Help me w/ small towers-bedroom HT/music system

My first thought was that the Silverline Preludes (newer version, $1200/pr new) might be perfect for this application. Wide dispersion, good dynamics, small/thin footprint, good mids and clear and detailed but not harsh highs, with decent bass but not likely to overpower your bedroom. I think the f12s would be a bit much for this application, and I'd be concerned they don't have the dispersion characteristics you're looking for given their wide baffle (read Stereophile review for more info.)

My other thought was to go with good monitors as you can probably get better sound quality per dollar, and the good ones probably go plenty deep enough for this application. And it may help with your dispersion requirements as well. The other advantage is you can buy stands high enough to not have to resort to cinder blocks to raise them up. In addition to the Revel M20s mentioned above I noticed the M22s are also in your price range (used), but lots of others to consider as well. Another possiblity might be the Silverline Minuets that espouse a lot of the qualities of the Preludes in a smaller package, and at about half the price. LOTS of other good options for monitors in this price range -- moreso than floorstanders in my opinion (Ascend Acoustics, B&W, Dynaudio, Epos, Nola, Paradigm, PSB, Wharfdale, etc., etc.). Best of luck.

Thanks, I didn't know much about the Silverlines. The Revel F12 that was on Agon is sold already, anyway. Now, I've also found out about Vienna Acoustics, and there are several pairs of used ones available.

But, I will check out the Silverlines.

I got to listen to Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand today as well as a Sonus Faber Liuto. The Viennas sounded great on instruments, but required a very exact sweet spot in order for a female vocalist to appear in the middle. Just moving my head a few inches left or right resulted in total loss of the center positioning of the singer. The speakers were toed in quite a bit, so perhaps it was setup. The Liuto allowed for a broader area left/right in which the vocalist seemed pretty much centered, but I didn't think the instruments were as clear and accurate as with the Viennas.

I also didn't realize how physically small the Viennas are, considering that the Beethoven Baby Grand is larger than either the Bach Grand or Mozart Grand.

Another +1 for Totem Arro for a bedroom HT/music system. Strong WAF. If you plan on using surrounds, Totem Dreamcatchers mate very well with the Arros.

Thanks for the replies. After much reading here, as well as listening to some speakers at retail shops, I pulled the trigger on a set of almost new Monitor Audio 9i listed here on Agon. This was after reading 3 or 4 professional reviews, as well as scores of individual reviews on Audio Review, ecoustics, etc.

The common themes were that the Monitors were equally good for both music and HT, which was one of my primary goals. They also were lauded for having excellent clarity, dynamics, imaging, and soundstage. Quality bass for their size was another commonly cited feature. I like that the bass drivers are a bit larger than many other sub $1000 models I found available used. The reason that appeals to me is that when I was auditioning speakers at shops, it seemed all the ones I heard with 5.5" woofers were muddy and lacked impact in the bass/mid bass, including Vienna and B&W.

Time will tell, but even if they disappoint, I haven't spend a ton on them, and can sell them and try something else.