Suggestions needed: quality small stand mounts that image well

[Psilonaught]

I think I'm almost certainly going to be moving away from big floorstanders due to a change of layout/ lifestyle and need to consider small speaks.

Possible ideas would be proac or sonus faber with a sub, or micro floorstanders like totem arrow or neat motive 2

will be using these with a 50w valve amp and a sub so main speakers need to image and voice well as a priortiy

Any suggestions? Budget would be about £2k

 

[stevied]

Sonus faber cremona auditors (awesome)

 

[Neilb]

stevied wrote:

Sonus faber cremona auditors (awesome)

Seconded. Very good, as are my domus concertinos but you need a sub.

I'd look at small proacs, WB arcs. B&W 805's. Personally though I think Pro Ac response D2's would still give enough Bass without being too huge. Usher 718's are actually pretty bulky in the flesh. Suprisingly so.

 

[dicy]

Proac 1sc's:^

 

[dim_span]

Harbeth P3ESR

 

[Neilb]

dim_span wrote:

Harbeth P3ESR

Yes! Completely forgot Harbeths. Very nice.

 

[WJJ]

Proac Tablette Reference Signature 8, one of the best small standmounters I have heard. Although being an owner I would say that. ;-)

 

[forresthump]

All the above suggestions are good (esp the Proacs). But if you did want to go with a micro floorstander, I highly recomend the new Kudos X2. The realism and spread to the image is unblievable from such a small box.

 

[HoopsOnToast]

Was listening to the Neats (Motive 3's), Spendor S3/5R's and ATC SCM7's yesterday, and none seem to tick all the boxes as well as the ProAc 1SC's that ive heard several times as wammers home / show. Not heard any other standmounts that just play music as well as these do! :^

Could try the Spendor SA1's, not convinced that there will be a huge difference over the S3/5R's though presentation wise.

The Harbeth P3ESR are onmy to do list, not found anywhere local that has them though....

 

[Jezzer]

B&W 805s

Leema Xone (small floorstanders with superb imaging and sense of timing)

 

[ClassikFan]

With up to £2k to spend the WB Arcs would be high on my list, ex dem or VGC second hand.

 

[mr.me]

Aurum Cantus Leisure II SE with ribbon tweeters

As shown here in my previous system. Great imaging and work superbly well with a sub

 

[Professor Chaos]

For standmounted; Reference 3A Dulcet, right on budget, fairly easy to drive, and very good imaging. If you can stretch your budget, the same company's MM de Capo iis really worth the difference in price.

 

[flaxton]

mr. me, nice kit. one problem, where is the turntable?

 

[jayatno10]

I'll second the Ref3a Dulcets, best small speaker I ever heard. Using mine with a 30wpc RWA power amp and get plenty of Db! 50 watt valves will drive them no problem I would think. Audition some if you can.

 

[d_a_n1979]

I heard some Dali Mentor Menuet's today and they were superb... Tiny though but great soundstage.

You'd need a sub to fill out the bottom end though!

 

[Psilonaught]

guys thanks for all the suggestion, plenty of food for thought here, and I think I will have to put together a shortlist and plan some dealer auditions.

Slightly surprised the neat motives didn't get more positive voicing here, I have a soft spot for Neat generally and the motives on paper look idea from a size/child friendly point of view.

Never heard any proac units but am not surprised by the positive 1sc comments, again i will have to audition a pair.

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Psilonaught wrote:

guys thanks for all the suggestion, plenty of food for thought here, and I think I will have to put together a shortlist and plan some dealer auditions.Slightly surprised the neat motives didn't get more positive voicing here, I have a soft spot for Neat generally and the motives on paper look idea from a size/child friendly point of view.

Never heard any proac units but am not surprised by the positive 1sc comments, again i will have to audition a pair.

How about the petite sx

 

[Boxer]

Just get the Response 1Sc and keep the change for music/booze/wild women or whatever...