Monitors for Under 1k?

Aman · « **on:** 23 Oct 2005, 03:20 am »

Hi guys!

I have finally made my decision, and have chosen to upgrade my speakers. I am looking for a pair of monitors that will run me somewhere along the lines of 700 dollars for a used pair. I will put an extra 150-200 dollars in for stands from Skylan.

Any suggestions? I want good imaging/soundstage and midrange above all else - but bass extension would be nice too so that I don't start missing the sound of my Ohm Model Es Oh, and I also need to be able to drive them on my Pioneer SX-450, so nothing below 90dB sensitivity if possible.

I listen to:
60% Jazz
30% Classic Rock/Fusion
10% Classical (Orchestral)

Thanks in advance!
-Andrew

marvda1 · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 04:09 am »

onix reference one's are hard to beat at this price.
check this out... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=22311

birdwizard · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 06:13 am »

"I want good imaging/soundstage and midrange above all else"

With this criteria in mind, for $700 I would get a pair of used GMA Europa's on Audiogon.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 06:32 am »

I agree with Marv- if imaging and midrange are your thing, the Onix Ref 1's are pretty impressive at the price.

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 01:47 pm »

Bohlender-Graebener Z1 $400 new. Made right here in the U.S. too.

WEEZ · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 02:23 pm »

Nola Mini or NSM Model 15

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 06:07 pm »

Quote from: Aman

Hi guys!

I have finally made my decision, and have chosen to upgrade my speakers. I am looking for a pair of monitors that will run me somewhere along the lines of 700 dollars for a used pair. I will put an extra 150-200 dollars in for stands from Skylan.

Any suggestions? I want good imaging/soundstage and midrange above all else - but bass extension would be nice too so that I don't start missing the sound of my Ohm Model Es Oh, and I also need to be able to drive them on my Pioneer SX-450, so nothin ...

JM Reynaud Twins MK III

These speakers really excel at Jazz and do darn well at rock as well. They play much bigger than their size would lead you to believe.

George

pennylane · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 06:11 pm »

Polk LSi 9's are also very impressive for under 1k.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 06:12 pm »

Totem Rainmakers, or some Model 1's used.

fabaudio · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Oct 2005, 01:56 pm »

Von Schweikert VR 1's

Hogg · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Oct 2005, 04:47 pm »

My vote goes to a little heard-of company, Stone Image Audio. Their Rothschilde A2's are remarkable for their size and under $1K.

http://www.mathura-audio.com

Good luck on your choice.

Jim[/url]

GHM · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 10:39 am »

How about a Zhorn the TRANSMISSION LINE SPEAKERS using the JORDAN JX92S driver http://www.audio-resolution.com/zhorn/jordan.html

or the PAWO http://www.audio-resolution.com/zhorn/fr125s.html.

Both should run you under $1000 new and there's no need for stands. I doubt there's many monitors in the price range that could compete.

Good luck with the hunt

Carlman · « **Reply #12 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 02:38 pm »

It just depends on what you like. I like punchy, lively sounding music... with good speed and transparency... I like detail and good imaging but I won't sacrifice one for the other. I like a natural sound to instruments (if the recording allows for it) but will sacrifice ultimate palpability of 1 instrument to accomodate a wide variety of them.

I have found that single-driver speakers excel with acoustic guitar and vocals but not kick drum, bass, and a lot of others. So if you listen to music that contains a wide frequency range and you like a lively, punchy sound, I'd recommend what I have. (Usher X-718's with Response Audio's top-level of mods) It's a choice I made based on how I hear, what I like to hear, and the music I enjoy.

Good luck.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 02:45 pm »

Oy, that's tough. If you KNOW what you want, the used market is great. I would go out to shops and listen to speakers. You might find something you like new, or you will be able to narrow down what you like.

Nothing's as lifelike in the midrange as a single-driver speaker. But, these won't sparkle in the treble like a good 2-way monitor. Bass is likely to be punchier in the monitor, but midbass (think standup, acoustic bass) will be better with a single-driver. SD's sound more like music to me, with 2-ways more like hi-fi, but it's all a matter of personal taste.

Good luck!

GHM · « **Reply #14 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 03:41 pm »

As stated above ..get out and listen for yourself. That's really the only way to know what will work for you in your room. I take some of the fellas haven't heard a high quality single driver in a large transmission line cabinet. Kick drums are a cake walk...I'm talking pressurizing the average room kinda of bass that you can feel in your chest,chair,walls..etc.

Marbles · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 04:29 pm »

These fit what your looking for nicely.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1135386354

edited for the right link

ooheadsoo · « **Reply #16 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 04:55 pm »

Are those Danny's Criterions?

Marbles · « **Reply #17 on:** 25 Oct 2005, 05:02 pm »

Yes...factory built to boot.

I do not know the seller and have no affiliation with them.