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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
analogtroll
44 posts
 
Have you listened to the GamuT L3? I found it to be an amazing speaker that can handle anything you throw at it.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I have never, ever heard a monitor that truly produces deep bass, and with a two way monitor you'd either need huge excursion in the LF driver, which would wreck the midrange, or a large diameter LF driver, which would have to then be crossed at a lower frequency with the HF driver.

Nrchy may be correct that it can be done for a price, but I myself wonder if it can be done at all.

Many monitors are advertised to "not require a subwoofer", but no monitor I've heard will really reproduce full scale orchestral music with any authority.

I think you either need to trade to floorstanders, or consider adding a subwoofer. I have a REL strata which blends very nicely with my GMA Europa monitors, though I think for a customer in the US the Velodyne DD series that auto-adjust to the room response may be the better answer.

If at all possible I would try to get a demo of a good quality subwoofer, because they can be blended very well, and are much more capable than many detractors claim. A home demo would be the best as it's quite room and positioning dependant.

One caveat : the subwoofer itself may have to be positioned out into the room to avoid causing room resonances. If space or aesthetics preclude this option then you might have to learn to live without deep bass.
analogtroll
44 posts
 
I thought the question was can a monitor sound like a floorstander, not an extreme LF floorstander. You can get some very deep bass with the Gamut speakers.
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,212 posts
 
I think the Diapason Adamantes fits the descriptions,
they always sound big to me, they can play classical
with no problem,about 10 years ago,I almost choose them
over the Martin Logan Quest.I own one though.Thanks
classical1 OP
168 posts
 
Thank you.. I'll look at what's been suggested. I think I need to get more of a life. I enjoy the journey-even the research. Mdhoover, your summits are nice/as was your review. I'm also looking at the Merlin VSM-MM due to the small footprint. Any thoughts on the Harbeth Super HL5 maybe being the best of both worlds for classical...I like the 4k price but that 70's retro look might take some getting used to. Perhaps I need to go to the Harbeth Users Group and get a hug. Thanks again to all - I'm certainly open to advice. p.s. Nrchy, I hope you wear earplugs when you're on that nice bike :)
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