Which bookshelf speaker & Integrated amplifier

[Harris ARP]

Hello to all users!!!
I want some recommendations which of the following bookshelf speakers & amps are best for me.
My room size is 12m2 (some treated) i listen to music nearfield (aprox 1,5 meters) and mostly in low to moderate volumes.
Long listening sessions so lively and forward sound speakers are not for me!!!
The speakers will be placed on wooden stands.
My music taste is 70s,80s rock,soul,funk.
I end up in these 3 speakers: "Pylon Diamond Monitor 15 mkIII", "Dynaudio Evoke 10" , "Opera Prima"(budget under 1800 euro) .
For amplifiers i end up in 3 models (budget also under 1800 euro) "Monrio mc 201" , "Audiolab 7000A" and "Fezz Torus 5040".
I want the amp to have some warmth to the sound.
I have to notice that this will be my first hifi system.The last 20 years i used studio monitors for music listening only and now its time for a change!!!
Thank you!!!

 

[Integralista]

Hi, Dynaudio Emit 20 are very good speakers, not so demanding on amp as typical Dynaudio speakers. Those speakers will sound very good with lively amp like Rega Brio, Rega Elex mk4, Arcam A5, Arcam A15 and similar. I just do to recommend to pair them with "romantic or sirupy" sounding amp, small tube amp or similar. With last Rega amp, you can combine your system with some decent streamer like Bluesound or WiiM and let it run via digital input in Dac in those amps. Also Dac is if very good quality here. Or take some good turntable like Rega or Project with MM cartridge and you will have a very good sounding system for small room not annoying your neighbours. Best Regards.

 

[RoA]

I can certainly recommend the Audiolab sound. It's transparent but not forward or fatiguing. Think mostly between/behind speaker plane. High End on a budget.

Rega and Arcam are brighter and more forward sounding.

 

[Integralista]

I can certainly recommend the Audiolab sound. It's transparent but not forward or fatiguing. Think mostly between/behind speaker plane. High End on a budget.

Rega and Arcam are brighter and more forward sounding.

Hi, I agree that Audiolab has improved in last 3 years aproximately. Before they were like hybernated. My experience with Audiolab 8300 ended I think after some 5 days. Amp was gone. For me a bit strange, slow and borring sound. We compared him to Cyrus, Rega and Audia. Audia 3S was a clear winner. This I have at home. And one Rega Brio mk6 I have still as well. Rega is a bit forward yes but this improve normaly lifeless sound of many "modern" recordings. But they are not bright. And Rega is also less sensitive on "wrong pairing" with speakers like Audiolab or older Arcams. They are more difficult to get them paired right.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

Hi there Harris, just wondering is your €1800 budget for each item or in total for both speakers and Amplifier?

 

[Al ears]

It might be nice to know what you are using as a source before we can recommend an amplifier.
I haven't even heard of two you mentioned.

 

[Harris ARP]

Hi there Harris, just wondering is your €1800 budget for each item or in total for both speakers and Amplifier?

I am sorry i didnt specify this!!!Its 1800 euro for each one.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I am sorry i didnt specify this!!!Its 1800 euro for each one.

Okay thanks....you should definitely have the Dali Menuet se speakers on your shortlist for near field listening..(orThe Neat petite classic) I have the Dali's in my small summer house in a near field setup ( with a rel t-zero subwoofer) and they are exquisite little monitors and I have the Neat petite classic in my living room, again superb little speakers but slightly above your budget, but can be had pre-owned well within it. As for amplification, check out Exposure 2510 and if you don't mind going for pre loved kit, a 3010 s2 or even a 3510 can be had on eBay for a great deal. Unfortunately I don't know much about the speakers and amps you have listed....only heard of the Audiolab and the opera prima, which I have no clue as to how they'd sound together....read some good reviews of the opera Prima ' quality little speakers.

View: https://youtu.be/QK9RPHsOcS4?si=7B_uYkoEwq71SrlM

View: https://youtu.be/Qz9urOOkxME?si=XG_rDy9qwma34lCV

 

[skinnypuppy71]

Probably the best reviewer on YouTube

 

[plastic penguin]

Some really good suggestions put forward.

Amphion Argon 1 are superb speakers, and with something like a Roksan K3 or Audiolab, should sound the biz.

