For me, small speakers are a "pick your poison" proposition.
If you want octave to octave balance (my #1 priority), you have to sacrifice bandwidth at both ends or accuracy (or both). A little mid-bass hump, while inaccurate, restores balance. IME, if you want real accuracy through an extended top end, the speakers will cry out for a sub.
That said, the (original) Red Rose Ribbon monitor (ribbon extends above the front baffle), while somewhat colored, is really satisfying as a stand alone monitor. The old Sonus Faber Minuetto is another speaker that made a similar trade-off. I own, and still use both.
Marty
If you want octave to octave balance (my #1 priority), you have to sacrifice bandwidth at both ends or accuracy (or both). A little mid-bass hump, while inaccurate, restores balance. IME, if you want real accuracy through an extended top end, the speakers will cry out for a sub.
That said, the (original) Red Rose Ribbon monitor (ribbon extends above the front baffle), while somewhat colored, is really satisfying as a stand alone monitor. The old Sonus Faber Minuetto is another speaker that made a similar trade-off. I own, and still use both.
Marty