opinions on bookshelf monitors: proac v. ae

The Aerial Acoustics Model 5b are certainly worth an audition. Very smooth dynamic sound, can listen to them forever without fatigue. I picked them over the Totems, B&W 805, and Paradigm Sig S2s, all of these are very good, too. The 5b is a nice small speaker that can fit in anywhere. The stands that are custom made for them complete a very neat little package.

For 3x the price of the 5b, the JMLab Micro Utopia BE is probably the best sounding 'bookshelf' speaker I've heard. But it is much larger. For even more money, the new Wilson Audio Duette looks interesting, but haven't actually seen much less heard them.

thanks. i haven't heard about the wilson's, that i'd like to hear!

You should consider some of the kits available.Look at the Madisound Kits etc.Many of these are as good as Proacs and the like but about 25% the cost.You could then afford something with the absolute best in driver technology and many of these kits have been designed by the best in the business.

JT