Monitor Audio Owners Thread - Page 71

Originally Posted by hifisponge

For whatever reason, MA does not have info on the Platinum line, even on the UK site. Instead they have a dedicated web site that is very tough to find. Googling "Monitor Audio Platinum" will not bring up a hit for the new site.

Originally Posted by JCarls

How does this company that we all know and love manage to stay in business? From marginal websites, to lack of a stable dealership network, to the inability to get professional reviewers to pick up on their products, I just don't get it. I've pretty much quit recommending MAs in AVS because OPs just get frustrated with the inability to audition them or even get sufficient info on them.

Originally Posted by hifisponge

For whatever reason, MA does not have info on the Platinum line, even on the UK site. Instead they have a dedicated web site that is very tough to find. Googling "Monitor Audio Platinum" will not bring up a hit for the new site.

But I was able to find it earlier in this thread.

Here ya go.

http://www.platinumseries.co.uk/

Originally Posted by JCarls

How does this company that we all know and love manage to stay in business? From marginal websites, to lack of a stable dealership network, to the inability to get professional reviewers to pick up on their products, I just don't get it. I've pretty much quit recommending MAs in AVS because OPs just get frustrated with the inability to audition them or even get sufficient info on them.

Originally Posted by MaDequipment

Hmm... Can't say I necessarily understand the trouble you guys are going to to audition these speakers. I live in Minnesota, smack dab in the Midwest, but last time I checked, there were 2 retailers with 2 other CIs. I feel that Monitor Audio is making a significant amount of money simply from us folk talking about the speakers. You'd be surprised the amount of money you can make from word of mouth. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if their U.K. and int'l sales are a significant portion of their income. Besides, its a private company that doesn't have to worry about meeting investors expectations.

Originally Posted by kcrowder

Tim,

I sold the Mahlers right before I got the Platinums. Last December I had bought six VA Beethoven Concert Grands for my HT system, they replaced some RS8's. My mistake, after two weeks I ordered my GS60's without hearing them. After they got here my nephew and mom got the VA's, they love them, maybe because they were free.

I do obviously like MA speakers. They are a great value for the money, and really just a nice well built speaker. I recently mentioned that I heard a SF Cremona HT system that I was impressed with, but then I thought about what it would be like to have a full Platinum HT system, it would kill the Cremona system in my subjective opinion. PL350 to be ordered soon.

I just noticed I need to do some more sweeping in that room. The electrician was just here to put in two 20amp dedicated lines in two rooms. Then i've got to remove that fireplace to have some more room in there to switch some things around.

Those speakers run on McIntosh, Musical Fidelity, B&K, Pioneer, and Primare. A little Primare I21/CD21 runs the Radius 270's and i'm real surprised how good they sound. Last night I bought a vintage McIntosh Mc2105 with the MX113, those will be running something real soon.

They are all guarded by alarms, two mean dogs that bite, and a meaner owner that shoots very well.

Originally Posted by mpmct

So you're saying: you can audition MA GS series and MA Platinum series speaker lines, within reasonable ( shall we
say one hour or less? ) driving distance, in Minnesota?

Just want to be entirely clear on what you're claiming.

Originally Posted by MaDequipment

I'd say that I'm within a good 30 minutes of those four establishments - that is if they're still selling Monitor Audio. Those places were at least selling them a year ago. As for the Platinum series - I've yet to try to audition them so I can't be sure of their availability. However, the GS series is for sure available for audition in Minneapolis without driving more than 30 minutes.

Originally Posted by mpmct

I grew up in Iowa ( Waterloo ), and spent a good bit of
time in the little Apple. Love the twin cities.
I now live in Hartford CT though, and even
in this thriving metropolis ( ) it's still over an hour
drive, to greater Boston, to regard and listen to anything
past MA Silver series. And this has been the case for over
a decade here in my part of the least coast.

Just sayin', the top-of-the-line MAs are often very hard
to regard in-the-flesh. And it's too darn bad, because
IMHO, they win.

