Equator D5s vs Sceptre S6,-- best small-room nearfields?

[rumnogg]

I'd like to upgrade my monitors (original MR5s), and I heard that co-axial reference monitors work best in very small rooms. It also seems that I'd be better off with one of the smaller mid-woofers, lending enough bass extension to get mixes to translate but not so much that i need to worry about bass issues in my (treated well but very tiny) room.

If all this checks out, the two models I know of that fit this description are the Equator D5s and the Sceptre S6s. I believe the D5s used to be cheaper, but now they seem to be at the same price. Also the D5s will be out of stock for a bit.

Which of these is a safer bet?

[Mike Stranks]

This http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=32015 might be helpful....

[J_J_Breeze]

Hi Rumnogg,

I picked up a pair of APS Coax monitors directly from the manufacturer a while back:

http://aps-company.com/en/products/coax

I've been very pleased with them. I also have quite a small room, so the coaxial, sealed box design and the 'Bass Cut Off' switch on these is handy. I've been spending a lot less time on mixes and getting better results.

The chap who owns APS was very easy to deal with.

JJ

[James Perrett]

This http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=32015 might be helpful....

Interesting link Mike...

Any "Best Small Room Nearfields" comparison that doesn't include the Neumann KH120 is flawed in my opinion. Their imaging is certainly good enough and compares favourably with my co-axial Tannoys.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I heard that co-axial reference monitors work best in very small rooms. It also seems that I'd be better off with one of the smaller mid-woofers, lending enough bass extension to get mixes to translate but not so much that i need to worry about bass issues in my (treated well but very tiny) room.

A smaller bass driver giving a restricted bass extension is certainly a good idea in a small room, and a sealed cabinet design has some benefits... but I would question the coaxial driver claims.

Sure, coaxial drive unit designs do have some small benefits from an imaging point of view, and particularly so if you need to move around a lot, but they also involve some technical compromises too and I'm struggling to think of any specific benefit they might have in small rooms over more conventional vertically-aligned driver designs.

The problem with 'active monitors' at the budget end of the range is that it is a VERY fashion-driven market, with different marques and features waxing and waning in popularity over the space of a few months.

Coaxials are 'in' at the moment because a couple of drive unit manufacturers have added a few units to their product portfolios, and it gives the manufacturers that use them a stand-out feature... for a while at least.

So, small speakers: definitely yes; sealed cabinets: not a bad idea and better than a hyped ported design; coaxial... meh! Not that bothered either way. Read the reviews in SOS and have a listen yourself.

H

[Zukan]

Coaxil blah blah my ass. Until I see some proper test results I'm going with my man's reviews. Based on my man's review I bought the K120a and I love them to bits. When I have more money for some low end extension I'll either get the sub or the 310as.

[rumnogg]

Well, this has thoroughly shifted my perspective on co-axials. Much obliged.

[AdiT]

The LYD 5 from new Dynaudio studio monitors range theoretical should fit to your requirements.
It's widely accepted that in a small room is better to have a limited low freq response and IMO is better to have a "regular" size driver but to have the posibility to cut the low freq content because minimizes the distortion.
Also the setting 50 cm from a wall is welcome because in this way you remove another variable.
I didn't have yet the oportunity to listen to this product, I hope that they are in practice what they should be.

[The Korff]

There's an in-depth review of the LYD speakers coming up in the next issue of SOS!

[Kwackman]

I would question the coaxial driver claims.

Coaxial blah blah my ass.

One of these people has been to diplomacy classes.
Can you guess who?

[J_J_Breeze]

Well, this has thoroughly shifted my perspective on co-axials. Much obliged.

My decision to go with the APS Coax directly from Poland was in part based on a very favourable GBP to EUR exchange rate (1 : 1.42) at the time. It is not so favourable now! So if you're UK based it makes sense to have a listen to Unity Audio The Pebble (there is no need for Bam Bam in a small studio) and Quested S6R MKiii.

Lots of sensible people like the KH120 (I've not heard them), so you really should check them out.

I know these recommendations are a little out of budget, however speakers, if looked after, last a very long time; so it makes sense to spend a little more money and get something that you will happy with in the future. Good luck with the demoing!