Back to Basics with Magical Mini Monitors


Having spent more and more money on bigger and bigger speakers, a new apartment with smaller listening dimensions is forcing me back to basics.

I am trying to install a pair of mini monitors on stands to sit on either side of a projection screen and preferably function well against a wall.

I have very fond memories of a friends pair of Rogers LS35a's circa 1980. And one of the better demos I have ever heard in a New York audio shop was a tweaked out Linn turntable playing through a simple Naim Nait with the original Linn Kans on the original Linn stands.

I mention these designs because I think they were not ported in the rear and therefore could be pushed flush against the wall which will help me immensely.

Therefore, if anyone could update me on this style of speaker I would greatly appreciate a better understanding of what I might buy today.

Rolled off frequency extremes, limited bass, difficult to drive, euphonically coloured, overpriced etc etc no problem whatsoever.

Just please give me midrange that will make me cry.

Thanks.
cwlondon
Lots of choices. I second the Harbeths and don't forget Spendors, Epos (damn good deal on EL12s on Audio Advisor right now), Merlins, Silverlines, and the 'L' series by Quad like the 11 & 12.
SEHRING 700 Monitors!!!!! You will be floored by the new Sehring 700 monitors. Pricey, but stunning. They have the deepest soundstage, most transparent and best midrange I have ever heard. Period. (one caveat: I am a dealer for Sehring-but I speak the truth!)

http://www.sehring-audio.de/
Thanks everyone so far

Looking at the Harbeth's -- they strike me as the quirky midrange obsessed design that I want.

(At least according to their copywriter/PR office...)

Tomryan

Very tempting to consider the Epos as they are a lot cheaper and the cabinet looks pretty good, too.

However, would the rear port pose a problem against the wall?

Has anyone tried the Epos or have any idea how they would compare to the Harbeths?

More spine tingling midrange ideas please.
Yes, rear porting on the Epos would cause problems if too close to a wall. I have heard Harbeths twice (not in my system) and thought they sounded superbly musical, more so than Epos. I loved the look and feel of Harbeths, also, however, the Epos are damn well made and good looking. I think the Harbeth models I heard were music lovers speakers; midrange of purity and a natural presentation that just says, "Sit down and enjoy, forget everything except the music."

By the way, the ProAc Response 2 (not the 2.5) is a very nice speaker but out of production now for a few years.