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Reference 3A or Mark & Daniel or...

Well it looks like the wife and I are finally gonna pull the trigger on downsizing, the kids are gone and a five bedroom colonial no longer fits the bill.  As a result it's not looking good for my Ohm Walsh 3's as they're just to big and bulky for our new condo.

I've been investigating smallish monitors and have narrowed (but not settled on) two brands, Mark & Daniel and Reference 3A.  What intrigues me most about these two is that they are considered to be dynamic and fairly full-range.  How they get there couldn't be more different, the 3A's running wide open with a "helper" tweeter with I believe just a single cap,  higher efficiency as a benefit.  The M & D's  on the other hand use their "Dreams" tweeter which is a descendant of the ESS unit to cross over at a very low 800 to 900 cycles depending on the model. with the M & D's being lower in efficiency in the 83-85db range. This shouldn't be an issue for me as I have a fairly powerful Onix MKII integrated amp that will pump about 160 watts out at 4ohms.  As far as models go it would either be the 3A DeCapo or Dulcet and with M&D the Ruby or Diamond.  Anyone with experience with either of these brands or models please feel free to chime in with your thoughts and experiences, thanks!


polarin
simao's avatar
simao
1,820 posts
 
I loved my de Capo BE's for about three years until we moved to a bigger space. I replaced them with AZ Adagios. However, I really didn't have to; the de Capos throw a HUGE soundstage and they resolve in a way that's detailed without being clinical. The Adagios, being bigger speakers, had a bit more presence, but that's about the only advantage.

The de Capos are simply one of the best monitors out there.
rebbi
1,326 posts
 
The De Capo's are very special. I moved on when I switched to a low power SET amp but have fond memories of those speakers. The Dulcets, by the way, are cut from the same cloth. 
Here's my Audio Asylum review of the De Capo's with a BE tweeter:

http://www.audioasylum.com/reviews/Speakers/Reference-3A/MM-de-Capo-i/speakers/33/336140.html 
polarin OP
73 posts
 
Been busy and hadn't looked at this thread in awhile... Anyway, while I still haven't settled on anything yet, I've added the Duevel Planets to my short list.  They seem like they'd have a fairly close presentation to my Ohm's but with a much smaller (and attractive) footprint.  I've read several positive reviews on them which is promising so we'll see.  I'd consider the newer and smaller Ohm's but they're just kinda fugly to me so we'll see, thanks to all who have commented.  I might add that I'll likely pick up some used DeCapo's for my bonus room upstairs...
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
Duevel Planets? Haven't thought about those since they were first released. The design intrigues me (surprise .. I like omni's) but I never had a chance to hear them, or rather, I never took a chance on purchasing them to audition. I hope you'll share your impressions if they make their way to your listening space. Thanks polarin.
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