best sounding small speakers

The original Red Rose monitor (the ribbon mounted above the cabinet with an oversized grill) is the most satisfying small speaker I've ever heard at any price. Very fine sound with ridiculous bass response for a speaker this size.

B&W 805 Signatures or Sonus Faber Extrema should be considered for Hall of Fame status.

Harbeth's - I have owned monitors from B&W, Merlin, Tyler Acoustics, Dynaudio, and other large and much more expensive full range speakers the Harbeths sound like music. I own the SL5's and their other models have a simular sound. Harbeths are the type of speaker that you can listen to for hours with no fatigue. They also sound great at low listening levels.