Looking for nearfield passive speakers that are warm and rich


I really like my ATC Scm7s that I use at my desk but I want something warmer, richer more bassy. Something that does well with vocals and jazz.

 

Budget is $5000.  They are being driven by arc ref5se and pass x350.8, dac is denafrips terminator. Thanks.

smodtactical

@lanx0003 Sorry I should have just said richer, fuller. More bass would be nice though and probably that is possible over the SCM7s given they are sealed. I imagine a ported speaker of similar size would possibly have more bass spl and then I could use the nearfields without my subs turned on (but this is not a requirement at all).

 

@smodtactical 
I’ve had Sonus Farber Concertino’s (made in Italy not the “home” edition) at the same time I also had the Vienna Acoustic Haydn Grand. Both were luxuriously warm sounding speakers but neither can hold a candle to my ProAc Response D2’s. The ProAcs are glorious. Excellent bass, rich midrange, completely non-offensive and fantastic in nearfield, which is how I’m set up. I’m also using a Terminator w-ARC power amp & Rel S/510 sub. I’ve yet to find a better monitor. I’m currently playing with a set of REF 3A’s but these give a different flavor of presentation. 

If you can put them on stands I’d highly recommend the Franco Serblin Accordos. They’d be a great match with your ancillary components. 

Might I ask which era ATC SCM7’s you own that sound too hot on the top end? Older SCM 7s using pre 2000 VIFA tweeters can indeed sound bright. THose older tweeters can bite back and sound harsh. Post 2001 SEAS tweeter versions of SCM 7s are less "harsh" but all eras of these OEM tweeters are ferrofluid cooled. Most 10 year old ferrofluid tweeters have lost their ferrofluid long ago. You might look into restoring this ferrofluid and seeing how this changes the tweeter behavior. ATCs built since the new ATC tweeters were implemented are definitely not overly bright unless the source electronics are.

Brad -ATC USA Importer

 

 

Is the Haydn as warm as JMR or P3 ?

I had a pair of VA Haydn Grand and really liked them at first, but they are beyond "laid back" to the point of being boring.  They are definitely warmer than the P3ESR (which I own and will probably keep forever), but nowhere near as musical or enjoyable.