Size matters...need smaller speakers


It pains me to write this but alas I have finally accepted the fact that I am never going to have my own large listening room (not with real estate prices the way they are here in SoCal). The best I can hope for is my current corner of the living room or my yet to be built loft or a small den. For those of you who have read some of my posts, you know I love my Usher BE-10 speakers. They are some of the most accurate and transparent speakers I have heard. The problem is that I think they are just too big for the space I have alloted them. In the past year, I have complained a lot about my soundstaging issues (too low, too narrow). I know I can use room treatments but this is not possible in my living room and even with them, I still feel that my speakers are too darn big. I tried different toe in angles, pulling them out as far as I could, moving them away from side walls, etc. There is simply not enough room for them to breathe. Will monitors work better in smaller spaces, especially with regard to imaging and soundstaging? I think perhaps monitors with a sub could be the right way for me to go given my domestic situation.

Anyway, I do not know much about monitors and would appreciate a starting point. I prefer my speakers to be as accurate and transparent as possible. I prefer a dynamic sound that is true to the upstream components. Price does not really matter but I guess for monitors I would hope to spend less than $10K. One option is the new Usher "tiny dancer" monitor. Another is the Focal BE series. Are there others I should look that fit my preferences?

Thanks in advance.
128x128tboooe
I rarely listen above 75db so a speaker's ability to sound its best at low volume is critical for me

The world is your oyster.

75 db is moderate (only about twice as loud as conversation). I think your current Ushers are way overkill if you listen at these levels. Your plan to downsize makes eminent sense.

At these levels, unless you are using a "loudness button" then you may want some bass boost...remember that 20 Hz is inaudible at anything below 75 db.

Good Luck!
Mitch, my current room is 15x22 but I dont expect to be staying in this room in the future. I will either move my system up to yet to made loft or into a small 12x12 den.

Shadorne, thank you for the info. I was not aware of this. 75db is the steady state volume. I have measured max peaks of up to 90db. But even so, it looks like I could get away with a monitor most of the time then if I want, in the future I can get a sub or two.
Another Dynaudio "homer" here. I second the suggestion of Dynaudio Confidence C1's. A smallish bookshelf with a big, smooth sound.

Another suggestion, is the Verity Parsifal Encore, a floorstander with a very small footprint. Can be had used on the Gon for around $6 to $7K with flight cases.
Tbooe
You might want to check out Tonian Acoustics
They have a speaker for most designs

I have his monitor which is astonishly good and would be ideal for the room you're considering