I like the Soliloquy 5.0's in that price range, but they do need to be placed out in the room. They mate well with push-pull tube amps. Someone's selling the Taylo mini monitors here on 'gon. Nice drivers. The Taylo reference monitors will run you a little more but are also nice for the $$--I have them. Look at www.tayloraudio.com. The ACI Sapphire III LE's may also fit the bill--use a scanspeak tweeter, image well and throw a nice soundstage. www.audioc.com.
Which small but great monitors?
I want to upgrade my small HT system in my bedroom, where I currently have Boston Acoustics VRM 60's and VRM-C for front and center speakers. The size of these speakers is right, smallish but not micro-monitors, but the sound for music or FM is not up to my standards (I use Proac Response 1SC's and Genesis 500's in other systems). I am considering upgrading to Coincident Triumphs, Spendor 3/1's, Soliloquy 5.0's, or ?? The size of the speakers I've listed is perfect for the Sound Anchor stands I already have (8" x 11" minimum footprint, height not crucial). And the price of these is around the $1000 mark for a pair. I know I love the Spendor sound because years ago I had BC-3's. I've never heard a small Spendor, though. I've heard great things about Coincident and think the cabinet work is beautiful. Has anybody heard any of these options against one another, or solo? Any recommendations focusing on audio performance rather than TV sound are welcome and will help me figure out where to go. I can listen to the Soliloquies and the Spendors at one dealer's, but can't find Coincidents around here (Wash. DC). Also--any other recommendations in this size and price range (around $1000-1200 for a pair)?