My journey to search for standmount bookshelf speakers...


Over the years, I’ve auditioned several speakers:

System Audio SA706 - Sound really good with classical music with state of the art recording, otherwise I would not consider it as forgiving kind of sound on some less than perfect recording, the high can become pretty hot sizzling, no sibilance though, just a bit bright if listen for a long time, but I have no complain on bass except drum kicks music

Chario Syntar 516R - Sound crisp and clear, thus not so forgiving on some recordings sensitive to treble, though no sibilance found, bass not as clean as others I’ve listened

PSB Alpha B1 - Small little speakers that sound great, a bit glaring on the tweeters over long listening sessions, bass limited due to small woofer size

Q Acoustics 2020i - The best smooth treble I’ve ever heard, I found nothing to complain on the mid & high, rich but not overly lust, bass though again due to limited woofer size not dynamic and fast enough

Elac B6 - Oh, sound pretty balanced, neat and vivid, overall presentation is clean and clear, bass is varied based on recording, I would say it sound a bit light on some, some just right, treble compare to Q Acoustics a little bit less smooth, most probably a better amp will do better, but I’m not sure how much you have to spend again

Dynaudio Focus 110 - I actually feel in awe when listening to this speakers with first track Igor Stravinsky - The Firebird - Finale (from album Tutti!), a small speakers that sound so big dynamic powerful, surprisingly the Focus series is pretty forgiving on some old recordings, very listenable, the only weakness I would say is the woofer a bit stiff for drum music, and frequency cutoff by the crossover design, instead of rolled off I’ve experienced from other speakers I’ve auditioned, I’ve to say the high really special on this

Currently, I own Wharfedale Denton classic speakers, very forgiving speakers, a bit of mid bass bump kind of speakers, high is not as clean as Dynaudio Focus 110 but still sound smooth without hot sizzling effect, the bass is considered not powerful and dynamic enough

Guys, what else I can look for at this price range?

128x128wim1983
@audioman58  Any recommendations for normal citizen? The price is way beyond what I capable to pay T_T

I owned the 11's and went up to the 19's...11's are still very musical and might be more forgiving than 19's.

19's have the "pro" mid/bass driver as same as 20 so they are on a whole other level as the 11...but the 11's are no slouches...reading about your amps i wonder if you would get the best out of them though?

Lots of great recommendations here, I'll add one more.

Until about a year ago I had a pair of Totem Fire monitors.  Purchased them new from a dealer ($6000 the pair, if my memory serves me), before I knew about Audiogon.  They come up on Audiogon fairly frequently, you could probably snag a pair for less than 1/2 of retail.

The had really excellent soundstage, dynamics and did not "shout" at you, great for all kinds of music.
@digsmithd  hmm, after some considerations, I can't believe I hate how it look, especially with the grill on, oh my god, I think I cannot stand the "prison break" outlook haha

@ejr1953 Bloody expensive speakers, unfortunately I'm not able to locate any Totem dealer here

Thanks!

I understand that wim1983...ive had a couple pairs of dynaudio 1.3 se's and 52 se and they were beautifully made...and great little speakers...the atc is pretty simple looking...but saying that the 1.3 se isn't the atc 19...and having (had) both I can say hands down the atc for my tastes...

Have to say that back then i was running sim audio with the dyns...the atc have a modwright 200 watt aside amp...i believe makes alot of difference.