best "bookshelf" speakers for nearfield listening


I know this has been asked before, but am looking for another "high end" bookshelf speaker for nearfield listening. nearfield is 6 to 8 feet, volumes are modest, jazz and contemporary/classic rock. Have used totem mani 2 sigs and liked them, but am wondering about joseph, reference 3a, harbeth, coincident, silverline, devore amongst others. (none of which i have heard and with no dealers close by...) macintosh solid state, 200w/channel. thanks a lot. mike
emster

Showing 1 response by gtortorella

I recommend saving some money and hassle by purchasing a set of audioengine passives, the P4. For $325 shipped, they offer a beautiful solid bamboo cabinet, quality drivers (no bright-sounding metal dome), superb assembly quality, and a quality set of single-wire binding posts--no hassles with getting good bi-wire cable or with finding quality jumpers. These speakers are the best I have had in my system--period. The midrange and treble are astoundingly natural and realistic, and if you are okay with 58Hz at the bottom end, then these little gems are for you. I have been listening nearfield for more than a decade, and these mini-monitors are my favorites. My Cambridge S30s are also very nice (and even less expensive), but the P4s are just more vivid and convincing...though the S30 has a tad more extension in the bass.