2k Standmount speaker vote - PROAC / ATC / NEAT

I'd say build quality for all three are pretty equal. Neats are generally designed around Naim, and ProAc has always worked well with the more modern Naim amps too.

Which would I choose? I like all three for different reasons...

My vote would be the Neat, as I have read that Neat voice their speakers with a supernait,

but as you have auditioned all three then the  deciision must be your own, as for quality all three companies have excellent quality standards......

Thanks for the responses so far... 

David - would you be able to mention what the different reasons would be? I'm not so experienced with them from the limited demo time, but is one more exciting, another perhaps smoother, or one is bass rich etc? 

My first impressions were -

-Proac seemed balanced, with some nice detail but a held back mid range.

-ATC had a confident and forward sound, bright, heavy, kind of pumped up!

-Neat seemed very weighty in the bass and had quite a sharp upper frequency. 

They were all in different rooms though, so it's difficult to tell!

Based on my local Naim store (I did not demo yet )

Neat (and all metal tweeter speakers by the way) might sound too sharp and could really affect long listening session.

ProAc are incredable in mid frequency, excellent match for Naim

ATC:  No idea

In time, let us know the end of the story!

I tried the PM1, they sounded nice but couldn't produce any scale, hence not mentioning them on my shortlist. 

I might be coerced into that when I have a little time later...

As Fats said, at the size and price you are thinking I would definitely add the AE Reference 2s to your audition list. I had a demo of them recently and was extremely impressed. My thoughts on the last post of this thread: http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/acoustic-energy-ref-1-2?page=3#comment-2692027

Of the 3 you suggest, I have no experience with Neat and didn't particularly get on with the (floorstanding) Proacs I have listened to. My vote would definitely be for the SCM19s. IMO they will best pretty much any equivalent speaker in the midrange, partly due to the accuracy of the bass, which therefore does not impinge on the clarity of the mids.It seems to me you are describing the qualities of your amp when you describe what you heard with the 19s, which would be because the 19s are very neutral and accurate and allow your electronics to shine through.

But that's my opinion, and it's your £2000! I would audition all of them again (unless one is clearly inferior at this stage) and try as far as possible to isolate any other differences in the system, ie use your own source and amp, the same stands, the same music and (importantly) if possible listen to them in the same acoustic environment, ideally your own house.

I don't know which other speakers you have already rejected but I would add the PMC Twenty 22's to your list as well ! If you have not already heard them then I strongly suggest you give them a listen before making a final choice .

Hi ampfiddler

What source components were used in the demos? Was a Supernait used for all the demos?

What source component/s and speakers are you using?

Interconnect/s and speaker cables are?

Is your room lightly or heavily furnished?

Room positioning of the new speakers (distance to walls, corners, will there be anything between the speakers such as a chimney breast, cabinet, windows etc.)?

Your general listening level?

Will you stand, shelf or wall mount the speakers?

With a new pair of speakers what kind of presentation are you looking for the system to reproduce?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Yes, SN was always used, but a mix of cables I guess. The room is of average furnishing - sofa, chairs, rug, wood floor. 

I can bring the speakers out a little (I would say 40cm max) and it's a solid wall behind. Side walls are 1m away at least. There's nothing in between the speakers. Stand mounted.

Listening level - generally quite low, as I live in a flat. I would maybe reach '9 o'clock' on a loud day on the supernait volume dial. 

Presentation prefs - A good all round, versatile sound, if that makes any sense! I generally crave detail (and when I have had amps with tone controls, I want to turn the treble up a little) and I like a warm bass and mid range, so instruments sound natural and real, whilst any kick drums and bass have some depth. Would that class as a 'full range' and dynamic kind of sound?

Thanks for your help!

Hi ampfiddler - as you can from my sig, I would recommend the SN and 3i combo, but I would give a few words of caution. Based on the sound preferences that you've described above I think the sound of this combo ought to suit you, however if your room is small then the bass could well be an issue. My room is pretty small at 3.7m sq, and it has taken a lot of patient tweaking to get them set up right. Really I would say that for any speaker purchase a home demo is mandatory. What you end up with is the combination of that speaker in your room, which is unique. Any other demo is virtually meaningless IMO.

Good luck!

Hi Ampfiddler,Are you able to home demo?  It's really important to do so if you can... demo rooms can be very deceptive.

If you can get to hear Harbeth I think they would tick all your boxes, SHL5 or P3 ESR.

Good luck

For a 4x5m room and generally low level listening, I'd be looking at the ProAc D18's or the PMC Twenty.23's due to their efficient, lively nature. Standmounts at low volumes in a large room will sound a little lightweight, whereas floorstanders will keep a little meaningful low end. Both of these speakers have a lively, detailed nature, and won't need cranking up to get the best from them, unlike less efficient designs.

If pressed, which of the PMC Twenty standmounts would you go for in this situation, David?