Best MONITORS availables

Well speaking of monitors in general and not the specific brands you've mentioned, I own and truly love a pair of JMlabs Micro-Utopias. Great transparency and musicality, and really surprising bass.

I've been deep searching for great monitors and never heard of Magico, don't know how I missed them.

What I did come up with is Lipinski L-707 monitors, they're slightly large for a standmount, but are said to be really good.

I'm trying the Focus FS-688's at home this weekend, so I'll see how good these puppies sound.

I'm very interested in the other two Jtinn mentioned.

Just my two cents,but having been in the hobby for 35 yrs,it seems clear that you can now get truly BIG high end sound in some of the smaller packages.Sometimes technology is a benefit.What is best is to gain real experience,as to what is truly musical,vs "enhanced" B.S.!!

Some of the speakers here are superb.I have heard the JM Labs Micro Be design,and with good support stuff,in a realistically chosen room,it can be amazing.

Also,the Ridge Street Audio two way,looks to be KILLER,as well.

Best to all.Even you,JTINN,charletan that you are(that isn't a bad thing,necessarily).

I am a dealer for AAD so yes I am biased, but I can't let this post go without shedding some light on the new AAD 7001 monitors. They are truly magical! (oh, and they go down to 25hz!!!!)

http://www.aadsound.com/products/7001.htm

I've only heard the Magico at a show. It sounded okay, and then I saw the price. YIKES!

I know it is not quite a monitor, but for a small speaker, I think the Gryphon Cantata is quite nice sounding. But it too is way up there in price.

Still, as good as small speakers sound, they just cannot deliver the weight and proper scale to orchestral music like the big boys. I am impressed with many of them, but they still remind me of the saying about dancing bears.