The best mini monitors you have heard?
Yea the ML1's are very interesting like that - some love em with powerful SS others with valve gear. When I had mine I used two amps a Leben and a NAKSA depending on mood and music - I couldn't really decide which was best - well maybe the Leben by a smidgen on the type of music I tend to listen to like Diana Krall. A sub is definitely optional except for home theatre. Thanks Bill |
Sorry guys - yea a typo - it should of course be superb - that's the problem with spell checkers - if your typo is an actual word you are out of luck. And the Sassons are indeed superb but I think this new Lenehan speaker has it beat. Hopefully somewhere, sometime a direct comparison can be arranged. BTW this is not to poo poo Majico - still a good speaker - but they have a different model than Lenehan or Ridge St who spend virtually nothing on marketing. What do Majico spend on it? Well over in Singapore when some new Majico speakers were released they held a champagne and caviar breakfast - and it wasn't cheap champagne - it was Bollinger. I have been told they sell for about nine times the cost of parts while guys with like Lenehan and I suspect Ridge St its more like twice. Marketing costs - and costs big. Thanks Bill |
Majico's are good but way over priced. Ridge St Sassons are suburb and easily account for the Majico's as does the Lenehan ML1 Reference at just $5K. But the best monitor, and indeed speaker, I have heard is a new all out speaker Lenehan Audio has built called the ML2 Limited Edition. Duelund Cast Capacitors and Resistors, lined with copper, massive copper clad steel differential bracing, and 10 gauge air core inductors. There is a thread about it in Aus: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/46808-lenehan-ml-ii-reference-limited-edition/ I simply couldn't resist it and ordered one myself - amazing speaker. Thanks Bill |
I have owned pretty much every Sonus Faber monitor including the Guarneri Homage and currently own the Guarneri memento's (which I find MUCH better than the H) but one speaker that sticks out as being purely magical is the Merlin TSM-MM I owned about 5 years ago on Osiris stands using Cary tube pre/amp and CDP. BUT I just acquired the Guarneri Memento and while they do not sound quite as "organic" as the Merlins, they have one of the most pleasing, full, mellow, delicate sounds I have ever heard from any speaker. Bass is NOT lacking at all and the mids are to die for. The Merlins mids were a bit drier but the Merlin top end was amazing as was the imaging. For about $2k, anyone wanting a world class speaker, the Merlin TSM-MX is one to beat. |
What Musicfile said. But before I owned them, I auditioned no less than 3 dozen monitors, with no biases and an open mind. Nothing even came close to the Sason, regardless of price. Honorable mention at a budget price point is the Tyler Taylo Reference. Tiny box, big sound, and they disappear better than Houdini. |
Pubul57, A friend has the Magico's which I've heard many many times. Yes they are good but I prefer the Ridgestreet Sason's to the Mini's for a couple of reasons. First, the Sason's disappear like no other speaker I've heard. They, the Sason's, also layer front to back better than any other speaker I've heard. I also think the Sason's are the more transparent to the source of the two. Factor in price and it's a no brainer. Even if price weren't a factor, it wouldn't change my preference. Ridgestreet is a low profile company so you may have to work at it a bit to hear a pair but it will be worh it. |
My friend has the Magico Minis.Previously a wonderful pair(too big for room) of three way Kharmas.I have heard a load of superb mini monitors.Love the Dynaudio C-1's,and the Sonus Faber Guarneri Momentos.I do Think the C-1's are hands down,the best overall value....including the best I have heard,and by a good margin,which are definitely the Magico Minis!...But...the current asking price(30,000 dollars) of the Minis is definitely way out of line,IMO.They are superb,but don't kill the C-1's,to the degree of the price differential. I think the TAD monitor,which is still being developed,will come in a bit lower in price than the Magico(if TAD is clever),and give it a real run for the money.I hope so,anyway! Good luck. |
I too have heard the Excalante speakers are very nice. No dealer in my area :-( At this price range, it really is worth listening to the Wilson Duettes and many others. But per the initial comments about the satisfaction with the Dynaudio's, why not go with those. They make a nice speaker that perform well. You don't hear of too many people that grow dissatisfied with them, other than to possibly work up their line. Very well rounded speakers. |
If you can find them, KEF made some wonderful speakers 20 years ago that are very small and lifelike. Look for KEF models 104/2 and 102's. They have a cult following. They can be tweaked for great results. You will also see many threads around Harbeth. They are used by the BBC studios and are very efficient. I have a friend who engineered many of the live BBC shows from the 1960's and 1970's (think Led Zep and the Faces) and he swears by these. |
Have you considered the Totem Mani speakers? For a very small monitor speaker they have a dual woofer arrangement that produces exceptional base for either a small floor standing speaker and certainly a monitor. They image well, throw a deep stage, are overall a well balanced speaker. To boot, there is a pair available on EBay right now, presently at under $1400 for the pair. Not sure what they will go for, but one could estimate somewhere in the 1750-2200 range, maybe more now! (no, these are not mine, not a friends of mine, just a mention). |
