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Top big-name monitors current versions .

1. Focal Diablo
2. Totem Mani 2 Signature
3. B&W 805D
4. Dynaudio C1 Signature
5. Wilson Duettes

Any comments on these? I thought these were the usual suspects (but I'm open to other suggestions.) Thanks in advance, of course, for your time. I left out the Harbeths because as a former SHL5 owner I never liked them because they didn't have enough resolution and detail. I like lots of character and good texture on vocals. I don't need deep or propulsive bass, just detailed controlled tight bass, not thick bass, bass that is "just there" as a foundation when the music has it. I also left out Joseph Pulsars because after a listening session at the NY Axpona show I thought the vocals did not have enough definition. I liked Kharma 3.2's level of definition, but they were too piercing and tipped up in the highs on popular music for me (and I don't want a floorstander, just a standmount, probably under 60 pounds so I can carry them up & down stairs easily by myself if I need to). Thanks.
rgs92
mordante
511 posts
 
Of these speakers I have heard the 805D, Mani-2 and Diablo. I loved to Mani-2 IMHO one of the best monitor speakers there is. Also, I forgot the exact model but I heard some Von Schweikert monitor that also wasn't bad. Pesonally I would also check out ADAM Tensor Delta/Gamma. I have a feeling these might be good.
wilsynet's avatar
wilsynet
264 posts
 
Selah Tempesta.
jmbatkh
103 posts
 
Second the Tempesta.
extravaganza
373 posts
 
very strange,probably wrong amplification was used with harbeth .In 2007 you even wrote positive review abaut SHL5.What happened?Small drivers will always give false impression of bass and scale of music will be lower.What i hear on shl5 is variation of bass-i call it tonal balance of different instrumnents and there is ambience,reverberation of instruments and voices somehow which makes music sound very beautifull,similar impresion when several people singing together,but all these thing can depend on amps.
ryder
1,736 posts
 
Marten Duke. I have forgotten about these. Have received several recommendations on these and they seem to be pretty well built.

Extravaganza, I think the OP is looking for more resolution and detail. In this aspect, I suppose the SHL5 can be bettered. Although initial impressions are positive, perception can change through time when one has lived with the speaker for a considerable period.

Nevertheless, I do agree with your thoughts on small bookshelves with small drivers. Some of these monitors do make the bass sound larger than intended, ie. false blown up bass, and the result can at times be undesirable. Having said that, larger bookshelves with drivers bigger than 6.5" will (generally) ameliorate the false impression of bass as these speakers usually go down to 40-45Hz which is quite adequate for a balanced sound delivery. Loudspeaker designers will usually bump up the bass on monitors with drivers smaller than 5.5" to make it sound fuller at the bottom end for a more balanced presentation, though most of these smaller bookshelves usually roll off the bass at around 55-60Hz. Too much low frequency lift and the speaker will sound unbalanced. One typical example is the PMC LB1 Signature. The bass on this speaker seems to sound forced as if it was pumped out from the box in uneven chunks IMO. Perhaps a trait of transmission line designs.
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