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best monitor available?

I am looking for some input on a potential upgrade to my totem mani2's. I only want to upgrade if it is an obvious improvement (therefore no mani 2 se) and I do not want to change my electronics. (EAD amp/pre pro with latest dacs.) All listening is nearfield, 20ft w by 12 ft deep b7 8 ft high exercise area with speakers on the wide wall 1 foot out. Listening to all but classical, with a velodyne sub for lf. Large amount of off center listening of music and open to small floorstanders if necessary. Have thought about revel gems, wilson benesch, jm lab, verity and others, but only have current experience with revel and totem. I am flexible on price. thanks for your input.
emster
dr_joe
148 posts
 
The Tannoy System 12 DMT and System 12 DMT II, the predecessors to the System 1200, are superb near/mid-field monitors, largely sold to the professional market, though there is a growing coterie of home listeners who have caught on to what might be the best price/performance ratio available. I know both these olders models well (own the DMT 12) as well as their big brothers, the DMT 15 II, which I use in my main system.

Recent reports on the Tannoy user's group on yahoo.com suggest that the System 1200 continues the tradition of excellence.

Hope this helps.

Joel Tatelman
Ottawa, Canada.
rdcap66ba
3 posts
 
the new style Active ATC 20's on Sound Anchor stands
flemke
557 posts
 
Dynaudio anybody? I had the 1.3mk'2 and thought they sounded great! I would love hear the 1.3se or 25th se.
Tim
abe_av
78 posts
 
You bet! Dynaudio Special 25 Anniversary Edition.

It has the Esotar2 and 20mm woofer directly from the top Confidence line. Gorgeous birch finish ... Yummy! It sounds like sparkles from a beautifully cutted diamond.

Abe
lordgorian
133 posts
 
Having carefully researched this issue, i have a thorough understanding of most of the best monitors out. Here is a list of them.

Sonus Faber Guaneri Homage
Sonus Faber Extrema
Dynaudio Confidence 3s
Dynaudio 25th Ann
Dynaudio C2s
Talon Peregine X
Talon Hawk
Talon Hawk Diamond
JM Reynaud Offrande
Revel Gems
Jm Labs Mini Utopia Be
TAD Monitor
B&W 25th Anniversary Silver Special
ATC has a few good ones
hmmm there are a few more but i forget them right now.

The best speaker of all of these are the Hawk Diamonds from my experience. They list for 16k, the hawks are almost just as incredible and are only 8k. Now you wont find these used. If you want a great deal on a used speaker i would reccomend JM Reynaud Offrandes. For about 2500 used they are vastly better than the totems i would know as i presently own them both! My hawk diamonds will hopefully be coming shortly. Look into the talons seriously if you want to spend 8k or up, if not go for the offrandes, they are worth 500 dollars more than the Mani IIs. Hope this helps...
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