Best bookshelves to partner with Rega Brio-R?

[listening-in97]

Reaching out for help from Asia

After one of my KRK powered monitors broke (unfixable), I have decided to take the plunge and build a new system from scratch. All my music is on my PC, which has an Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard. Budget is US$2,000. The Rega appears well-liked and eats up half the budget, so now I have to narrow down the speakers. I am thinking Sonus Faber Toy - which cost around US$900 where I live. Listening distance is short - about 6 ft! - and room is 250 sq ft. Listening taste is largely acoustic music - jazz, bluegrass, and while I always enjoy cranking Zeppelin or Smashing Pumpkins, their main duty will be mid-tempo stuff, and decent movie playback. So, friends, any personal experience? Advice? Thanks in advance

 

[drummerman]

No idea really but perhaps something cute, cheap and cheerful from Dali?

They would look nice together ...

regards

 

[chebby]

Rega's own RS1 speakers would seem the obvious first option to try out.

 

[drummerman]

That would surely be way to obvious ...

regards

 

[listening-in97]

Thanks for the help. Anyone else own the Rega Brio-R?

 

[Sizzers]

The RS1's are fantastically clear and detailed speakers which never miss a line or a beat, although they do have a rather restrained (flat) bass. Great for a small room or low volume listening, but personally I find them far too bright with my Apollo (non-R) and Brio-R amp.The Apollo shoulders some of the blame, excellent though it is otherwise. It really can accentuate the highs to the point of shrillness in this set-up to my ears. No idea how your source might compare but I would definitiely go for a listen beforehand.

The RS1's are fantastically clear and detailed speakers which never miss a line or a beat, although they do have a rather restrained (flat) bass. Great for a small room or low volume listening, but personally I find them far too bright with my Apollo (non-R) and Brio-R amp.

The Apollo shoulders some of the blame, excellent though it is otherwise. It really can accentuate the highs to the point of shrillness in this set-up to my ears. No idea how your source might compare but I would definitiely go for a listen beforehand.

 

[Anonymous]

I know a guy just 50 miles from me whos using the Brio with a pair of Harbeth P3ESR's, he's a Jazz fan and swears by this combo. I'm about to find out what they can do myself as I'm about to receive a pair, then I'll be able to compair them with the Proac Tablettes, Spendor SA 1's and Usher S520 I also own. I have a feeling that of all the monitors I own this could be the one that gets nealy everything right.

 

[listening-in97]

Never heard of Harbeth but reviews seem positive. Alas, they are US$2000, out of my budget. Thanks for the help though.

 

[chebby]

I know a guy just 50 miles from me whos using the Brio with a pair of Harbeth P3ESR's, he's a Jazz fan and swears by this combo. I'm about to find out what they can do myself as I'm about to receive a pair, then I'll be able to compair them with the Proac Tablettes, Spendor SA 1's and Usher S520 I also own. I have a feeling that of all the monitors I own this could be the one that gets nealy everything right.

I really want to hear about this once you have tried them. Don't forget.

EDIT I mean I really want to hear about them on the end of the Brio-R (or any other 'real world' amp).

 

[Anonymous]

KEF R Series are the best speakers i have heard with the brio-r without a doubt.

 

[batonwielder]

I know a guy just 50 miles from me whos using the Brio with a pair of Harbeth P3ESR's, he's a Jazz fan and swears by this combo. I'm about to find out what they can do myself as I'm about to receive a pair, then I'll be able to compair them with the Proac Tablettes, Spendor SA 1's and Usher S520 I also own. I have a feeling that of all the monitors I own this could be the one that gets nealy everything right.

I really want to hear about this once you have tried them. Don't forget.

EDIT I mean I really want to hear about them on the end of the Brio-R (or any other 'real world' amp).

I would love to hear about this as well, especially in comparison to the Proac Tablette's.

 

[Anonymous]

I know a guy just 50 miles from me whos using the Brio with a pair of Harbeth P3ESR's, he's a Jazz fan and swears by this combo. I'm about to find out what they can do myself as I'm about to receive a pair, then I'll be able to compair them with the Proac Tablettes, Spendor SA 1's and Usher S520 I also own. I have a feeling that of all the monitors I own this could be the one that gets nealy everything right.

I really want to hear about this once you have tried them. Don't forget.

EDIT I mean I really want to hear about them on the end of the Brio-R (or any other 'real world' amp).

The amp I'm using is the Creek Audio Destiny 2, I know its strengths and weaknesses and I dont' tend to get sentimantal about my own gear. If you are still interested in me making a comparison I'd be happy to post my findings here.

 

[listening-in97]

Thanks for all the feedback, friends. I have read some Rega Brio owners describe the sound as bright, but not harsh. But that complaint is somewhat rare, and may be due to the pairing of speakers. I will demo the Toys, KEF R Series, and perhaps the Paradigm Reference Studio 20 and PSB Synchrony Two B - though those last two would have to be something epic as they are above the budget I set.

Thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

The minimalist design of the Rega RP6 and the use of extremely high quality components ensure ... It packs enough power to drive most floor-standers and bookshelf ... When subwoofers sound and look this good, there's no alternative. ... and digital outputs making the Apollo-R a perfect partner for the Rega Brio-R amplifier Click Here for more info!