Originally Posted by hifisponge

Speaking of, the only place that carries MA here in Seattle, does not stock the GS line. They are special order only, with no returns. I actually had to buy two GSLCR's to audition them at home, knowing that if I liked them, I would sell one off and keep the other as a center speaker. Lost about $350 having to do that. While I hardly expect the average consumer to do that, it was worth it to me. I really don't know how the Seattle retailer or MA expect to sell of the GS line this way. However, as long as MA stays in business, I'm cool with it. I know it probably sounds elitist, but it makes me feel kinda special knowing that very few people own these gems.

Originally Posted by JN99

Part of the reason I went across the street and bought B&Ws...

Originally Posted by JN99

Part of the reason I went across the street and bought B&Ws...

Originally Posted by hifisponge

Hey there fellow Washingtonian! So you went to Definitive then? Congrats on your new speaks!

Originally Posted by JN99

I did. Had the RS6 and the B&W 683 at home to demo and ended up with the 683 but it was a tough decision. I really had settled on the RS6 but when I got the demos home I thought I really should see if I can demo the 683 at the same time. Definitive also has a nice trade up policy, which I will may be taking advantage of

Originally Posted by bballgms

wat was price diff?

Originally Posted by JN99

The 683s were $430 more for the pair than the RS6s would have been.

Originally Posted by bballgms

it was worth that much more.

Originally Posted by MaDequipment

What was worth more? The sound or build quality? I remember when I was auditioning that the RS6 and DM603 were quite similar in sound, but build quality was what won me over.

Originally Posted by malbo1

Does any one know of a Monitor Audio dealer in south Orange County, California? Looking for a place to audition the silver series speakers.

Originally Posted by hifisponge

Speaking of, the only place that carries MA here in Seattle, does not stock the GS line. They are special order only, with no returns. I actually had to buy two GSLCR's to audition them at home, knowing that if I liked them, I would sell one off and keep the other as a center speaker. Lost about $350 having to do that. While I hardly expect the average consumer to do that, it was worth it to me. I really don't know how the Seattle retailer or MA expect to sell of the GS line this way. However, as long as MA stays in business, I'm cool with it. I know it probably sounds elitist, but it makes me feel kinda special knowing that very few people own these gems.

Originally Posted by MaDequipment

What was worth more? The sound or build quality? I remember when I was auditioning that the RS6 and DM603 were quite similar in sound, but build quality was what won me over.

Originally Posted by sstiles4

hifisponge, it looks like it is a small world. I think I am the one in NY that purchased your extra GSLCR. I was all set to buy the RS line until I won that auction. Now Im going for the gold. There is a dealer an hour from me that will special order the speakers as well. So like you I am going to have him order the GS20's for me without the opportunity to audition them. I feel comfortable doing this thanks to everyone in this forum. If the gold is as good as everyone says then I will be extremely pleased. Thank you for the great price on the GSLCR!

Originally Posted by hifisponge

Wow, yes you're right, it was me that sold you the GSLCR. That's crazy that we would cross paths here. If you like the RS sound, you are going to love the GS20's. Better balanced from top to bottom, with just a little added sparkle up top. Clean, detailed, and transparent. Because of the limited distribution, they don't seem to get noticed as much, but they are a true high-end speaker, competitive with the likes of B&W Nautilus, Dali Helicon, Dynaudio Contour, and Revel Performa--not that the GS's sound like any of those speakers, but at this level it is all a matter of taste.

Originally Posted by RLBURNSIDE

... Anyway, the platinums were incredibly awesome sounding. Just very nice and expressive and detailed. ...

Originally Posted by mpmct

FWIW, I'll give you my two cents in this regard
late next week -- the PL100s go head-to-head with
GS20s. No way my assessment could be laboratory
and fair, the PL100s are $1000 more MSRP, let alone
the stands. So I would have to be biased, since it's not
kcrowder's moula I'm parting with, but my own.
But I'll do the best I can.

Originally Posted by sstiles4

Thanks, I am ordering the GS20's next week. What are you using to drive your speakers. I am going to be upgrading my receiver and I was thinking about the pioneer elite VSX-94 or waiting for the new NAD 775/785 receivers to come out.

Originally Posted by sstiles4

Thanks, I am ordering the GS20's next week. What are you using to drive your speakers. I am going to be upgrading my receiver and I was thinking about the pioneer elite VSX-94 or waiting for the new NAD 775/785 receivers to come out.