Need smaller speakers- where to go, what to do?

JohnVF

JohnVF

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I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I'm finally getting my main system back after a year and a half in storage, but I don't think I want speakers as big as the Harbeth SHL-5s. I'm going to have it in a sunroom- they'll fit, but they'll dominate the space visually. I want something that sits back a bit more. Shorter stands could help, but maybe I just need to go with smaller stand mount speakers? The JBL L-82s are in another room so can't use those.

The problem is, the Harbeths are now worth maybe $2300 or so on the used market, and I don't think anything around that price is as good as they are. I'd love to find a pair of Monitor 30.1s but... ? Who knows. And those might be too big, too.

I'm just pondering out loud here. Any suggestions are welcome, knowing that I really like how natural the Harbeths sound and how well they disappear and sound of a whole. I'll know more when I get them here and set up....funds are REALLY tight now with some car repairs that all landed at once and just buying a condo, so it might be something down the road....
 
kirk57 said:
You might be able to get a pair of Van L Quartets in roughly that price range...
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I'd forgotten about him- I should check out his space again. I wish I could find a pair of Monitor 30.1s used locally. I don't care if they're a few generations off the current ones at this point.
 
Tell me about it. This very problem is what keeps my SHL5s shamefully out of rotation. (Then why Altec 605s most of the time? Hard to explain.)

I've pretty much landed on Harbeth 30s as the ideal replacement. I've also considered, so I'll mention it here: Devore, Reference 3A, though they're pretty different from Harbeths (to my ears).

Or, you know, a tricked out pair of Minimus 7s. (A joke!)

EDIT: I'll add that I've also thought long and hard about another pair of Compact 7s, which I traded to get the SHL5s (I was living in a loft at the time, and the SHL5s were nearly perfect there). I think that you had a less-than-favorable stint with the C7s, and they aren't that much smaller, but maybe . . . ? They seem more available than the 30s.
 
Do you know what amp you will be using. I believe you have both a very high end, high powered power amp and also a very low powered Leben tube amp. Probably very different choice in speakers depending on what you plan to use. The Leben will likely have far fewer suitable choices.
 
You know my opinion about Reference 3A and if you were closer I'd lend you mine to see how they fit your space, electronics and ears.
 
JohnVF said:
I'd forgotten about him- I should check out his space again. I wish I could find a pair of Monitor 30.1s used locally. I don't care if they're a few generations off the current ones at this point.
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john van l moved from western avenue to west of the city on irving park - west of the harlem/iriving mall and rolling stones records.
 
adaug said:
john van l moved from western avenue to west of the city on irving park - west of the harlem/iriving mall and rolling stones records.
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Wow, that's a bit of a ways out there, though I like that record store and it would make a good trip.

Currently I'm most interested about the brand "Kudos", particularly the S10 if I could buy a used pair. Still pushing outside my budget. I plan on figuring out what stays and then selling some things if I buy new speakers. I almost might just get the stands for the harbeths cut down and see how that works.
 
JohnVF said:
Wow, that's a bit of a ways out there, though I like that record store and it would make a good trip.
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its worth hitting rolling stones if you are heading out there. decent vinyl selection these days.
 
adaug said:
its worth hitting rolling stones if you are heading out there. decent vinyl selection these days.
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The last time I went out there was maybe 6 or 7 years ago and it was still almost all CDs...like a time capsule to 20 years ago.
 
i know what you mean! they still have a lot of cds. interspersed among the cds, are bootleg cds. i am a fan of bootlegs in general - always looking for any material by my fave artists' peak periods.
 
MWalt said:
I have been binge buying used CD's lately. Price is low in most cases. The price of records (used) has gotten pretty crazy lately around these parts.
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indeed - the flip of cd and lp prices has been remarkably swift.
 
JohnVF said:
Wow, that's a bit of a ways out there, though I like that record store and it would make a good trip.

Currently I'm most interested about the brand "Kudos", particularly the S10 if I could buy a used pair. Still pushing outside my budget. I plan on figuring out what stays and then selling some things if I buy new speakers. I almost might just get the stands for the harbeths cut down and see how that works.
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The Monitor 30.1 are a tad smaller than the C7's, but the list price is also higher. Didn't you like white speakers at your place ? When the border opens you could whip up to ON and visit Audio Eden for the:

"KUDOS Cardea C1 monitors in white finish. Unused...opened for the photos. Taut bass with expressive mids and a beautifully extended top end. These were purchased from the previous Canadian distributor. In-store auditions welcome."

KudosCardeaC1.jpg


Don't forget the exchange rate... :)
 
Another low-price option is the Seas A26. It’s available from Madisound as a kit for $1254. That includes the pre-assembled cherry cabinets. You basically just screw the speakers into place so hardly any work required.

The A26 is an updated version of the classic Dyna A25 which still ranks as one of the musical speakers of all time IMO. There are some long threads about the A26 on Steve Hoffman’s forum where some have reported selling their Harbeths after buying the A26.
 
airdronian said:
The Monitor 30.1 are a tad smaller than the C7's, but the list price is also higher. Didn't you like white speakers at your place ? When the border opens you could whip up to ON and visit Audio Eden for the:

"KUDOS Cardea C1 monitors in white finish. Unused...opened for the photos. Taut bass with expressive mids and a beautifully extended top end. These were purchased from the previous Canadian distributor. In-store auditions welcome."

View attachment 38159


Don't forget the exchange rate... :)
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I'm not too familiar with the Kudos lineup, but what I've read appeals to me. I was looking for used S10s or C10s- not really knowing the difference. I'll look those up! The white-speaker thing was for where the JBL L82s are going to live, but I'm not against it.

I've spent some time with the Monitor 30s (and owned the C7s a long time ago). The 30s are fantastic and really what I'm looking for...but for the price of entry. The SHL-5s might work here... it'll be a month or so until I get everything in this room.
 
Salectric said:
Another low-price option is the Seas A26. It’s available from Madisound as a kit for $1254. That includes the pre-assembled cherry cabinets. You basically just screw the speakers into place so hardly any work required.

The A26 is an updated version of the classic Dyna A25 which still ranks as one of the musical speakers of all time IMO. There are some long threads about the A26 on Steve Hoffman’s forum where some have reported selling their Harbeths after buying the A26.
Click to expand...
I was thinking about those earlier, as well. I've always been curious about them. With those I might keep the SHL-5s and have a smaller speaker to rotate in. But certainly an interesting option. They might pair well with the Leben?
 
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