[GregC]

I currently have Maggie 1.6 QR's and a Tube Audio Design sub in my master bedroom setup with a Musical Fidelity A-5 Integrated.  The room is not sound treated and 14x16 ft with vaulted ceilings.  My wife would like me to get a smaller pair of full range speakers that look good, match the dark oak furniture, and do not require a sub.  They also must be placed near the rear wall, so front porting (or bass that does not get boomy when placed close to the wall) would be ideal.  I have considered a few alternatives and would appreciate some feedback.

I do not want to spend more than $1700 (new or used).

I am considering the following speakers:

• Used pair of GR-20 or GR-60 Monitor Audio speakers (I have paired Musical Fidelity with Monitor Audio in the past and found they have good synergy).
• Reference 3A MM deCapo I (there are many good reviews and they seem like they can work without a sub).
• Usher BE-718 (Ditto on the good reviews and the ability to work without a sub.  I also heard them at RMAF 2007 and was impressed.)
• SP Tech Minis (I heard them at RMAF 2008 and thought they sounded excellent and definitely had very good resolution with plenty of bass).
• PMC FB1i (I have not heard them and could not find very many reviews, but they seem to have the looks and performance I am seeking). 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.  I am especially interested in any first-hand experience with PMC since I have never heard them.

[zybar]

All great choices Greg.

Another possible candidate is the Salk SongTowers.  These look and sound well beyond their price point and allow for flexible placement.

If you decide to go with SP Tech Minis, I think somebody here on AC is selling a pair.

Best of luck.

George

[GregC]

George,

Thanks for mentioning the Songtowers since they are held in high regard here on AC.

Greg

[rodge827]

Greg,

Contact Louis at Omega.
 
The Super 6 Alnico Monitors will do you well in this application. I had a pair and the bass output is very impressive for a 6" driver. Louis is a one man show and can custom make you a pair in any finish and put the port up front.

He just completed a pair of Super 8 Alnico XRS floorstanders in Ribbon Sapele for me and they look and sound awsome .

Calling him is best.

Chris

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/

[zybar]

Greg,

Contact Louis at Omega.
The Super 6 Alnico Monitors will do you well in this application. I had a pair and the bass output is very impressive for a 6" driver. Louis is a one man show and can custom make you a pair in any finish and put the port up front.
He just completed a pair of Super 8 Alnico XRS floorstanders for me and they look and sound awsome .

Calling him is best.

Chris

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/

Better yet, buy my Omega Revolutions.   aa

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62413.0

George

[rodge827]

Greg,

Contact Louis at Omega.
The Super 6 Alnico Monitors will do you well in this application. I had a pair and the bass output is very impressive for a 6" driver. Louis is a one man show and can custom make you a pair in any finish and put the port up front.
He just completed a pair of Super 8 Alnico XRS floorstanders for me and they look and sound awsome .

Calling him is best.

Chris

http://www.omegaloudspeakers.com/

Better yet, buy my Omega Revolutions.   aa

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62413.0

George

Yes George another good choice 

[GregC]

I have called Jim at Salk since my wife looked at the speakers and loves the way they look, and they seem to perform well beyond their price point.  I only hope they have sufficient bass without a sub.

I am happy with the sound of my Maggies and sub but it is a little overwhelming for a bedroom setup.

[Biscuit]

Great suggestions by everyone.  I don't think a person could go wrong with Salk or Omega.  If you like the Maggie sound, maybe you would like the soon to be released compact speakers that blew everyone away at th eCES.

[GregC]

I love the sound of the Maggies but they do not go quite low enough without a sub and they take up too much room for a bedroom setup.  They match up particularly well with Musical Fidelity because of the high current and power.

[gsm18439]

Audio Note ANJ or ANK.

[toobluvr]

Look into Proacs.

I owned the Response 2.5.  Tremendous transparency, inner detail and an overall musical presentation.  Good dynamics and weight for such a slim and elegant package.  I had them in a large room and the bass was shockingly big.  Check the S'phile review.  If memory serves, Fremer thought the same:

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/196proac/

Never heard it, but I suppose the smaller Response 1.5 would be similar but with less bass output.  A pair is up on AG now, but based on where I bought and sold my 2.5s, I think his price is probably too high.

The 2.5 can be had for around $1500 used.

Both the 1.5 and 2.5 are rear ported, so tight wall placement may be problematic.  They were replaced by the D15 and D25 respectively.  I believe these have downward firing ports, possibly making them better for your situation.  Models D18 and D28 are even more recent models and are side vented, but used prices might be outside of your budget.

All Proac models are done in gorgeous wood veneer cabinets.  The style is modest, almost Shaker-like in their utilitarian simplicity,  and completely non-flashy.  Some may not like it, but I do, and my experience is that their asthetic and visual is almost universally loved by women. 

See them here:

http://www.proac-loudspeakers.com/index.php

Good luck in your search.

[toobluvr]

PS:   I also owned the MM deCappos and would take the Proac in a heartbeat over them.

[GregC]

PS:   I also owned the MM deCappos and would take the Proac in a heartbeat over them.

I have read good things about ProAc starting with the ProAc 1SC.  They do not show up used very often.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Congrats on the sale of PBN Montana speakers John.

[GregC]

Has anyone heard the ProAc 1.5 versus the 2.5 and can comment on the differences?

[toobluvr]

PS:   I also owned the MM deCappos and would take the Proac in a heartbeat over them.

I have read good things about ProAc starting with the ProAc 1SC.  They do not show up used very often.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Congrats on the sale of PBN Montana speakers John.

Thanks Greg.

You should consider the Montana SP2 as well.  There is a pair on the 'gon now.  Of course I can't say how they would mate with your MF, but I was mightily impressed by their performance with my buyer's amp.  Having never heard them so good, it was a good reminder of the importance of synergy.  Read towards the end of my FS ad for my full comments in that regard.

All Proacs are nice, but since you stated a need for decent bass performance and were kindof focusing on smallish but near full range floorstanders,  I did not think monitors would fit the bill.

While I have never heard this particular model, I have nothing but the highest regard for any Meadowlark speaker I have ever heard, including the Heron "i" that I own:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1237146758&/Meadowlark-Osprey-speakers-(pr

Front ported, transmission line bass (I assume) and I would think that for a BR system, that gorgeous cabinet certainly fits the bill visually!
 

[toobluvr]

Has anyone heard the ProAc 1.5 versus the 2.5 and can comment on the differences?

Do some googling and some searching, Greg.  I'm sure with some time and persistence you will find some folks who have heard both and offer comparisons.

FWIW, I found this over on AudioReview.com from a Proac owner who has experience with both models:

Summary:
Terrific small two way design. I had the 2.5 for years but needed something smaller for a medium sized room. The 1.5 gives much of the performance of the 2.5 and images a bit better. The 2.5 has better bass, and has a richer midrange, but that would depend on the size of your room. A much better buy than the 1SC with good stands. For a few hundred more you get some real bass and a deeper, richer sound.

Strengths:
Imaging, midrange, coherant, strong tight bass, easy to drive with tubes or ss.

Weaknesses:
Expensive but worth it

http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/proac/floorstanding-speakers/response-1-5/PRD_123675_1594crx.aspx

The comments are kindof what you would expect about two neighboring models from same manufacturer that differ basically in just size and price....with one model just a step up from the other.

Both models have been out for many years now, so I'm sure many more comparisons can be found