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Speaker for nearfield listening?

I am looking to get some feedback from members on speakers that are best for nearfield application. I am at about six feet at my listening position. I have a pair of Nola Boxers and they sound great except the imaging could be more convincing. I think they would be better if my position could be a little farther back. Any suggestions for speakers that would sound better at 6 feet?
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wolf_garcia
6,742 posts
 
Speakers with coaxial drivers like ones from KEF and Tannoy work well for nearfield listening (I use an older pair of KEF Q10s in my recording studio and they blow away most so-called "pro" monitors) as the driver blending is done before the sound gets to your head.
kixo
23 posts
 
You might audition speakers that have a single driver, like the Audience The One. They resolve beautifully at close distances.

Speakers from Harbeth and Spendor that are designed as nearfield monitors are also a good choice.

Finally, I had a pair of Totem Arros that I listened to from about six feet distance, and their imaging was spectacular. This speaker is known for its ability to create a soundstage in a small environment.
celtic66
1,696 posts
 
Second the Harbeth P3ESR. Not such a fan in the past but they have upped their game and are far more dynamic and resolve better. No longer that laid back British sound.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Depending on your amp I would say try the KEF Q300 bookshelves. With a Jolida JD-502P tube amp with the KEF Q300 speakers I found nearfield listening very enjoyable. When I swapped out the Jolida for a Hafler 9505 solid state amp and the music got really forward but could still be loud and clear from a farther distance.
rodge827's avatar
rodge827
621 posts
 
My Shelby+Kroll Nano Monitors and dual Woofer Monitors are crazy good in the near field. For your listening at 6' a single Woofer Monitor would be sufficient. The imaging of the S/K is spooky real.
When the S/K Nano Monitors were first delivered I had them set up on a counter top and couldn't believe what I was hearing. Superior height,depth, and width to the sound stage, with perfect tonal balance. When the stands showed up I put them about 3' off the front wall and 8' apart. From my chair they sounded exquisite, but here's the cool part, when I would get up to turn off the gear (rack in middle of front wall and against it) I would stand about a foot in front of the speaker plane and still enjoy a 3D sound experience! Feels like you can reach over and smack a cymbal.
I first heard the S/K Nano Monitors and Woofer Monitor at a guys house and were about 6' apart and sounded great there too.
Good luck
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