The Minimonitor thread
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Not exactly noteworthy then.
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Well for me carries as much weight as anyone else's opinion. As I said they are not for everyone.
I will be hoping to dem them next time, what amp around £800 would you recommend, was going to hear the Audiolab 8200.
Out of the brands mentioned, I've only heard Spendor, PMC and ATC.
ATCs are a fabulously natural sounding speaker, however, their strengths and weakenesses are the sealed box.
SA-1 are nicely detailed tiny monitor, although overpriced IMO.
PMC DB1i: Not too much to criticise. They have more than ample bass depth, married to wonderful detail. IMO, pound-for-pound, one of the finest small monitors I've heard.
I will be hoping to dem them next time, what amp around £800 would you recommend, was going to hear the Audiolab 8200.
I just meant in a reviewers sense. Everyone's opinion is valid, but there are opinions out there that are voiced to 'rock the boat', or to spoil 
As well as the Audiolab, try the Pioneer A50 or A70, Rotel RA12 or RA1520, and although it is a little more, the Naim Nait 5i.
I love the PM1s. I've heard them driven by the Audiolab Monos and also by Classe amplification and they sounded wonderfully open and informative both times. They really put you right into the mix and they have a very balanced and cohesive sound when driven properly.
I also love the DB1i. I personally think the PM1s are better but then there is a price difference so you would hope so. For their price the DB1i are hard to beat with a particularly holographic imaging ability that I've heard from very few speakers.
Haven't heard the Spendors but I've always been intrigued. I have heard the KEF R100 and R300 and thought they were very good, if trying to produce a little too much bass in compensation for their size.
ls3/5a the orginal bbc monitor - use stirling broadcasts myself
Spendor SA1 - Quite an unassuming sound, pretty neutral, nicely detailed, not greatly extended bass due to its small sealed cabinet, but quite a natural, even bass, if a little light compared to the rest of the group.
B&W PM1 - Beautifully open treble and amazingly detailed. Quite a lot of bass for such a small standmount with a small bass driver, but like all mini monitors, you're not going to get gig levels with bass heavy material. Lovely build and finish. They like a bit of space to work well in, despite being front ported.
PMC DB1 - One of the lighter (weight) models here, so it may not feel in the same quality as the likes f the LS50 or PM1. One of the livelier performers of the group that still sounds exciting at lower volumes. Can sound a little boxy in comparison to others in the group.
Kef LS50 - More akin to listening to headphones with their ability to stop/start. Great detail and projection. Bass isn't the deepest here, but what they do have is pretty solid. Like the PM1's, they do like a little bit of space to stretch their legs.
Acoustic Energy AE1 MKIII - I have heard the MkIII's but it was quite a while ago, so it would be unfair of me to comment. I did hear the Classic version more recently.
ATC SCM11 - Sounds a little restrained in the top end compared to some of the other models here, but they posses the largest bass driver of the group and would probably win out on SPL. Again, pretty neutral, with a nice even bass due to a sealed cabinet.
All of these models need capable amplification to get the best from them, the level of which varies depending on the model. The PM1's, LS50's, and DB1's have greater presence than the other speakers, which tend to lack a little in comparison at lower volumes.
Unfortunately it is hard to recommend a distance because rooms are different. The wall behind the speaker could be stud partition, plasterboard with a gap then brick/breeze block, solid brick, brick cavity, double brick, stone, breeze block etc etc. All these will have a different effect on a speaker/subwoofer's in room performance. The type of flooring can also affect things.
You could be talking inches or feet, regardless of where the port is situated.
Unfortunately it is hard to recommend a distance because rooms are different. The wall behind the speaker could be stud partition, plasterboard with a gap then brick/breeze block, solid brick, brick cavity, double brick, stone, breeze block etc etc. All these will have a different effect on a speaker/subwoofer's in room performance. The type of flooring can also affect things.
You could be talking inches or feet, regardless of where the port is situated.
David, I have brick cavity walls, where the speakers will be less than 1 feet away, not near corners though, will the KEF LS50 and DB1is be alright in that situation, floor is wooden floorboards covered with carpet, room is 17 x11 feet.
And no comments about AE1 MKII SE.. does somebody have them at all on the forum??
No one have the Neat Petite SX?
Wide left feild choice, how about the Eclipse speakers?
http://www.whathifi.com/eclipse-td
Not heard them though. Should be good at soundstage, IME with full-range-drivers.
Wide left feild choice, how about the Eclipse speakers?
http://www.whathifi.com/eclipse-td
Not heard them though. Should be good at soundstage, IME with full-range-drivers.
They are lovely with voices and e.g. saxophone, or acoustic instruments in general. They don't do rock music properly, though, or electronic music. I guess because of the limited bass (specs state 35Hz - at -10 dB, mind you)... Just my opinion of course!
Not shure they fit the "minimonitor definition" anyway (W348 x H606 x D411on their short stands). 
No, but the smaller ones may be.
Also they should fit into the mini-monitor category as they are designed for near/mid feild use so should work well in the typical rooms that mini-monitors get used in.
Bass from a mini monitor should be a secondary consideration IMO. Trying to get deep bass from a small box mucks up the rest of the frequency range IMO/IME.
I do! I'm not sure this counts though. :\
Actually I think the new WHF Ed has a pair (non-SE spec) unless he's moved on. Technically speaking they are now discontinued, though there may still be a few around at dealers as this was only recent.
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Not exactly noteworthy then. They're entitled to their opinion, although I cant help thinking that their overexaggerated comparison to a car speaker has been made for controversial purposes, or as a spoiler. I changed from R300's to LS50's and there's just no comparison as far as I'm concerned (take note Max, I'm recommending a product that is better AND CHEAPER).
We sell more R Series than LS50's because the majority if people just don't seem to like their music sounding too clean.
David @Frank Harvey Hi-Fi, Coventry
Mitsubishi HC7000 / Oppo BDP103 / Audiolab 8200AP / Rotel RMB1575 / kick ass speaker system