Monitors For Near Field Low Volume Listening


I'm looking for some good monitors that are good for low level listening in a smaller room (about 12x12 with 6ft ceiling). I listen to mostly jazz and like speakers that give detailed but full sound. My gear is Mac C220 pre and AR100.2 amp. I've used single drivers (left over from classic tube days), Totem Rainmaker and recently bought some Vandersteen 2Ces just because I missed that "big sound". Well, the speakers are indead too big. So, it's back to some monitors or small column speakers. My budget is no more that $1500 new or used. Thanks
stereomaniac
I heartily recommend these: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1261462753&/star-Sound-caravelles-with-Mat

I've had my pair for five years now, replaced my B&W Silver Signature speakers with them. Excellent, excellent speakers!

Chuck
Sequerra NFM-Pro or the Met 7 series are very nice at low volumes and nearfield

The new Tekton open baffle speaker using 2 Fostex 166's look VERY interesting as well (one open baffle front firing driver and one upward firing driver) GREAT review on Enjoy the Music I think
I just stepped down from the Vandersteen 2CE Sig II to a pair of Spendor S3/5 for very similar reasons--I moved to a smaller space where the Vandies wouldn't work.

In the near-field (5 foot equilateral triangle) and at low volumes (60-75 dB) I couldn't be happier with the change. Soundstaging, timbre, musical detail, and enough low-end warmth to sound full and rich... You could buy the new S3/5R new within your budget or a used pair at $600-650. I haven't heard the Harbeth or Stirling, but the Spendor is a great speaker. I don't miss the Vandies...much.
I'm currently using a pair of very affordable and excellent sounding Polk Audio RTI-A1 in my office system.The equally affordable Mission M-31i also do a nice job.The older and more expensive Canton Karat M-30 speakers are a little larger and feature a side firing woofer.They sound almost full range.I have also heard Usher 520's,718's and the affordable Gini System LS 3/5A at my local dealer and all 3 pair sounded promising!!!
AV123 ELT towers - easily in your budget, I would say a slightly laid back sound but pair very well with my MA6500. Check em' out.