Can a monitor sound like a floorstander??

Give me a break guys, read the initial post!

I like to keep my responses in line with the initial A'gon member that is kindly asking for help. I submit the following two items taken from the initial thread that should explain why suggestions about the need for additional amplification would be a waste of money:

Item number one: ''...Classical music is my preference''. we are not talking disco or heavy metal here.

Item number two: ''...My equipment is:
Ayre V-5xe
BAT VK51-SE
Ayre C-5xe
Running Springs Jaco power conditioner

Now, don't you think 150 very potent and quality watts per side is adequate for most mortal floorstanders ! Are you guys working in a hi-fi shop? Sounds like it sometimes...

Secondly, I never said that monitor-sub combinations would not work, they sure do, with time to fiddle around, and money if invested wisely. (again, read a previous post by me on this).

Sorry if I am offending anyone, but I like to keep things on topic.

Audiokicks, I for one believe you ARE on topic. However, the integration and other scary issues you referred to are less problematic than you present.
Also, the smaller ("monitor" size) spkr will perform nicely in classical music and for reasonable outlay and cover ~70-90% of the spectrum. So, adding subwoof(s) crossed ~80-90Hz can complete the system famously.

The 150 quality + robust watts you refer to give maxi ~21db headroom -- less if you have to move big or many woofs, so really Ozzy & Seandtailor do have a point:)

Finally, I'll contend (again) that full-range passive spkrs capable of playing classical well (NOT outstanding, just well) are outrageously expensive.

Cheers

If 30 Hz/0 Db is enough you could considder the J.M.Reynaud Offrande.
Very very good!
http://www.jm-reynaud.com/jmr_us/offrande.html

No, a monitor cannot sound like a floorstander, no matter how high quality.

Dynaudio C1, Guarnaris, ATC, Verity Parsifal Monitor, whatever it is, even when you add a SOTA Sub like a Velodyne DD, will NEVER sound like a Watt Puppy, A Utopia, a big kharma, a big VS, etc.

If you need a full midrange, big scale dynamics in the lower midrange and bass, ability to play loud in large rooms, etc, there is NO EXCEPTION - You need a large speaker. Physics are physics

I think if you are going to speak in absolute terms on this subject, then yes, it's difficult to compare a monitor speaker to a floorstander apples/apples. However, speaking in relative terms it really depends on which specific floorstander you are using for comparison and which monitor - they're not all created equal, for sure.

For example, I have a pair of Hales Revelation One monitors that, while not truly "full range" in absolute terms, can definately provide a very rewarding experience even on full orchestral music. These monitors may be an exception, but set up properly on stout stands in my living room (14 x 17) and driven by an Arcam Alpha 10P power amp, these speakers truly "play large" for their relatively small size. I've listened to the soundtrack to "Immortal Beloved" at fairly high volume and they really hold it together.. cellos, bass, piano and all...lots of "body" and "weight" to the instruments and the tone is pitch-true.. amazing! JZ