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"Best" mini-monitor?

I have a relatively small listening room (12x10) and have always owned mini-monitors.  Currently I have proac tablette anniversaries, but have had the original 15 ohm rogers ls3/5a, proac response 1, KEF, and reference 3a through out the years.  As you can see, these are all moderate priced speakers, having never spent more than 3k on any pair.  I am now in a position to spend a bit more money, certainly 5k, and maybe up to 10k.  So what out there should I be listening to?  I am in the Chicago area, so I would love something that I can listen to at a local (Midwest) dealer, but I do travel a lot and have auditioned/purchased things across the country from time to time.  New or used, does not matter to me.

as you can probably guess, I really don't care much about deep base, but live for soundstage and warm midrange, listening to a lot of female vocalists, acoustic rock/jazz/blues, and light (non full orchestra) classical.  

With my musical tastes, I have always loved el34 tube amps.  I currently have the prima Luna hp premium, which has 4 el34 per channel, giving me in the 70 wpc range, more than enough for a small room.  I am running naim digital source material (no bad remarks from the analog folks... I know I have have traded off).

so, what should I spend time auditioning?  I have used "best" in quotes because of the 10k price limit, but I suspect there are many more candidates below 10k than above it.

thanks.

Bill


meiatflask
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,658 posts
 

the smaller AudioNote UK speakers are very good as well and because they are made to be corner loaded they can allow a better integration into your smaller room.

 I've owned ProAc tablet 50's and they do some wonderful things so don't sell them or you may regret it later. 

 I've owned the AudioNote AN-E's they are the largest stand mounted speakers they build but they have  others in smaller sizes, and they do base quite well, I'd suggest the AN-k's or AN-J. they are also quite efficient and Tube amp friendly.

Very musical speakers that you wont miss anything from the Proac's and you will get a more refined sound, more detailed, and more base (not bloated but fast).

willgolf
936 posts
 
They are not mini monitors but I have a pair of Wilson Audio Duette 2's for sale on Audiogon that would make that room sing.  I had them powered to a Raven Tube Amp.  
reubent
6,975 posts
 
Two of the better small monitors I've ever hear were the Ridge Street Audio Sasons and the JM Labs Focal Micro Utopia BE. Heard them both in the same system, driven by a vintage 100 W/channel ARC tube amp. Very good stuff. The Sasons are exceedingly rare, a little large, and require the dedicated stands. The Micro Utopias are also very good, but not as good as the Sasons..... 
rello
311 posts
 
I am also constrained by a small room.  I have had the Micro Utopia BE.  It is a nice speaker but I did not feel they were very coherent in the small space.  I felt like I was listening to the tweeter.  I have had the Wilson Benesch ARCs and they great.  Easy to get in a small space.  I do see a pair of WB Trinitys on AGON now in your budget  which is like the ARC plus a super tweeter .  My current speaker , which I have had since 2012, is the Vivid Audio V1.5.  Awesome speaker which would be in your range used and your amp would drive them.  Both the WB and the Vivid are great choices. Both would not require additional cost for stands. 
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,826 posts
 
Also not a mini but take a look at the Clearwave Duet 6 monitors.
I've had them for over a year now and they continue to amaze.
They're located in Rochester, NY if you're ever in the area.

All the best,
Nonoise
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