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So let's play a little game... But you must follow these rules!!!
1.) Must be a bookshelf (monitor) loudspeaker. However, it can be a two-way, three-way, full-range, coaxial, horn, waveguide, etc. design.
2.) Must be from a reputable, well established commercial company. They must be currently in business. This means no DIY, no garage companies, small time operations, kits, etc.
3.) All particular models must be currently available for purchase at the dealers as well as listed on the manufacturer's website.
4.) The monitors must have a woofer/mid-woofer of 6", or greater. No 4", 5", etc. anemic drivers.
5.) Must be priced between $300-$3000, retail prices. Anything over $3000 becomes ridiculous to 95% of potential customers.
6.) Must be well made, i.e. MDF, aluminum, plywood, etc. No plastic cast, no thin cast aluminum, etc. enclosures.
7.) Must have a performance of +/-2.5dB, or better, from 100Hz-10,000kHz.
8.) Must have a documented anechoic measurement, which includes at least some of the following: On-axis SPL, vertical off-axis response, horizontal off-axis response, distortion, impedance trace, etc. Or at the very least a documented anechoic measurement from the company's similar and, or past model(s). To show their consistency and reputation.
9.) No speakers from companies with an Asian origin.
10.) No active/powered monitors. Any speaker suggested that meets the above requirements will be added to the list. As long as it's better than what's already on the list. The list must remain at no more than 20 speakers.
Here is the list so far:
(NOTE: All speakers can be improved by replacing all capacitors with Sonicaps, replacing all inductors with Jantzen 15AWG air cores, replacing all resistors with Mills MRA12s, adding Dynamat, replacing/adding the damping material with Parts Express' self adhesive 1/2" grey foam, replacing all wiring with silver plated, Teflon insulated 14AWG wire, which can be bought on eBay.)
1.) Dynaudio Focus 160, $2900pr.
2.) Spendor SP3/1R2, $2500pr.
3.) PSB Synchrony One B, $2400pr.
4.) Revel Performa M22, $2200pr.
5.) Paradigm Signature S2 $1900pr.
6.) KEF R300, $1800pr.
7.) Dynaudio Excite X16, $1600pr.
8.) Boston Acoustics VS 260, $1400pr.
9.) Paradigm Studio 20, $1200pr.
10.) KEF XQ20, $1200pr.
11.) Focal Chorus 807 V, $1100pr.
12.) Dynaudio DM 2/7, $1000pr.
13.) Focal Chorus 706 V, $650pr.
14.) Revel Concerta M12, $650pr.
15.) KEF Q300, $650pr.
16.) Paradigm Mini Monitor Series 7, $600pr.
17.) KEF Classic IQ30, $600pr.
18.) Behringer B2031P, $570pr.
19.) PSB Image B6, $550pr.
20.) Behringer B2030P, $440pr.
And here are the evidence:
1.) Dynaudio Focus 160 - This is an expensive speaker, but an excellent performer. It features a 6.5" woofer and is rear ported (loses a point here due to front firing ports being superior). Dynaudio tests and uses an anechoic chamber during the design phase of every speaker. Most Dynaudio speakers measure better than +/-2dB and have no severe suck-outs if listened to off-axis vertically, +/-15 degrees. While the Focus 160 has no anechoic measurements available online yet, here are the measurements for the Focus 110, a similar model: http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/mea...dio_focus_110/
2.) Spendor SP3/1R2 - I had a hard time deciding weather to add this speaker to the list, or not. It's not a very known speaker in the States, nor is it readily available. However, it's fairly common overseas, especially in England. Spendor is very consistent with their product quality. Their speakers usually measure +/-2.5db, and have medium to good vertical off-axis performance. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are measurements for a similar model, the SA1: http://www.stereophile.com/content/s...r-measurements
3.) PSB Synchrony One B - Another company which uses the NRC's anechoic chamber and consistently makes great products. Their speakers measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are the measurements for the bigger and the little brother: http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/mea...synchrony_one/
4.) Revel Performa M22 - Now we're getting into some of the best performing loudspeakers in the world. Harman International is the largest loudspeaker company/manufacturer in the world. They're equipped with the very best and state of the art computer modeling, testing, anechoic chamber, etc. Revel's speakers measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response, vertical and horizontal. They have low distortion and excellent power handling. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are the measurements of the previous generation of M22, the M20: http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._performa_m20/
5.) Paradigm Signature S2 - Yet another company which uses NRC's anechoic chamber to consistently design and manufacture great sounding and performing speakers. Their speakers all measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response. Front ported
Here are the measurements: http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._signature_s2/
To be continued...
