Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

[NickJ]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

I wonder what he means by origin? Quad makes some amazing speakers. It was originally a British company but they moved to China as well. Also there are boutique Japanese speaker builders as I recall from my trip there. And let me tell you, Japanese craftsmanship is no joke. They have a history of taking that shtuff very seriously.

Someone in town IS selling the Focal Monitors (the 806v) for a song though...I could almost justify buying them for the cost of the stands they are selling them with. Hrmm...

[internova]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Dynaudio makes several models' cabinets in China too. Many manufactures have crossover components from Asia.

Whether it is made in Asia has no impact on quality. The key is how much QC and component budget the company is willing to spend. Sony Bravia and Emerson (Sold at Walmart) use the same production facility.

But - this is a good list of pricing. I had no idea Focus was that expensive.

[Chris Roemer]

Re: Absolutely Ridikalas

Best spam award, 2011.

"

[justanie]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

This...... http://www.meyersound.com/products/studioseries/hd-1/

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Behringer is a German company. Most of the products are built in China. Origination split between China/Germany.

Gotcha. For some reason, I thought they were of Chinese origin.

[fastbike1]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Behringer is a German company. Most of the products are built in China. Origination split between China/Germany.

Also, isn't Behringer an Asian company?

[djg]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Best spam award, 2011.

[maynardg]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

This post is so timely. I wouldn't have had any idea where to turn to find a world class two-way monitor at a reasonable price.......

[Jeff B.]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Too bad about the silly "no Asian" qualifier - Usher makes some dandy commercial offerings, as does Hi-Vi/Swan. Oh well, lists like these are cute but ultimately fail at accomplishing anything of value.

Yes, the "no Asian" condition is a pretty stu pid qualifier. In fact, we don't really know what "reputable" companies are having their drivers built in Asia in the first place. And even if it was, that doesn't discount the quality of an Usher, Aurum Cantus, or SB Acoustics driver, just to name three.

[ROTECH]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Guys...

I'm Pretty sure the OP was a spambot also. That was a lengthy and thought out posting for a 1st timer, and by ruling out Asian companies- I would think a real person couldnt rule out such a manufacturing superpower when talking about mass produced items. I wouldnt click the links.

OP, Please excuse me if you were a real person

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Also, isn't Behringer an Asian company?

[johnnyrichards]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Too bad about the silly "no Asian" qualifier - Usher makes some dandy commercial offerings, as does Hi-Vi/Swan. Oh well, lists like these are cute but ultimately fail at accomplishing anything of value.

[greywarden]

Re: Top 20 Commercial Monitor Speakers in the World!!!

Evidence based on opinions are not factual by any means, and just becuase it's expensive and available on the shelf doesn't mean it's the best, either. It varies from person to person. Have you listened to ALL of these?

Besides those points, this is a DIY forum, sponsored - paid for - by PE, and who cares about speakers that some or most of us could afford - if we wanted speakers that were already built?

[ridikas]

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/

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/measurements/speakers/psb_synchrony_twob/

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...