Which monitors for my tube system in a large room?


Hi guys,

I was completely happy with my system---Devore Nines, Leben CS300XS---when I got blindsided by a new apartment and a new baby. Between those two life-changing factors, my space and time to listen to the system have shrunk. In this apartment the rig has to live in the living/dining room, which means the Nines are suddenly Too Big---not purely WAF, I also concede that they are looming weirdly over my shoulder when I'm eating dinner a few feet away.

Luckily, I can keep them---I will move them across town to the studio where I work, which from now on will be my serious private listening space, and where I'll build a new system around them (the fun silver lining.)

At home I don't want to give up having a serious setup, even if it will have to be used more for background-listening. My plan is to keep the Leben, which I love, and get some bookshelf speakers with stands, which won't be as imposing as the Nines. Obviously there will be a sacrifice in bass and so on, but maybe I'll have fun and discover the joys of smaller monitors!

They will need to work well with the 15w Leben, and the ability to play well from corners is a plus. They will be positioned on the short wall of an 18x21' room with 8' ceilings. I won't be listening very loud in the home setup, and at least for a few years probably won't be up late doing serious solo listening. I just want musicality and listenability.

To that end, been thinking about small models from Omega, Spendor, Coincident, Proac, Usher. I live in NYC and can demo some of these, others not.

Any advice?

Thanks so much in advance for your ruminations!
price

Showing 3 responses by mapman

IF you want good full range sound, do not want to have to deal with monitor stands, and do not want to be locked into listening from a small sweet spot necessarily, take a look at small footprint floorstander designs from another vendor in Brooklyn, NY, OHM Microwalshes or Walsh 1000s (www.ohmspeakers.com).
"I had figured that the Ohms would want more power than the little Leben can offer (not out of the question to also change amps, was just hoping not to have to.)"

Good point. I missed the specific amp indicated in your post.

15 tube watts should do OK, especially for background listening, but more would certainly help.

That or integrate a sub to lessen the low end/bass load for the Walshes. I think OHM still sells subs as well but not certain.

If you live close by, I'm sure you could easily work out an in home audition and hear for yourself without even having to deal with shipping costs.

If you go by teh OHM shop, let us know your impressions. I have never been there but my understanding is it is quite unassuming.
I've heard those Quads and like them a lot.

Never heard them off a tube amp though. Assuming they are tube friendly, that could be quite a nice pairing.