Best monitor for female vocals?


Live 5 hours from anything you'd consider an audio store. I can only audition gear in my business travels and need your help in narrowing the field. Looking for a monitor that excels in vocals, particularly female focals. Listen to blues, folk, jazz, standards at moderate levels with the occassional "crank it up" mood. To be used strictly for 2 channel audio now, maybe multi-channel audio in the future. Room is 16W X 28L X 8H. Listening position about 12' from where speakers will be on the short wall.

Willing to suplement bass with Velodyne DD-series sub if necessary. Will be buying new amp/pre or integrated amp for this 2 channel system, so current electronics not an issue. The only speakers I've auditioned so far that I'd buying are Harbeth Super HL5s. What others should I consider?

Budget of $2,500-3,000.(used)for 9/10 Audiogon condition. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
northwoods_maine
If you can live with their limitations, the old Quad (eg 57) is breathtaking.
Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors, Reference 3A, or Zu Tones. If you don't mind a floorstander that won't take up any more floor space than a monitor on good stands, then just make it easy and buy a new pair of Zu Druids and wait for them to break in.

Most subwoofers are tone-deaf and slow. With any of these, the Zu Method or Mini-Method sub is toneful, tuneful, accurate, and lightning-quick.

Phil
I agree with Bignerd -- the Spendors really are very difficult to beat in this regard. They have a knack for reproducing the whole voice in a way many other speakers can't quite seem to do.