
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