spendor 3/5 vs era vs avi vs vienna acoustics hayd

I like both the Spendor S3/5 and the Vienna Haydn. The Spendor is the more accurate of the two, revealing and analytically penetrating. The Haydn is the more euphonic. Based on your criteria noted, The Haydn is likely more satisfying to you than the objectively excellent Spendor.

However, more to the point of considering your request for

"...a speaker under $1500, decent bass response (flat to 60 hz), little cabinet resonance, somewhat laid back and a soft upper mid/lower treble response...."

A much closer choice is the Silverline SR16. For an even softer top end, the SR15 is voiced considerably warmer. Both of the Silverlines have better dynamic range, larger image and sound presence and deeper useful bass than any of the four you proposed.

Phil

Mrtennis,

I think you're correct about Silverline if you heard the SR11, SR12 or SR17. And some of the floorstanders. But the SR15 and SR16 are voiced differently and each should be appealing in different ways to someone seeking what the original poster described.

Phil

Well, Aktchi, he asked for a small monitor form factor and it wasn't clear he wanted used. Druids take up only the same floor space as a small monitor with stands, so they ought to be viable for that kind of placement, but I usually find that somehow people who ask for small monitors don't perceive a floorstander as a sub for a monitor + stands. As for Zu Tone, yes certainly, though it costs more than $1500 new. It is well above the size of the Spendor and the Vienna so I didn't presume.

I've owned in the past S3/5, Haydn and Silverline SR16. If the poster has the space, Tones or Druids from Zu are better still. For any of the monitor speakers, great, not merely good, stands are essential. It can make a very large difference, especially in quality and extension of bass. Stay alert for a pair of used Osiris 24" and fill them with shot or sand.

Phil