Need to Downsize: Small Speaker Recommendation


Hi all,

I've had the Thiel 6's for many years and love them but moving to a much smaller space and they are just too big Have them paired with the Sonic Frontier 3 monoblocks and a Conrad Johsnson tube pre-amp. I've traded up in the Thiel line over 30 years so really love their sound (could do with a bit more bottom end but love the sound overall so i have stuck with them). So, looking for recommendations for small (even bookshelf) speakers. I realize i may have to get rid of the amps as well but for now want to start by identifying a pair of speakers i can live with.

Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations.
dkonstruction

Showing 1 response by brownsfan

I recently began to build a bedroom system. I brought in two monitors, Coincident Triumph Extreme IIs and Ref 3A deCapo Be's for evaluation. To make a long story short, I like both of these monitors. The Coincidents were so good I kept them for my main system, and sold my Magnepan 3.7Rs. They are excellent speakers- superbly articulate and the best coherence I have ever heard. They pair well with SS and tube (Cary 500.1MB and Coincident Frankensteins). I will say that in my experience, they enjoy some space out from the back wall.

I did not like the deCapos nearly as well driven by solid state, but they really respond well to driving with the Frankensteins. I intend to hang on to them for my bedroom system. I will say that they lack the Coherence of the Coincidents. The excellent Be tweeter is faster and more articulate than the other driver. I have no trouble distinguishing between the two drivers. They are slightly to the warm side of neutral. That can be very appealing in the right situation (like a bedroom system). I have not yet tried them up close to the front wall, so I don't know how sensitive to positioning they are.

I've had Maggies for the last 24 years. I was floored by what really good monitors could do. I have the Coincidents paired with a couple of subs, have a great preamp, a couple of good sources, and the Frankenstiens are just magic. My point is that if you do things right, you will have no regrets about the change.