Minimonitors


Hoping to get input of fellow members to help with speakers. The most challenging part of my search for audio bliss has been speakers. I've had Thiel 1.2, Monitor Audio Gold, Cary Silver Oak, Zu Essence, Ref 3A MM deCapo BE, Magnepan SMG, and Harbeth SHL5, to name a few. Most have shortcomings but the Harbeths and Magnepans gave me the fondest listening sessions because of their liveliness and imaging. I'm basically looking for something that will just put out what its fed, play well, and basically disappear. I listen primarily to vocal and acoustic music and enjoy 60s and 70s rock and R&B recordings. System consist of LP12/Origin Live/Lyra MC, Esoteric SA-50, David Berning ZOTL Pre One, VAC Renaissance 70-70/Lamm ML2.1/JA Burgess SE45 with Chord and Siltech cables. Hoping to keep the cost below $5K. Any input is appreciated.
128x128bananaslug
@bananaslug have you considered the Dynaudio Special Forty ?
They're know to

...put out what its fed, play well, and basically disappear

Combined with a sub of your choice you can easily stay under $5K


@ditusa I'm afraid you're incorrect.
minimonitors minisound ALL minimonitors are cutoff @70hz try a pair jbl 4425 monitors I run the jbl with quick silver amps same power as the vac amp cut off @ 40hz

Most mini monitors go well below 70hz. I've measured them myself and found even the affordable Paradigm 20 studio monitors go down to 32hz. Granted they may be down 6db or so at that frequency it's still audible and they were flat to 48hz. My Revel and B&W stand mount/monitors easily do the same. 

The OP's VAC Renaissance 70-70 specs pretty good for low frequencies.
Power Output:
65 watts continuous average power at 1 kHz with less than 2% THD into 4 ohms connected to the 4-8 ohm tap

Distortion:
0.12 % THD at 10 watts 

Frequency Response:
down 0.5 dB at 6 Hz and 90 kHz, ref 0 dB = 1 watt @ 1 kHz
down 3.0 dB at 2 Hz and 103 kHz, ref 0 dB = 1 watt @ 1 kHz

Power Bandwidth:
down 0.5 dB at 12 Hz and 58 kHz
down 3.0 dB at 8 Hz and 85 kHz



Another great option I meant to mention is the Vandersteen VLR CT.

I'm waiting to audition a pair of these and may just buy a pair without an audition. Trusting my experience with Vandersteen speakers I'm sure they're outstanding.
Would recommend looking at Raidho XT-1
they are incredible speakers and a bargain. They compete with speakers costing 3 to 5X their price. Andy
Vandersteen 1ci.Small footprint and no need for a stand except the one that tilts them back.Good bass and spacious highs for about 1.5 K.
Check out Ohm Speakers. Direct sales only, and a 120-day trial period. What you don't like, they will fix.

https://ohmspeaker.com/