SonusFaber GP? Other recomendations?

Hi Nezwek. While I've never owned floor standing speakers like the ones you're considering, I do have great experience comparing Sonus Faber and ProAc mini monitors. I own both Sonus Faber Concertinos and ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures.

Like Kjg's post above, I enjoy the listening experience much more with the ProAcs. If you are concerned with bright sound, the SFs are more forgiving in my system. They also have a fuller midrange and less extended highs than the ProAcs. The ProAcs have a slightly leaner midrange and more extended highs. And if you don't have a lean system the ProAcs will reard you with a massive soundstage and lifelike experience the Sonus Fabers won't be able to match. The Concertinos have a very nice sound, but the Tablette 50s are so much more accurate and involving.

If you can, definitely audition a pair of ProAc Response 2.5s. I've had great results with the ProAcs, but only your equipment, your room, and your ears can verify that. Good luck!

Nezwek, don't kill yourself trying to find ProAcs if it's that difficult. :•) It just happens that my personal preference is ProAc Tablette 50 Signatures over the Sonus Faber Concertinos. You might not feel the same way. But, maybe I can help a little more.

You mention that you enjoy cymbals on the SFs. The first thing I noticed when hooking up the Tab 50s after owning the Concertinos for a year and a half was that the cymbals sounded more pronounced and a bit drier. The Sonus Fabers while not as defined, sound smoother when reproducing this instrument.

That was two months ago, but now I definitely prefer the ProAcs overall because of their lifelike presentation. It may be that I just got used to them, I'm not sure. Since first getting the ProAcs I've made many more upgrades and tweaks, so that may have contributed to my change in opinion too.

So to answer your last post, if you enjoy a sweeter sound, I think the Sonus Fabers will please you more. However, I feel the ProAcs definitely create a larger and more accurate soundstage, and a better sense of air.

Also, I should mention. My comparison only involves the two mini monitors I own. You're comparing floor standers, and that may be a whole different ballgame. Good luck!

Nezwek even though you didn't like them, I'm glad you were able to hear the ProAcs with your gear. Sorry you had to truck your gear so far for the experiment. But now with all the other good speaker suggestions given, the search gets even more complicated and fun my friend.

Von Schweikert, Newform, Silverline, Totem. I haven't heard any of them. I wish I could get in on your listening journey. Have fun and inform us of your progress.

Tom, good choice. The Grand Pianos sound nice, look good, and if you buy them on The Gon used, you'll save a bunch-a-green. Now to decide whether you want the HOME version or the older ones that were biwireable. Have fun! Dean

BTW, what was your impression of the Merlins? Were they the TSMs ot VSMs?

Tom, from what I know of your Classe gear it is on the forgiving/musical side. Krell is more transparent and revealing. I've heard the Vienna Acoustic Beethovens in a store and the VA Haydns in my house, and in both cases they were smooth, musical and warm. It doesn't surprise me the VAs really sang on the Krell amps but sounded muffled when matched with the Classe amps. Therefore, you could probably take greater risk than some people in coupling your Classe amps to more revealing speakers. Conversely, the Krells might benefit from being matched to less-revealing speakers.

People have posted in the forums here that the new Sonus Faber HOME speakers are warmer and fuller sounding than the previous models. It'll probably be tough to find a place to audition the older models since the HOME line has been out for awhile. But many forum members seem to think the newer models are better. So it looks like by purchasing the Grand Piano HOME you'll have an improved model and will also be able to save some cash by only having to use a single pair run of speaker cable, since the new models can't be biwired.

While the Sonus Fabers are good in my system, they were definitely bettered by the ProAcs. However, it seems the Grand Piano HOMEs might be AT home in your system. Good deal, because this way you'll save a ton of cash, and will have a system you really enjoy. This is what it's all about isn't it? Let us know what happens Tom!