Recommendations for stand mount speaker

jimbones

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Sep 1, 2018
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I am looking for a stand mount speaker to go with the following:
Rogue RP7 Pre, Wells Inamorata Pwr Amp, VPI Classin 2 TT and Auralic Vega DAC etc. I have the GR Research H Frame subs and servo amps. My room is 22x14x7. Although I design and build my own speakers I need a good pair of stand mounts to use as a benchmark. I tend to like Harbeth sound, smooth, maybe not the most detail, but enough, very relaxed and easy to listen to. I would like another manufacturer or two to compare. so far the 30.2 is on my list Id like to have more.. Thanks.
 

dan31

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Jul 22, 2010
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Dynaudio has been making nice 2 ways for some time. I am listening to a pair of Special 25’s now. I do think Harbeth make a great speaker that can be listened to for long sessions. I have a pair of M40.1 that have been my main speaker since it was introduced.

if you want to spend more Stenheim and Vivid are very nice.
 

rubinken

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Jan 15, 2020
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mullard88

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May I suggest the following old stand mounts:
1) Rogers LS3/5A 16 ohms
2) Yamaha NS 1
3) Von Schweikert Audio VR 1
 

DasguteOhr

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Al M.

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I am looking for a stand mount speaker to go with the following:
Rogue RP7 Pre, Wells Inamorata Pwr Amp, VPI Classin 2 TT and Auralic Vega DAC etc. I have the GR Research H Frame subs and servo amps. My room is 22x14x7. Although I design and build my own speakers I need a good pair of stand mounts to use as a benchmark. I tend to like Harbeth sound, smooth, maybe not the most detail, but enough, very relaxed and easy to listen to. I would like another manufacturer or two to compare. so far the 30.2 is on my list Id like to have more.. Thanks.

What is your budget?
 

jimbones

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Sep 1, 2018
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4K preowned
 
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sbnx

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Mar 28, 2017
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Since you want to use this speaker as a reference I am assuming you want something neutral. In this way you could tailor the speaker you design around the reference. Meaning is your speaker warmer sounding, more detailed, more energetic, etc. With this in mind how about the Joseph Audio Pulsar. There is one on AG right now for under $4K.
 

MTB Vince

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May 11, 2019
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ATC SCM20PSL Pro in it's current version with ATC's in-house S-spec tweeter. These are fantastic neutral and informative loudspeakers. I currently use the active version of the same speaker in a similar sized 20.3'x14'x11' room.
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I have a question though. In light of both your OB subwoofer choice and your low ceiling, why not go with a line source panel like the Magnepan 3.7i @jimbones ? They will not interact negatively with your low ceiling due to the line source radiation pattern and the dipole design offers reduced interaction with your sidewalls and a like-for-like radiation pattern that ought to make a seamless subwoofer crossover easier to achieve.
 
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twitch

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Jun 17, 2010
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if you can find them pre-owned they should be within your budget .........

 

steve59

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Jan 7, 2018
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Paradigm persona b aren’t plug and play, but for the price they have a high ceiling. The persona line have to be the fastest, tightest speakers yet. They need room around them to sound balanced.
 

jimbones

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Sep 1, 2018
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OK so not stand mount but how are Usher or Aerial Acoustics? They both make a 7 inch 2 way slim floor stander that would work well. I could spend a bit more (also consider preowned)
 

MTB Vince

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OK so not stand mount but how are Usher or Aerial Acoustics? They both make a 7 inch 2 way slim floor stander that would work well. I could spend a bit more (also consider preowned)
If you are considering a small floor stander equivalent in size to a stand mounted monitor, keep an eye out for 2nd hand examples of the Merlin VSM in their final "black magic" variant. A fantastic loudspeaker that won countless accolades over its long run and many incrementally improved iterations.
 
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Brad Lunde

Member
Sep 18, 2020
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www.lonemountainaudio.com
ATC SCM20PSL Pro in it's current version with ATC's in-house S-spec tweeter. These are fantastic neutral and informative loudspeakers. I currently use the active version of the same speaker in a similar sized 20.3'x14'x11' room.
View attachment 83792

I have a question though. In light of both your OB subwoofer choice and your low ceiling, why not go with a line source panel like the Magnepan 3.7i @jimbones ? They will not interact negatively with your low ceiling due to the line source radiation pattern and the dipole design offers reduced interaction with your sidewalls and a like-for-like radiation pattern that ought to make a seamless subwoofer crossover easier to achieve.
Wow, Vince. All I can say is WOW. This is an amazing system. Brad, ATC Importer to the US (Lone Mountain Audio),
 
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MTB Vince

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Wow, Vince. All I can say is WOW. This is an amazing system. Brad, ATC Importer to the US (Lone Mountain Audio),
:D :D :D So you like my rig huh @Brad Lunde ? Well I'm feelin' pretty satisfied with it myself these days. I figured you can't go too far wrong with the most respected pro audio monitor brand. With many of my favorite movies, CDs, and the past decade's LPs, the odds are pretty good that they were mixed using these same SCM20 ASL Pro bed monitors and SCM12i Atmos overheads.

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Addicted to hifi

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MTB Vince

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Beautiful.
Well the room will look a little sleeker when my local upholstery shop has time in January to re-upholster the recently super-duper customized RPG BAD Arc panels on the front and rear walls. I have both the black & medium grey Guilford of Maine acoustic fabric on hand for this. Normally I DIY this sort of thing. I upholstered all of the broadband absorptive sidewall panels and the ceiling cloud in my room. However the curved face of these BAD Arc panels are simply beyond my skillset.
 
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Brad Lunde

Member
Sep 18, 2020
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www.lonemountainaudio.com
Vince
Well I am the one who sold Dolby those speakers they created atmos on ! About 10 years ago. I am also the pro guy for the US and been working with ATC for 20+ years. I go into more than a few studios in LA and Nashville. I’ve been involved in some nice ATC multichannel systems- like Blackbird Nashville or The Mix Room in LA. Our Pro side is TransAudio Group and we are deep into recording tech and the people that use it.
 
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gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
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Brad, love your engineering credentials and am a big fan of well-executed active, studio reference loudspeakers as is the case with ATC. IMO, having more contributors on WBF with a studio and recording background is incredibly valuable for the readership. If I'm not mistaken, ATC also offers passive versions of their designs?

With respect to additional recommendations for Jim's benchmark stand-mount, my top choice would be Trenner & Friedl Art monitors, especially since you like the Harbeths and mentioned needing something a bit more revealing. Despite their relatively modest price, the T&F monitors are also one of the best measuring in-room stand mounts available. Linked below is an exhaustive review from an Italian engineer complete with ard to find independent measurements including: waterfall plots, distortion measurements, directivity measurements, polar response, impulse response, waterfall plots which as a speaker designer you will find most helpful.


In full disclosure, I represent T&F in California and territories where there are no T&F resellers. Good luck finding the benchmark you are looking for!

-Gary
 

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