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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
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,222 posts
 
Good point, Sean.

Oz
audiokicks45ee
20 posts
 
Give me a break guys, read the initial post!

I like to keep my responses in line with the initial A'gon member that is kindly asking for help. I submit the following two items taken from the initial thread that should explain why suggestions about the need for additional amplification would be a waste of money:

Item number one: ''...Classical music is my preference''. we are not talking disco or heavy metal here.

Item number two: ''...My equipment is:
Ayre V-5xe
BAT VK51-SE
Ayre C-5xe
Running Springs Jaco power conditioner

Now, don't you think 150 very potent and quality watts per side is adequate for most mortal floorstanders ! Are you guys working in a hi-fi shop? Sounds like it sometimes...

Secondly, I never said that monitor-sub combinations would not work, they sure do, with time to fiddle around, and money if invested wisely. (again, read a previous post by me on this).

Sorry if I am offending anyone, but I like to keep things on topic.
gregm
3,409 posts
 
Audiokicks, I for one believe you ARE on topic. However, the integration and other scary issues you referred to are less problematic than you present.
Also, the smaller ("monitor" size) spkr will perform nicely in classical music and for reasonable outlay and cover ~70-90% of the spectrum. So, adding subwoof(s) crossed ~80-90Hz can complete the system famously.

The 150 quality + robust watts you refer to give maxi ~21db headroom -- less if you have to move big or many woofs, so really Ozzy & Seandtailor do have a point:)

Finally, I'll contend (again) that full-range passive spkrs capable of playing classical well (NOT outstanding, just well) are outrageously expensive.

Cheers
snake64
10 posts
 
If 30 Hz/0 Db is enough you could considder the J.M.Reynaud Offrande.
Very very good!
http://www.jm-reynaud.com/jmr_us/offrande.html
goatwuss
877 posts
 
No, a monitor cannot sound like a floorstander, no matter how high quality.

Dynaudio C1, Guarnaris, ATC, Verity Parsifal Monitor, whatever it is, even when you add a SOTA Sub like a Velodyne DD, will NEVER sound like a Watt Puppy, A Utopia, a big kharma, a big VS, etc.

If you need a full midrange, big scale dynamics in the lower midrange and bass, ability to play loud in large rooms, etc, there is NO EXCEPTION - You need a large speaker. Physics are physics
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