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Standmount speakers 4k-8k

On the lookout for standmount/bookshelf in the 4k-8k range. I've now got Monitor Audio GX-50 which are great for the price but I'm looking higher now. 
So far I've heard Aerial 5t, Totem Element Fire and Kef Reference one. The Kef's offer a huge sound, but are, hard to describe it, a bit grainy in tone. The Totem are sweeter, but a little dead sounding. The 5t were really quite good--fast, clear, lively. None of them had noticeably better bass than what I'm using now! so I'm still in the hunt. 
Very interested to know if anyone has heard the new Monitor Platinum II line, particularly the 100s, which are what I'm interested in. 
I'll be listening to some Focals soon, and Dynaudio. 
Any other tips? I need to get something fairly small, and very conventional looking (that's why not listening to BW D3). 

Thanks folks. 
rsg
128x128rsgottlieb
soundsrealaudio's avatar
soundsrealaudio
756 posts
 
40 miles from where?

bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
Wilson Benesch Arc - at original retail they were in your price range ($6500 new, I think) but pre-owned they can be easily had for $2500-3000.  They're the small monitors that cured my upgrade-itis.  They replaced a pair of Proac D2 which frankly aren't in the same ballpark, but they also cost $3K more than the Proac so not that surprising.   Alternatively, Wilson Benesch replaced the Arcs with the Vertex, which are a tiny bit warmer, less airy, but also harder to find used and when you do they're about $4K-5K. 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Regttlieb,
You are correct in that there are numerous excellent mini monitors and it's difficult to actually listen to them prior to purchase. For instance the Boenicke W 5 SE I recommend may be a relatively rare bird  (small European company) but it has excellent reviews, show reports and word of mouth reputation. It is considered to be a world class small speaker that is affordable. 
Good luck, 
Charles 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Yeah, I usually don't post in the speaker section because there are a million different opinions and a ton of manufacturers.  Speakers are really a very personal taste thing and it can become hard when you have 10 opinions on the "best speaker", lol.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Auxinput, 
Agree with you,  when a thread solicits opinion/recommendations the list can grow long in a hurry.  There's a lot of really fine speaker  choices available yet it's impractical to compare and listen to more than a chosen few in reality. With high quality  mini monitors the worthy contenders could easily number 10 to 15.
Charles 
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