Recommend speakers to replace Monitor Audio GS20s

[Trahern]

I have lived with my Monitor Audio's for a year and although I have no complaints when it comes to their abilities as part of a surround sound system I find them too bright for listening to music, so looking to replace them. I use Primare for amplification and CD so they are quite 'warm' sounding in them selves. So I guess I'm looking for something more neutral. So far my shortlist comprises Vienna Accoustic Baby Grands, Spendor A6s, PMC FB1s and ProAc D28s. Someone did suggest Wilson Benesch Square Two although I get the sense they may be on the bright side. Budget upto say £3500 for fronts. I will obviously need to change the centre and perhaps in due course the rears. The room is about 20' feet wide and 40' long but speakers face across the width rather than down the length.

Any views on the shortlist would be helpful and any other recommendations gratefully received.

 

[Anonymous]

Gotta be worth trying some Sonus Faber's for that money - I have some Grand Piano's that I love, but am about to upgrade and looking to go to the Cremona M or even Elipsa if I can ...... but there's one or two below the Cremona M price-wise ......

Liuto Tower is on your budget as a floorstander, or Cremona Auditor M as a stand-mount ......

 

[Anonymous]

I would definitly demo some Wilson Benesch speakers as they are very neutral. In fact you may miss the bass more than anything else!

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you want a smoother sound, try the ProAc D28's and the Spendor A6's, which will be smoother than the GS20's. The KEF Reference 201/2's will also be worth a look as they have their room boundary controls to help their suitabiity with pretty much any room and any position. Definitely an overlooked speaker. You could also take a look at the ATC SCM40's.

I think you'd find the WB's a little too neutral they sound good with well recorded stuff, but tend to sound a mess with indie or lower grade recordings. If your electronics are warm, you will find them a little to overblown with the PMC's and Dynaudio, both of which need lean sounding electronics.

Firing across the shorter length will be better for any speakers you decide to go for.

 

[Trahern]

Thanks for those comments and recommendations. Much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

If you want neutral to match your 'warmer' electronics - there's only one choice - ATC SCM 40's. Also bomb proof with a 6 year warranty.

 

[Anonymous]

In my experience the Primare I30 is a tad bright in the treble but the CDP brings it back towards neutral with it's warmth. If you like the speed and sound of good stand mount speakers then I would highly recommend the Wilson Benesch Arc. Amazing stuff driven well. If you crave a natural, smooth and realistic sound then investigate the Spendor Classic range and the entire range offered by Harbeth. We're talking speakers for life if you can put up with their looks.

EDIT The WB Arcs are pretty ruthless in sound accuracy whereas the Harbeths and Spendor ranges are more able to present poorly recorded music without destroying it. I guess this capability is quite a testament to their designs.

 

[Anonymous]

I would strongly recommend you listen to ATCscm 40's. They are stunning speakers that reproduce the sound closer to what it really sounds like than most I've listened to, so you have your neutrality in speakerloads

I have a pair and wouldn't part with them.

Im using a Cyrus DAC XP as my pre and driving with two APA7s the predecessor to the Mono X. The Cyrus amps handle the ATC impecably

Ian2mac

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi Trahern

If you are after speakers that are neutral than you should consider ATC's SCM40 speakers. I have used and have customers that happily use Primare with ATC speakers and they match well.

Actually with your budget of £3.5k for the fronts only you could also just about also add an ATC centre and rears.

SCM40 (front) RRP £2044.00, C3 (centre) RRP £943, SCM7-I (rears - wall mount) RRP around £500-800 TBC though.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Trahern]

Thanks everyone. Hadn't considered the ATC SCM40 speakers but they get a strong vote so will add them to the list. Great advice which much appreciated. The only problem will be finding a local dealer I think.

 

[Anonymous]

With your budget you could probably get the ATC SCM 20 SL T, but I'm not sure how much or even if they are better than the SCM 40s.

 

[Anonymous]

Trahern: The only problem will be finding a local dealer I think.

Where are you based?

 

[Trahern]

Near Horsham West Sussex.

 

[Trahern]

Anyone come across igloo audio which seem to be based in Tunbridge Wells? Although not shop based they seem to be my nearest dealer for ATC.

 

[Anonymous]

Although not geographically close may I suggest that you give Rick at Musicraft (Derby) a ring. He is without doubt the most knowledgable when it comes to ATC and can provide you with excellent advice.

 

[Craig M.]

crimsondonkey:Although not geographically close may I suggest that you give Rick at Musicraft (Derby) a ring. He is without doubt the most knowledgable when it comes to ATC and can provide you with excellent advice.

