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Which Monitor Speakers to Consider

Hello everyone, I’m finally going to demo some speakers to start my stereo/HT system build. It’s not like going to Best Buy for sure, and I feeling very excited but more anxious as I hope to be able to give useful feedback during the audition. I’ve finally narrowed it down to monitor speakers and perhaps adding a center and using my current Kef subwoofer if bass is needed. My question is given a budget of 10K and perhaps stretching it to 15K, which monitors would you suggest. I enjoy a variety of music from Jazz to blues, rock, indie, R&B and some classical not the grand stuff, just the Yo Yo Ma Bach variety. Based on reviews and local availability I’m leaning towards the SF Evolution, Kef R1, Focal Sopra1, Dali Epicon 2, Dynaudio C1, Wilson Benesch Vertex. As a side note, I need the speakers to have a certain aesthetics so the Harbeths, Nola and Wilson Audio are not contenders. Many thanks.
128x128redphu72
rja's avatar
rja
2,371 posts
 
I haven't heard these but may be worth exploring, Dynaudio Special 40.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,892 posts
 
I'm considering a new monitor or even going back to a medium sized floorstander for the same reasons @audiotroy stated. There's a high end dealer in my area and I've been to his place many a time and he's always been a Dali dealer, among other brands, and every single time I've been there and heard a Dali, it was always very musical. Musical to the point where critical examination went to the wayside. He's been to my place a few times and always told me that Dali would work in my room.

I think I may have talked myself into looking at Dali. 🤔
Make sure to listen before you buy!

All the best,
Nonoise
redphu72's avatar
redphu72 OP
78 posts
 
Thanks everyone for your input esp auditroy for the detailed breakdown; you've made some great points.  I'd like to here from those who have had a chance to listen to Kef vs SF.  Is it worth the difference in cost. 
mofojo
2,304 posts
 
The KEF reference stuff I feel is heavily into the analytical and detailed camp.  Very fast speaker. Still musical but if you play sub par recordings you are gonna know it. Tonally spot on and good impact. I like them very much. 
I haven't heard the Evolution but every Sonus Faber I have heard is definitely on the warm side and not at all in the top tier when it comes to dynamics and speed. Slightly Romantic may be a good descriptor. Not crazy about them but I would think they may be perfect for the right person. Again I could be way off base since I have not heard the Evolution. 
Spending that kind of money for a monitor you definitely need to demo. I would think the person who really likes what the KEF does would not think too much of the Sonus Faber and vice versa. 
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
+1 mofojo - great description and accurate too
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