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Good monitors used under $1000?

HI. I am using a small room, and need some downsizing options. My room is currently 14x16x9, and I listen to a variety of music-classic jazz, modern jazz, electronic ambient and trance, alternative rock, and classical. My front end consists of a Cal Audio Icon MKII CDP, C-J PV10A tube preamp, and B&K Ref 4420 (225wpc) amp. I need something that is great on vocals and strings, but doesn't give too much away on the bass, and doesn't sound horrible with less than perfect source material.

I have so far listened to the Paradigm Studio 20's and 40's, Sonic Faber Concertino (cheapest monitor) and Vandersteen 1C's. I liked all, but the Sonus Faber had great vocals and also sounded great on classical strings. The Vandersteens were more well-rounded, with better bass. The Paradigms sounded good, but they were in a different listening environment-they did have good bass response, at least the 40 V.2 did. I would also be open to other suggestions. I don't really want to spend over $1000 used, and may downsize my front end amp, if necessary (I doubt I need 200wpc to run a monitor).
dawgcatching
mauiaudioman
171 posts
 
You just described perfectly the Green Mountain Audio Europa which lists for the $1000.00 price new. Don't blow these off because of their low list price....they easily outperform a great number of speakers costing 2 or 3 times their price, including to these ears anyway, the Paradigm 40's as well as the Sonus Faber's at $1500/pair. Search the archives here for more info. Main strengths are best human voice I have personally heard anywhere close to their price and the ability to make bad recordings somehow pleasurable.
jfacker
85 posts
 
Third the Europas, they should work well with your amp and preamp combo. I'd keep the 200 watts, the current will bring out the best in them. If you're into trance, ambient, electronic, etc these are a good choice because the bass is tight and they are almost impossible to overload, as long as you keep the volume below Mt. St. Helens eruption level (and even then they'd probably be OK). I broke in a pair with Biosphere's "Cirque," which is mixed hot and has powerful transients and it gave them no problems whatsoever. They are ugly as sin, however, so if you're into furniture grade finish I'd advise you to look elsewhere.
dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
Thanks for the info so far. How do the Green Mountain's sound against, say the Von Schweikert VR-1? Also, would a smaller floor-standing speaker work as well as a monitor in my situation (probably 2-way, as 3-way may be too much for my small room). Why or why not go with the monitor?
mcreight
11 posts
 
Dunlavy sc-Ia or SC-IIa
jfacker
85 posts
 
Re: the Von Schweikerts, not sure, I've been wanting to audition those myself, but haven't gotten a chance. Heard nothing but good things about them, though. I find it hard to imagine they'd sound quite as clean as the GMAs because of the different materials used in construction, but I understand the tweeter is very sweet sounding, so that's a plus. And they're a LOT nicer to look at.

I'm doing the floor-standing two way thing myself now...I've vacillated a lot on the monitors versus floorstanding issue. No question, though, a high quality monitor on top of a high quality, acoustically dead stand with sharp spikes all around will mop the floor with the floorstander in terms of imaging. It's more of a pain in the ass to deal with two pieces per side, and bass extension can be an issue, but on the other hand there's less cabinet to resonate. Tough call. I do miss my Osiris stands. If you can get your hands on a pair of these, you're done as far as stands go...
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