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Help me pick a monitor

I am moving into a smaller place and need to replace my Paradigm Studio 100s. I am a big fan of Paradigm, and am looking for an accurate monitor with punch (must be a monitor/bookshelf speaker I can put on a stand). My music taste favor acoustic guitar (I like a sweet mid-range) and some bass heavy stuff (Everthing But The Girl). I use an Anthem Amp 2 and a Sonic Frontiers Line 1. I can spend $2000 but less is better of course.

So far I am interested in:
1) Paradigm 40 v.3
2) Tyler Linbrook Ref Monitors
3) JM Lab Cobalt Monitors

Please give some advise, especially if you have experience with the ones I have mentioned.
mdomnick
reubent
6,939 posts
 
I'm surprised that nobody has recommended the Reference 3A MM DeCapo yet! It generally comes up in this type of post. Yes, its list price is $2500, but an excellent used pair can be had for as little as $1000-1500.

I have owned a lot of different speakers and for me, the DeCapo has gotten me off of the "want to upgrade" train.

FWIW, the DeCapo is a mirror imaged monitor with an 8" proprietary carbon fibre weave woofer and a silk dome tweeter. It provides outstanding bass from such a small speaker and the highs are not bright like so many speakers I've owned. Additionally, a great feature of this speaker is that it is a very easy to drive 92db eff. speaker with basically no crossover (except a single capacitor on the tweeter). It can be powered by almost any amp, including low powered SET tube amps (I'm currently using 3.5 watts/ch). So, you have nearly limitless amp possibilities, but there would be no need for anything over 100 w/ch (saving you money on amps).

At the used price, the Reference 3A MM DeCapo (or new DeCapo(i)) is a bargain. Read the reviews. These are great speakers!

Enjoy,

TIC (a happy DeCapo owner)
petewhitley
163 posts
 
Get the Green Mountain Europa's. They are a fatastic speaker that sounds very resolved and has a deep stage. JM Sound is now selling them new. Joe is a great person to do business with.
jimel84
38 posts
 
Here are some older choices. Acoustic Energy AE1, AE2 and Platinum Solo,all designed by Phil Jones, who is also a bass player. They are not terribly efficient, but if you have a smallish room and/or listen in the nearfield they will definitly get the job done. If you like canadian speakers consider PSB Sratus Minis. And everbody's all time favorite the Spica TC 60's.
You can then take the $1000 to $1500 you just saved and buy more music. Enjoy.
listener57
730 posts
 
I can second the used Platinum Solo's which seem to run $675 when listed on Audiogon. Full range, articulate, yet sweet when the amp is capable. With your amp there will be bass with clarity, speed, and even startle factor ( which converts to smile factor ) if listening in the nearfield. At this modest price the bass really is special.
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