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Is $3000 pushing the limits for a geat monitor??

I want to go to a monitor speaker because I cannot physically handle the weight and size of a 80lbs floor standing speakers any longer.

I have looked at several monitors like the Sonus Faber Venere MKII series; Lenaham ML-1 made in Australia, Spendor, Harbeth. I have listened to the older Dynaudio Excite 12 and new version, Excite 14. I like the sound of both of the latter speakers, but the dealer insists I hear the Dynaudio Focus 160. Unfortunately, he has none in stock to buy or for audition.

Therefore, any member currently own a pair of the Focus 160, or have auditioned them recently. I need some good feedback about this model's sound quality before charging in and buying them. I also want to get opinions about whether a monitor can compete with a large floorstander. Thanks to all !!!!!
sunnyjim
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,464 posts
 
I have the Harbeth P3esr. I like them better than any floorstander that I have owned.
Don't let the size of the speaker influence your decision.
A simple two way sealed monitor on a pair of nice stands is my speaker of choice. BTW,the Spendor 3/5R2 is another great little speaker but the Harbeth is outstanding.
xti16
1,525 posts
 
The RAIDHO ACOUSTICS D.1 monitors can not only compete with, but best most floor-standers and all standmount comers.
My D1's in walnut with the optional all black stand retail for 29.1K!!!
Might be a bit above a 3K budget limit.

As a former Dyn C1 then C1 Signature owner first I have to say ALL Dyn's are a fantastic value for the dollars spent. But to better them you need to spend mega $$$ like the D1's. I am personally doing an in home demo of D2's and I don't think the D1's are staying.

Check out Avsforum "Dynaudio owners thread". Lot's of great reviews of the Focus 160's. Here is a link and start from the last page and go backwards.
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/686371-dynaudio-owner-s-thread.html
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Sunnyjim, I replaced my Magnepan 3.7Rs with Coincident Triumph Extreme IIs, which retail for $3000, $4K with stands. I couldn't be happier. They are just amazingly coherent. The low frequency roll of starts at a higher frequency than the Maggies, but the roll off on the Magies was much steeper. In my listening room, the Triumph Extremes had more usable response at 35 Hz than the Maggies did.

I also have a pair of Ref 4A deCapo Be's that I like a lot. They don't have the coherence of the Coincidents, nor are they as detailed, but still they are very good monitors.
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
I'm not sure what you mean by pushing the limits? It is fairly obvious that a good floorstander will have deeper bass response than a monitor. It all depends upon how low you wish to go as to whether a monitor will satisfy you.

Tell us a bit about your room and equipment in order to get better recommendations.

-RW-

PS: There are many good floorstanders that weigh considerably less than 80 lbs...
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,838 posts
 
The right monitor in the right room can definitely compete with most anything.

THere are many ways to get the drivers to the right height as part of that. Stands on monitors, floorstanders designed to do it already, etc.

In general, monitors come in all shapes and sizes and are more flexible in regards to placement, particularly in regards to vertical placement, tilt, if needed, etc. So I am not a big fan of floorstanders in general.
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