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MiniMonitor 33lbs w/realistic vocals,not bright.

I listen to popular music (50's to now) and want mini-monitors (bedroom-corner system, not desktop, sitting 5-6 feet away). My goals are
[1]silky but realistic, rounded vocals that have detail and are palpable with details and character;
[2]bass control;
[3]limited piercing brash highs that make me wince.

I have a good tubed headphone amp/preamp in this space (it's now a headphone system) so active speakers are fine, but passives with a small amp could work too. So what would be a good speaker or speaker/amp combo?

My 1st try was active Quad 12Ls (because I love my Quad 9Ls on my computer), and I kind of like them but I'm looking for that does the silky-midrange-vocal + sweet-highs thing.

My source in an EMM cd player.

(If you have thoughts on getting what I want out of the Quad 12Ls, that would be fine too.)
rgs92
martykl
3,578 posts
 
The Ref 3a di Capo is a slightly larger box, but tonally it barks right up the tree you describe. OTOH, while I happen to like the Tablette quite a bit, I wouldn't put it in the more "polite" (Shadorne's apt word) tonal space you seem to seek.

Marty
daber_audio
28 posts
 
Rgs92 - I know the size may be a concern, but I've got two dealers on here with Monitor 3s for sale right now.
rgs92 OP
974 posts
 
Yep, others have steered me to the 1SC (ProAc).
I need to look at an amp too I guess.
You would think with everybody into computer music these days there would be a higher presence of high end active speakers beyond ATC, Quad and PMC and some Swans. I think that's why the little active Quads have so much media attention & reviews, as they don't have much competition.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Jean Marie Reynaud Bliss or Bliss Silver. All of JMR's speakers are known for their silky smoothness and delicate highs. They have all the detail one could want, but not in a forward or aggressive way. They excel with tubes. StereoTimes review. Check out reviews of their other models since the overall sound is consistent across the entire line.

Even a used set of JMR Twins mkII would do the trick.
celtic66
1,674 posts
 
Sequerra MET 8.
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