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Endless debate: monitor + sub vs floorstanding

Have made a simple system with Peachtree Inova and Proac Sig 8 Tablettes on sand filled stands. Lovely sound I am quite pleased with though I'm considering either supplementing my beloved Tablettes with a sub bass (most likely the new Rel T5) OR grabbing a pair of full range floorstanders (likely used Proac as well).

Any thoughts on the relative merits of the two setups in terms of expression, detail, dynamic spectrum, musicality and also flexibility? Intuitively, it seems I may have more opportunities to play with and fine-tune the experience using Tabletttes plus sub.

I realize there is probably no perfect answer here. Unfortunately, my opportunities for a good side by side listening comparison of the two systems is pretty much nil.
marburg
marburg OP
14 posts
 


ok..if I'm not beating an already debilitated horse here...

I found to my surprise, a local Proac dealer who adamantly insisted that "most people can't set up 2 speakers properly let alone three. A floorstanding speaker like the D18 will completely demolish any monitor + sub arrangement. "

Any thoughts on that? Is this at all accurate or is the guy another hardened criminal?
dracule1
1,085 posts
 
I'm partial to a good pair of 2-way with a pair of subs. This way you tune your monitors for best sound staging and imaging and tune your subwoofers for best bass response. Most of the time they are never best in the same location, but set up time is longer than floor standers.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,975 posts
 
Agree with your proac dealer
face
516 posts
 
A pair of capable monitors and multiple subs will have less peaks and nulls in the bass region.
hesson11
237 posts
 
John Marks has some interesting observations on this topic here:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/fifth-element-48-sidebar-25-cheers-standmounted-speakers
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