First and foremost speak to Bobby - he's as helpful with suggestions as with analyzing suggested systems. Have Ruby Heart red TSM-Mxe's powered by BelCanto Ref 1000 monos and DAC3. Sourced with a SqueezeBox SB3/Boulder digital mod/power supply mod unit; all music stored in lossless format on terabyte server. Plays in a 12x15 room, speakers on Osiris stands. I've owned Martin Logan, Talon, Red Rose and Gallo - in this room I'd put this system against any of my formers or collections at 2-3 times the price. Drop dead imaging and soundstage, excellent bass control and a visceral presence that draws you into the music. The owners of Bel Canto and Merlin offer an accessibility that's rare these days, whether it's advice, customer service or support; couple that with the outstanding music reproduction and it's hard to justify other choices |
I would have to agree with Tomer_tsin regarding the Wilson Duette and Revel. I have not heard this particular Krell but am otherwise familiar. I ended up with the Duettes and they are absolutely fantastic and quite flexible with placement. To date, I have not heard a speaker that I enjoy more from virtually every perspective (there are other speakers that go lower/deeper), but these are a very well balanced speaker. |
Its true Chaz801, The Merlins were great don't get me wrong, I used a pair of SET Monoblocks to drive the Merlins as you mentioned. I also have had, Totem 1's, JMLAB Electra 906, B&W 805 matrix,3a Decapo and Royal Masters,Usher x-719, Omega Super 3 Alnico's, and since I have to Set Tube amps and Two Solid State, When I read the 6Moons reviewers had bought the Rubys and the MAximus, I thought they may be special. The Technology is also break-though and new compared to most driver type speakers. My feeling now is that when I listen to these with complex recordings the Drums, Guitar and all the instruments sound the Most real of all the speakers I have owned again, this is >>IMHO |
the academy one monitor is rated down to around 50hz, but unlike many up the above mentioned monitor types, actually gets there in listenable fashion. so many monitors and mini's have specs that are science fiction, you have to try them in your house. there are also a pair to sonus fabor electas(another overlooked classic) up for sale for about 1300 on agon right now. they are also way more musical 'and deep' than most of the new mini designs. a more simple design than the electa amator, they would sell for 5k as we speak if a doug and buster type company developed them today. |
Rwwear I think the pair of jrs are gone. There are a pair of i think the mini monitors they make listed. I think i saw them for around 1300 used. I just received an email from a distributor Savant of the Chario. He said they were discontinued however there has been a replacemet. This is his quote: The Chario Academy 3 has been replaced by the Chario Ursa Major. Current sale price for a new pair is around $8500 per pair. I did a search on google and they look pretty nice. I think they go down to around 35hz at -3db. Thats about where i wanna be on a speaker or lower. Now the question is will they sound as good and dynamic as your Academy 3 with the lower octave? |
Bbchem Thats saying quite a bit about the Rubys that you like them even better than the merlin monitors. I know merlin speakers sound better with good tube gear than solid state although the latest versions are more versatile than the earlier models. I like what im hearing about the Mark & Daniel speakers and dont mind spending a little more for something that will be a true giant killer. I heard one dealer say that he would put the Aragons up against the watt puppy 7s any day. I said what! Now i have to hear them at 1/3 the price of the 7s. Even if they come close to their performance would say a lot for me. Jaybo and Rwwear I wish they still made the chario jr's. I emailed the distributor for more info. Would love to hear them to see how i would like the sound. If they sound like a sonus faber i don't know if i would fall in love with the sound. I mean i heard the smaller stradavari cant remember the name at CES 07 and it was pretty good but didnt move me like some other speakers. I like a little punch and listen to jazz fusion, jazz vocals and some pop. I can see where classical would come in great on them. Maybe it was the room or the equipment i heard them on. Just my perception about what i heard at the show. |
Hi Chaz801, I have had the Merlin TSM very good indeed but still more like HIFI for me. I have been told that the Aragons, to expensive for me are maybe the best monitor on earth by friends. The Maximus I am told is still similar to the Rubys but more bass and somewhat less highs than the Ruby and sounded better with the Harmonizers. All in ALL for me the Mark and Daniels line is truily amazing as music can sound live which is probably the highest compliment in all of Audio>> The editor of StereoMojo emailed me that he loves the Maximus he is currently reviewing, also made mention that they sound better than at the show for him now. |
Ringing is just as bad as wobbling which all these soft cones suffers from. I agree it is a compromise...it is all about finding the right balance and then using the driver within its acceptable frequency operating range. The fatiguing designs step too far in one extreme or another. Too wobbly is indeed just as bad as too rigid. As is a driver used too far outside its good operating range. Good Point. |
Bbchem Have you had a chance to hear the Mark and Daniel Aragon yet. They say this monitor goes down to 28hz with the bass inhanced stands. I know Stereomojo is doing a review of the Maximus that should be on there website i think later this month. So im very interested in seeing what they have to say about it. Very interesting product. Also I havent read any feedback from how they sounded at the NY show. |
Shadorne, I don't think the Magico Mini has a ceramic driver. Sorry, I meant to say rigid drivers. Titanium is a very stiff light weight material, ceramic is another....they all suffer from ringing and need some form of damping to control severe break up modes. Perhaps the Kharma's do a better job of damping than the Magico design... |
The best two-way I've heard to this day is a diy design bij Scan Speak, the Reference Monitor SE. http://www.audiocomponents.nl/speakers/scanspeak/reference/scanspeak-reference_eng.htm Here you'll find a description and some drawings. The one I've heard was even more painstakingingly crafted by adding a facetted baffle. |
