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Rethinking my system: Your ideas are appreciated

Hi all,

I have a pair of Dynaudio Focus 110s and a Rythmik Audio F12SE sub driven by a Rotel RSX-1055. My room size is 27x24. I listen mostly to rock, blues, funk, guitar/vocal instrumental and classical. I also use the system for movies.

While I really like the Dyns, I'm looking for something a bit stronger in both fullness and presence. Something where the sound doesn't seem to be coming from 'over there,' but rather it envelopes you and makes you feel like you're at the event. Not so much 'louder' as 'bigger.' This could certainly be due to poor speaker placement / imaging on my part. Still, I can't help feeling like I wish the sound was fuller, and at the same time I would rather not rely on the sub as much in order to get that fullness.

Not sure if this means going to floorstanders or possibly upsizing my monitors. Or maybe it means rethinking the Rotel, or at least adding monoblocks. Budget for speakers is around $1500 or so.

I apologize if my audio vocabulary is lacking or if I'm not clearly expressing my thoughts. I realize that everyone's tastes are different and that I'm working with a small budget, but maybe I could get general ideas and suggestions from those of you who have 'been there/done that.'

Thanks!
alderash
mongoose
5 posts
 
I found the focus 110's just too small sounding for my tastes. I bought the Focus 140's and that was much better. However,I think I need a little bigger dynaudio monitor or floor standers to get that more majestic sound. I think the contour 1.3 mk11's and the 1.3 SE sound bigger (and actually are a little bigger). I have a pair of 1.3 mk11's and they seem just big enough to throw a satisfactory large sound in a small to mid size room.
luvs2listen
63 posts
 
Are you using active high pass on the monitors, or are you running them full range, with the sub simply augmenting the lowest octaves?

If you're not running an active XO between sub and mains, adding the ability to cut everything below 80Hz from the mains will allow them to play with more dynamic range for two reasons:

Reduced excursion requirements on the mains allowing cleaner midrange reproduction

Reduced peak to average ratio on the amplifier, allowing better dynamic peaks for more realistic impact.
manitunc
795 posts
 
With the size of your room, you really need something bigger to load the room if you are looking for fullness instead of pinpoint imaging. At your budget, I would recommend the PSB Golds. You then might need more power to do the speakers justice in that room. Something in the 250 wrms range. I liken your current system to a turbo 4 engine in a car. Might have enough horsepower, but not enough torque, like a V8 would have. You need more torque
loomisjohnson
1,526 posts
 
i vote with the upgrade-the-amp folks. your dynaudios (which i really like) are very inefficient at 84db, while your avr is rated at only 75w/ch. like manitunc says, you need more torque--even if you were to upgrade speakers you might find your rotel can't cut it. you can find a nice used parasound or comparable for a few hundo. you're also getting good advise re: setup.
alderash OP
5 posts
 
I have not tried a dedicated power amp, but I'm thinking that's the way to go here. As much as I love the Dynaudio sound, I still think they're a bit too small for my area even with the added power amp. I will probably get floorstanders to move more air.

I looked at the Anthem 225 — any other suggestions for integrated amps? Also, many of the integrated amps I've looked at don't seem to have sub outputs - just 2-channel for mains. Any way around this to hook up the sub?
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