Towers vs. Monitors

[Sarius]

This forum is great, and I've been using the suggestions from my previous posting to create my 'short list' of must-hear speakers. So far the list seems evenly split between the bookshelf/monitor types and the towers. I'd like to ask everyone for their experiences with the pro's and cons of both, assuming that the monitors are paired with a decent sub.

Now I'm aware that towers typically go deeper into the bass, but I'm wondering how important that is. If you recall I'm using 'natural' instruments as my gold standard and looking online the facts about bass extension with common instruments were a surprise.... at least to me. Here are the lowest frequencies for some common instruments:

Cello: 65 hz
Bass Voice: 80 Hz
Bass Clarinet 75 Hz
Bassoon 55 Hz
Tenor Sax: 110 Hz
Baritone Sax: 70 Hz
Trombone: 80 Hz
Guitar 80 Hz
Timpani 87 Hz (!)
Double Bass 40 Hz
Piano 27 Hz

I would point out that relatively little music is written at the very lowest registers of the deep bass instruments. This does seem to explain why my little Axiom M2i's which are very clean down to just below 70 Hz then drop like a rock sound so good even with Jazz combos using plucked double bass's, and might suggest that a monitor that is dynamite down to 50 or 60 Hz. Range might be able to give an extremely involving musical experience, especially when coupled with a sub to fill in that very bottom and provide a bit of 'weight'.

What are your thoughts on the various advantages and disadvantages of each type?

Thanks again!

 

[speakerman39]

Sarius I have liked a few tower speakers such as the Polk Rti8's, Paradigm Monitor 7 v.4's, and a few made by Definitive Technology. However, I much prefer a standmounted speaker with a good powered subwoofer. Sure the towers are designed more for full range sound and can handle more power BUT IMHO I prefer the imaging that good standmouted speakers have. For example, my Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's image far better than any other speaker I have ever owned. The 20's are punchy, articulate, and produce a soundstage that is unreal for a speaker that size. Matched with a good sub and it will rival much more expensive speakers including towers. The Paradigm Studio 20 v.3's really are "giant" killers and are hard to beat in the under $1000/pr category. Soon the all new version 4's will be out. I can't wait. Hope this helps you out some and good luck in your decision.

 

[jaxvon]

The added bass extension is very nice if you're listening to organ music, but sometimes can be important with jazz. If you're ever listening to music that has a 5-string bass in it, the low-B string really gets down there in the frequency. In your case, however, I think that it would be a good choice to get a pair of bookshelves or small 2-way speakers that don't go way deep in the bass and just plan on using your subwoofer. And, if you can swing it, get another matching subwoofer and set them up to run in a stereo configuration.

 

[shokhead]

I have towers for the mains but if i get new speakers i'd go with 4 alike bookshelfs,maybe 1 better model up in front. Either way,a good sub is a must. Fronts for great highs and mids with a little bass and the sub to do the real work.

 

[Sheep]

Agreed.

I never got towers to blend well with my subwoofer. They just never sounded right, there was always to much over lap.

My C-1's have never little bass (good for what they are, but..) and they seem to hand off much better to the subwoofer.

SheepStar