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***Advice Needed***Choosing Between Mini & Midi Monitors

Downsized/up grade amp ordered I need to make a decision & order speakers.Current room size is roughly 12’x14’x8’ but that will probably get even smaller next year so this IS a factor in my decision.
Amp will be 25wpc.tube & music styles include classic rock,acoustic/electric blues,reggae,smooth jazz,baroque & chamber at low to moderate levels with an occasional cobweb clearing session now & then...Room is treated & really lets speakers do their thing without much interaction..
Current speakers are Dali Zensor 1’s & I REALLY love the physical size but they could use a touch deeper bass & better resolution.I don’t want to add a sub because this system needs to play as big as possible but have a SMALL form factor.With the current room my choice of speakers has come down to either the Focal Aria 906 or something from the Dynaudio Focus/Excite lines(160’s,140’s or X16/14),all of which I consider Midi Monitors as they are fairly large for stand mounted speakers.Choosing any of these speakers will no doubt give me a wonderfully balanced sound with bass that should be just right in my current room.The problem in my mind is if the room size does shrink next year they will be hard to keep balanced in the bass & I’ll be stuck trying to sell & replace them,not to mention they would be moving to a desktop/dresser top environment were their physical size would not work.
The other option is a mini size monitor like the PMC DB1i/DB1Gold or smaller Dynaudio Focus/Excite like the 110’s or X12’s.These speakers all have a reputation for playing bigger than they are but that is in small rooms & I worry they might sound lite in the bass(as the Zensor 1’s do) in the current room.
So what to do?Get the midi size monitors,have killer sound for a year or so & then deal with downsizing AGAIN(which I REALLY would like to avoid) or go with a true mini monitor & live with less bass impact  in the current room but easily transition to a smaller space were they would be juuusssttt right?
freediver
uncledemp
779 posts
 
I enjoy my Silverline Minuets. They are the smallest speakers I've  owned. Got them in a trade. To me they sound 'right' and I listen to music longer than before in my bedroom.

I used them in my main setup a bit and liked them, too. I started using a sub that I already owned, but I used them for months with no sub and really enjoyed them. 

Mine are the originals, I expect the newer ones to sound as good or better. Of course, only my opinion.

May give them a listen if you can.

Regards-
gary

uncledemp
779 posts
 
Sorry for the late post... I hope you like your new setup.
whipsaw
759 posts
 
I don’t know what your budget is, but if it isn’t limited, the Harbeth P3ESR might be the perfect choice. Used in smaller rooms, the bass is excellent, and for the types of music you listen to, I doubt that you could do better.
smittyjs
33 posts
 
" I don’t want to add a sub because this system needs to play as big as possible but have a SMALL form factor."

So why not get a small sub. A sub will far outperform any speaker you're considering in bass extension and output. And you like your current speakers, so you get to keep them. One of my requirements is an unobtrusive sub. I have two Paradigm Seismic 110 in my main system. And two Sunfire True Super Jr (9" square) in another. No one even notices them. You don't need a subsonic sub for music, even though the Seismics are plenty powerful enough for movies. Heck, I've got a Velodyne MicroVee (another 9" box) in my bedroom and that's powerful enough for me. It's tiny. Goes well into the mid-30Hz +/3 range. The other advantage is you get to place them in an optimum position for your MLP. 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,702 posts
 
I'd also look at the AudioNote UK speakers they can be very nice and they have an assortment of stand mounts that do lower frequency's
 well. also as they are designed to be corner or wall positioned
 you can get more floor space using them as they do not need to be in the middle of the room to sound great. Look at the AN line they are fantastic speakers. AN-K,AN-J And the AN-E's E's may be a little big though. also they are all over 90db mostly in the 94db range and up so the 25wc will be great.
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