+1

 

[Trahern]

Thanks for that suggestion although I may have found a more local dealer. I have also had another recommendation namely the Revel Performa F32's so going to have a listen to them. Also going to have a listen to the Vienna Acoustic Concert Grands to see if they justify the extra money. I like the Vienna Acoustic Baby Grands. A very relaxing listen. Detailed and natural sound. Very good base for their size. Felt the artist was in the room. I could certainly live with them for a very long time but I have one potential concern which is that they never appear to get very 'excited' even when the music seems to call for it. They always seem very controlled and I wonder if they are too controlled. Need to compare with some other makes to see if that concern is justified.

Has anyone else auditioned the Vienna acoustic speakers and if so what were your views on them?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

crimsondonkey:Although not geographically close may I suggest that you give Rick at Musicraft (Derby) a ring. He is without doubt the most knowledgable when it comes to ATC and can provide you with excellent advice.

Hi crimsondonkey

Thanks for your kind words and for your support.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Ian2mac:

I would strongly recommend you listen to ATCscm 40's. They are stunning speakers that reproduce the sound closer to what it really sounds like than most I've listened to, so you have your neutrality in speakerloads

I have a pair and wouldn't part with them.

Im using a Cyrus DAC XP as my pre and driving with two APA7s the predecessor to the Mono X. The Cyrus amps handle the ATC impecably

Ian2mac

Hi Ian2mac

Good post.

Thanks for your support.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

I'm probably well-placed to comment on this thread after the last couple of weeks or so. I sold my GR20s recently and decided to go for ATC SCM11s.

The best buy status and comments about this brand on this forum have intrigued me for the last year, and I took the plunge.

The main clincher for me was the level of detail offered, along with perhaps the amount of bass for a sealed (fairly small) box.

Well, it's day 3 after receipt, after constant play for the 10/12 hours or so (talk of 400 - 500 hours run in) I've been at work each day.

My initial thoughts were that these were something special as I piled on track after track of my reference CDs (Counting Crows, Hard Candy; Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk; Rammstein, Reise Reise; Gilmour Live in Gdansk; and Arcade Fire, Neon Bible). The speakers truly have 'disappeared', something I've never experienced before.

However, the 'opening up' after the first 'day' was a revelation.

I would heartily recommend this brand as a replacement if you want tonal balance across the range, neutrality and detail. How do they compare to the old MA GR20s (I too found them a little bright)? - no competition, ATC for me!

Lots of excellent setting up advice and top customer service from Rick at Musicraft too, thanks by the way.

 

[Trahern]

Thanks Graham that's very helpful.

Someone has said that the atc 40's might not be the best speakers for using at low volume levels. Does anyone have a view on this?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Trahern:

Thanks Graham that's very helpful.

Someone has said that the atc 40's might not be the best speakers for using at low volume levels. Does anyone have a view on this?

Hi Trahern

Your room and the distance from the speakers will play a part in choosing an average listening level however as your amps are sufficiently potent (and due to the SCM40's low distortion and superb dynamics) you should hopefully find them fine at low/moderate levels.

We have had the SCM40's in larger rooms than yours and have not had to play them at high levels.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Craig M.:

crimsondonkey:Although not geographically close may I suggest that you give Rick at Musicraft (Derby) a ring. He is without doubt the most knowledgable when it comes to ATC and can provide you with excellent advice.

+1

Hi Craig M.

Thanks for your post and for your support.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Trahern]

Thanks for that Rick

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Graham_Thomas:I'm probably well-placed to comment on this thread after the last couple of weeks or so. I sold my GR20s recently and decided to go for ATC SCM11s. The best buy status and comments about this brand on this forum have intrigued me for the last year, and I took the plunge. The main clincher for me was the level of detail offered, along with perhaps the amount of bass for a sealed (fairly small) box. Well, it's day 3 after receipt, after constant play for the 10/12 hours or so (talk of 400 - 500 hours run in) I've been at work each day. My initial thoughts were that these were something special as I piled on track after track of my reference CDs (Counting Crows, Hard Candy; Fleetwood Mac, Rumours and Tusk; Rammstein, Reise Reise; Gilmour Live in Gdansk; and Arcade Fire, Neon Bible). The speakers truly have 'disappeared', something I've never experienced before. However, the 'opening up' after the first 'day' was a revelation. I would heartily recommend this brand as a replacement if you want tonal balance across the range, neutrality and detail. How do they compare to the old MA GR20s (I too found them a little bright)? - no competition, ATC for me! Lots of excellent setting up advice and top customer service from Rick at Musicraft too, thanks by the way.

Hi Graham_Thomas

Good post.

Btw, thanks for your kind words and support.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft