Best Speaker Choices For Nearfield Listening


Would Appreciate you fellow audio buffs throwing some suggestions my way. I posted a similar thread sometime ago but some of the suggestions then never materialized on the used market for me. I'm looking for a monitor or small floor standing speaker to replace my big Mirage M-5's that while nice, are just too big for my small room. I live in a in law unit and my listening area is the living room. I'ts only 10 feet wide with a standard 8 ft ceiling. Room is fairly long, maybe 30 feet long and speakers are on the long wall a bit off center. My ears are roughly 6.5-7 feet away from the speakers which I have to have about 3 feet from the rear wall due to the rear firing bi polar design. Perhaps a speaker that can be a little closer to the wall would help? I listen mainly to classic hard rock (Who, Zepp, Scorpions, UFO) Blues and older west coast style jazz. Assoc gear is:
Aragon 8008bb amp
Musical Fidelity A3cr pre
PS Audio Power plant (P-300)
Signal Cable inters and one power cord
Remaining power cords are PS Audio extreme and statements.
Audio Quest speaker cable bi wired
Speakers need to be bi wirable.
Thanks in advance.
zar
Thanks to all who have responded so far. I will keep an eye out for the suggestions made. Zar
Having listened to both the Spendor LS3/5A's and the Platinum Audio Solo's (18"-24" from front wall) your preference for hard rock is better served by the Solo's.
As mentioned above, the "3/5" series is still a classic, except for the lack of bass impact compared to other great speakers.
In the position you have available there will be a degree of bass extension and detail with the Solo's which will really bring a smile to your ears.
Years back these were demo'ed by a dealer with the Aragon amp you have, and sounded very impressive. I used a tube amp in my listening room.
In the $600-700 range when they show up here on Audiogon, a real bargain, because the manufacturer is no longer in business.
I have used in the past Reference3A MM DeCapo's in a nearfield situation and liked them very much. They should be no closer than 2 ft from the wall behind them as they are rear ported and fireing straight ahead with no toe in. I never used a powerfull amp like yours, but I don't think that would be a problem. If you buy any speaker used and search for a deal you should be able to sell without losing any money if they don't suit you.
I too think Kitty Kats might work very well for you. I heard them at the Montreal show a few days ago and I am considering them to replace my floorstanders. George Short also makes a model one step down from the KKs, the Okara II/Spirit. He is a very knowledgeable and friendly guy to deal with, and a rocker too, if I am not mistaken.

http://www.northcreekmusic.com/
North Creek Music "kitty cat" monitors. They are designed to play very close to the wall and have amazing bass for a stand mount. George Short is an amazing designer. Unfortunately not cheap. I believe $2500 approx. Another good option would be Merlin TSM.
SPENDOR 3/5 IS A GREAT SPEAKER FOR CLOSE LISTENING .YOU CAN PICK UP USED FOR ABOUT $600.00.THEY ARE BI WIRABLE.I HAD THEM FOR 10 YEARS AND THEY NEVER FAILED TO EXCITE.
GOOD LUCK
YOGIBOY
I forgot to include that my cd player is a Marantz Sa 14. I am not interested in using a sub so good bass is a must.
The king is the ProAc 1sc, driven by tubes, they are bi wirable. Your Aragon will also work well.