Small monitors

[deejayen]

I'm looking for a first pair of monitors for a small room with limited space around my desk. I've been using headphones until now, but feel the need for speakers! I''ll be mainly mixing country-style electric guitar based stuff. I won't be cranking them up to high volume, and will probably have them spaced around 80cm. The room doesn't have any acoustic treatment, and I won't be able to treat it.

I'd ruled out some of the main contenders (Neumann KH80, Amphion One12 etc etc) on account of them being too big, and was thinking along the lines of Genelec 8010A, 8020, 8320 or the Eve SC203.

However, the Quested V2104 appear to be within the range of what will fit. They obviously don't have much bass response, but I have a feeling they might be a good option. Has anyone heard them, and if so, do they get a 'yay' or 'nay'?

[Luke W]

I've not heard them personally, but they got a good review in the magazine last year. Here's the link if you've not already read it:

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/quested-v2104

[deejayen]

Thanks very much, Luke. Yes, I had read that review, and from what i can tell, it seems generally positive, making me think these monitors could be a decent option for me.

I've been going back and forth between other options, and being unable to decide without hearing them. I'd completely missed the launch of these speakers until the other day, so it was a pleasant suprise to have what appears to be a high quality small monitor to consider.

I'll speak to a dealer and see about arranging a demo, but it would be good to get some other feedback on them.

[Drew Stephenson]

Worth looking at the iLoud as well. Good reviews and a few people here have spoken highly of them.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I'm very taken by ATCs SCM7 miniature two-way speakers. They're passive, so you'll need to budget for a decent amp, but they should still end up comparable to your short listed options. Fabulous midrange and a lovely, well defined low end which makes up its limited power with great extension and timing.

[Guido3]

I have a pair of Genelec 8010’s which are great. Really small and portable if that’s important!!

Highly recommended.

[deejayen]

Thanks. Yes, the iLouds were on the shortlist at one point, but I think I'd read mixed comments about them, and I wasn't sure about them. With them having DSP and a lower cut-off, they're obviously a different beast from the Questeds.

Although I may be completely wrong about this, I have a feeling I might be happier with the Questeds, even though it appears they don't do bass.

[deejayen]

I'm very taken by ATCs SCM7 miniature two-way speakers. They're passive, so you'll need to budget for a decent amp, but they should still end up comparable to your short listed options. Fabulous midrange and a lovely, well defined low end which makes up its limited power with great extension and timing.

That's spooky. When I was originally looking for monitors about a year ago, just before Lockdown, I went to a HiFi shop and demo'd a few small speakers including variants of LS3/5A. The last one I tried was the SCM7, and I came away thinking that was the one. I can't quite remember it now, but I think it was revealing, but not harsh or tiring. I thought it was quite classy. Apparently, they need a good amp to drive them. The main problem, is that although they're small, and curved towards the rear, they're still larger than the Questeds, and I think they might be cramped in the space I have available.

Have you heard the Questeds in comparison, Hugh? I was hoping they'd be in the same league as the SCM7.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I've not heard those little Questeds, but I've heard lots of others and Roger Q certainly knows his stuff. So I'm sure they're good.

But they aren't directly comparable to the scm7 or ls3/5a because these are sealed cabinet speakers, rather than ported.

[Murray B]

Worth looking at the iLoud as well. Good reviews and a few people here have spoken highly of them.

I've got some and I'm really impressed with them. Very good for a small desk especially if you mount them on some small mic stands to get them to ear level.

[JRC1]

I just went through this and decided to go with personus e5 as I got several recommendations, I haven't received them yet as thomann shipping etc, but I have high hopes.

[deejayen]

Thanks for all the suggestions and info.

I think the review mentioned the Questeds' ports as being relatively uncoloured, so I thought they might not be a negative. However, I was originally looking for sealed boxes.

I'll have to measure up the ATCs, as they may be too big. I do remember being impressed with them, though, and quite liked the idea of them having ATC's own drivers. The specs suggest they're quite hefty (7.5kg each). The Questeds are 'only' 3.5Kg each, and that includes the amp.

Both are expensive options. I'll look again at the alternatives, but in the long run it might be wiser to spend more now rather than upgrading later.