If the Argon 1 are too big then try their smaller siblings, the Argon 0.

A demo of any suggestion is essential before buying.

 

[Harris ARP]

Okay thanks....you should definitely have the Dali Menuet se speakers on your shortlist for near field listening..(orThe Neat petite classic) I have the Dali's in my small summer house in a near field setup ( with a rel t-zero subwoofer) and they are exquisite little monitors and I have the Neat petite classic in my living room, again superb little speakers but slightly above your budget, but can be had pre-owned well within it. As for amplification, check out Exposure 2510 and if you don't mind going for pre loved kit, a 3010 s2 or even a 3510 can be had on eBay for a great deal. Unfortunately I don't know much about the speakers and amps you have listed....only heard of the Audiolab and the opera prima, which I have no clue as to how they'd sound together....read some good reviews of the opera Prima ' quality little speakers.

View: https://youtu.be/QK9RPHsOcS4?si=7B_uYkoEwq71SrlM

View: https://youtu.be/Qz9urOOkxME?si=XG_rDy9qwma34lCV

Thank you so much!!!! I will definitely check Menuet again!!! I sow also this review from British Audiophile i am a subscriber of his channel.About Petite (they have the best reviews) if their sound is so amazing and i can hear them for hours without fatigue i can "stretch" my budget a little bit but then i have to buy cheaper amplifier.Do you have any suggestion for lower cost amp (under 1400 euro) with neat petite?Maybe the one that i have in mind the monrio sc 201 will be a good match (they cost 1250 euro)? I forget to tell you that i dont want to use a sub because already my space is limited and i want a speaker with very good deep quality bass.

 

[Harris ARP]

Probably the best reviewer on YouTube

 

[Harris ARP]

I agree with you 100% !!!!

 

[Harris ARP]

Some really good suggestions put forward.

Amphion Argon 1 are superb speakers, and with something like a Roksan K3 or Audiolab, should sound the biz.

If the Argon 1 are too big then try their smaller siblings, the Argon 0.

A demo of any suggestion is essential before buying.

Thank you, i will try to find a store for a demo.A big problem in my country to audition the speakers that you want. Τhe hifi in Greece is been in crisis for the last few years many unprofessional guys have hifi stores. Anyway i think argon 1 should me fine for my room.Do you know how they sound?

 

[skinnypuppy71]

I will definitely check Menuet again!!! I sow also this review from British Audiophile i am a subscriber of his channel.About Petite (they have the best reviews) if their sound is so amazing and i can hear them for hours without fatigue i can "stretch" my budget a little bit but then i have to buy cheaper amplifier.Do you have any suggestion for lower cost amp (under 1400 euro) with neat petite?Maybe the one that i have in mind the monrio sc 201 will be a good match (they cost 1250 euro)? I forget to tell you that i dont want to use a sub because already my space is limited and i want a speaker with very good deep quality bass.

Upon reading a review ( hifi pig) of the Monrio amplifier...(if it's the same type of unit)...they named it as the mc201 not sc 201 which you have typed in....any way it seems like a decent piece of kit and would probably partner very well with the Neats with the warmer character of the amp, I used my Neats with a Prima luna dialogue premium hp valve amplifier previously and they sounded very good together also.
The Neat Petite classic will also withstand an upgrade or two if you do ever decide to move to the companies mc206 or another amplifier in the future.

 

[Hawkwind16]

Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge

 

[davidf]

Some really good suggestions put forward.

Amphion Argon 1 are superb speakers, and with something like a Roksan K3 or Audiolab, should sound the biz.

If the Argon 1 are too big then try their smaller siblings, the Argon 0.

A demo of any suggestion is essential before buying.

I'd be quick though - Argon 0s are discontinued...

 

[daytona600]

Spotless A1 + Spotless 5.2

 

[Harris ARP]

Upon reading a review ( hifi pig) of the Monrio amplifier...(if it's the same type of unit)...they named it as the mc201 not sc 201 which you have typed in....any way it seems like a decent piece of kit and would probably partner very well with the Neats with the warmer character of the amp, I used my Neats with a Prima luna dialogue premium hp valve amplifier previously and they sounded very good together also.
The Neat Petite classic will also withstand an upgrade or two if you do ever decide to move to the companies mc206 or another amplifier in the future.

