CABINET MEETING

There is only one item on the agenda for these speakers: deliver the best sound for under £2000

When so much of life seems to entail compromises of one kind or another, isn't it nice when you can actually end up with the best of both worlds? Well, if you are thinking of buying a standmount speaker between £1200 and £2000, that's exactly what is on offer.

At this price point, stereo speakers are able to deliver a level of sound quality that is significantly higher than that of cheaper models, yet they can do so without breaking the bank. Essentially, this is the loudspeaker sweet spot where 'talented' and 'affordable' overlap.

The other big plus for speakers at this level is that they can usually work effectively with amplifiers costing up to twice as much as they do. So if you match them with a similarly priced source or amp today, when you are looking to upgrade your system further down the line you won't necessarily need to replace them; they will simply pass on the superior benefits of your new kit.

As ever, we are keen to emphasise the importance of using good-quality stands for these speakers and, if possible, dedicated models. If you are not sure which stands would work best with your chosen cabinets, ask your dealer or the speaker manufacturer to recommend.

On these pages, then, we review our favourite stand-mounters in this price bracket; a mix of veteran masters and standout newcomers: the best of the best of both worlds, if you like.

PMC

Prodigy 1

£1250

Prodigies indeed, these newcomers have what it takes to trouble the class leaders