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Pendant speakers

Raphaz

Raphaz

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Does anyone have experiences with pendant speakers in a large, private room?

I’m debating if I should consider pendants for my large open loft space, 1100 sqft, wooden floor, brickstone walls, 7ft ceiling, large windows.

I don’t care so much about a specific listening spot but more about good sound and distribution throughout the whole space.

Can pendants be compared to audiophile floor standers? Or will it always sound cheap, like in a mall?

I see that Bose, Tannoy, JBL, Dayton offer some, but there seem to be other brands that offer pendants.
Any brands/models I should consider?

Can they be wired to and driven by a ”regular” receiver like a Yamaha R-2000?
Do they require additional, proprietary gear?
Are there wireless options worth considering?
Can I use them with my current “regular” 12” Klipsch sub?

Thank you!
 
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I had 8 of the Dayton Audio 8" pendant speakers in a large open cafe space with 20ft ceilings. I ran them on a 70V pro amp in mono. They're good for filling a large space with evenly distributed pleasant sound, and when turned up could be fun, but not on the level of a serious 2 channel system. Notably lacking in bass except at higher volumes where bass is still diminished, but more present than at low volume. Maybe the larger, more expensive designs from JBL or Tannoy could do a better job, but I think with only 7' ceilings sound distribution wouldn't be as even as with high ceilings, though you would probably coax out more bass response. It was a good audio system for the intended purpose, and sounded better than 4 standard 2-way monitors mounted in the corners near the ceiling in my other cafe space, but still don't think I would recommend it for critical listening. Maybe look at large omni-directional designs like the Ohm Walsh 5's or HHR TLS-2 or if your pockets are deep enough MBL's? I don't know, just spitballing here. I have Ohm Walsh 2's in an ~600sqft room right now, driven with a higher powered McIntosh amp and they do an admirable job imo, though I still consider it to be more of the "easy listening" room, with the "serious" room containing Altec 604's.
 
I cannot say "None" as I have not heard every possible iteration.

I suppose it could be possible with the addition of a subwoofer or two to augment the bass as pendants are unlikely to produce any significant bass.

In my experience, sound radiating from above by speakers firing downward do not produce much of an image/soundstage. Sound is directional and higher frequencies even more so, you will hear left/right but the center image will be thin and weak with no depth. You will hear the cash register swing from side to side on Money from DSOTM but the vocals/center image will be weak and unfocused. Solo vocalists will seem to come from everywhere, not the center of the stage.

I had a large space years ago and was quite surprised and satisifed with a pair of Bose 601 series 2's. Not the ultimate in high fidelity but room filling sound with good imaging, YMMV.
 
If it was my 1100 sq foot open space, I'd have decent sized floor standing speakers to fill the space with sound and provide the option of set position critical listening. Pendants wouldn't do it for me unless I just wanted background music.
 
swechsler said:
I'm sorry, but you want to mount pendant speakers on a 7' ceiling? You're going to have people hitting their heads.
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I would have to agree with that assessment. In-ceiling speakers would be better for head clearance, unless this room is specifically for people of short stature. Then pendants would be fine.
 
pingpongcomp said:
I had 8 of the Dayton Audio 8" pendant speakers in a large open cafe space with 20ft ceilings. I ran them on a 70V pro amp in mono. They're good for filling a large space with evenly distributed pleasant sound, and when turned up could be fun, but not on the level of a serious 2 channel system. Notably lacking in bass except at higher volumes where bass is still diminished, but more present than at low volume. Maybe the larger, more expensive designs from JBL or Tannoy could do a better job, but I think with only 7' ceilings sound distribution wouldn't be as even as with high ceilings, though you would probably coax out more bass response. It was a good audio system for the intended purpose, and sounded better than 4 standard 2-way monitors mounted in the corners near the ceiling in my other cafe space, but still don't think I would recommend it for critical listening. Maybe look at large omni-directional designs like the Ohm Walsh 5's or HHR TLS-2 or if your pockets are deep enough MBL's? I don't know, just spitballing here. I have Ohm Walsh 2's in an ~600sqft room right now, driven with a higher powered McIntosh amp and they do an admirable job imo, though I still consider it to be more of the "easy listening" room, with the "serious" room containing Altec 604's.
Click to expand...

Thank you! The space is 15' ceiling of course – sorry for the confusion! I grew up with the metric system and every now and then it throws me off.
 
FYI: The space is 15' high (my bad).

Sounds like there's no way around larger floor standers?
I currently use a pair of KEF Q500s with a Klipsch 12" sub, plus 6 Minimus 7s hung on shelves, in the upper (half-open) lofts and in the (open) kitchen.
Do I really need to go larger with the floor standers?! I was hoping to reduce the foot print or at least to take advantage of the high ceiling and get the mains out of the way.
 
The omnidirectional speakers. I have heard the Bose 901 speakers set up properly, hanging from chains in corners. Room filling sound, but not audiophile, and a receiver is not going to sound very good with them. The Ohm speakers, I have read many reviews and feedback from happy customers, and would consider them if I came across a used pair. New they are expensive for what they are, I think. Have not heard them though.
 
I guess a pair of LS50s hung or placed high won’t fill that space?

Maybe this is a situation where size just matters - law of physics. Too bad!
 
“…a receiver is not going to sound very good with them….” — what’s wrong with a receiver?!
 
Not the receiver, it's the speakers. There's a love-hate relationship on AK with Bose 901 speakers. Some people love to hate on them and some love to love them. I have 2 pairs, maybe 3...I gotta check my storage unit.
Either way, I don't think pendant speakers will beat out a properly set up pair (or 2 pair) of 901's.
 
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