Active stand-mount speaker options

[Steever]

I’m looking for ideas for small to medium sized stand-mount or bookshelf active speakers.
I may possibly downsize from my current Mordaunt Short Performance 6 floorstanders and Cyrus Audio monoblocks to something I can sit on dedicated wall shelves. 
My current speakers are incredibly detailed, good with imaging and throw a massively wide stage. I’d like to keep these qualities. Bass reinforcement may be provided by the likes of a couple of Kef KC62 subs. 
 

Budget would be between $3000 and about $7000/pr. 
Suggestions for me to consider would be very much appreciated. 
 

Thanks. 

[David A]

The Pylon Audio Jasper Monitor 18 Active stand mounts should be within your budget with a modest discount from a Dealer, and use high quality Scanspeak drivers. From my experience, Pylon Audio speakers are well made, musical sounding and offer great bang for buck. I really liked the sound of the Jade 20's when I heard them at the Australian Hifi Show in Sydney earlier this year. The local Distributor is Maxmedia. Here is a link fyi  - https://www.pylonaudio.com/jasper-monitor-18-active-pylon-audio

 

Edited September 29, 2024 by David A

[Snoopy8]

Get the Buchardt A10s

https://buchardtaudio.com/products/anniversary-10

 

8 hours ago, Steever said:

My current speakers are incredibly detailed, good with imaging and throw a massively wide stage. I’d like to keep these qualities. Bass reinforcement may be provided by the likes of a couple of Kef KC62 subs.

They will meet ALL your criteria.  I do not know the size of your room, but in a small to mid sized room, the bass is excellent.  

 

A few other pluses. It has Mastertunings which will allow you to configure the A10s to suit your wall shelves.  You can simplify your setup and recoup some of the costs by selling your DAC, preamp.

 

Best of all, you can trial them side by side with your existing system for 45 days. Would not be surprised if  the A10s match the detail, imaging and wide sound stage.  

[David A]

@Snoopy8 I haven't heard the Buchardt speakers before, so I can't comment on their sound. But i'd just make two comments about them. Firstly, it is a PITA when there is no local Dealer/Distributor to turn to when something goes wrong. And secondly, with the Pylon speakers I mentioned, you get what you pay for. That's why they weigh 16 kg, not 6.8 kg like the Buchardt speakers. That's because of their cabinet integrity, Scanspeak drivers and high-quality 300w internal class d amplifiers (see below).

 

 

 

[Snoopy8]

35 minutes ago, David A said:

@Snoopy8 I haven't heard the Buchardt speakers before, so I can't comment on their sound. But i'd just make two comments about them. Firstly, it is a PITA when there is no local Dealer/Distributor to turn to when something goes wrong.

I have heard the Buchardt A500SE and A10 in my place, and I rate them very highly, even when compared against the Kii Three (at more than 4 times the cost).

 

It takes a mind set change to accept dealing directly with the manufacturer but the service that I have seen suggests that they are as good as, if not better, than many so-called local distributor. 

 

41 minutes ago, David A said:

@Snoopy8And secondly, with the Pylon speakers I mentioned, you get what you pay for. That's why they weigh 16 kg, not 6.8 kg like the Buchardt speakers. That's because of their cabinet integrity, Scanspeak drivers and high-quality 300w internal class d amplifiers (see below).

You are comparing two very different speakers. The Pylon is a weighty "traditional" active speaker. 

 

The A10's is an all-in-one DSP active speaker including DAC & preamp. And build is not that bad with a solid cabinet and excellent Purifi woofer and own tweeter. (An upcoming model will offer Sanspeak twitter, initially as passive).  It is how the A10 is put together that matters, not the weight.  

[padde23]

I also tried the Buchardt A10s and really wanted to like them as they ticked a lot of boxes but ultimately ended up returning them.  For me they did not sound natural with acoustic instruments and as I listen almost exclusively to classical and jazz the tonality was a priority.  They are no doubt very impressive in the bass department, especially for their size, and perhaps they might suit musical tastes that tend toward more heavily produced recordings.  The trial period is great though so by all means give them a go if you are curious.

[Snoopy8]

19 minutes ago, padde23 said:

 For me they did not sound natural with acoustic instruments and as I listen almost exclusively to classical and jazz the tonality was a priority.  

It does depend on what you are used to, particularly if you like tubes. And it does depend on what your reference point is. 

 

I use the Melbourne Recital Center as my reference.  The A10 does sound natural, but sadly, no sound system can ever come close to a proper concert hall.