Monitors for a small room - please help


I've begun the difficult task of finding a new set of speakers and an amp for my now-smaller listening room. I prefer smooth, warm, musical speakers over a dry, analytical sound. Detail is always good, but I don't like detail that sounds forced or unnatural. Musicality is important, and so is timbre and musical texture.

So given those facts, what pair of monitors can you suggest that will fit my tastes and a small listening room?

Thanks
jwglista
I have a room that is almost the exact same size as yours and have just recently bought a pair of GMA Callisto speakers that are working out great. They are easy to drive and are very musical and non fatiguing to listen to. I would highly recommend that you check them out. There are a few in the for sale section that I feel are great bargains.

I'm not sure what type of music you prefer but there has not been any genre that I have thrown at my new speakers that didn't sound awesome! Rock, Electronic, and Reggae (which is rarely recorded in audiophile quality). My Jazz, and world music albums sound terrific too!

The Callistos offer a great balance of warmth and detail that really make my toes tap and puts a smile on my face. For me that's what speakers should do.

Good luck on your hunt!
I would go with either the PSB Image B6 ($500/pr) plus a $1500 integrated amp, or the PSB Imagine B ($1K/pr) plus a $1000 integrated amp.

Or if you also need cables and stands in that $2K budget, get the Image B6's and an $800-1K amp to leave $500 for stands and cables.

PSBs punch way above their price range. Several of their speakers regularly show up in the Stereophile Recommended Components and the Abso!ute Sound Editors Choice issues, usually more than any other single speaker manufacturer.

Most important, they have the kind of sound you're looking for--natural tonal balance, nicely balanced between detail and the body of the sound, very transparent lifelike midrange, but not forward or tipped up at all. Also, good bass extension and fullness for their cabinet sizes without hyping the bass excessively at 100 Hz.

Comprehensive review of the Image B6 here and of the Imagine B here. Especially check out how linear the response is (and how well controlled the bass is) on the Imagine B.
The seller o the SF Toy's also has a REL T2 sub for sale for $400. I own a T2. This is a very fast and musical sub that would make the Toy's very competitive with larger systems. You have many options but I think this is worth considering.
I know you specified monitors, but I'll add Totem Arros to the list. They are meant to be placed in corners. I was amazed by their performance given their small size. They come up regularly for $700.00.
i would 3rd 4th,and 5th the Totem Arro's,dont rule out a small flooorstander,my other choices are:
monitors:
Usher S-520
Era D5
Swan M1b
Hsu hb1MkII
Gini Ls1/ls2
Definitive Tech Studio 350/450
Wharedale Diamond 10.2
Epos ESL 8
Kef IQ 300
SVS SBS-02
Arx 1

Small floorstander

Ohm Walsh Micro Tall
Mirage OS Stats
Definitive BP-8400
Wharfedale Diamond 10.4
Kef IQ500
Gini LS1 with bass stands
Arx 3
Swan Diva 4.2
Zu Audio Omen
SVS STS-02

and my Utimate choice the: Usher S-520 with the SW-520 bassstands it rivals much higher priced speakers $1170 plus fee shipping directly from Usher USA.