[stealth]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my system and speakers are the first thing on my list. My budget is about $1500 for a stereo pair. I'm not interested in monitors, since stands just turn me off. Bass is not an issue though, as I will be using my Rava. I have a small 11" x 12" room, and listen mainly to rocknroll.

Right now I'm looking at the GR-Research A/V-3's, Epos M15's, and Odyssey Nightingale (havent heard anything about these though).

I would greatly appreciate some input on any of these speakers (especialy the Nightingale), or other speakers I might have overlooked. Thanks.

[Haoleb]

Maybe check out Axiom M80's They are full range towers and they sound great. i own em.

[jackman]

I know you don't like monitors...but, I'd suggest a pair of custom Ellis 1801's (possibly from a guy on this forum named Darren Thomas).  He does excellent work and could probably make you a pair of floorstanding 1801's or at least custom matching stands.  I have listened to many speakers over the years and have yet to find any (in this price range) that can achieve the level of realism, smoothness and overall performance of the Ellis.  They would most likely match up very nicely with your sub.

I don't know Darren's website but there is a link on Dave's.  I'm also a big fan of GR Research AV1's.  Haven't heard the floorstanders but they probably sound a lot like the monitors that were very impressive.  I don't know if it's within your budget (okay, and it's a monitor) but the new GR Research Criterions are also very well designed and have one of the smoothest tweeters I have ever heard.  Audiojerry (a guy who has owned some very expensive speakers) loved them when we tested them at his home.  You may be able to get Darren to do a floorstanding version and stuff the inside to meet internal volume requirements.  If these are not an option, I'd probably go with the AV3's.  Danny Richie knows how to design some pretty darn good sounding speakers for the $$$.

J

[John Casler]

Hi Stealth,

You might also (depending on your listening preferences) consider the VMPS RM1 (List $1580)

Or the 626R (List $1598) could be an option but then you have use stands or pedestals.

As a dealer, I don't think I have to mention that all AudioCircle members get a good discount. (Which would put your delivered cost well below your $1500 target.)

I do know that both will rock'n'roll pretty well.

[stealth]

I have considered the RM1, but the placement of the mid ribbon is so low. My ears are about 38" off the ground when sitting, and the RM1 being 39" tall, with the top of the mid being what looks like 6" from the top of the cabinet. Then you take my nearfeild listening postion of about 6 1/2' from the speakers into account...  I just dont see it working when virtualy all of the sound is coming through the mid ribbon.

Unless you have an angle to tilt them back perfectly for 6 1/2' distance, and a product that will tilt them at that angle, I dont see myself getting the RM1's  

[Sa-dono]

Well if the VMPS speakers are out based on height, and the Onix Ref's are out based on being either a monitor or costing too much as a floorstander, I would also recommend going for the 1801F's. Darren's website that Jackman mentioned above is located here:
http://www.thomaswoodcraft.com

Also the Zu Rune may be worth a look:
http://www.zucable.com/rune/index.html

[John Casler]

Ah Yes "nearfield".  

A man after my own heart.

Not to worry about horizontal or vertical convergence and focus of the RM1.

I can send you instructions on a covergence system that is better than the mega buck laser systems and costs 69 cents.

And it is easier to use.  Takes all of less than 5 minutes to perform "perfect" precision allignment and convergence

Since I'm 6' 3", I also do it for the RM40s.  

Since you're using a SUB, the RM1 could also be raised off the floor without worrying about affecting bass response.

I also have a new tweak, I'm testing that promises to give floorstanding wide baffle speakers the same imaging abilties of the slimline mini-monitors.

[maxwalrath]

I've got about the same room dimensions and also play classic rock pretty loud. I've got a pair of Meadowlark Kestral Hotrods that do great, and play louder than I thought they could from what I had read of them before purchasing. For $1500 you could get a new pair of Kestral 2's or go for some used Shearwaters. You could also find a great deal on some used Kestrals and go on vacation with the $800-900 you saved.

[nature boy]

Vandersteen 1 C's are full range speakers that would match well with your Rava sub.  These list for $870 with stands.  They are not the prettiest speakers in the world, but sound great in a dedicated 2 channel system.  Just don't put an equipment stand or TV in between the speakers as it shoots the imaging to hell.  Here's a link for information:

http://www.vandersteen.com/pages/1clit.html

If you have a Vandy dealer nearby, I encourage you give these a listen.

Danny has a special on the GR Research A/V 3's this month ($900 + shipping) - if they sound anything like the A/V +1's, I would also highly recommend these as well.

Given your room dimensions, spend the difference on some Eighth Nerve room response products.  Your going to have some room anomolies to deal with including boomy bass with an 11' by 12' room.  


NB

[ton1313]

Check out the new speaker from Zu called the Rune. Floor standing, 10" driver, 1" tweeter, MSRP $1499. Zu took them to sonotars house, they seemed o be a big hit at their price point. If you look at the thread, there are photos, not to mention photos on the Zu site. http://www.zucable.com/rune/index.html

[Danny Richie]

I am glad you guys are keeping our stuff in mind.

Just one correction though...

Danny has a special on the GR Research A/V 3's this month ($900 + shipping) - if they sound anything like the A/V +1's, I would also highly recommend these as well.

It is actually the Paradox-3's that we have on sale:

http://www.gr-research.com/paradox/paradox_3.htm

Not the A/V-3's.