Best high end monitors?

Anyone else try Usher Tiny Dancers (BE-718)? Great reviews but (and this sounds kinda snobby), they aren't very expensive.

I'm very drawn to trying the Focal Micro BE's (as Rello mentioned) but I have bi-wire and this makes it a pain (as it is with the Electra 1007 BE's I'm currently using) because I switch speakers when watching theater.

When I was auditioning floorstanders, I tried the Dynaudio C2 and they sounded like bookshelf speakers to me at the time (bass was anemic) but I'm guessing the C1 would be a good contender.

Lots of suggestions for brands I don't recognize - I have some research to do!

Thanks to all.

Madfloyd,

If you are Mad about Floyd as in Pink FLoyd then do try to hear some ATC's.
David Gilmour uses them in Astoria (Pink Floyd's studio in London) as does their
engineer, James Guthrie, Das Boot Studio. Their stuff has been mastered by
Doug Sax, who has ATC's in his "Mastering Lab". Amused to Death
was done on Roger Water's ATC's in his home studio and also mastered by Doug
Sax. If you think Floyd make good quality recordings then ATC might be well
worth an audition -the passive 20's or newer 19's are a sealed box, which
should work well for near wall placement and they can fully exploit your hefty
power amp.

Here's another speaker for your consideration:

Green Mountain Audio Eos or Eos HD.

I have not heard the Eos or Eos HD, but I own the GMA Callisos and Roy Johnson (GMA founder and designer) says they best the Callisto in every way. While I find that a tall claim (as I think the Callistos are absolutely genius) I have read from some who have upgraded from the Callistos to the Eos and Eos HD who back up Roy's claim.

I would also recommend a pair of small REL subs. Run the speaker level tapped off of the speaker binding posts on the back of your speaker, and cross them over around 35 Hz (begin with 70% of the -3 dB low-end output of your speaker of choice). Physically move your speakers around for best imaging, then physically move the subs, adjust the output, and adjust the phase for smoothest low-end integration and overall impact.

I have a small, challenging room (see my system). While I love REL subs, I personally went with something less expensive that still had speaker level inputs, phase control, and a variable crossover down to 30 Hz - a pair of Martin Logan Dynamo subs.

I would say that I mostly listen to rock (Tool to My Chemical Romance to Band of Horses to The National to Iron & Wine) as well, with some things like Dead Can Dance, Michael Hedges, Enya, etc. thrown in. My system responds very well to each of these genres.

Thanks, Shadorne. Indeed I am a huge PF fan.

Floyd,

Before you do anything else, I'd add a (pair of) Bass Buster(s) or equivalent
product from another brand like ATC. The manufacturer can advise as to the
quantity and placement of these $350-$450 units for your room. My current
room was a giant, relentless pain in the ass until I added 2 of these and Voila!
massive improvement. Stereophile did a piece on this type of device and it's
in their on-line archive. Do yourself a favor and check it out. I was
sufficiently impressed that I put another one behind my piano!

Marty.

PS - I'd toss Ohm (probably 100s or Sat 100s) in the ring as a main to
consider for use with the subs. The 100s are $1800 in basic black and very
good sounding loudspeakers which (possibly by virtue of their omni radiating
pattern) mate amazingly well with subs. They're sold factory direct with a
money-back policy for the unimpressed.

PPS You might also want to check out the Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller
which at app $500-$600 offers a very flexible low pass, fixed high pass, PEq,
and room analysis for any brand of sub you choose. BTW, before you choose
a sub, note that A-gon members Bob Reynolds, Drew Ekhard (?) and Shadome
are great resources with extensive knowledge on the subject.