1.) Must be a bookshelf (monitor) loudspeaker. However, it can be a two-way, three-way, full-range, coaxial, horn, waveguide, etc. design.
2.) Must be from a reputable, well established commercial company. They must be currently in business. This means no DIY, no garage companies, small time operations, kits, etc.
3.) All particular models must be currently available for purchase at the dealers as well as listed on the manufacturer's website.
4.) The monitors must have a woofer/mid-woofer of 6", or greater. No 4", 5", etc. anemic drivers.
5.) Must be priced between $300-$3000, retail prices. Anything over $3000 becomes ridiculous to 95% of potential customers.
6.) Must be well made, i.e. MDF, aluminum, plywood, etc. No plastic cast, no thin cast aluminum, etc. enclosures.
7.) Must have a performance of +/-2.5dB, or better, from 100Hz-10,000kHz.
8.) Must have a documented anechoic measurement, which includes at least some of the following: On-axis SPL, vertical off-axis response, horizontal off-axis response, distortion, impedance trace, etc. Or at the very least a documented anechoic measurement from the company's similar and, or past model(s). To show their consistency and reputation.
9.) No speakers from companies with an Asian origin.
10.) No active/powered monitors. Any speaker suggested that meets the above requirements will be added to the list. As long as it's better than what's already on the list. The list must remain at no more than 20 speakers.
Here is the list so far:
(NOTE: All speakers can be improved by replacing all capacitors with Sonicaps, replacing all inductors with Jantzen 15AWG air cores, replacing all resistors with Mills MRA12s, adding Dynamat, replacing/adding the damping material with Parts Express' self adhesive 1/2" grey foam, replacing all wiring with silver plated, Teflon insulated 14AWG wire, which can be bought on eBay.)
1.) Dynaudio Focus 160, $2900pr.
2.) Spendor SP3/1R2, $2500pr.
3.) PSB Synchrony One B, $2400pr.
4.) Revel Performa M22, $2200pr.
5.) Paradigm Signature S2 $1900pr.
6.) KEF R300, $1800pr.
7.) Dynaudio Excite X16, $1600pr.
8.) Boston Acoustics VS 260, $1400pr.
9.) Paradigm Studio 20, $1200pr.
10.) KEF XQ20, $1200pr.
11.) Focal Chorus 807 V, $1100pr.
12.) Dynaudio DM 2/7, $1000pr.
13.) Focal Chorus 706 V, $650pr.
14.) Revel Concerta M12, $650pr.
15.) KEF Q300, $650pr.
16.) Paradigm Mini Monitor Series 7, $600pr.
17.) KEF Classic IQ30, $600pr.
18.) Behringer B2031P, $570pr.
19.) PSB Image B6, $550pr.
20.) Behringer B2030P, $440pr.
And here are the evidence:
1.) Dynaudio Focus 160 - This is an expensive speaker, but an excellent performer. It features a 6.5" woofer and is rear ported (loses a point here due to front firing ports being superior). Dynaudio tests and uses an anechoic chamber during the design phase of every speaker. Most Dynaudio speakers measure better than +/-2dB and have no severe suck-outs if listened to off-axis vertically, +/-15 degrees. While the Focus 160 has no anechoic measurements available online yet, here are the measurements for the Focus 110, a similar model: http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/mea...dio_focus_110/
2.) Spendor SP3/1R2 - I had a hard time deciding weather to add this speaker to the list, or not. It's not a very known speaker in the States, nor is it readily available. However, it's fairly common overseas, especially in England. Spendor is very consistent with their product quality. Their speakers usually measure +/-2.5db, and have medium to good vertical off-axis performance. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are measurements for a similar model, the SA1: http://www.stereophile.com/content/s...r-measurements
3.) PSB Synchrony One B - Another company which uses the NRC's anechoic chamber and consistently makes great products. Their speakers measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are the measurements for the bigger and the little brother: http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/mea...synchrony_one/
4.) Revel Performa M22 - Now we're getting into some of the best performing loudspeakers in the world. Harman International is the largest loudspeaker company/manufacturer in the world. They're equipped with the very best and state of the art computer modeling, testing, anechoic chamber, etc. Revel's speakers measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response, vertical and horizontal. They have low distortion and excellent power handling. Loses a point for a rear port. Here are the measurements of the previous generation of M22, the M20: http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._performa_m20/
5.) Paradigm Signature S2 - Yet another company which uses NRC's anechoic chamber to consistently design and manufacture great sounding and performing speakers. Their speakers all measure under +/-2dB and have excellent off-axis response. Front ported
Here are the measurements: http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._signature_s2/To be continued...
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