Performance/size ratio

[Joe Schmoe]

While Def Tech BP8s remain my primary speakers, I still really enjoy listening to my KRK monitors now and then. After giving it some thought, I realize that this is because of their small size combined with the unexpectedly big sound that they produce. I might try something new if I can maximize this "cognitive dissonance."
What are some speakers that are either a)fairly small with a truly huge sound, or b)with a merely big sound but really small? (Note: not interested in anything too expensive. Oh, and I am not using a sub.)

 

[jostenmeat]

These will surely fail, or at least one will, the really small part of your request. But just fwiw... also, by "big" sound, are we talking lack of compression, or wide/deep soundstage? (You have VRs right? You must be talking wide/deep?)

The following are both $350 IIRC.

The Dana 630 is supposed to be wide/deep in stage. Cons Ive heard include being a bit harsh close to them, and discernably forward. Otoh, balanced, deep, clear. Great buy is the word on the street.
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/product_info.php?products_id=32

If you want them to crank, PSB B25. However, they are quite large bookshelves, and they do not have a wide or deep soundstage. (Perhaps the one area they can improve the most). But, man, they can crank (arguably their best attribute). GL.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

These will surely fail, or at least one will, the really small part of your request. But just fwiw... also, by "big" sound, are we talking lack of compression, or wide/deep soundstage? (You have VRs right? You must be talking wide/deep?)

Wide/deep soundstage is certainly part of it (and one of the things the KRKs do well) Subjectively powerful bass is another (not the same as rated frequency response), and is the area that becomes more impressive the smaller the cabinet is. Neither the ability to crank nor lack of compression at high volume is important to me, as playing them very loud is not an option in my apartment.
The Danas do look interesting, and are not bad pricewise. There are a few really tiny speakers around that might be worth a listen (eg Behringer mini-monitors, Athena WS 15s), but I don't know what the minimum bass extention is that I can enjoy listening to without feeling like I am missing bass.
The VR2s have been sold (I was listening to either the KRKs or the Def Techs 100% of the time while they took up space in a closet.)

 

[darien87]

Performance/Size ratio?

Oh, you're talking about speakers. Sorry.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Always switching things around

As long as I own two or more distinct pairs of speakers, it is a given that I will keep swapping them. I can't ever settle on one pair and stick with them. My Def Tech towers (2 pairs, but essentially identical) and my KRKs each have their strengths, and I end up swapping them about once every week or two (using the other pair as surrounds.) Are any speakers so good that I will end up leaving them in place permanently?
(I have owned numerous other pairs, but all are gone now except the ones I mentioned.)