On Sat, 7 Aug 2004 12:48:24 -0400, "Robert Morein"
wrote:

Recently, my interest in bookshelf speakers has declined, as I reluctantly
concluded that none of the mid-priced two-way offerings I've been have the
midrange clarity of my floor-standers, with the exception of the Spicas at
moderate volume levels.

The recent B&W offerings have been panned for a "thin" sound, though they
may have excellent clarity.

Various exotic offerings have appeared over the years. I once had NEAR
10me's, with massive magnet structures and metal drivers, but they sounded
very soft and vague in the mids.

The physical principles of cone rigidity and directionality that hamper two
way bookshelf speakers are well known. It appears that the attempt to extend
the response downward, or to jigger the response curve to give the illusion
of more bass, have a strongly negative effect on midrange clarity, compared
to three-way speakers where the midrange driver is physically small and/or
light.

However, the advances in materials have been remarkable, which implies that
every so often, one should reevaluate. Personally, I'm not familiar with
high-end offerings in this area, because one pays so much "to get so
little."

Opinions?


Green Mountain Audio Europas. Extremely heavy (43lbs each) cast marble
enclosure, time and phase coherent. New list was $880, they can be had
used around $700. A new version is due out in a couple of weeks.
Very nice midrange, sweet highs, a little weak in the bass.
John