Golden Ear Triton7 spk: High-end or just mid -fi??

The Triton 7s aren't that much smaller than your Adagios, so you aren't really gaining (or giving up?) that much in relation to size.

I think you are better off with monitors in a room that small. the deCapos are a good choice, as well as offerings from Green Mountain Audio. Both are excellent designs offering stellar performance in small packages.

Shakey

To the three members who responded so far: Thank you for the solid and useful advice. I have considered the Golden Ear Aon2 or 3 monitors. I don't see much difference in bass specifications. The Aon 3 did get TAS Editor's award with a nod to Aon 2 as possibly having even more precise imaging due to its smaller size.

Unfortunately I don't have the room or the power for Maggies 1.7 or sub 3 system. I have a Rogue Sphinx integrated (100RMS) which is very good, and choose it over Rogue's CM because of money restraints

For the record, I play a lot of the same music as Kiko 65, plus other classic rock of 60's. like The Dead, Stones, Traffic, Yes, etc.

As well reviewed as the Aon 3 and 2, I don't want to give up a lot of detail. transparency, and especially musicality. So I may be drawn to the Totem Sig Is which I believe is more expensive used than $800; I have seem them at as high as $1500 on AG. However I read similar comments as KiKo many times on Audiogon. I never thought Totem's monitors had much bass. Plus, Reference DeCapo's Si are out there which seem to garner lots of praise

Another possibility is the new Dynaudio Excite 14, or much more expensive Dynaaudio 160....The latter looks very cool in white and white stands.... Anybody who has listened or or owns either one of the Dynaudios, please let me know your impressions of their sound quality.........Thanks again, Jim

Maggie 1.7s are more amp-friendly than you might think. I power mine with a 100wpc early '80s Perreaux PMF 1150B, which is rated 100wpc into 8 ohms, and probably makes close to 200 into the 1.7's 4-ohm load. The Sphinx isn't too far behind that at 100/155 into 8/4 ohms.

BUT, instead of occupying a 12.5x12.4 room, mine are in a 16x22 living room with 15' vaulted ceiling, and the back half of the room is open to the rest of the open architecture living space. Granted, I have a couple of *tiny* 8" subs, but they only fill in about 36-45 Hz and aren't turned up very far.

Anyway, 100wpc into 1.7s should be plenty for a 12.5x12.4 room.

Silverline Prelude Pluses should also be a good fit, and present one of the tiniest footprints.

What are your top priorities in terms of sound reproduction? You stated what you don't want to give up, but that's not really the whole picture and would be very helpful to know more about your preferences.

One thing to consider is you have a nearly square room, which can be a nightmare in terms of bass reinforcement and boom. I'd stick to smaller speakers and augment with a sub if you need more bass so you can better control and manage bass issues.

Of the options mentioned the DeCapos and Minuets could be very good candidates to explore. There's also a pair of Joseph Audio RX7XLs for sale here that may be a great option if imaging and soundstaging along with musicality are priorities. Best of luck.

I have the Triton 7s, and my apartment listening room is only a few square feet larger than yours. Unfortunately, the Triton 7s are gathering dust in a bedroom because they simply have too much bass for the room. Not only did they sound slightly boomy, but the energy/vibrations they released negatively affected my gear. The highs became smeared, and the whole soundstage sounded confused. At very, very low levels they were fantastic, but they were just too big (sound-wise) for my room. It's too bad, because they are very fine speakers. They just need much more space.

Scott