Best stand mounted monitors


I need your help please as I'm replacing my floor standing KEF Ref. Series 104/2 speakers with stand mounted monitors and probably a subwoofer due to the wife-acceptance-factor. I'm looking for comments from people who have listened to and hopefully compared the following monitor speakers that I'm considering:
(1) REFERENCE 3A - MM Decapo i
(2) PROAC - Response One SC or Tablette Ref. 8 Signature
(3) VON SCHWEIKERT - VR-1
(4) REVEL - M20 or the new M22 due out Q1 '04
(5) ATC - SCM 10-2 or SCM 20-2 either active or passive.

Other things you need to consider before offering your advice:
--> I will be replacing a very old Sherwood receiver with a new tube preamp and either tube or SS amp. I'll get the speakers first and then match the amp to it.
--> my room is about 4,800 cubic ft (40*15*8) and is average "aliveness" so having a higher sensitive speaker (e.g. >89dB) is desirable as it'll will mean less power required. I listen mostly to jazz with some R&B and classical.
--> budget is around US$2K-$3K (new retail price)
--> Id like to buy a REL subwoofer to match (e.g. Stadium II or III)

Many thanks.
kevinzoe
I recommend a pair of Totem Mani-2s. I drive them with a Pass Aleph 5 and use a REL Stadium III sub. Grat combination. The mani-2s have a full range response in the bass, but still the REL adds a good deal. Need 100 watts/channel for the mani-2s
I gotta recommend active speakers. For price to performance ratio, there's nothing that touches them. I haven't heard the ATC's, although I've heard wonderful things about them. If you can find a decent pair of Paradigm Active 20's or 40's, that would be my recommendation! I have the 40's and have never looked back. Plus, bass is great with the 40's so you can avoid the subwoofer.
I have only heard one speaker from your list. I own the reference 3A MM DeCapo (non-i). It could be a very good choice in your scenario as it has pretty high efficiency and is very easy to drive. I've driven mine with as little as 1.5 w/channel in my smallish room. Also, the DeCapos have very good bass response for a monitor. You might just buy them and find out you don't need a sub.

So, the DeCapo would allow you to choose from a wide variety of amplifiers, including relatively inexpensive small tube or SS amps.

I love mine!

Enjoy,

TIC