SP Technology Timepiece 2.0s. Extremely revealing, yet musical. Not many know about them...yet. Word is getting out, though, and in my opinion it's only a matter of time before they take off like a shot. Here's a link to the manufacturer's website, as well as a couple of reviews that articulate just how special these speakers are far better than I ever could: SP Technology website Enjoy the Music ReviewPro Audio Review If you're considering a speaker change, get in touch with SP Tech now. Prices are sure to increase as soon as demand allows. In fact, it may already be too late to get the "intro" price. Note: My only connection to SP Technology is the fact that I own a pair of Timepiece 2.0s and am amazed by their performance. I do not have, nor have I EVER had, a business relationship with SP Technology. That said, they're the best speakers I've ever had, and Bob Smith (President and speaker designer) is one of the finest people I've ever had the pleasure of dealing with. DU |
Diapason Adamantes,this are so musical.Woodfield
I agree the Norh 9 are excellent,but not as musical
as the Diapason, my rewire 6.9 norh are very close
with the 9. |
While I was very impressed with all of the Totem speakers that I heard recently, the monitor that really impressed me (and which I ended up buying) is the ProAc Tablette Reference 8 Signature. Truly, an exceptional speaker.
Tom. |
Totem has a new monitor called the Rainmaker. Sounded very nice at CES. Also, you have to include Jim Salks Veracity or Ellis 1801. You won't find a more gorgeous monitor esthetically, never mind the wonderful sound. Visit his website at www.Salksound.com. |
I would also have to agree about the Tyler Acoustics, they are absolutely wonderful and beat out almost every floorstander I tried up to and over double its priced. No monitor even came close. |
The Sonus Faber Extremas are unbelievable sounding. |
In my opinion the Tyler Acoustics Tylo Reference Monitor - simply the best! |
I, too have had several monitors, and in my experience, the Artemis-Eos are the best I have heard, comparing very favorably with any SF model; it just does everything superbly!
Larry |
Depends what you call a monitor. If you extend the definition to any "smallish" stand mounted speaker, you'd have to consider the Sf Guarneri, the Acoustic Energy AES 1 Signature and the SF Electa Amator II |
Kelly - excellent response. My recommendation for an excellent monitor would be a vintage, 15 ohm, Rogers LS3/5A. Sam |
I have once heard the Avalon Monitor's (now discontinued) they were breath taking for a small speaker. Also worth mentioning are the B&W 800 series monitors I listened to them for several hours and I can't say fell in love with them but at least I had an affair with them! and what more can we ask for. |
i have owned several monitors over the past few years; kef 102, Shahinian Super Elf, Voce Divania, Acoustic Energy AE-2, Ruark Sepctres, Pro Ac Tablette 2000's and currently Totem Tabu's. All very respectable speakers in their own right, but i have to say for overall sound, dynamics, imaging, and bass the Totems are the best i have heard. While some speakers may excel at certain things the Totems do everything very well and would highly recommend them. you can find used pairs for about $1500. |
Using the proper "nearfield" definition, the Verity Audio Parsifal Monitors ($5.5k) are extraordinarily natural and coherent--nearfield or farfield! Ultrafast, clean, transparent (crossover's benign and way up at 5500Hz...sidewall reflections from tweeter "flare" are effectively minimized). Put 'em atop their woofer-base mates (crossed at 150Hz--STILL ok in nearfield!) and you have the "Encore" 3-way floorstander...$13k! I only compared the "monitor" tops to the complete Encores once, and found them to sound (and measure) even flatter in the 100-200 Hz region, but rolling off below 65Hz. The woofer-bases are SO quick 'n agile, however, that I never bother to run the Monitors alone...muddiness is never an issue. (As I was able to get the full Encore demos at cost ($8k) the increase in value compared to the full-price Monitors was a no-brainer.) Although you may also have a hard time finding used Verity Monitors for sale, I would consider it a wonderful find: all of the Encore's sound save the bottom 1.5 octaves, and maybe only $3-3.5K!...happy hunting...............FYI: My in-home auditions were limited to 803N (NOT coherent in nearfield! (I sit in 7.5' triangle)), Fidelios (tweeter integration not as seamless as Parsifals; non-reversible base), Aerial 7B and 8 (too much bottom!) Sonus Fabers, and several custom 6.5" two-ways developed from various Scandinavian drivers. The Verities use custom Dynaudio 8 and 1, and an extraordinary 5.5 from Edgwind Skaaning, ex-honcho from Dynaudio/Scanspeak. 89dB/w, flat impedence. Scarily well-constructed and voiced by fellow canucks! I fully expect to NEVER replace these musicmakers, so MY search is well over. Good luck in yours! Ernie. (Sorry about the bragadoccio-- wish I felt as good about my digital front end....) |
i've begun to compose posts on this thread twice before, only to resort to the "clear" button. here's the problem: damn near everyone who's stated an opinion here seems to have his/her(we can hope) own idea of what a "monitor" is. when i hear the term, i think of what i believe is the "classic" definition, a small speaker used in the playback of recordings or the "voicing" of components. usually these "monitors" are of a genus of the species called "nearfield." some of these nearfield monitors have made their way into the mainstream of highend. witness the wilson audio tiny tot, now the "watt" portion of the watt/puppy (version 6.1 most recently). others think of monitors as the equivalent of "satellites," as that term was understood bht (before home theatre). i think of satellites as small speakers specifically designed as limited range transducers that can be used with or without subs; generally, the cabinet size of these speakers contributes in large measure to thier superior imaging capabilities. the best of this genre i have heard (& owned) are ae-1 signatures; these are also among the most fabulously finished audio products of all time. yet another group appears to define "monitor" as any speaker with a small footprint. the best of this ilk i've auditioned recently is the avalon symbol, which can be placed in the near or far field effectively, depending on your listening enviroment's size and limitations. so, i'm still afloat in the sea of uncertainty. not sure what a "monitor" is. what'd you have in mind, rickeyjunior? -kelly |
The best? Try the Harbeth Monitor 40. I believe this is considered to be one of the best monitors available in the world at any price. Truth of timbre, neutral, and most importantly musical. I only wished I could afford to own them myself. I went with the Epos which was the best I could find for 1100.00. Now discountinued and replaced with what's supposed to be an identical version, but includes shielding for use in Audio/video systems, and the cabinets are now sourced oversees for a savings cost of about $300.00. Good listening and good luck! |
B&W Nautilus 801, 802, 803 |
Try the Voce Divina q.Millenio Soprano. (www.vocedivina.com). Beautiful finish and sound. Focal titanium tweeter, scanspeak woofer. Great soundstaging, pace and detail. |
The nOrh Marble 9 ($3000.00) followed closely by the Marble 7 ($2000.00). TNT Audio reviewed and called the Marble 9 the finest 2-way on the planet. |
I have used the merlin vsm se's the sonus faber electa amator 1's and am now listening to the JM Reynaud Offrandes. All really nice (I use quality tube gear ) The JM Reynauds are my favorite in my system. They are extremly musical and do what I think a great speaker should. They are priced reasonably for there quality at $4100/pr. They therefore get my vote. |
Choices, choices and still more choices. My vote for a really nice monitor (current model) would be the Coincident Triumph Signature - nice build, very easy to drive, maybe a little pricy by some standards but non-the-less a good buy IMHO. I also like the Platinum Audio "Solo" - super bass response for such a small speaker but can be harder to drive (85 dB spl if memory serves me right). I really like these alot and they can be found (rarely) used for around $750. |
From my experience, I recommend the Merlin VSM-SE. They're floor standing, but really nothing more than monitors with good bass response. |
