Most audiophile, neutral and balanced tower speakers under 2000$ for music only

[MartyAdmin]

Hello community,

I am in a phase of looking for an upgrade of my Monitor Audio 300 speakers where I miss midrange especially and I do not like kind of muddy bass.

I've Yamaha A-S 701(801) amp and I would like to get neutral, balanced, audiophile sounds as much as possible by the new speakers.

Attic listening room is size 6X6m(19X19ft) treated only by carpet, heavy curtains , two bigger full bookcases and furniture. Walls are from plasterboard filled by insulation. Despite there is no any special acoustic room treatment it sounds pretty well without many reflections according to me.

I do listen through all music genres.

Budget limit is 2K$ for a pair.

My potential favorites are Focal Chora 826, KEF Q950, Wharfedale Evo 4.3 but I did not hear them yet.

I am located in EU.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations and insights.

 

[DEF]

I can recommend APS Klasik 2020 paired with a custom made metal stand from metalldesign liedtke and some isoacoustics pucks

 

[MartyAdmin]

I can recommend APS Klasik 2020 paired with a custom made metal stand from metalldesign liedtke and some isoacoustics pucks

Well, I've already active monitors from KALI in my home studio so I'm really looking for a towers for my listening room. Thx

 

[Koeitje]

For a pair?

 

[MartyAdmin]

For a pair?

Yes, for a pair. Just updated my first post ;-)

 

[Beave]

To be clear, you currently have the Monitor Audio 300 speakers (not the Silver 300, but simply the 300 model)?

 

[JSmith]

I am in a phase of looking for an upgrade of my Monitor Audio 300 speakers where I miss midrange especially and I do not like kind of muddy bass.

Have you a UMIK and taken measurements in your listening space? If not, I'd be doing that and applying some EQ if needed before assuming the speakers themselves are the issue. The silver 300 measure reasonably well (not on a Klippel rig, but gives us an idea still), with these summary comments;

Its measured performance indicates that the Monitor Audio Silver 300, like its predecessor, is a well-engineered design

Monitor Audio Silver 300 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

Are you also running a sub or subs?


JSmith

 

[VMAT4]

Hello community,

I am in a phase of looking for an upgrade of my Monitor Audio 300 speakers where I miss midrange especially and I do not like kind of muddy bass.

I've Yamaha A-S 701(801) amp and I would like to get neutral, balanced, audiophile sounds as much as possible by the new speakers.

Attic listening room is size 6X6m(19X19ft) treated only by carpet, heavy curtains , two bigger full bookcases and furniture. Walls are from plasterboard filled by insulation. Despite there is no any special acoustic room treatment it sounds pretty well without many reflections according to me.

I do listen through all music genres.

Budget limit is 2K$ for a pair.

My potential favorites are Focal Chora 826, KEF Q950, Wharfedale Evo 4.3 but I did not hear them yet.

I am located in EU.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations and insights.

The Focal 816 got a very good review by ASR. So, I think you're on the right track with the 826. I believe the KEF Q series is getting an upgrade to the Q Meta Series. But if you can listen before you buy, definitely do so. Although the price is in US$ you maybe interested in the KEF Q11 Meta.

 

[Karmacoma]

The Polk R700 often get bargains. They measure really well and have been praised by objectivists reviewers.
Here, measurements from erin's audio corner.
+/- 2dB response, pretty clean, excellent directivity.

 

[VMAT4]

The Polk R700 often get bargains. They measure really well and have been praised by objectivists reviewers.
Here, measurements from erin's audio corner.
+/- 2dB response, pretty clean, excellent directivity.
View attachment 397988

Are those available in the EU?

 

[Karmacoma]

Are those available in the EU?

Yes

 

[MartyAdmin]

To be clear, you currently have the Monitor Audio 300 speakers (not the Silver 300, but simply the 300 model)?

Yes, correct, unfortunately not a Silver line

 

[MartyAdmin]

Have you a UMIK and taken measurements in your listening space? If not, I'd be doing that and applying some EQ if needed before assuming the speakers themselves are the issue. The silver 300 measure reasonably well (not on a Klippel rig, but gives us an idea still), with these summary comments;

Monitor Audio Silver 300 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

Are you also running a sub or subs?


JSmith

Unfortunately not a Silver line but simple the "300" which are the entry model I do believe. No sub.

 

[MartyAdmin]

The Polk R700 often get bargains. They measure really well and have been praised by objectivists reviewers.
Here, measurements from erin's audio corner.
+/- 2dB response, pretty clean, excellent directivity.
View attachment 397988

Well, I have considered them but price in my location is 2.5K$.

 

[DEF]

Well, I have considered them but price in my location is 2.5K$.

Also consider that measurements are not all.
They must sound good for HiFi in a room and must be working well in non-ideal situations.
And you need to have a sufficient sweet-spot.

 

[Svend P]

Revel F208

Revel F208 Tower Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel F208 speaker. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me for measurements. Revel F208 costs $2,500 each or US $5,000 for a pair. Note: our company, Madrona Digital is a dealer for Revel speakers. Feel free to read as...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Karmacoma]

Well, I have considered them but price in my location is 2.5K$.

Just keep an eye out, i've seen them at 1800€/pair in France 2 years ago. Currently on sale for 1400$/pair on amazon US. They've been produced in big numbers in China for the global market, they'll be on sale again.

 

[Karmacoma]

Also consider that measurements are not all.
They must sound good for HiFi in a room and must be working well in non-ideal situations.
And you need to have a sufficient sweet-spot.

They do sound very good and have excellent directivity and in-room response.

 

[DEF]

They do sound very good and have excellent directivity and in-room response.

Neumann KH120a are also supposed to be great but they were horrible for me. Too harsh.

 

[Karmacoma]

Neumann KH120a are also supposed to be great but they were horrible for me. Too harsh.

I've got a pair of kh150s which are supposed to sound likewise. Harsh is really not how I'd call them. They got the best mids and highs i've ever heard, absolute clarity.