what's the best "mini monior" these days

Quad 12L are wonderful. I agree with phasecorrect, they do everything really well. I had ACI Sapphire III for a long time and also owned GR Paradox 1 which are both very fine. With the Quad I just I can't find any weakness... all for under $1,000. Cabinets are also beautiful. I would like to compare with the Von Schweikert VR-1. I will be adding a Talon ROC to have it ALL soon I hope.

Has anyone heard the Audio Physic Brilon 2 monitor?

All stand mounted speakers are not minimonitors; Extremas and Wilson Cubs are great speakers but hardly qualify as mini-monitors. Think box sizes around ProAc Response 1SC.

Newton: yes, I have heard them. I liked them, they image well (to be expected from a well-designed monitor), and they produce an impressive sound (dynamic, fast, extended in the hi register...) BUT:
-- I felt they need lots of driving power behind them to sound tonally balanced hence, expensive electronics
-- They were MUCH better (i.e. more "complete" and "correct" sounding) when mated with a sub -- in my case it was an A-P sub.
Audition before you buy.

I would love to hear the Reference 3a Dulcet, the VOn Shiekwert vr-1, and the Green Mountain Europas...these...along with the Quads would be my first choices...the Revel m20 is nice too....