best all around monitor

Using the proper "nearfield" definition, the Verity Audio Parsifal Monitors ($5.5k) are extraordinarily natural and coherent--nearfield or farfield! Ultrafast, clean, transparent (crossover's benign and way up at 5500Hz...sidewall reflections from tweeter "flare" are effectively minimized). Put 'em atop their woofer-base mates (crossed at 150Hz--STILL ok in nearfield!) and you have the "Encore" 3-way floorstander...$13k! I only compared the "monitor" tops to the complete Encores once, and found them to sound (and measure) even flatter in the 100-200 Hz region, but rolling off below 65Hz. The woofer-bases are SO quick 'n agile, however, that I never bother to run the Monitors alone...muddiness is never an issue. (As I was able to get the full Encore demos at cost ($8k) the increase in value compared to the full-price Monitors was a no-brainer.) Although you may also have a hard time finding used Verity Monitors for sale, I would consider it a wonderful find: all of the Encore's sound save the bottom 1.5 octaves, and maybe only $3-3.5K!...happy hunting...............FYI: My in-home auditions were limited to 803N (NOT coherent in nearfield! (I sit in 7.5' triangle)), Fidelios (tweeter integration not as seamless as Parsifals; non-reversible base), Aerial 7B and 8 (too much bottom!) Sonus Fabers, and several custom 6.5" two-ways developed from various Scandinavian drivers. The Verities use custom Dynaudio 8 and 1, and an extraordinary 5.5 from Edgwind Skaaning, ex-honcho from Dynaudio/Scanspeak. 89dB/w, flat impedence. Scarily well-constructed and voiced by fellow canucks! I fully expect to NEVER replace these musicmakers, so MY search is well over. Good luck in yours! Ernie. (Sorry about the bragadoccio-- wish I felt as good about my digital front end....)

i have owned several monitors over the past few years; kef 102, Shahinian Super Elf, Voce Divania, Acoustic Energy AE-2, Ruark Sepctres, Pro Ac Tablette 2000's and currently Totem Tabu's. All very respectable speakers in their own right, but i have to say for overall sound, dynamics, imaging, and bass the Totems are the best i have heard. While some speakers may excel at certain things the Totems do everything very well and would highly recommend them. you can find used pairs for about $1500.

I have once heard the Avalon Monitor's (now discontinued) they were breath taking for a small speaker. Also worth mentioning are the B&W 800 series monitors I listened to them for several hours and I can't say fell in love with them but at least I had an affair with them! and what more can we ask for.

Kelly - excellent response. My recommendation for an excellent monitor would be a vintage, 15 ohm, Rogers LS3/5A. Sam

Depends what you call a monitor. If you extend the definition to any "smallish" stand mounted speaker, you'd have to consider the Sf Guarneri, the Acoustic Energy AES 1 Signature and the SF Electa Amator II