Opinions and choices for a small speaker for mid sized room.


Looking for a small form factor speaker that offers versatility, musicality...pretty much audiophile territory. Don’t need deep bass as that what a sub is for. Been looking at many speakers that would play nice with a low powered amp. I plan on using a Keces E40, essentially 34 watts at 8 ohms and about 61 or so at 4 ohms hooked up to a Topping D70S. Moderate listening, say up to mid 80s or so dB at 6-8 feet away, so not real loud. Preferred music is classical piano, some large scale symphonic, folk, blues, some jazz, even some SABATON...and does well for movies too!

The speakers should be capable of accurate tonality/timbre, clarity, instrument separation and offer a more 3D stage versus a flat 2D stage while still offering good dynamics when the music demands it and capable of nice airy highs. Willing to give up deeper bass to have the rest. So, more or less, a speaker that essentially does it all but still not to difficult to drive.
I think alot of people would like a modest, small system that essentially gets you audiophile territory at low to moderate SPLs for a more modest price.
I have Triangle Zetas (essentially a lower dressed Color series) that does nicely but looking for the next level up. I have Focal W series hooked up to a hegel and it’s better, so something that approaches that quality of sound (I guess I am used to cooler side of neutral but warm is fine as long as the bass is tight and relatively fast).

I considered the Omega Super 3 High Output Monitor for its sensitivity but it stands at 16 inches and at the other end, Amphion Helium 410s which are really small but are said to provide what I am looking for per some reviewers opinions.
I really like the Amphion footprint and look whether it’s the helium 410 or 510.
In your own journey, can you recommend either used or new options for me and those like me looking for a quality low power, moderately priced system and how it sounds IYO?
agwca

Showing 2 responses by sbank

Proac and Totem have always impressed me in a variety of rigs & rooms vs. most of many good options. 

One less talked about brand that's really shocked me with nearly full range performance in a small bookshelf is Volent. Heard them fill a large room in a way that would make you think it was a large floorstander. Cheers,
Spencer
Reference 3A , easy to drive, sublime sound especially mids and highs, total disappearing act from a long time established co. with good rep and review history. 
IMHO many of the better choices in this price range are Canadian, not by chance. Read up on the national testing lab that most of them have used as a design resource giving them an advantage over small competitors. Cheers,
Spencer