Room too small - any suggestions

Pops and Charlie, Elizabeth has the answer. It may the reflections that I worry about because of what happens in my larger small room arent a problem for Charlie and wouldnt be for you Pops because you're so so close to the speakers. If that's so, then I certainly agree with Charlie about the Harbeth Compact 7's. They are my main speakers and they do everything I want a speaker to do.

The only problem with the Harbeths is finding a pair to listen to. Where do you live Pops?

You may be in luck if it's a padded cell. Otherwise you're going to have a lot of reflections. You need something rolled off on top I think. Most mini-monitors that are designed for near-field listening also have very good dispersion and will sound bright if the side walls and ceiling are too close. I use very inexpensive speakers in my home office that have a nicely rolled off top end.

Here's an unusual suggestion. If you search through the recent Audiogon/AudioWeb/Audioreview/AudioShopper speaker ads you will find a pair of vintage KLH Model 5's for sale at $225 by someone in Maryland I think. They are very heavy 3 way "bookshelf" speakers requiring stands. Put them up high and toe them in and they are very linear, have really deep bass and sound great at low volumes. (You cant play very loud in such a small room, and these speakers are about 77db efficient.)

I would have recommended the Harbeths but I was really serious about a rolled off top end being better for such a small room. If your room is that small Charlie, then my guess would be (1) you amp is very soft on top and (2) you have curtains or something that absorbs the reflections. When I move my Harbeths into my living room (not as small as the rooms we're discussing) there's too much reflection off the french doors. I have the same problem with my mini P3's but can move them around easier.

With the Sony and the BATs and the preference for the Vandy's, I dont know if a world class monitor is the way to go.

Plus, have you ever heard the KLH Model 5? It was a great speaker if you didnt need to or couldnt play really loud. I have a pair that my father in law bought in Bethesda in 1968. The only reason I dont have them hooked up right now in his system is one of the tweeters (or the crossover) is dead.