Thank you so much for your help.And you are absolutely right its mc 201 not sc. I just sow it and i change it in the description too.The Neat petite definitely will be in my list too.

 

[plastic penguin]

Thank you, i will try to find a store for a demo.A big problem in my country to audition the speakers that you want. Τhe hifi in Greece is been in crisis for the last few years many unprofessional guys have hifi stores. Anyway i think argon 1 should me fine for my room.Do you know how they sound?

I had the Argon 1s on home demo for a fortnight while the owner of the store was away on holiday.

Very, very impressive all-rounder, good bass definition and nicely detailed through all frequencies. It was only when I went for a second shop demo of my Dali Rubicon 2s where the sonic shortfalls were audible.

For my amp the Amphion Argon 1s were better than Monitor Audio Gold 100, my current PMC TB2i.

Alas the Rubicon 2s were audibly better than all the above. The Rubicons are quite challenging to drive well, so any amp would need pure current as opposed to outright power.

Might be worth demoing Neat SX2, which are tiny (I mean tiny) floorstanders. Again very impressive but trade a little accuracy for a fun sound. Great little speaker.

Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend the Argon 1s.

 

[plastic penguin]

I'd be quick though - Argon 0s are discontinued...

Are they being replaced or are the 1s the entry-level into the model?

 

[Harris ARP]

I had the Argon 1s on home demo for a fortnight while the owner of the store was away on holiday.

Very, very impressive all-rounder, good bass definition and nicely detailed through all frequencies. It was only when I went for a second shop demo of my Dali Rubicon 2s where the sonic shortfalls were audible.

For my amp the Amphion Argon 1s were better than Monitor Audio Gold 100, my current PMC TB2i.

Alas the Rubicon 2s were audibly better than all the above. The Rubicons are quite challenging to drive well, so any amp would need pure current as opposed to outright power.

Might be worth demoing Neat SX2, which are tiny (I mean tiny) floorstanders. Again very impressive but trade a little accuracy for a fun sound. Great little speaker.

Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend the Argon 1s.

Thank you so much for your recommendations!!!The thing is that i prefer the sweet,warm,smooth sounding speakers and this also because in nearfield environment and for long sessions you need a speaker that has "gentle" sound if you allow me the expression.Because argon 1 has titanium tweeter maybe it doesn't have the warm sound that i prefer? The Rubikon 2 do you know if they are suitable for nearfield listening aprox 1,5 meters and for small room?Also are they warmer sounding than Argon 1? About the Neat because its a floorstanding its not for me because i want the speakers tweeter to be in my ears hight and this is aprox 1,25 meters.

 

[skinnypuppy71]

Thank you so much for your help.And you are absolutely right its mc 201 not sc. I just sow it and i change it in the description too.The Neat petite definitely will be in my list too.

As should be the Dali Menuete se's also, They sound fabulous and the bass is much more present than you'd think, looking at the diminutive size of them, oh and they are gorgeous little things that exude quality.....you'll might have guessed, I like these.speakers ....alot..I'm actually listening to them more than my Neats these days.....probably the slightly finer weather in SW Scotland has something to do with it as they reside in my summer house.lol.

 

[Harris ARP]

As should be the Dali Menuete se's also, They sound fabulous and the bass is much more present than you'd think, looking at the diminutive size of them, oh and they are gorgeous little things that exude quality.....you'll might have guessed, I like these.speakers ....alot..I'm actually listening to them more than my Neats these days.....probably the slightly finer weather in SW Scotland has something to do with it as they reside in my summer house.lol.

I think that i can "squeeze" a small sub for example a rel tzero mk3 in my room and together with manuete will be very good synergy and soun!!Thanks for your help man, have a great sunday!!!

 

[Harris ARP]

Hi, Dynaudio Emit 20 are very good speakers, not so demanding on amp as typical Dynaudio speakers. Those speakers will sound very good with lively amp like Rega Brio, Rega Elex mk4, Arcam A5, Arcam A15 and similar. I just do to recommend to pair them with "romantic or sirupy" sounding amp, small tube amp or similar. With last Rega amp, you can combine your system with some decent streamer like Bluesound or WiiM and let it run via digital input in Dac in those amps. Also Dac is if very good quality here. Or take some good turntable like Rega or Project with MM cartridge and you will have a very good sounding system for small room not annoying your neighbours. Best Re