How would you rate the pairing of a Halcro with Monitor Audio PL300s?

Halcro + Monitor Audio is kind of a strange mix, just from a price perspective. I don't know what Halcro gives you for the price, but I know the cost is ridiculous. Monitor Audio tends to be a bang for buck product (even if you are looking at the biggest, baddest speaker they make). I'd be curious to see what a mid range product from a more prestigious brand (Von Schweikert, Dynaudio, et al)might do for you.

I own a pair of the Pl300s. I have them hooked up to a Wyred4sound amp. The speakers sound great with this amp IMO. I had thought about Bryston...but for the money I think W4S gives more bang for the buck.

The only thing that matters when choosing an amp is having as much power as the speakers need. Beyond that, the concept of "matching" an amp to particular speakers is just another audiophile myth.

When it comes down to looking to purchase expensive equipment that is intended to work together such as amp and speakers, I really do feel there is no quick resolution (really need to do a careful audition otherwise it is a gamble to spend that amount when you may not gain anything beyond a well built-specc'd mid priced item).

If interested in purchasing an expensive amp, it needs to provide some benefit you cannot gain from a moderate priced product.
The only way to be sure of what you gain, is to be aware of the speakers characteristics and how this sounds combined with an amp.
What compounds this though is that you will require certain songs to highlight the aspects that may niggle with you, and realising which songs work to show the characteristics can take a bit of time.

Its difficult to suggest what music to use as each person has different tastes, but considerations should include album/songs that have:
1. Not just very good but also average sound quality recording
2. Masking-hissing that can be heard when vocals sung, or a sampling of instruments or other track.
3. Acoustic recording that can combine piano-guitar-voice and using the middle and upper scale, while the piano and guitar played hard-forcefully.
4. Album that can sound average recording on less spec amps but excellent on a good amp. This is really subjective but personally in my opinion I have noticed this with some albums.
5. Very fast rythmic music with timing that is easy to follow but a lot of it going on.
I guess traits your looking out for beyond the vague subjective are characteristics such as break-up, too much hiss,etc.

While the link I am providing is more about subjective evaluation of speakers, quite a few of the rankings can also be applied to amps, when using the same speaker but with different amp combinations.
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Loudspeaker%20evaluation.htm

I am stating this from my own experience, the difference is that I already had the speakers and knew them very well, which allowed me to select specific album and songs to listen to various amps in conjunction with them.
My own criteria ended up having to decide between complete sound stability (no break-up or hiss becoming too annoying) combined with tonal balance/clarity-articulation-speed, and another that had more excitement with regards to dynamics/sound stage but left some albums and songs either unplayable or just feeling like it was an average recording.

Remember it is not just the positives you are looking for, but also negatives that are niggles and quirks that can cause you to not feel fully satisfied, possibly resulting in the upgrade itch that quite a few feel after several months to a year.

Cheers
DT

What?

Mind clarifying what so I can answer your question?
Anyway, from my own experience with various amps just under 18 months I came to the conclusion that while some aspects of sound quality may be highly subjective, there is a relationship between tougher speakers and amps that can have a direct result on the sound.

My source was both B&W 803s and also B&W CM2, amps varied from a cost of 1k up to 12k usd and then extra again for preamp.
All I can say is that I understand the speakers well enough to know what I am listening for, in the case of my speakers I could detect breakup due to the crossover design/drivers and usually the range between mid and tweeter using specific albums and certain songs, which is made easier to detect due to specific instruments and how they were played.
On top of that albums using masking with vocals really were hard work for me to listen to on these speakers with many amps.
And again some albums sounded as if the recording was average while again stunning with others.

You did check the linkwitz link as a guide to what to listen for?

Cheers
DT

The comma is in the wrong spot, no? 5,0000 means fifty thousand? Halcro historically maintains a price premium that relates more with buying Wilson Audio than Monitor Audio. Their pricing gets about as high as any electronics product I have ever seen.

There are dozens of less expensive expandable and upgradable products on the market, but I'm not trying to talk you out of your Halcro. I'm trying to make sense of pairing a cream of the crop electronics product with a bang for buck speaker.

I hear ceramic drivers make for a very detailed and smooth mid and high frequency sound. Check out the super high dollar Marten Design and Kharma speakers. Usher and Margules make speakers with ceramic drivers as well, but available at a much lower cost.

Have you ever heard the PL300?

I haven't heard the PL, but I have heard the Alexandria paired with dCS gear (3 box Pagani CD player costs $43,000). So, I can say that I have heard the highest priced gear available. Regardless of whether or not the PL 300 is a comparable product, the price tells the tale. If one is willing to pay for electronics (arguably less important than speakers) that cost as much as a car, why look for a price performance ratio in speakers?

Let us know how it works out. Sounds like an interesting match.

Hey Jargon, sounds like a great pairing to me ... I'd go with the Halcro over the Bryston personally. The PL300's are fantastic speakers, but I personally think the ribbon they use is it's only weakness, not a strength. It can be a touch splashy and sibilant at times. But overall the speaker is very detailed and fast, with good transparency for a large speaker. If you're looking to add a pre, checkout an Audio Research Ref 3.

Your point about buying such a mismatch of electronics vs. speakers is well taken, and most would agree with you.

However, I think you are confused because the MC20 is Halcro's "budget" amp. Yes, they do make amps costing many times the price of the PL300, but perhaps you should do some research before insisting on your viewpoint. FYI, in 2006, the MSRP was $4990.

I agree with you concerning the ribbon drawing sibilance from recordings. It's a real shame because I think this is the biggest weakness of the speaker. Therefore, would it be better to match this speaker with electronics that are more laid back, or will this not matter, because the affected area is mostly in the upper-midrange?

vantagesc,

Do you own the PL300's, or the PL100's.

PL100s. I believe the ribbon covers a wider frequency range in the PL100s, due to the lack of a dedicated mid-range driver. There are numerous people on this board that have heard the PL300s at the dealer and a couple that have owned them, if you are looking for detailed impressions.

No, I own four PL300's and the 350C for my HT system, and a pair of PL100's for my small two channel system. I'm pretty sure that i've had them a bit longer than anyone around here.

To be honest I don't put any stock in others impressions of things, unless I know them very well. One person says something, another parrots it, and all of a sudden it's a fact. I ask only because I like to see if people own, or have spent, more than twenty minutes with a product before they pronounce judgement.

Very nice. How would you characterize the difference in the midrange between the two products (if any) and are you having any issues with excess sibilance?

Very little.

No.

I don't do Kal R imitations on the internet.