$20k for dream 2.0 or 2.1 rig

[JustJones]

My friend bought a pair of these at the suggestion of a pro audio dealer and the cabinets cracked and creaked because they are wood and expand and contract.

I've seen them get cracks but I believe the cabinet is made from birch plywood and the solid oak is over that. I asked them and they said it's good to keep them oiled with furniture grade oil.

Internally, the 8c is made out of birch plywood. It is used to create the separate compartments for the drivers and to brace the cabinet, in order to increase the stiffness and strength of the cabinet. This results in an acoustically inert cabinet, which ensures that all you hear is the sound of the loudspeaker drivers.

Solid wood is a living material that continuously changes over time. Under the influence of changes in temperature and humidity, the wood will expand and contract. Hairline cracks are normal with solid wood, and thus to be expected.

 

[Mtbf]

That‘s a small listening space. The Genelec The Ones are really good, and the 8341A should be more than enough. You can still use your Benchmark DAC for the mechanical volume control, and use the balanced analogue-in on the Genelecs. Yes, that means an additional DA-AD step, but in practice that’s inaudible. You can always add a sub afterwards. The Genelec GLM kit is a great DSP solution, and can be used without or with a Genelec sub. For the 8341A’s the 7360 is the matching sub, but will (more than) likely be overkill for your space, so a 7350 or even smaller will also be fine. Otherwise you could also go for the 8331A’s + GLM kit + 7350 (or smaller) sub. Check out Erin’s Audiocorner for an excellent review of the 8331A, the rest of The Ones are all tested by Amir.

 

[Steven Holt]

Buy the Genelec system that @Pearljam5000 recommended and donate the rest the your local children's hospital. You'll have wonderful sound and sleep very, very well.

 

[quattro98]

A few options I would consider. A lot depends on what you want.

Passive: KEF Reference 3 Meta or Reference 1 Meta + subwoofer(s), Buckeye Purifi or Hypex amps, would need to use the subwoofer's crossover and hopefully room EQ.
Traditional active: Neumann or Genelec, many options based on size, budget, and listening level.
Cardioid active: D&D 8c or Sigberg Manta + Dual subs (they have 2 options)

For a dedicated 2 channel system, I'd probably get one of the cardioid actives. In full disclosure, our main (multichannel) system uses KEF Reference speakers and my second near field setup is Neumann. Both are excellent.

 

[Svend P]

For that kind of money, I would ensure to buy something that I also enjoyed looking at. I think all of these have already been suggested by others, but I find that they also are beautiful to look at.

Dutch & Dutch 8C

Kef Reference 3

Genelec Ones RAW

Sigberg Manta

 

[CleanSound]

My friend bought a pair of these at the suggestion of a pro audio dealer and the cabinets cracked and creaked because they are wood and expand and contract.

Wow, that sucks, I hope warranty covers it.

Here Andrew Welker from Axiom talks about real wood vs. manufactured wood.

 

[mad]

Buy the Genelec system that @Pearljam5000 recommended and donate the rest the your local children's hospital. You'll have wonderful sound and sleep very, very well.

I love this idea. A lot.

Great recommendations from everyone. One option I see mentioned a lot is Amphion, which is not active but matched amplifier that can be rack mounted. Has anyone heard those?

 

[b7676]

This is the passive monitor discussion lately; there is an 8 inch santa monica coming soon.

New Kali Audio monitor

Seems there is a new monitor being displayed at NAMM from their Instagram page . Not sure exactly what type it is, a passive for sure with the ability to be tri amped with a purpose built amp later down down the line probably with dsp somewhere in there also. SM-5-C is the name and this is all...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[lowkeyoperations]

What do you mean amps built outside the enclosure? They look to be integrated with the cabinet.

From the link…

“Removable Amp Pack-
Placing the amplifier inside the monitor negatively interferes with moving elements. All the electronics of One25A are housed outside the cabinet in a rigid steel enclosure, which is also removable for soffit mounting.”

 

[lowkeyoperations]

I love this idea. A lot.

Great recommendations from everyone. One option I see mentioned a lot is Amphion, which is not active but matched amplifier that can be rack mounted. Has anyone heard those?

I’ve got Amphion One15s as nearfields in my studio, but not with the Amphion Amps.

They also make kick ass subwoofers.

BaseTwo25 Bass Extension System | Amphion

BaseTwo25 is a state-of-the-art bass extension system elevating a two-way studio monitors into a full range, cohesive three-way system.

amphion.fi

 

[mad]

I’ve got Amphion One15s as nearfields in my studio, but not with the Amphion Amps.

They also make kick ass subwoofers.

BaseTwo25 Bass Extension System | Amphion

BaseTwo25 is a state-of-the-art bass extension system elevating a two-way studio monitors into a full range, cohesive three-way system.

amphion.fi

How do you get on with them? Would they be suitable for just enjoyable listening?

 

[Avp1]

After some time in this hobby I would like to build out a nice stereo system. Surround is nice for movies but I don't notice a big difference.

