that studio'ish sound

If you want "studio" sound, then use when many studios use: Bryston, Crown Studio Reference, etc., but the most important ingredient is the monitors: you won't get the dynamics and speed of a studio monitor with most domestic speakers, even audiophile ones. Get a pair of high sensitivity studio monitors: Tannoy DMT 12 or 15 or 215, or a pair of JBL 4430 or 4435, or a pair of Altec 604-8G or 604-8K. All these are available used for far less money than domestic speakers of equivalent quality would cost, plus they'll give you the energy, detail and slam that you're looking for.

Happy listening,

Joel.

Hi Touchon

Harbeth!!!

They come in various sizes and prices, but they have that wonderful sound you are describing. The BBC uses these monitors in their studios.

Wonderful sound.

Regards,

AEW

I would guess that the PMC line of speakers in an all balanced system set up for near field listening with extensive room treatment would do the trick.

The studio sound is a combination of a number of elements. First, virtually all professional recording studios have professionally designed and installed acoustic treatments for the purpose of minimizing the room's contribution to the sound. Second, while most studios have more than one set of monitors, the majority of critical listening is performed on near field monitors. The monitors are 3 to 5 feet from the listener and relatively far away from any walls. Third, a studio monitor is a tool for making music and is not intended for long-term listening pleasure. They will expose all the flaws of the signal being fed them. Last, studio monitors tend to be self amplified (usually bi or tri amped) with balanced inputs. It's an excellent design feature but it makes them a little more difficult to integrate with typical audiophile equipment.

I would recommend you listen to a pair of JBL LSR28 or Tannoy System 600/800. Both are active near field monitors.