Best stand mounted monitors


I need your help please as I'm replacing my floor standing KEF Ref. Series 104/2 speakers with stand mounted monitors and probably a subwoofer due to the wife-acceptance-factor. I'm looking for comments from people who have listened to and hopefully compared the following monitor speakers that I'm considering:
(1) REFERENCE 3A - MM Decapo i
(2) PROAC - Response One SC or Tablette Ref. 8 Signature
(3) VON SCHWEIKERT - VR-1
(4) REVEL - M20 or the new M22 due out Q1 '04
(5) ATC - SCM 10-2 or SCM 20-2 either active or passive.

Other things you need to consider before offering your advice:
--> I will be replacing a very old Sherwood receiver with a new tube preamp and either tube or SS amp. I'll get the speakers first and then match the amp to it.
--> my room is about 4,800 cubic ft (40*15*8) and is average "aliveness" so having a higher sensitive speaker (e.g. >89dB) is desirable as it'll will mean less power required. I listen mostly to jazz with some R&B and classical.
--> budget is around US$2K-$3K (new retail price)
--> Id like to buy a REL subwoofer to match (e.g. Stadium II or III)

Many thanks.
kevinzoe
Well, the Usher x719 is the real deal. Slighty big for a monitor but beautiful. Sound is amazing for any price.

When you listen you do not think you paid 1000 for these speakers. You just hear music.....the bass response is deep and juicy even with a NAD integrated amp!

They are high resolution even compared to my ProAc's, jazz and classical sound amazing. I have never heard anything this good in my system. ProAc's have been my ref for years....now they may take a back seat to these Ushers. I want to hear the Dancer series next.
Hi Kevin,

Any of the ones you've listed sound great - my favourite of your choices would be to go with the Ref 3As. That said, I could happily live with any of them. All have their strengths - in the end, it just depends on the sound your looking that's most appealing to you.

In addition to all the great suggestions, some others that come to mind that fall within you budget:

Focus Audio FS-688 or FS68E;
Mark and Daniel - any of the bookshelf series;
Aurum Cantus V2M or V3M (export series);
AAD PMM1;
Zu Tone;
ACI Sapphires.

Good hunting,
Garry