“Best sounding standmount speaker” is an undefined and highly variable bespoke value judgement, so I will post it in two different ways:
(1) Best I’ve auditioned at length AND thus purchased and currently own
TOP CHOICE : HARBETH 30.2XD on TonTraeger speaker stands ( because of their thin wall cabinet build that permits this BBC monitor derivative to resonate like a grand piano or violin soundboard )
- derived from the BBC’s LS5/9 design, - my personal experiences mirror the following review excerpt:
” …. Used on 24"-tall stands from TonTräger Audio ($1495/pair), the Harbeths delighted HR with easy-flowing music, vivid colors and textures, "unshakable clarity," and stereo images that were "tangibly there." Herb’s verdict: "the most tuneful, accurate, neutral, fun, and music-loving stand-mounted two-way speaker I’ve I’ve heard.""
CONTENDER: HARBETH 40.2 XD . These were key contenders but my room size, and acoustics were primary drivers to consider the 30.2’s. Surprisingly , the latter is the “sweet spot” in their model offerings, so they were the “Best Buy Option’ for me.
(2) Excluded “Best ,,,,” but strictly only a whimsical option.
There are several “ fantasy wish-list” options composed of Uber-expensive, interesting and engaging standmount speakers I’ve auditioned at audio expos that I will never be able to afford.
They were setup with $500,000+ electronics and graced with ka-Ching NORDOST ODIN cables that sounded fabulous but an impossibility for most of us … thus a pass on this post .
