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Can a monitor sound like a floorstander??

Don't know if I should put on a flame suit before I ask such a question..but is there? Classical music is my preference and I'm currently using Focus Audio FS688 monitors- they're very good at what they do--obviously better for chamber music than orchestral. I've heard that the Harbeth monitor 40's are great, but they are about the size of a floorstader. Can one get full sounding classical music through a speaker like Sonus Faber Guarneri, Dynaudio C1, or is a floorstander really the only way to go with classical music. I can really only bring my speakers out @ 3feet from the wall. My equipment is:
Ayre V-5xe
BAT VK51-SE
Ayre C-5xe
Running Springs Jaco power conditioner

Thank for your help and suggestions!


classical1
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Provided you have a stout amp to drive them, the Totem Mani 2s can get quite close to floorstander performance if you close your eyes and listen, at least that's what I heard a few years ago in a shop in Montreal. They were driven by a cj solid state amp.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
There are huge trade offs between good floor standers and good monitors. Many of the attributes of monitors are not available is three way, or multi driver floor standing speakers. Deep bass requires sacrifices in other areas, or spending a LOT of money.
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Since you listen to classical (as I -- I also judge equip by it), and to paraphrase Nrchy you need a LOT of money (fullstop) to get the full orchestral spectrum fm one pair of spkrs.
Alternatively, you can biamp using two pairs: the monitors & subwoofs.
Of the spkrs you mention I only know the Guarneri; they play fine -- but the sound benefits when they're partnered with a subwoof, preferably two. I.e., you hear cellos rather than suspect cellos.
The SF Extrema are better, btw.
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