one vs two Yamaha DXR10s for home use

[kfinok]

I purchased a Nord Stage 2 and one Yamaha DXR 10 loudspeaker yesterday. I have been thinking more about the question of mono system vs stereo, and, since I'll be using the system 100% at home for several years, am wondering if I should have purchased two DXR speakers to more fully enjoy the sound in stereo at my home in a fairly small room 15x 15. Having never used an amplified systems (piano until now), I don't know if i would notice much difference in 1 vs two. Are there advantages or disadvantages in having one vs two for stereo?

Also, do you believe the Yamaha DXR 10 could possibly have too much power/sound for a relatively small living room even if turned to low volume, perhaps losing quality of sound if running too low, and if so, would a smaller pair of powered amps be more appropriate than one DXR10?

[rb4u1]

I would think any thing more would be overkill. You might want to add some kind of EQ to the keyboard & possibly a stereo or computer or other device to supply music. 2 speakers would definitely add some ambience or a spatial effect. If the Dxr 10's proved to be too much, there should be plenty of speakers that will do the job. Being particularly destructive to speakers has always been a given. The best or better speakers would probably be a PA type of speaker. A lot of stereo, home or computer speakers have the potential to have damage caused by transients from the piano or possibly another sound. PA voice coils should have a heavier duty voice coil. That in it self may be a good reason to go with another DXR. The speaker would not be pushed to it's limits.
Good Luck,

[Six-string-man]

I have 2 DXR 10's in a room 20 x 13 feet, in my house, on poles, running in stereo, and they sound AMAZING! I have had no problems with the volume/sound. They are only a week old, so I am at about the same position as you are in!

I have never tried a single speaker, I bought them as a pair. I have never had them on the floor, I tried them on poles, and it worked for me! I am running a Casio PX-5S and a Hammond SK1 through them, and couldn't be happier. I have the keyboards at one end of the room, and the speakers at the other. It is a fairly long cable run, so I have passed them through a Radial DI box.

Did you know, that to get stereo, you don't have to run a second cable from your keyboard to the second speaker, you just take an XLR lead from the "out" of the first DXR 10 to the "in" on the second one? The system will then sort everything out.

If you prefer a stereo sound, go for it!


SSM

[kfinok]

Very helpful!

Thanks to you both for different perspectives on the subject - I will probably go with another DXR-10 and move to a stereo setup.

It appears quality is not diminished running at lower volumes, and I was a little concerned about running the sound through my home stereo speakers as an alternative.

Your comments helped with both concerns!!

[RedLeo]

This is just to add some general comments to the discussion, not to answer kfinok directly as he has got an answer that works for him.

Yamamha DXR10s (or similar) are not just overkill for a living room, they're *insanely* overpowered. A small-to-medium pair of reasonable quality monitors or bookshelf speakers would be plenty.

I'm not sure about the claim that smaller speakers can't handle transient sounds from pianos or anything else. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a "given" at all. Plenty of people and most recording studios use small to medium monitors for recording (and of course monitoring), their keyboard sounds on a daily basis year-in year-out. Sure, if the speakers were underpowered and they were being constantly pushed too hard, then certainly that could cause them to fail. To put it another way, if speakers can handle drums, then piano sounds should be a piece of cake. A decent pair of speakers should last for years, and depending on the quality, they're likely to give much better sound quality than PA speakers.

Another choice to consider is headphones. Not for everyone, but superb quality headphones rivalling the sound of top quality speakers can be had at a fraction of the price. They don't take up any space, and of course there are no problems with bothering the neighbours - or more importantly, the wife.

[kfinok]

Yamamha DXR10s (or similar) are not just overkill for a living room, they're *insanely* overpowered. A small-to-medium pair of reasonable quality monitors or bookshelf speakers would be plenty.

I'm not sure about the claim that smaller speakers can't handle transient sounds from pianos or anything else. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a "given" at all. Plenty of people use small to medium monitors for recording (and of course monitoring), their keyboard sounds on a daily basis year-in year-out. Sure, if the speakers were underpowered and they were being constantly pushed too hard, then certainly that could cause them to fail. A decent pair of speakers should last for years, and depending on the quality, they're likely to give much better sound quality than PA speakers.

Another choice to consider is headphones. Not for everyone, but superb quality headphones rivalling the sound of top quality speakers can be had at a fraction of the price. They don't take up any space, and of course there are no problems with bothering the neighbours - or more importantly, the wife.

This is good advice. I use one DXR 10 for giging, but rarely at home. I don't think the piano sound is the best through it. Stereo live for me is a waste of time. I would investigate the use of a small sub with any "home studio system" Not necessarily for volume, but to get down in the bottom end, get it out of your mains and round out the sound.

[RedLeo]

I hadn't considered using a subwoofer, but it sounds like a great idea. Not only would it give you the extra depth at the bottom end, but it would take a lot of pressure off the main speakers level-wise and allow you to get by with smaller-sized and less powerful speakers.

[kfinok]

Thanks, the additional comments definitely noted!


I'll take more time on this before taking the next step.

[kfinok]

By the way, RedLeo, re: your reference to small to medium monitors, please help me narrow the search... are there two to three brands you would focus on.. perhaps Mackie, others?
You are referring to powered monitors, correct, not simply stereo speakers, correct? I looked at a pair of Definitive Technologies Studio Monitor 450 powered speakers recently which appeared to have good reviews and reasonable price...not sure if I'd need a sub with these but I already have a Polk Audio Sub if needed.

[kfinok]

I haven't used speakers for a long time, and I'm not up with current brands and models. However, the market for recording equipment is very active right now, and there are a ton of good quality and relatively inexpensive studio monitors and home hi-fi speakers available. A little bit of searching reviews online or some suggestions from other forum members (or indeed other forums) will be able to be able to point you in the right direction.

Personally, I would go with powered speakers as they're a lot less faffing about and they're the "in thing", so plenty of models and brands available. I would tend to stick with well known brands. Cheap and cheerful alternatives may sound good on paper, but may well disappoint in practice.

Always remember that with speakers a review can only tell you so much. Although it can be difficult to arrange, I cannot recommend highly enough that you hear any shortlisted models you choose before buying. With speakers, it's very much a case of "one man's meat is another man's poison". Somebody else's idea of "sounds great!" may well not be the same as yours.

Sorry I can't help you more.