Near Field Monitors Suggestions

cstmar01

It’s been awhile and I’m trying to update my desk top near field system a bit. I’ve listened to things like Goldenear BRX, Monitor Gold 100s, Paradigm Founders, etc and found the best so far to be Monitor Golds for my taste as they have great bottom extension and good midrange. Not the best for imaging in near field but the low end really did it for me on those.

I loved Kef LS50 meta for imaging but no low end.

But I’m not 100% sold on Monitors. I want something with good extension but also would like an easier to drive monitor so I could try out some lower powered amps. Was thinking some Zu but they stopped making the bookshelf’s and I never see them on 2nd market.

Budget would be up to $3k.

Let me know your thoughts. Open to new used and even build my own if just the best way to go.

JayMX

I’ve been tempted by this little Chris Pelonis rig as a desktop setup, for sale locally. The onboard DSP in the amps is a cool feature. Coaxial drivers like Zu. Relatively sensitive. Nice little sub. Dude is only asking $1800 for the whole rig, but I really don’t have a “need”, can’t justify it as a toy…

Chris Pelonis Signature Model 42 & 42LF
https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/69685621




Looks like there’s a new MKII version on his site http://www.chrispelonisspeakers.com
Interesting… 🤔

msg

I really enjoy the Audioengine HD3s with a quality sub along with Sound Addicted acoustic foam monitor pads. Hands down one of my favorite systems. I enjoyed the first one so much I built a second for the home office space.

This was my first experience with speakers disappearing. I remember looking right at where the sound should have been coming from, but it wasn't coming from there. I've since made some changes and lost that effect, but haven't messed around enough with getting it back. They're just a real pleasure and image well, location and depth.

Skip the onboard DAC and Bluetooth, unless you have a specific need for it.

I also recommend not being tempted to upsize to the HD6s. I tried two different pair of the HD6 to make sure I didn't get a messed up pair. The magic in the HD3s is somehow lost in the 6s.

mhardy6647

Well... depending on budget, I'd certainly consider Genelec or Neumann active desk monitors. Not inexpensive, but pretty much textbook performance.

cstmar01

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Well... depending on budget, I'd certainly consider Genelec or Neumann active desk monitors. Not inexpensive, but pretty much textbook performance.

Budget is $3k. So open to anything.

Any particular model by then you recommend?

erniejade

Once in a while you can find a used set of Joseph Pulsar in that range. buchardt s400 mk2 or the SE version of the S400 that has the better crossovers.

erniejade

Almost forgot, for nearfield, check out Adam Audio.

verb

I have a set of Acoustic Technologies Classic Series for my fleapower desk setup. FR, and IIRC 92db sensitive. I like the fact that they floor standing, not taking up any desk space, but present themselves at the right position while I sit at my desk. Great sounding, but IMO that little driver needed a little help so I added a small SVS sub, but otherwise love the setup! IIRC also all silver internal wiring.

Pic off the web, mine are keepers for now!

erniejade

So what did you wind up with?

verb

erniejade wrote: »

So what did you wind up with?

I do have a pair of the Acoustic Technologies! Perfect height for me, and been loving the setup for some time now! Admittedly my office is a mess right now, so no pics! Aw heck, no judgement here, my office mess!

Nightfall

I've been happy with the Rosso's and NAD. I could use better electronics than the NAD but it still sounds good to me. What makes a pair of loudspeakers specific to near field?

Nightfall

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Well... depending on budget, I'd certainly consider Genelec or Neumann active desk monitors. Not inexpensive, but pretty much textbook performance.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/A7V--adam-audio-a7v-7-inch-powered-studio-monitor

These do look pretty interesting.

treitz3

Hmmm, I didn't know Rosso even made a bookie. Have you ever heard the Rosso Fiorentino Fiesole, Josh? If you have, is the top end any different between the two? (Obviously the bass/mids will be different)

Nightfall wrote: »

What makes a pair of loudspeakers specific to near field?

Nothing, other than listening to them in a near field position.

