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Small monitors/bookshelves for classical music

I currently own KEF iQ5 floorstanding speakers and ROTEL RB980BX Power Amp. I listen to classical music(Bach, Mahler, Wagner, etc). Though KEF iQ5 lacks deep bass, I am completely fine with that when listening to classical music.

I am seeking to buy a pair of new/used monitors/bookshelf speakers. I want a truly "bookshelf" speaker which can be put on a desk or even a bookshelf. I will not put them on stands. Neither will I pair them with a subwoofer. But I will pair them with this ROTEL RB980BX. ROTEL RB980BX is very powerful, 120W/ch. I can spend below $600.

After doing multiple painful searches online and on this forum, I have several potential speakers/monitors in mind.
PSB Alpha B1
B&W 686 or 685
Paradigm Mini
hl10027
hl10027 OP
13 posts
 
Thank you all for recommending so many options to me.
I see several major options:

Von Schweikert VR-1
KEF 103.2
Rega RS1
Silverline Minuet Supreme

I would like to know which is better in dynamic range.
Dynamic range is quite important to me for my symphonic music listening.
hesson11
237 posts
 
You folks recommending the Rega RS-1s, how do they do on violins? I'm wondering if they avoid the stridency and shrillness that seem to plague so many speakers. Thanks.

(I hope this is a clarification for the OP and not a hijacking!)
-Bob
hl10027 OP
13 posts
 
Hesson11, welcome. So many recommended Rega RS1 but it seems that not many are actually owning them.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
I hear no stridency or shrillness with my RS-1's, for violin or any other kind of music to which I listen. And I listen to a very wide variety of music genres.
manoterror
216 posts
 
I will second the Mirage OMD-5s. I use these in several different systems, and they are truly wonderful speakers. They sound especially good when running with hybrid amps. Tube pre/solid amp. In addition, if you give them a bit of room they are really impressive. I run them 2.5' from the back and side walls, and the soundstage is remarkable. If only I had that space for my OMD-28s. :-D

I've been trying to find monitors that will replace these, and haven't found anything I like better. Got them at vanns for $160 each.
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