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Which monitors for my tube system in a large room?

Hi guys,

I was completely happy with my system---Devore Nines, Leben CS300XS---when I got blindsided by a new apartment and a new baby. Between those two life-changing factors, my space and time to listen to the system have shrunk. In this apartment the rig has to live in the living/dining room, which means the Nines are suddenly Too Big---not purely WAF, I also concede that they are looming weirdly over my shoulder when I'm eating dinner a few feet away.

Luckily, I can keep them---I will move them across town to the studio where I work, which from now on will be my serious private listening space, and where I'll build a new system around them (the fun silver lining.)

At home I don't want to give up having a serious setup, even if it will have to be used more for background-listening. My plan is to keep the Leben, which I love, and get some bookshelf speakers with stands, which won't be as imposing as the Nines. Obviously there will be a sacrifice in bass and so on, but maybe I'll have fun and discover the joys of smaller monitors!

They will need to work well with the 15w Leben, and the ability to play well from corners is a plus. They will be positioned on the short wall of an 18x21' room with 8' ceilings. I won't be listening very loud in the home setup, and at least for a few years probably won't be up late doing serious solo listening. I just want musicality and listenability.

To that end, been thinking about small models from Omega, Spendor, Coincident, Proac, Usher. I live in NYC and can demo some of these, others not.

Any advice?

Thanks so much in advance for your ruminations!
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mapman's avatar
mapman
22,203 posts
 
IF you want good full range sound, do not want to have to deal with monitor stands, and do not want to be locked into listening from a small sweet spot necessarily, take a look at small footprint floorstander designs from another vendor in Brooklyn, NY, OHM Microwalshes or Walsh 1000s (www.ohmspeakers.com).
price OP
31 posts
 
Thanks Clio09, Tonian has interested me.

Has anyone got experience with the Omega Super 5s?
price OP
31 posts
 
Mapman, thanks---I have seriously thought about Ohm, and I can swing by the shop because it's not far from where I work. However, from my reading on the subject, I had figured that the Ohms would want more power than the little Leben can offer (not out of the question to also change amps, was just hoping not to have to.) Of course I could always audition them for the trial period, and find out!
bjesien
1,294 posts
 
I hear you on the surprises of parenthood brother! Congratulations though, many good things come along with the grey hair.

Super 8, Verity Finn, one of the new Zu speakers...Are you looking for a different sound or direction than the nines?

elevick
2,636 posts
 
I'm a Coincident lover (own 3 sets). However, not around little ones. Your awesome little one will be learning to walk soon. Pulling themselves up on any object, including wobbly speakers on stands. Also, with no grill covers on Coincidents little fingers will do damage, trust me.

Suffer for now, get floor standing speakers that have grills and preferably spike feet to help avoid toppling over.

Personally, I'd recommend something really nice but ugly for the next 2 years until you get the little one trained. Find a nice pair of speakers that work perfectly but have some cosmetic flaws so you won't freak out when junior puts his/her peanut butter and jelly into the rear port!
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