Monitor speakers pros/cons

As a broad generalization, monitor speakers are often better at imaging than full rangers. Proper placement for optimal imaging for mids and highs is seldom the best placement for bass (viz room boundary effects), a handicap of full rangers. A set of monitors plus sub could theoretically be better than a full range set up. The hard part is integrating the sub into the monitors. The sub needs to be fast enough to keep up with the monitors, properly located in the room, and levels and phases matched for a smooth blend. Also, large full rangers could overwhelm your less than 600 sq ft room, as you suspected.

If you want to go the monitor route, you have a number of options open to you. However, you will get basically no bass performance and will need to augment with a subwoofer. I would suggest going to a store and listen to the new B&W Signature 805 with a comparable sub (REL mates well with B&W) and at the same time take a listen to the N802. There is a lot to chose from in the sub $10k range and should be able to find either a great full range speaker or sub/sat for that money.

Keep in mind to get good HT performance you will need a sub with either route that you choose... You will have to make a compromise when trying to choose HT or audio in the same system.

Also, a 600 sq ft room is plenty large to run a full range speaker that won't overload your room.

I should have added more specific information, the processor is a Simaudio Attraction with stereo sub outs.

The subs currently are HSU VTF-3's(pair) and a VTF-2 on the center run from line level inputs. Might pick up a Outlaw ICMB and only use it only for the center.

Without going to unbalanced cables(the HSU are unbalanced)and using the subs crossover, which I think is a bad idea in practice, correct if I am wrong, the processor would be doing the crossovers. Or I could use the Outlaw for all the crossovers, I just don't think that would be a good idea. I would like to avoid using an outboard crossover.

I guess the analog bypass would be out the window in in this case.

If I crossed the subs at 90hz or 80hz could this overload the subs? I generally try cross as low as possible. The processor has x points at 50,65,80,90 and up.

I know the subs are not the best, just when you want to run stereo thing cost twice as much. Funny how that works...:)

Thanks all
Marty

Jameswei summed up things pretty well. However, I think once you get into $5K-10K full range speakers, many image very well.

One question for you. Are you sure about room size? A 600 sq ft room is pretty large. A room that is 30 x 20 is 600 sq feet. Some floor standing speakers may not even be capable of filling a room that large. BTW I've lived in smaller apartments than that!

In general, less than 500sq feet. The average room size, 600 is getting pretty big.