Ideally this would just be a pair of speakers, being fed by my Benchmark DAC 3 HGC. Actives seem like the way to go for the sake of power and dollar efficiency. I would be open to passives but my total budget includes amplification. At what point does the size of the speaker matter? Can you get away with smaller and more streamlined components or do you need a massive box for full 20-20khz range? My listening space isn't enormous at maybe 3 x 4m. Thank you

ATC SCM40A is one option. Another is Focal Trio 11be. Third is Kef LS60. Then Genelec mentioned above.

 

[jonfitch]

I would say get some floorstanders if you are worried about speakers getting knocked over for any reason. If you are going monitor/bookshelf sized speakers, then I would budget for some oversized motorized platform stands like the Space Labs Systems Lift for something truly heavy duty that you wouldn't ever worry about getting bumped or knocked over.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Kef R11 Meta
2 x Benchmark AHB2
Do the room EQ in the streamer or in Roon

Or

R7 Meta plus sub
AHB 2
MiniDSP Flex for room eq and sub integration

 

[Waxx]

For such a room i would go for a pair of Neumann KH310A's (2200€/piece) with 4 Neumann KH750 DSP subs (1500€/piece) and MA1 dsp system (280€). 4 Subs to conquer room modes in your almost square room, what is not ideal (not for high volume, altough it helps). This would be about 11K (including stands and so) And the remaining money can be used for room treatement or other parts.

Genelec makes similar quality setups, that are similar priced, but i don't like them. Many do altough.

​

 

[lowkeyoperations]

How do you get on with them? Would they be suitable for just enjoyable listening?

The One15s are really for nearfield use. Running with Dirac Live and a little Adam Sub 7 I’d definitely say they are enjoyable and also revealing.

Compared to the Dynaudio XD20s with Dirac live in my lounge room as far fields which I’d also classify as enjoyable but in a more of a relaxed way.

If you enjoy listening in to reverb tails and analysing what you are hearing I’d say they are very engaging.

I haven’t heard the One18s that are more for midfield and probably suits your room size better unless you’re specifically planning on a nearfield setup.

 

[12Many]

Definitely listen and post on some other forums. Many are recommending 'monitors' however I have not found them be as enjoyable as some other speakers for music listening. For your budget, you have a huge number of options in the used market if you are patient. I recently picked up a very nice pair of used speakers at a great price from an amazing person. Check out these https://www.audiogon.com/listings?q=sonus+faber+nova If you like a warm and wonderful sound these are nice on the ears and eyes. Great resell value as well. You could pair them with a Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum 3 or an AHB2, or both and switched between the two.

 

[mad]

Definitely listen and post on some other forums. Many are recommending 'monitors' however I have not found them be as enjoyable as some other speakers for music listening. For your budget, you have a huge number of options in the used market if you are patient. I recently picked up a very nice pair of used speakers at a great price from an amazing person. Check out these https://www.audiogon.com/listings?q=sonus+faber+nova If you like a warm and wonderful sound these are nice on the ears and eyes. Great resell value as well. You could pair them with a Rogue Audio Atlas Magnum 3 or an AHB2, or both and switched between the two.

Sonus Faber, although regarded more as a furniture grade cabinet maker, does make nice speakers. Did you buy some? Good advice on going to check them out in person. I have heard that as well about monitors.

 

[FrantzM]

FWIW 20 K should buy you a lot...
I understand the Genelec love but there are other options worth considering.
Active speakers..
Dutch and Dutch 8C plus your choice of inexpensive streamer or a PC with Roon ..If the room is not too big.. Heaven..
Or Neuman 420 with your choice of DSP/streamers.. you could go miniDSP Studio , add DIRAC to it and be done for years ..
Or my favorite

That would be my endgame

Revel Salon 2, these can be had for around $12,000...
Nord or equivalent Hypex-based 500 wpc amplifiers $2000
miniDSP Studio $1000 or so... Add DIRAC to it if you are so inclined
Still have some money left for a pair of SVS or Rythmik subs...
And audiophiles-grade cables ...

Peace.

 

[HarmonicTHD]

Sonus Faber, although regarded more as a furniture grade cabinet maker, does make nice speakers. Did you buy some? Good advice on going to check them out in person. I have heard that as well about monitors.

Oh heavens.... never never ever listen to Audiogon advice. No seriously, all subjective babble.

Learn how to read the measurements published by Armin, Erin or Spinorama.org. Preselect according to measurements, looks and budget and then try out at home, in your room, with your preferences and your music. You can not derive what you like from statements of others, as everyone likes different things, has a different room etc.

The brands which value good engineering are KEF; GENELEC; NEUMANN, ARENDAL, Dutch&Dutch, Sigberg, ... just to name the big ones, which come to mind.

I personally do not give my own impression of my speakers (KEF Reference 3 plus 2 x KEF KF92 subs) as it is worthless to anyone else.