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smaller speaker suggestions

As many of you know one of the keys to a happy marriage is having the ability to say "yes dear".
I've been "asked" to downsize the size of speakers from the current Spendor SP1/2's (24t x 12w x 12d) to ?
The room is 13 feet wide by 16 feet.
Amp: Musical Fidelity A308cr with a Audio Research LS15 pre.
Musical taste - very eclectic (no head banging/rap/opera)
Speaker attribute - along the lines of the Spendor which I feel is best described as "musical".
Limited to a spacing of no more than two feet off the wall.
Speakers will reside on the narrow wall.
Now I realize it will be my ears that are the deciding factor as to what is purchased however I'd like some suggestions from those out in cyberspace that have already gone through the trials and tribulations of choosing a smaller speaker.
3k a pair is the upper spending limit.
Thanks in advance for any and all insightful responses.
128x128hbarrel
bryhifi's avatar
bryhifi
374 posts
 
I will recommend the Consonance Eric-1 monitor. It has the ability to involve you in the music and not draw attention to electronics. I've never been a monitor fan per-say but the Eric-1 is absolutely amazing. I've been listening to monitors ranging up to 3K and have decided to go with these on sheer toe-tapping, grinning, melt into the music sound. Great extensions at either end.

The real kicker is their price! For right around a $1000 you get great sound wth lots of money left over for quality stands and more music.
drseid
201 posts
 
I agree with the Eric-1 recommendation. They are my favorite mini-monitors at 1K or less... The looks may not be to everyone's taste, but sound-wise they are phenominal.

Even better IMO (but over 1 and a half times the price) are the Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference Monitors as $1.6K/pr. new.

I think either one of these choices would fit the bill nicely depending on your tastes...

---Dave
classical1
168 posts
 
I've mentioned this before, but if possible I would try to hear the Focus Audio FS688. The burr oak finish is stunning-they are small and one reviewer picked them as the best monitor at any price. (I realize that is totally subjective) but at @ 3K they are in your price range. In my opinion the only downside might be that there are not a lot of dealers in the U.S. and they are 85db, but your amp which I believe is 250wpc should be a nice fit. You don't see them for resale so would probably have to purchase new.
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel OP
342 posts
 
An update.
My previous system has all been sold. (except CD player)
The Spendor 1/2E's (great speakers) are sadly gone, the amp and preamp both have new homes. (Can't go wrong with an Audio Research LS-15)
A Blue Circle NSCS integrated amplifier is on order. And I found the perfect speakers.
The speakers require no stands or spikes and are only 26" tall.
They acheived my goals' of sounding excellent, fitting the room, being aesthetically acceptable and don't bring attention to themselves but rather hightlight the system as a whole.
I say this after hearing the speakers on a vintage 1970's Denon PMA-770 integrated amp I drug up up from my father's basement and while using vintage seventies lamp cord for speaker wires.
I realize the speakers are not for everyone, (I've never seen a set for sale on Audiogon) but they are the speakers for me.
Shahinian Arc's.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
Thanks for the update, Hbarrel. It's great to hear about lesser-known units, and I'm glad these suit you. If I ever get a chance to hear the Arcs, I'll be sure to take it.
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