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My M20s were humbled

Well, this weekend I got to listen, quite extensively to the new JMlab Micro Utopias. As much as I love my M20s the wind has come out of my sails. I compared (M20s) them to most of the other monitors out there, before and, even, after, my Revel purchase. Never looked back; until now. Yeah, they cost 3x as much: $5700-ouch! No they're not 3x better, but the Micro Utopias are in a class all to themselves, for my ears. This is one killer monitor. Beautiful bottom to top. Midrange, highs (ooh la la) and sweeping deep soundstage to die for. Everything. Still needs a sub, but what monitor doesn't. I'm really quite excited by this ear popping, tympanic tittalating audition. Now, where am I circumlocuting to?--Harmonic Precision Caravelles. Got my order in for a pair of these babies, and now I'm more excited than ever. Why is that? Reliable ears have indicated to me, (quite humbly), that I will do better, for a fair comparison, to compare these new Caravelles to speakers a notch or two higher than the Micro Utopias. I'll keep you guys posted when the deed is done. Also: no subwoofer needed. Monitor speakers that don't require a sub? This is exciting stuff. Probably another month before this happens. Can't talk from experience, now. Just literal hear say. But good hear say.
peace, warren
P.S. You can get more specs on the Caravelles from their website.
128x128warrenh
sean
6,231 posts
 
Other than reduced baffle area, what advantage does using a smaller stand mounted speaker give you over a larger floor stander with greater bass potential ? If they both take up the same appr amount of floor space and the monitor and stands cost as much or more, why would anyone want to throw away the bottom end extension that a full sized cabinet offers ? This is NOT meant to attack anyone, but is a legit question. Sean
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calanctus
151 posts
 
Sean: various authorities including J Gordon Holt say that optimum bass response and optimum soundstage/imaging usually require different positions in the room. Having the mid and treble drivers on a monitor allows you to position them for the best stage, and having the sub in a separate box allows you to position it for the best bass, at least according to this theory.
snickelfritz
42 posts
 
The smaller cabinet is stiffer and less prone to lower midrange resonances.
theaudiotweak
2,795 posts
 
Caravelle prototype I heard many months ago was the most tonally intergrated speaker I had ever heard.. Must have to do with that series crossover? Much texture, bass down to 40hz. or so, with impact and weight..Would play Loud and remain dynamically coherent..Tom
sean
6,231 posts
 
Calanctus: I agree with your comments. Then again, if one is using a monitor or smaller speaker on a stand without additional bass reinforcement, that in itself is more of a sacrifice to me. After all, you can't have efficiency, extension and spl in a small box. Sean
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