Monitors vs Floorstanders


I currently have Paradigm Studio 60's (front), Studio CC, Studio 20's (rears) and a PW2200 sub. Stratos Amp handles the power on the mains.

I made the mistake of listening to some Revel M20 monitors the other day and need opinions.

My room is 19ft L x 14ft W x 15ft H. I sit about 10 ft from the mains and TV for music and movies.

My question is: Would I be able to get the same quality of volume out of loud music (100-105db) from the M20's as my current Studio 60's? I like to go loud on occasion and would like to know if the M20's can handle a room that size. I know they would do wonderfully for HT as I have a sub for the LFE.

Would I be happy selling the Studio 60's and getting the M20's in this room for stereo music?

OR...should I save and save and save for Revel F30 floorstanders?

joew

Showing 1 response by subaruguru

I feel pretty strongly that the M20's strong benefits in midrange neutrality, soundstaging abilities, and neutral (can be bright in a lively room) top octave make it a superb choice, and far better than the cheap-for-the-pound 60s. You may sacrifice some of the bottom octave whomp non-acoustic music, but you can add a fast sub if necessary.
The M20 will play plenty loudly in all but the bottom octave, and will be outstanding in the nearfield, too, where your 60's become incoherent. OTOH you can eventually find a pair of F30 around $2k...not that much more than the M20. The problem might be that soundstage and bass-balance requirements might clash. For my secondary (HT) system I use a Spendor front trio with a fast Boston PV1000 sub.
Perhaps a good fast sub and the M20s might offer the best combo, at roughly the same expense. Good Luck.