Need a monitor while floorstanders in storage

To Mofimadness: Thank you for the recommendation but I think you got the model number wrong of the Pioneer speaker. The model you cited is a center channel speaker.

There are many good budget speakers out there, but even a $150 a pair speakers can't achieve impossible performance. The PSB Alpha 1 comes up repeatedly in TAS as product of the year, and they retail for $299. However, as we all know, at this price range, the quality of speaker components has to be compromised to hit a certain price target. Unfortunately, since the inception of the so-called "improved" format on AG, there seems to be less chances of finding one of the speakers recommended in this thread. Both Polk Audio and Dali have produced good sounding monitors for under $500 retail, but I have not seen either so far on this site.

A little over budget, but Epos Epic 2, an $800/pair monitor for $600 asking price.

Disclaimer: No affiliation or knowledge of the seller.

Stereophile review, which says in part:

What most impressed me about the Epic 2 was how much of a floorstander's bass extension and dramatic high-level dynamic performance it had. Of the several dozen affordable speakers I've reviewed for Stereophile over the years, most have been easily categorizable as either a bookshelf or a floorstander: Each category has its own, unmistakable presentation. However, had I listened to the Epic 2 blindfolded, I'd have bet a considerable amount of money that I was hearing a larger, floorstanding speaker.

Sunnyjim, that's the correct model number. Here is a link to the Stereophile review:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/pioneer-sp-bs41-lr-loudspeaker

I can not find any information on these monitors. They are same size as the Super HL-5 but have one tweeter and (I think) 8 inch woofer.

Like to get your thoughts/inputs on the following:
- your experience
- comparison to the current SHL-5
- any thoughts on which amp may work best

Thanks

Jay

MO. Thank you for the link to the Stereophile review. I know you are a connoiseur of overachieving components, but have you heard Music Hall's Marimba speakers. Unfortunately, Bob Reina did not review them, but Sam Tellig did and offered little useful performance info about the speakers. He wants everybody to run out and buy a pair $6700 Harbeth monitors (See December's Stereophile)