Hi all,
Excuse me for jumping right in with a question (first ever post!). I'm Patrick, and I am looking to replace some B&W DM602 (S1) bookshelf speakers for my main listening room. These will be hooked up to an Anthem MRX 310 (though I could add a dedicated amp if needed). The search for new loudspeakers has begun, and an in-home audition is ongoing, so let's get to the fun stuff:
I ordered two pairs of Monitor Audio Silver (the 1's and the 2's), as well as the SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers. I've been experimenting over the past couple weeks with speaker position (mostly), and port plugs (was getting too much LF overhang from Silver 2s). In short, I'm leaning toward the Silver 1s at this point. They look good, sound good, and are right at the low end of the budget.
The rub: I auditioned some Revel Performa3 M105 on Monday. The ability of that pair of speakers to present a convincing and wide soundstage really blew me away. I heard "These Bones" by the Fairfield Four, and the sensation that the singer (the one who joins at ~1:40) was about 6 feet tall, and standing right in front of me, was so strong that it was almost nauseating. You could look at the speaker and believe the sound came from elsewhere. I can't get the Monitor Silver series to disappear like that in my apartment, which gives me pause about spending $1k. I don't know whether I'd be able to get the Revels to do it in my apartment either, but the store doesn't do in-home trials, so I'd need to buy them in order to test out the theory. Obviously the store has preferable listening conditions (room size/treatments), higher-end components (NAD separates), and the listening position is precisely calculated/speakers are toed-in.
Really appreciate any thoughts you all have on what else I should be considering. I would send the Monitor Audios back and buy the Revels if that is the obvious answer.
I got a good chuckle and could easily relate to Dr. Bob's thread "2015, A Loudspeaker Odyssey"...
