room size and audio speakers

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FKM

50 posts

Geek

#133791 2-Nov-2013 16:59

When people talking about "room sizes" when talking on speaker sizes, what exactly do they refer to in room sizes?

I have an open living room which connect to the dining room and kitchen. The actually listening area (TV/speaker to couch) is around 3.5m x 3.5m (quite small) but if including the dining room and the room at the back of my couch it will be 8m x5m and including the kitchen will be 8m x 8m. That is 1-2 model up from the same series of speakers.

Thanks for your help as I am planning my very first audio system

tukapa1

598 posts

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#926449 3-Nov-2013 07:27

They are talking about the room space you are utilising (for want of a better way to put it). For example if you are only utilising your living room then that is the room size.

I would be buying speakers that suit the listening distance.

When you talk of planning your very first audio system are you meaning 2 channel or are you looking at 5.1 for movies?

JB HiFi currently have 30% off speakers and 20% off receivers which ends tomorrow.

At those sale prices you really can't go past the Kef Q series, the Q500 or Q700 would suit your smaller area and if you were looking at something to fill the entire 8m x 8m then you could look at the Q900 (which I have in a smaller space).

MightyApe

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FKM

50 posts

Geek

#926514 3-Nov-2013 12:05

The Kef is exactly what I am thinking to get, the question is whether I should go for the q500, q700 or the q900. I guess I have another day to make my decision as jb's sale end on Monday.

Obviously when watching movies I will be sitting in front of the couch, but there will be times I am in the dining room/kitchen and want to have music on.

I am currently considering a 2.0 or 3.0 system. I am not a bass crazy person so I am not considering a sub now. I can always add it later if it turns out the bass is not enough.

alasta

5742 posts

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#926526 3-Nov-2013 12:57

I have the Q300s in my living room which is about the same size as yours and they're perfectly capable, so I think you'll be fine with the Q500s unless you really need to crank your entire open plan space.

Remember that with speakers of this quality you won't feel tempted to wind up the volume as much as you would with cheap bass heavy Japanese audio products.

tukapa1

598 posts

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#926565 3-Nov-2013 14:37

FKM: The Kef is exactly what I am thinking to get, the question is whether I should go for the q500, q700 or the q900. I guess I have another day to make my decision as jb's sale end on Monday.

Obviously when watching movies I will be sitting in front of the couch, but there will be times I am in the dining room/kitchen and want to have music on.

I am currently considering a 2.0 or 3.0 system. I am not a bass crazy person so I am not considering a sub now. I can always add it later if it turns out the bass is not enough.

Unless you're wanting to pump high volume while you're in the dining/kitchen with music going then the Q500 should be adequate. If it were me I'd probably spend the extra $210 and get the Q700.

That probably explains why I ended up with the Q900 when the Q700 would have been fine!

alasta: I have the Q300s in my living room which is about the same size as yours and they're perfectly capable, so I think you'll be fine with the Q500s unless you really need to crank your entire open plan space.

Remember that with speakers of this quality you won't feel tempted to wind up the volume as much as you would with cheap bass heavy Japanese audio products.

I agree with this - any of the Q series is going to sound great.

FKM

50 posts

Geek

#926603 3-Nov-2013 16:09

With one question answered another question pop up :)

So I will either go with Q500 or Q700 as Q900 is simply too big. If I get the Q700 is it best for me to get the Q600 for the driver to match? Is it really important to match the driver? Jb sells the Q200 quite cheap ($350) but the Q600 the best I can find anywhere is $699. I guess here is my 2 choices:

Q700 + Q600 ($1041.6+699= $1740)

Q500 + Q200 + sub (Q400?) ($833+544+341=$1718)

Pricing wise the difference is negligible so the key is what will suit me the best. Usage is probably 60% music 40% movie)

My idea is that the Q700 is stronger in the bass so I can live without a sub, but if Q700 and Q200 really didn't match then I probably should go with the Q500 + sub

decisions decisions decisions........

tukapa1

598 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#926608 3-Nov-2013 16:32

FKM: With one question answered another question pop up :)

So I will either go with Q500 or Q700 as Q900 is simply too big. If I get the Q700 is it best for me to get the Q600 for the driver to match? Is it really important to match the driver? Jb sells the Q200 quite cheap ($350) but the Q600 the best I can find anywhere is $699. I guess here is my 2 choices:

Q700 + Q600 ($1041.6+699= $1740)

Q500 + Q200 + sub (Q400?) ($833+544+341=$1718)

Pricing wise the difference is negligible so the key is what will suit me the best. Usage is probably 60% music 40% movie)

My idea is that the Q700 is stronger in the bass so I can live without a sub, but if Q700 and Q200 really didn't match then I probably should go with the Q500 + sub

decisions decisions decisions........

The Q200 will be plenty with either the Q500 or the Q700. I run that with the Q900 and it is fine. It's a beast of a centre speaker - I'd hate to see the size of the Q600!

If your budget is $1700 then I'd go Q500 + Q200 + Q400. If you can go to $2k then I'd swap the Q500 for the Q700.

You'll be happy with either I would imagine.

For 2 channel music you will get more out of the Q700 fronts. For 3.1 channel movies you will benefit from the Q200 and the Q400.

As an aside JB also had the Q100 in stock but not on their website which I got as my surrounds. Again probably a bit of overkill but nice bookshelf speakers. I think from memory I got them for $590 which was their full price at the time. Elsewhere they are $699.

jacwlg

43 posts

Geek

#928051 6-Nov-2013 11:05

FKM: With one question answered another question pop up :)

So I will either go with Q500 or Q700 as Q900 is simply too big. If I get the Q700 is it best for me to get the Q600 for the driver to match? Is it really important to match the driver? Jb sells the Q200 quite cheap ($350) but the Q600 the best I can find anywhere is $699. I guess here is my 2 choices:

Q700 + Q600 ($1041.6+699= $1740)

Q500 + Q200 + sub (Q400?) ($833+544+341=$1718)

Pricing wise the difference is negligible so the key is what will suit me the best. Usage is probably 60% music 40% movie)

My idea is that the Q700 is stronger in the bass so I can live without a sub, but if Q700 and Q200 really didn't match then I probably should go with the Q500 + sub

decisions decisions decisions........

Just wondering what you ended up buying in the end.

I am hunting for a similar setup in terms of budget (I am very new to home theatre) and my usage would probably be 90% music and 10% movie;

and what receiver would be good for these speakers? (and do I need a separate amplifier?)

It might sound a bit stupid but all my music is on my iphone (or itune if I sync them back onto the computer), so I would like the receiver to be able to AirPlay or blue-tooth with iOS.

Any ideas?
Thanks

FKM

50 posts

Geek

#939797 24-Nov-2013 10:32

I got the Q700 and Q200 and happy with what I get. When I am on the couch a volume of 30-40 is plenty loud. When I am in the dining room/kitchen 50 is all I need. Any louder the problem will come from my neighbours and councils.