Would the Kharmas sound better than the Bose? If the answer is yes, you just validated my point.
That isn't much of a point. Since you seem to need a translation: Just like listening in a bathroom, listening in a bedroom, at low volumes, to ambient music, while laying down, with the speakers six inches from the wall, all implies some serious compromises to how much of the performance you are paying for is actually something you will be able to appreciate. Given those considerations, it is my opinion that there are plenty of great monitors that folks have mentioned above that are well below the $2k mark, that I seriously doubt that you, the poster, or anyone else would consistently pick out while listening to Enya reclining in a bed at low volumes, as being inferior to, for instance, your B&W 805s or any $2k monitor.
The speakers have to have presence at low volumes. In fact, they only need to play at low volumes.
This person is looking for speakers that they will be playing only at low levels while nodding off in bed listening to ambient music. At typical lower volumes human ears are not capable of hearing low frequencies of sub 50hz. Want proof? Get a test tone (pink noise) generator, or a CD such as Sterophiles Test CD series. Set your system up at the low-volume level you're likely to be listening at in bed using some music you like (my guess would that would make for 60db peaks or lower perhaps). Cue up a 50hz test tone and see if you can hear it (or feel it for that matter). I truly doubt it. If you are only going to be listening at lower levels, bass doesn't really come into the equation (unless you are adding some form of equalization or emphasis with a subwoofer). A single-driver alternative like the Cain&Cain Abby may be worth consideration, though it is not a monitor. Single driver speakers, when done right, have remarkable low-volume presence. You'd need to pay careful attention to the balance of the system you pair them with. Used Abby's are around $900-1200.
Marco