Tom

Nightfall

I have not. They were setup when I went to Skips house but they never stopped playing pinky out audiophile music in there so I kept skipping listening to them.

treitz3

Oh well. Thanks and that drives me nuckin' futz too. Play some real music!

What were/are they called? I don't see them on the website.

Tom

Nightfall

Pienza

https://www.google.com/amp/s/parttimeaudiophile.com/2022/01/07/rosso-fiorentino-pienza-s2-loudspeakers-review/

treitz3

Thanks.

Tom

txcoastal1

Nightfall wrote: »

I have not. They were setup when I went to Skips house but they never stopped playing pinky out audiophile music in there so I kept skipping listening to them.

treitz3 wrote: »

Thanks.

Tom

Nightfall wrote: »

Pienza

https://www.google.com/amp/s/parttimeaudiophile.com/2022/01/07/rosso-fiorentino-pienza-s2-loudspeakers-review/

Pienza review
Maybe @erniejade @ZLTFUL can help with the question

ZLTFUL

I haven't listened to the Pienza 2s extensively, but I can tell you, like all of the newer versions of their respective models, they took some impressive leaps forward.

I know it isn't much but maybe reach out to Skip via his website and see if he would demo-loan a pair to check them out.

pitdogg2

The Rosso's I heard at Skips all to me were very sweet on the ear bones. The set he had upstairs had a larger driver and a super tweeter and I couldn't find fault with any decent recorded music that went through them. They were pretty unforgiving to cruddy recorded music.
For their size I was amazed at the low end that came from them.

erniejade

The pienza 2 are fantastic. I enjoyed the heck out of them.
I heard them 3 or 4 different times each with better cables and they did strut their stuff with the better cables. The Pienza 2 and norma combo really is fantastic sounding.

Nightfall

What cables did you like?

VR3

The term near field monitors is used to describe studio monitors. The goal of a studio monitor is a perfectly flat, unbiased response near field.

You will find studio monitors make for poor far field monitors as they lack volume, dynamic range and they will have poor off axis reaponse as they are not designed for that.

Otherwise near field is just a reference to how fast away your sitting. I have found there is very little skill required to have great sound near field as the room has minimal impact on the sound.

msg

Good info re: the use of the monitor term. I didn't know that.

Also good point about getting good sound due to not having to much consider the room. I've experienced this in two desktop systems.

Basic factors for significant performance improvements were isolation pads, placement width, vertical angle, toe, and sub placement.

A little simple tuning in these areas made for really fun, enjoyable systems. More enjoying BT headphones these days, though, for better isolation and concentration in those work spaces.

treitz3

I stand erected......er, uh.....I stand corrected.

I always thought it was a BS marketing thing. Now I know what I didn't know before. Thanks for packing more useless stuff into my brain, Trey. Like I really needed more...

Tom

skrol

I’m using a couple Minimus 7’s for now driven with a souped up Parasound HCA-800ii and a Dayton 10” sub. I added the anti-diffraction pads from VR3 to the Minimus 7. They are on their sides for now until I can expand my back table. Sounds pretty good for what it is.

SIHAB

We used Genelec in our A/V studio.

The Genelec G Three was a Loudspeaker product of the year finalist and
THE budget product of the year @ stereophile. ($1590)

erniejade

Nightfall wrote: »

What cables did you like?

He had AQ THUNDERBIRD on the pienza 2. I enjoyed the heck out of the Pienza 2. I felt they are the sweet spot along with the Elba2 floor standing. A bit more forgiving, a very sweet enveloping sound that just sucks you in to listen for hours.

The Pienza 2 was in a bedroom so it was not in a crazy big room or even an room that was made for good sound and yet, they sounded great.

erniejade

SIHAB wrote: »

We used Genelec in our A/V studio.

The Genelec G Three was a Loudspeaker product of the year finalist and
THE budget product of the year @ stereophile. ($1590)

They are a very good studio monitor. I also like the Adam quite a bit as well. My brother who is a musician and does a lot of studio work in his basement uses Adam monitors.

cstmar01

Thanks guys for the ideas. Going to try and do some more listening if possible and pull the trigger.

Clipdat

Focal Shape series.