solidsblog: handsome small speakers and other stuff...

[SSM]

SSM have you considered the Dali Mentor Menuet - only 25cm high

Have to pass on that one. The Tipocan rrp of £999 is quite a big ask for something so tiny.

I have to say I am at a crossroads which may see the end of my mini-monitor fetish. The SA1 and P3ESR at £1300ish a piece do justify their worth, but I'm also quite aware of the multitude of fabulous multi-driver floorstanders available for the same price. PMC GB1i, KEF XQ700, Dali Ikon mkII 5 or 6, and the upcoming B&W CM8. All of which can create vast scale whilst sacrificing just 3-5% of the SA1's and P3ESR's tonal purity. I had auditioned Arcam's A38 with the CM9 and was struck by the amazing synergy. The new IKON series is exerting a lot of attraction too as I had used the 5 and 6 mkI, and mkII promises improved integration of the hybrid tweeter with the rest of the frequency range. The IKON 5 mkII at £900 could be just perfect for me.



^ but it's the slimine CM8 at £1300ish I find most gorgeous. It is the entry point to B&W's FST Kevlar cone. I can really see myself celebrating Xmas 2011 with it tethered to Arcam's A38/P38 bisexual, errr, biamp combo.

It's a good thing the tennis season has started. I'll be at home this weekend watching the telly rather than traipse around the audio shops looking for excuses to squander my preciouss £3000 snowball.


SS