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Shopping for speakers at $1500-$2000 is a chore.

I have been amazed at how many $1500-$2000 monitor speakers are out there. Just to name a few: the Wharfdale Jade 3's; KEF LS-50; KEF R-300; B&W CM-5S2 and CM-6S2; Focal Aria 906. and though NOT a monitor, Golden Ear Technology Model 7 small floorstander at $1500 a pair (which received raptured and orgasmic praise at CES 2013)

I have heard both KEF's , especially LS-50, but despite excellent sound staging and accuracy sound lean and at times lifeless The B&W were better, but the CM5S2 sounded lean and often edgy,However(the CM6S2 is very good to excellent, but also more expensive than the others)

The Wharfdale Jade 3 was the bane of one our members in a recent thread claiming they just did not sound right or what he expected.

However, the Choral Aria 906 monitor has often popped up in discussions, and as I mentioned to another member, they have received very good and solid reviews from generally reliable sources, However, the Focal 906, and the Golden Ear Technology model 7 are harder to find to audition.

So I would like to get some input from owners of either or possibly both speakers about which they preferred, and also the better sounding or most satisfying to listen to. I will greatly appreciate this feedback, as I seek out a dealer of either or both, but hopefully not in a city or state that requires air or train travel to reach.
sunnyjim
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,906 posts
 
I almost bought a Rogue Sphinx.

It should work well to suit your needs with most any speaker mentioned in that room which is not large. You'll know what you like best when you hear it.

Were it me, I would audition Goldenear Aon 3. That should do nicely if you like the sound and leave money to spend again. i can't imagine why anyone would not, but tastes vary. Some might find Aon 3 too polite perhaps.

Don't forget with Monitors the right pair of stands is essential as well for best performance. My recommendation would be to try Isoacoustics pro monitor stands for about $100 on Amazon first before anything else.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Thanks, SunnyJim. 12x15 and your listening tastes certainly help narrow the choices. I've heard the Triton 7s twice, the demo room was at least 12x15, and the bass output overloaded the room so much I couldn't explore the speaker's reputed potential.

OTOH, I also heard the Aon 3 in a similar-sized room and it was a nice match. Unlike most mini-monitors, the Aons have two side-mounted passive radiators, which enable more bass extension and higher speaker sensitivity. The mid/woofers are quick and linear, and the Heil-type folded ribbon tweeter is deceptively detailed because it is much smoother than typical domes, especially some metal ones. The folded ribbon has several square inches of radiating area, which means it doesn't have to move much and thereby is not subject to the inertial artifacts (overshoot and ringing) typical of conventional tweeters.

BTW, the Triton 5 is passive like the Triton 7, but with bigger cabinets, woofers and passive radiators. The Triton 5 also has four radiators per cabinet vs. the 7's two. I hope you can find some Aons to audition locally.
mt10425
1,138 posts
 
You know, my wife and I heard the KEF LS-50 and the Blade at Axpona a couple of shows ago. Neither impressed us. The room was pretty large but, still... The Blade was better. I wouldn't own the LS-50.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,906 posts
 
Ls-50 is very good with high power high current amp in a smaller room but is undersized for larger rooms. Any small speaker can only go so far.
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hwdsound
11 posts
 
We have a few options from proac to dynaudio to dali. We are big into bookshelf speakers here as well as value for the money. Please give us a call to discuss.

Larry
Hollywood Sound
Www.hwdsound.com
954.921.1408
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