PSB Alpha P5
$449
The Alpha P5 is a budget mini-monitor with a nicely weighted midrange, non-fatiguing treble, and an overall naturalism that’s easy to engage with. Commendably, there is little evidence of the tonal peaks and valleys associated with lesser speakers in its class. Vocals retain a nice blend of physical warmth and clean articulation with hints of airiness in the upper octaves. The ability to fully define the contours of a soundstage are a wee bit beyond its purview; nonetheless, the P5’s string section layering, orchestral depth, and image stability outclass much competition in its price class. The Alpha P5 is the essence of what it means to be an entry-level compact in 2020.
Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52
$599
Now in its second generation, Uni-Fi’s strengths remain securely in place. The midrange weight, forward-leaning energy, and focused imaging continue to make it highly satisfying for vocal reproduction. And its tonal character retains the immediacy and transient attack, rhythmic jump, and midbass oomph that preserve its rock ’n’ roll bona fides. But the UB52 conveys a smoother, less edgy sound than the original and removes a soft veiling, revealing more low-level detail, micro-dynamic energy, and soundstage dimensionality. The Elac Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 has taken the well-deserved success of its immediate predecessor and ratcheted up the sonic positives, while minimizing shortcomings.
Emotiva Airmotiv T1+
$699
The Emotiva T1 has sonic attitude—a big, brawny sound that energizes listening spaces with potent dynamic thrust. The T1’s warmer, somewhat darker character makes it a loudspeaker that paints the overall emotion and heart of a performance in broader brush strokes, but musically the T1 just brings it. The jewel in the T1 crown is the 32mm folded ribbon tweeter, which is airy, textured, and transparent. Seriously, folks: A high-octane sonic ride for seven hundred bucks—what’s not to like?
Polk R200
$749
Polk’s R200 hits sonic pay dirt at an astounding blue-plate price. By borrowing Polk’s own Legend Series transducers and putting them in a minimalist cabinet, this two-way compact cuts right to the heart of the music, with superior tonal balance and seamless coherence paired to a backbone of dynamism and immediacy. A lively as it is natural, the R200 doesn’t shrink into the background, tonally or dynamically; nor does it recess images via frequency dips and droops in order to manufacture a fictitious sense of soundstage depth. In low-end response, the R200 takes care of business. Visually, some of the glitter and gloss have been minimized, but the utilitarian design is well-executed. A high-end sleeper in the best sense.
Magnepan LRS
$750
Replacements for and improvements upon Magnepan’s venerable, bargain-basement MMGs, the two-way LRSes (Little Ribbon Loudspeakers) look identical to their predecessors, only they are equipped with all quasi-ribbon drivers, where the MMGs used a quasi-ribbon tweeter and an “old-fashioned” planar-magnetic mid/woof. The result of this uptick in driver complement is markedly faster transient response, higher resolution of inner detail, greater coherence with the quasi-ribbon tweeter, and more neutral voicing overall. Minus a subwoofer the Little Ribbons won’t plumb the lower depths like Maggie’s larger panels do and, sub or no, they slightly roughen up then roll off the mid-to-top treble, but in the midrange they sound like the real thing, and that, folks, is not a given, no matter how much you spend.
PSB Alpha T20
$799
PSB takes budget speakers seriously, and the short-tower, two-way T20 is a serious ground-up redesign. It targets the essentials of musicality first, and everything else falls tunefully into place. A very approachable, high-output effort with an overall sonic character that has a familiar (and welcome) warmish slant, the T20 offers improvements in midrange integrity, dynamic output, and low-level resolution. Driver coherence is also excellent, as per PSB tradition. The low end is solid into the midbass, though perhaps not always as sharply controlled or defined in pitch as one would like. And, yes, staging could be more dimensional, and the top treble is a bit dry (though never dull). The perfect weapon to gobsmack your highfalutin’ audio friends.
Sonus faber Lumina I
$899
The Sonus faber Lumina I sounds shockingly big despite its very small size. The form factor is attractive and stylish, in keeping with the Sonus faber brand, and the sound is gorgeous, smooth, and deep reaching for such a small bookshelf speaker. Though it works best with a powerful amplifier, the Lumina I can really sing when given the chance. Reviewer DK was absolutely astounded by the big, lush music coming from the Lumina. The soundstage was deep and wide, and instruments felt tight and accurate. The midrange was buttery and delightful, and the upper end had a good bit of luxurious sparkle to keep things interesting. For DK’s money, this is the sub-$1k bookshelf speaker to beat.
Revel Concerta2 M16
$990
A feast for the eyes and ears in this segment. The Revel Concerta2 M16 has been refreshed and refined with smartly contoured enclosures, high-gloss finishes, and elegant design accents. Sonically, Revel doesn’t design wallflowers that shrink into the background. A sense of immersion and “widescreen” scale are two of the M16’s most distinctive characteristics. A compact, budget loudspeaker that maintains classic Revel virtues.
Focal Chora 806
$998
Focal’s latest compact combines a hip, fashionable look with sonics that have an even, mellow balance and a light responsive character. Vocals, male and female, are expressive and relaxed, but are generally offered up with a little less energy and presence than a full-range monitor would exhibit. However, in true compact-monitor fashion, musical details, small and large, are reproduced in abundance. Overall, a well-rounded package of solidly engineered performance that touches a multitude of sonic bases and serves both the music and the listener, the Focal Chora 806 is proof that there’s still a lot of life left in the budget, two-way, compact monitor.
Elac Carina BS243.4
$999
Visually, the Elac Carina BS243.4 is a portrait of a stout, two-way, high-performance monitor. Its sonic signature is defined by a ripe, rich midrange laden with darker walnut overtones. Outfitted with Elac’s JET tweeter and supported by a 5.25″, aluminum, inverted-cone mid/bass and unique downward-firing port, the Carina caught NG off-guard with the low-end impact, dynamic drive, and weight it was capable of. Possessed of a more forward, monitor-like signature, the Carina can swing with the best of them, even when pushed to higher output levels. Critically, the smooth JET tweeter doesn’t grow overly assertive; rather, its fatigue-free performance blends invisibly. On a sheer scale of musicality and value Carina rates very high in its segment.
JBL Stage A190
$999
The top dog in the Stage family, the A190 is a no-frills 2.5-way bass-reflex design and a darn appealing performer that shows its muscles in the mid and upper bass ranges. It energizes a room as only dual-woofers capable of launching a lot of air can. Tonally it’s commendably neutral, neither etching nor otherwise agitating in the treble or port-pumping single-note pulses in the bass. If the goal is musicality and a semblance of full-range, seat-of-the-pants slam and dynamic authenticity, the Stage A190 is one of the best and affordable real-world efforts NG has encountered and a no-brainer of a bargain.
Polk L100
$999
The smallest member of the Legend Series, the L100 offers a level of execution, balance, musicality, and outright thrills that place it in the top of its class. Its personality is one of forthright, effortless musicality—with an ability to convey midrange tonal color and texture with rich naturalness. The L100 has a well-grounded sound, an earthiness that is normally rare in this class of stand-mount monitors. Its treble range is open with realistic transients and extension. Its lively presence range never grows impolite or coarse. The L100 also turns out to be a superior voice speaker, sensitive to the finer nuances of vocal stylings, shadings, and dynamics. Further, it navigates bass solos with acrobatic ease. One classy little two-way.
By TAS Staff
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