Rogue Cronus too bright

A superb choice would be the Stone Image Rothschilde A2. Not too well known or marketed but they completly outperform any monitor I have heard under $3000, including the Model One Sigs I once owned. They look similar but are more cohesive, warmer, smoother up top and have better bass definition. I have owned dozens of monitors and these are truly special and a bargain. The company is great to deal with as well - http://stoneimage-audio.com/Index_2.htm - I was skeptical but cooresponded with jimmyr and truly have had no regrets and cannot fault the speakers at all. I use SS now, had used a variety of gear from Naim to Rogue. None sounded bright but they sure show the differences with all amps and sources. The last set of speakers that tried to compare were Merlin TSM Ms. The Merlins are also great but the Rothschilde were the ones I preferred for my room.

The Rothschilde A2 is much smaller than the TSM and is easier to place meaning I didn't need to be as far away or right between them to get authorative bass and a full midrange. The Merlins may have a more analog and resolving top end overall but the A2 captures the essence and ambiance. The soundstaging was even a bit larger with the A2 but again this is in my room as I couldn't get as far back as probably needed with the TSM after setting them out from back walls as recommended. The A2 sounds more cohesive when you leave your chair. The A2 just seem made for music, not hi-fi as I haven't found anything they can't play well. I wouldn't describe them as analytical but they are nuetral without forwardness in any extreme. The metal tweeter is very well implemented and better than I have experienced as it doesn't draw attention yet does gives the natual shimmer of cymbals I like. I play percussuion so what the A2 catches with music stands out to me. The blend of the mids and highs is superb with no Ssss distractions, only a wall of cohesive sound similar to to a planar. E-mail Stone-Image as I am sure you'd enjoy hearing jimmyr's comments.

I do use a sub but am happy without it too. I use a REL Storm III crossed over at lowest setting, just gives me a bit more fullness on some material.

I have recently compared a Naim Nait 5i, Primare I21 and Bryston B60R SST on the A2. I had the Bryston B100SST, Rogue 99 and 3BST within the last year and an ASL 1003 tried briefly. I also own the LFD Mistral. Want to try the Cronus. As far as musicality, the Bryston B60R SST is the unit I listen to the most as I like the imaging, separation and sweetness in combo with the liquid mids on the A2. They are rated at 88DB and play to decent levels on the B60. THe updated B60 does sound bigger and clearer than the original yet has the good musical attributes the 2BLP has. Feel free to e-mail me if you have other questions.