"Best" mini-monitor?

There are many good choices in this price range.

We sell quite  a number of great monitors, we currently display the KEF Ref 1, the Paradigm Person B, ATC SCM 11, SCM 19 and are looking at the new TAD ME 1.

We were Vivid dealers so we know the V1.5 it will all come down to what you value, we also had a set of speakers that were very similar to the Pulsars so you could say we have a lot of mini monitor experience.

It will all come down to your particular set of criteria.

So far we were blown away by the TAD ME 1 which is basically a $30k speaker shrunk down to mini size, amazing in every way, we are going to be testing a pair after hearing them at Capitol Audio Fest,

See the Absolute Sound review on them.

In our estimation here is how we would rate the best mini monitors:

1: TAD ME 1 about $12k unbelievable driver technlogy, deep tight bass down to low 40's, huge soundstage, tube friendly. Smooth yet detailed.

2: Persona B, clear midrange, very holographic, good with tubes, good but not super deep bass. 

3: KEF Ref 1, slightly more colored than the B, fantastic bass and dynamics, big wide soundstage not as much front to back depth as the Persona B

4: ATC smooth midrange, very tight bass to the low 40's, likes power, loves rock and jazz, big soundstage, not as transparent as the others, but extremely natural midrange, likes power, depends on how much you have, great buy for the money, ie the SCM 19

5: Vivid V1.5 fantastic clarity, not as smooth in the midrange as the Personas, a tad light on the bass, very fast, articulate, likes tubes wide soundstage. 

6: Radiho/Focal both can be peaky, uber detailed, Radho can be very expensive both of these speakers run to the detail class, Radhio loves smooth solid state, Focal loves tubes. 

The TAD ME 1 if you can swing um are probably the best compact speakers in the world right now, the Persona B with a good small fast sub will also amaze. 

If you are ever in the New York Tri State area we have KEF, Paradigm, ATC, and most likely the TAD ME on display

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Another vote for Raidho.  I’ve been enjoying a pair of D1’s for some time now and feel they are the best of any stand mount I’ve ever owned (Wilson, Revel, B&W, etc, etc).

Srosenberg

The D1 are very fine speakers but at the $30k price range they are a bit much for many people don't you think and do you really think they are better than an ME 1 and or substatially better for almost 3 times the price?

Personally I think this would be an interesting demo, I would say I have heard the D1 at shows and was impressed we feel that the Radihos are just a bit on the too expensive side for what you are getting. 

Persona B, absolutely.

Definitely listen to Raidho though (higher price).  

I’d also suggest Gamut, but above your budget as well.  I stick with my Persona B recommendation.  Absolutely magic.

Almost every review I've ever read regarding "high-end" monitors points to the fact that usually the speakers are "over-achievers" for their size.  This is a good thing- amazing bass for their size, very coherent two-driver design with an innovative crossover, etc.  But also, they may need a top-flight amplifier to get the best results, have fussy placement issues but are "amazing" once you get it right, break-in can also take some time, the stands have to be special and the just the right height, cabling can become a critical factor, etc.  My only suggestion is that just perhaps a speaker that is a bit "smaller" in size (relatively) that plays sweetly at moderate volumes (not to say you can't turn them up on occasion, but why for 90% of the music you prefer would that be necessary?) might be more enjoyable and not drive you from the room.
You still want a very well made speaker of course, but you just might have to spend LESS money after considering just how small a room you're talking about.  The only exception i would think of is if you cover most of it with special sound treatments, Otherwise maybe a high-resolution monitor might give you too much of a good thing.  
    Long ago I had a pair of ADS speakers and never (NEVER) was
disappointed with the sound, whether i was listening to classical, jazz, rock, female vocals, whatever.  Of course my standards have risen over the years since, and so have the number of "problems" i had to find
solutions to.  Not that i haven't had fun doing all this when I got enough money together.  But now it's finally the room that for me is the limiting factor.