Best Monitors under $10,000

asiufy said:
Can't believe nobody mentioned the Evolution Acoustics MMMicro One. At $4k with stands, it's a steal. And also the best bookshelf speaker I've heard, above or below their price.


alexandre
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Yes they slipped my mind.
 
My short list would be...

ATC SCM 19
Dynaudio C1
Vivid V1
Proac D2
KEF LS50
KEF REF 1
Usher Mini X
 
Are the MM Micro One's really as amazing as Stereo Mojo reports? Alexandre, would love to hear your input, including which monitors you have compared them to.
 
Has anyone heard the Pioneer S-2EX monitors? They were discontinued a few years back. Andrew Jones designed them and they have TAD drivers, including a beryllium tweeter. They weigh over 60 pounds each and are three way. Some say they offer 90% of the TAD CR-1's performance at 10% or so of the price. They are difficult to find on the used market but I sure would love to demo them.
 
RDSChicago (and puroagave),

I've heard my share of stand mounteds...

Sonus fabers, I've heard several, including the mini Elipsa, the Guarneri, etc.
Dynaudio, the 25 years commemorative edition, which had impressive bass for its size, but it was very bloated and diffuse sounding, as well as several other models in lower ranges, Focus, Excite, etc.
Magico Q1
B&W 805
GamuTs
Enigma (awesome speakers)
Focal

Those I had in my set up. And the MMMicroOnes wipe the floor with them.

At shows (and friend's houses), I've heard a whole other bunch, but as we all know, that's not really a fair comparison. To be honest, the Joseph Audios are always impressive at shows too (like the Micro Ones), but JA's review of one of their models was less than glowing, IIRC. And they're almost twice as expensive as the Evolutions, too...

I've friends who are having a hard time getting out of the MicroOnes, because everything they audition is simply not as good or complete...

Heard great things about the Vivids, as well as the new Spendor models.

As for that Pioneer model, if you find one (or two), hook me up, as I'm curious to hear them too :)

cheers,
alex
 
RDSChicago said:
Has anyone heard the Pioneer S-2EX monitors? They were discontinued a few years back. Andrew Jones designed them and they have TAD drivers, including a beryllium tweeter. They weigh over 60 pounds each and are three way. Some say they offer 90% of the TAD CR-1's performance at 10% or so of the price. They are difficult to find on the used market but I sure would love to demo them.
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I just bought a pair for my Bend OR home. My wife made me punt the Proac D28 speakers (size and looks) so I just bought a pair of S2EX speakers this week. Should have them next week and will report on sound. Am selling the Jena labs hot rodded MA9S1monos too since I just picked up another pair of ma9S2s.
 
I once considered the S-2EX, they were blowing them out at the end. I never heard them but I did listen to the S-1Ex floorstander, they were excellent. IME equal to the big Revels for half the money. My concern was the quality, the pair I examined had hair line cracks at the seams. I heard elsewhere the cabinets weren't even MDF and the drivers were held with wood screws.
 
In regards to the Vivid V1.5's: I auditioned them and concur with reviews that they do disappear remarkably well (like all Vivids I have heard). They also strive for extreme accuracy and neutrality. Great speakers no doubt, but I think I prefer something more deliberately warm and full.


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A used pair of Magico Mini IIs at $9-10K, if you can find them. They do require a lot of power to sound their best, though.
 
Used pair of Focal Diablo. It runs around $8-9k. Great Utopia sound under $10k. Give them high current class A amplification and you'll be rewarded. Plus it has the looks.
 
kzhtoo said:
Used pair of Focal Diablo. It runs around $8-9k. Great Utopia sound under $10k. Give them high current class A amplification and you'll be rewarded. Plus it has the looks.
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What is the bass rolloff like on those? Do they conceal their limitations well?


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Did you buy the pair of Pioneer's on AG? If so how much if you don't mind saying? They didn't come with the OEM stands so I was hesitant.
 
nile49 said:
What is the bass rolloff like on those? Do they conceal their limitations well?


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Never owned them myself but heard them on multiple occasions. Didn't feel they were short on the low end as far as the monitors go. Very deep soundstage. Clear sounding and images very well like a real hi-end monitor should.
 
Steve said:
I forgot to mention why I love the Brodmann Vienna Festival Series monitors.

Price - Exceptional value.
Build - Exceptional finish. Crafted by piano makers.
Sound - These cabinets have integrated sounding boards. They are an all rounder but do exceptionally well playing classical and jazz. You will probably never hear a better piano score after listening to Brodmann.
Setup - Easy to drive, easy to position. Minimal footprint.

I always keep coming back to these. They are one of those special monitors that leave you with a magical impression.

I would love a pair for another system and will probably end up owning them.

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I have heard the Brodmann's at shows. They are excellent.

As for their producing a great piano sound, that's probably because Brodmann also makes pianos.
 
I'll have to throw the Roksan Darius S1 into the mix as a definite contender, but I'm quite biased, so feel free to take this with a grain of salt if you like. I'd say they're still relatively unknown since I don't think very many people have heard them. Others can describe better than I can though:

hi-fi+ – Apr 2014 - “I can’t help listening to the Darius without drawing the Raidho C1.1 into the fight. The C1.1 is an expensive, but outstanding, loudspeaker that demands the best and gives the best. The Darius observes the same rules, but with two pivotal additions: it’s nowhere near as expensive as the C1.1 and it doesn’t make the same uncompromising demands on room and install. In a straight fight, there would be no clear winner, but as the Darius is so much cheaper, it’s not a fair fight.”

Hifi Pig – May 2014 - “These are simply one of the best standmounts I’ve heard."

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RDSChicago said:
Did you buy the pair of Pioneer's on AG? If so how much if you don't mind saying? They didn't come with the OEM stands so I was hesitant.
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Yes from same dealer I had bought an arc ref 40 preamp from - Hanson Audio - very reputable and good outfit. I have stands. Just bought the matching sub for $900.
 
I have the original Aulos that I run parallel with the floorstanding Syrinx. Aulos at the bottom, Syrinx above.

Heil speakers have a very OPEN sound. Very fast mid/HF….perfect for piano. The Air velocity transformers out put air 4.3 times faster than input.

Heil AMT Aulos English

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I still own a pair of Kef 201/2 and wish I still had my J.M. Reynaud Offrande Supreme V2 which to my ears were the most musical bookshelf I've ever heard under $10k... I still would like to hear the Vapor Arcus just to see.



So many speakers, so little time and money.
 
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