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
Sure thing Tboooe. I agree re your assessment on SF, beautiful but the qualities you seek are not their strongest pts. I too am grappling with same issue as you are (smaller room so thinking 2 way) though we have different set ups. Some others that I am considering are Eben (they have a monitor but also their smaller floor standers are narrrow and small enough such as the X3 which may more along your preferences), Merlin (never tried them myself but everyone raves), Acoustic Zen Adagio Jrs (nice price, plus raves etc), Magico (superlative really but good golly in price), Volent (a HK based mfr which uses similiar drivers as Magico) and Marten Design (they have the miles monitor: very accurate and may fit your liking),
And one more the TAD's new monitors. not sure whether they are available yet though
henryhk, I too am looking at the Magico and Marten Miles. I am not sure if I can handle the price of the Magico's though. Well the Marten's are not that much better....I am intrigued by Asian based speaker manufacturers. I think they offer a better price/performance ratio. I will look into Volent.