Near Field listening

Concerning studio monitors - I got a laugh out of Lrsky's comments about studio monitors not being that good. I recall many engineers telling me that they liked the JBL 4311s because they sounded so bad that once you got the music sounding good on them, it would sound great anywhere else.

To the OP - Harbeth speakers work very well for nearfield sane-volume listening.

Harbeths have come up a couple of times. Which models are you speaking of? I ask because in his review of the Compact 7s, Sam Tellig said they, "didn't like to be positioned in the nearfield. give them at least 8' from your ears; anything nearer and the treble might be localized at the tweeters." Can anyone comment? Thanks.
-Bob

Cwlondon,
No, why do you ask?

Larry

Another consideration is Tekton Design speakers. They're very affordable and sound beautiful.
http://www.tektondesign.com/loudspeaker.html

I use Von Schweikert VR-1s in a small library and even have them on the bookcase (I know, I know). The soundstage is tall and wide and the instruments seem precisely placed on the stage. Wonderful midrange and bass to 50 Hz. I also use a small REL sub to go below that. Its a great combination. And, affordable.