Bookshelf speakers that renders 3D soundstage


Recently I am on a quest to find a pair of bookshelf speakers under $2k that will render 3D soundstage.  The soundstage does not need to be much wider than the speakers that are approximately 7-8 ft apart but, within the soundstage, I am particularly looking for the decent depth, focus image and pinpoint instrument/vocal separation.  The other sound trait I am particularly looking for is the nimble, agile bass that could go down to around 45 Hz -3dB.  The pairing amplification is going to be Parasound A23.  If you have experienced / auditioned that, please let me know.

lanx0003

Showing 8 responses by lanx0003

DeKay, yes, I remember you had made such a comment.  If you look at my posting one more time, Evo sitting on the current wide end table has already throws good SS.  I just desire more bass and dynamics.  Nevertheless, It is no harm to try and I am more likely to try this time.  Maybe the smaller top plate will help achieve even more / better SS.  On the flip side, I just do not feel easy to have my possession sit on small footage and fell incidentally.  But I will apply blue tac to better secure it.  Thank you for the reminder again.

 

@tomcarr @onhwy61

I understand the speaker set up, placement and room treatment are important. I have been experimenting those in the past and was able to achieve / preserve resonably good SS with my current speakers when the recordings have those elements. However, recently I acquire a pair of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 and I found they could render much more SS depth and instrument separation than my current bookshelfs. I was able to hear the nuance I was not getting before.

The only two areas leaving room for my desire for the Evo are (1) more dynamics and (2) the lower end (54 Hz -3dB). I need to apply EQ and boost +4-5 dB in the 40-80 Hz for my satisfaction. I maintain 3 ft to both side and front walls to avoid early reflection. As such I do not wish to place the speakers any closer (which I have done) to acquire more room gain for the lower end. I like the Evo 3D SS presentation but wish it a more allrounder in term of frequency response in the low end. After the experience with Evo, I was convinced speaker itself could be capable of rendering 3D presentation beyond the room control factors.  That is why I am asking the question.  

Thank you guys for the recommendations.  Among these, I am thrilled by the performance and looks of Philharmonic BMR Monitor (v2) curved rosewood cabinet.  The only online auditioning source I could locate sounds promising.  Will look into it.  Thanks, @prighello.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9c-lvJ2UeE

Again, thank you everyone taking your time to provide me valuable inputs. Really appreicated. The BMR Monitors seem to be one of the faves but the coveat of glare around 2 kHz and the compression / wide radiation traits mentioned by Erin bothers me a bit. In addition, I am also looking at both highly raved S400 Mk ii and S300 Mk ii from Buchardt as mentioned by @vthokie83. The company also announces a more affordable new addition, P300, that is essentially a stripped down version of S400 Mk ii with less quality x’over and half warranty period (5 yrs). Since no reviews are available, I am hesitated to act in good faith. Plan to order both BMR and Buchardt for home auditioning and pick one.

Wish I were there.  I kind of felt the same way for S400 too but was not sure to give it a try.  I think I could probably rule it out now.  Was interested in ATC but there is no dealer here in the south Florida.  I guess one at a time now.  Dennis said he will give 14 days for trial.  Just need to pay for the shipping back if not working out.

Thank you, @lucky_doggg7 @reubent, for bringing Focal (JMLab) Mini / Micro Utopia to my attention.  I do not mind going up scale to standmount speaker like Mini Utopia at all as long as they fit the bill.  The transmission line design of Falcon IMF-100 as suggested by @donvito seems also promising too.  Interestingly, I was looking at another similar design speaker PMC Twenty5 22i the other day,.  The new one is over my budget but a used one might come up.  I also came across Bryston Mini T standmount speakers yesterday.  Anyone had experience with it?

 

@scotman - Thank you for the recommendaton / offer. No decent recording I could find online for Momentum SX3i. Pursuit Perfect System (see below) reviews its little brother Motiv XS3 and find not really favorable when compared it with several peers. I kinda trust Terry. Hope no hard feeling.

 

Thank you and several others for recommending BRX which, to be honest, was under my radar but was hesitated to pull the trigger due to the following reasons.  It is a quite interesting design speaker.  Similar to Evo 4.2, it uses AMT and hence remitting quite detailed high frequency.  It has two passive radiators on sides for extending the low end of woofer response from 75 hz (-3dB) down to approximately 43 hz (-3dB) in an anechoic setting according to Stereophile's measurements.  It is quite a bit work done by the passive radiators, which demands high efficient amp power to do the trick.  The reviewers find the bass is quite weighted / nimble if the amp pushes the woofer well, which would otherwise be the opposite if the amp power is inadequate. 

The other major concern I have, as pointed by one reviewer I trust, is the midrange is a bit edgy.  Unlike Evo 4.2, BRX is a two-way speaker which does not have a midrange driver.  The reviewer finds the midrange is not as smooth due possibly to the steep transition from high frequency range handled by AMT done to low end woofer response.  On the other hand, the Evo4.2 handles the midrange quite well which I like very much.