2. speakers
  3. 1100214259

GMA Europa vs. Soliloquy 5.3?

Hi. I posted awhile back on suitable monitors at the $1000 price point, and several people mentioned the GMA Europa. How would this speaker compare with the Soliloquy 5.3? I know the Soliloquy is a floorstander, but with 2 relatively small 5" drivers, I don't expect it to be especially overpowering. I have heard nothing but great things.

My only real concern about the Europas is that, being a monitor rated only down to 48hz, they may not have much low end. Some of the electronic music I listen to sounds really flat on the other monitors I have tried in the $1200 price-point. Therefore, I decided to look at smaller floorstanders as well. Of course, I can't have TOO much low end in a smaller room-that is the reason my Von Schweikert's are being replaced (these speakers are great, BTW).

My room is a living-room area that is approximately 14x11, but there is an attached kitchen that sound waves may diffuse into as well. I will eventually move into a house-this is a temporary apartment while my fiancee and I look for a house/good job in the area.

My listening tastes range from classic jazz to electronic (ambient, some trance), as well as classical, and vocals. Associated equipment is C-J PV10A preamp, C-J MF-2200 amp, Arcam CD73T. The tube/SS combo is pretty effective, and I expect it to improve as I replace the tubes on the preamp. Currently running Von Schweikert VR-2000's (4-way w/10" driver, sound great in the store but too big for this situation).
chiho
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Thats a tough choice Chiho. I have owned the big brothers to the 5.3s, the Sols 6.3s and the Europas. They are both terrific speakers in their categories.For that room size the Europas maybe the best choice.With your musical taste both speakers do very well.
Please don't let the two 5 1/2 inch drivers fool you! Those Sols will rock out my friend. I still miss the way the Sols uncover the weight in the music. It is additive LOL. IMHO the Sols display a deeper / wider soundstage and are warmer speakers. If this is important to you. The Europas are a tad more transparent with a sort of cool/neutral sound to them. Both have their pros and cons like any other speaker. I suppose it will depend on what your room can handle and what you can live with.

Good Luck!
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
Are you sure that the VR-2000s don't work, even if they're well away from walls (google the Cardas speaker positioning). Much as I like the Europas (I also have a REL subwoofer for bass) it would be good if you could make the VR2000s work by experimenting with positioning.
chiho OP
26 posts
 
Hi. I have them positioned 3 feet forward of the walls, 6 feet apart, and about 7 feet from listening position, toed-in about 5 degrees. They sound great in my current room (14x16) but that isn't really the issue-I am very worried they will overpower the place I am moving to. Not to mention that the room is small enough that pulling the speakers out 3 feet from the wall may not be an option-I may have to keep them at 1.5 feet for space considerations.
seandtaylor99
1,262 posts
 
I'd wait until you move and find out if they work. If they do work then no need for speaker shopping. It's not a golden rule that large speakers do not work in small rooms, unless they're so large that the door will not open :-)
More to discover