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Advice on stand mount speakers

I am looking for my final speaker purchase. Giving up the chase.
I have a small listening room 13 deep x 12 wide x 8 high.
I have had several types/brands of speakers including Martin Logan Aeon I's Vantages, and Scenarios, Audio Physic Scorpios, and Kef 103/3's.
The Vantages are too much for the room. The Scorpios had too much bass but imaging was spectacular. The Kefs were very good but I had to augment the bass.
What I am looking for is a stand mount that has enough bass and has excellent imaging side to side and front to back.

I have been looking for used speakers in the $3500-$4500 range.
That includes a lot of good choices, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors, Focal Micro Utopia, Merlins, Kef 201/2 and possibly 203/2.
I have no way of comparing these or any others you might suggest side by side so I am asking you all what your experiences/advice would be.
What are the strengths of each as well as weaknesses of them?
I realize the last octave of bass is out of the question but I want meaningful bass without having to resort to a sub.
Power will be provided by a Cary SLI-80 (40/80 watts) or a Phase Linear 700B (350 Watts) for now but will probably upgrade soon.
Thanks all,
Marlin
mlman
rsimms
150 posts
 
I would suggest a small tower speaker. No reason the space taken up by the stands couldn't be used to increase base response. It wouldn't take up any more floor space.

Bob
dmwoods
1 posts
 
Mlman: If this helps I have previously owned Micro BE's and KEF 201/1's in a 12X13 room, untreated at this point. Earlier this year I took a chance on a pair of Vapor Audio Cirrus and have been living in speaker blissdom ever since.

The BE's were more narrow in their dispersion and would seem to do better in a larger room. They also would finish last in a qualitative performance ranking of the three speakers mentioned. I liked the 201/1's a lot, better in every way than the BE's excepting cosmetics and build quality. From what I've seen of the 201/2's the 1's have arguably a better complement of drivers but a lesser quality cabinet. I have not heard the 201/2.

After thoroughly researching Vapor products and speaking to the builder/owner, Ryan Scott, I was convinced he really knew his craft. If you can stand the wait I highly recommend the Vapor Cirrus. My search for a high quality small room speaker is permanently over. There is an excellent thread on the recent RMAF on Audio Circle which discusses impressions of the Cirrus.

Good luck with your search.
mountainsong's avatar
mountainsong
422 posts
 
harbeth compact ES7,
end of the search.
good luck
jp1208
502 posts
 
Mlman, there is a pair of the Vapor Audio Cirrus black that just went up for sale. Get'm before Petrakis :D
jihley
74 posts
 
I purchased a used pair of Totem Arro's just to try while waiting for a pair of SF cremona auditors to come up for sale on Audigon. My room is 17' X 30' living room/dining room with 8' ceilings HWF and area rugs. Well these little guys have just blew me away. They have an amazing organic sound like live music with plenty of bass and just disappear in the room. I listen to jazz, blues & classical, but not hard rock or that ilk. My amp is a 100 watt hybrid and I use a tube buffer in between the CD & Amp. I always liked the intimacy of the sound stage stand mounts offer but the Arro's do the same.
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