Kii3 loudspeakers

I would also look at the Dutch & Dutch 8c. 

Duke

I forgot to give reasons for suggesting the Dutch & Dutch.

Like the Kii, it is a very thorough design.  In addition to what frostdotcom posted, I really like the waveguide that Dutch & Dutch uses for pattern control. 

As one who has mulled over competing in the compact high-end professional monitor market, the Dutch & Dutch intimidates me.  Usually I can put on my speaker designer hat and fire up my ego and see areas where I think I could make an improvement, but not when I look at the Dutch & Dutch.    

I am also of the opinion that the frequency response "goal posts" are in different locations for home use versus studio use, but that's a different topic.

Duke

"The kii cheats by using dsp to fix room problems."

Among other things, the Kii uses DSP to generate a cardioid radiation pattern which helps minimize room problems in the first place. I don’t see how this could reasonably be called "cheating". Imo it is a very intelligent approach.

"It uses no berylium or diamond drivers or concrete cabinets."

Sometimes what you can’t see matters more than what you can.

Duke

"the kii takes the degradation caused by room acoustics out of the equation making it appear as though its a better speaker."

If the room is what degrades the sound of otherwise good speakers, then taking room effects out of the equation may be the smartest thing a designer can do. This would be solving a major problem that REALLY MATTERS. Doing so is of far greater real-world benefit than using exotic components.

Nothing wrong with using exotic components, but they are typically addressing problems that are minor compared to room effects. Marketing departments would have you believe that exotic components are solving major problems, when from a perceptual standpoint the elephant in the room IS the room.

Kii has found a way to tame the elephant.

Duke

(I aspire to compete against Kii in performance, but not in sheer elegance.)

"Duke, I take it that you have heard the Dutch and Dutch 8c and you like what you hear. Are there any other stand mounts with dip and internal amps that you would care to comment on?"

I've not heard the Dutch & Dutch 8c but based on my understanding of speaker design, it does an awful lot of things right.  I believe it to be an extremely intelligent design.

Since it's aimed at the studio market rather than the home audio market, you may be able to find a vendor who would let you try a pair with the understanding that you can return them if you don't like them.  My impression is that prosound dealers are more likely to be open to that sort of thing than home audio dealers generally are. 

Duke