Hi Neil,

Both of my systems have a similar tonal balance and each share a lot of qualities with each other, but there is a difference in listening via small mini monitor types and larger full range speakers and this is where the main differences are.
I know exactly what you mean and agree, having experienced this myself. However large (vintage) Tannoy dual-concentrics, upgraded with modern high quality crossovers, are the first speakers I've heard that do genuine scale and impact as well as provide the 'intimate' presentation you're referring to available with small mini-monitor loudspeakers.

I often sit gob-smacked at the amount of low-level detail retrieval, subtlety and 'presence' on offer from the Lockwoods when listening to music in the wee small hours at not much louder than a whisper. In effect, they 'behave' like the best small speakers when the need arises. However, a quick tweak of the volume knob also 'unleashes the beast' in a rather un-gentlemanly way...

It's nice to have both!

Marco.