Monitor Audio Owners Thread - Page 211

Anyone have specs & measurements on the new Apex line ? I'm curious if the A40 center would fit in my stand.

wow, cool! You're lucky. What are you powering them with?

I would love to replace my GS-60's with PL-300's.

They are pretty slow on updating their websites, those speakers were announced weeks and weeks ago but their neither their .com or .co.uk websites have info about the entire series. All I could find was a specification page for the Apex subwoofer on the UK website.

Yea, the sub was announced like last May or something. I saw that too. I emailed MA with the same request. No response. The Apex series really isn't debueting till March something anyway. Soon enough we'll know whats up. I'm redoing my whole setup. It was getting stale. Sold all my PSB Stratus Silver'i speakers, 7 year old Pioneer Elite receiver, old blur box Mit's RP. Starting fresh. I've got a standout designs solid wood credenza with a Panny 58V10 sitting on top. Sony BD, Fios. No external sound. I'm starting to jones a little.

I dont speak english so can't explain the reason in english.
But only one thing I want to let you know is RS8 is 2.5 way and RX8 is 3 way.
RS8's problem is excessive bass. ( Balance problem / boomy sound )
I think the crossover design of RS8 has changed to solve this problem.

Anyone here done a comparison between the B&W 683 vs Monitor Audio RS6 or RS8 or RX6 or RX8? How do they rate against each other? And how do their centers compare?

Looking to upgrade the fronts and center for 75% movies / 25% music. Have read that B&W is warmer than RS6, but RX6 is supposed to have toned the claimed the brightness of RS6. Given more time spent on movies, would a brighter R_6 serve me better than the B&W 683?

I compared the B&W 683/684 and the MA RS6/RS8 last year before buying - I think I could have been happier with either sound-wise. Both have their own sound so it was a matter of which did I like the most.

I got offered a really great deal on the B&Ws (and matching centre) but I went with the RS8s and RS LCR because I liked the top-end of the RSs better and they had a nicer bass sounds - plus the MAs are a bit smaller and look so much nicer than the boxy B&Ws!

I'm sure you've heard this from me in prior posts, but when I listened to the Platinums on McGear, it was a much more enjoyable experience than with typical solid state gear. The Mac stuff takes the edge off of the sound without squashing the resolution.

Do it!

Hey Tim, thanks for your input. Not sure if I remember getting your thoughts on Mac gear with GS-Series in the past, but I kind of thought a more "warm" amp could provide better operation of "brite" GS-Series. hmmm, something to think about (although I do love my Parasound A51 Halo amp).

I haven't heard Mac with GS specifically, but having owned the GS and the Plats, the family resemblance is strong enough between the two lines, that it is easy enough to project the effect Mac would have on the GS. BAT would be another option.

I see, thanks.

What are your thoughts on GS-series and (entry model ) B&W 800 Series model comparisons- for example 803S? I believe you used 803D's before? Were the B&W's more resolving? Less sibilance?

I've not heard either the 804S or 805S, only the 803D and 802D.

The 802Ds are amazing, the 803Ds are well behaved but not remarkable. No excess sibilance or etch on either of these.

B&W has a good reputation for a reason. They are certainly something that should be on your short list if you are considering a change. And personally, if you are looking for a change, I would swap the speakers before the amp. Amps changes are subtle compared to speaker changes. That's why I'm a speaker guy.

thanks for your comments Tim.

While I really love my GS-Series in general I'm a little irritated with the sibilance, or harshness in the mid-high range on certain material (mostly when listening to music- CD's especially). Sometimes it's downright ugly, but other times things seem to resolve pretty good or rather sweet. These speakers have incredible bass and are beautifully transparent. I have pretty good players as well.

I'm beginning to wonder if there is a "thermal" factor involved (related to the material ringing more than normal)? I've been around home much more than usual for the last few months recovering from shoulder surgery, so I've been running my system, quite often, from like 10:00am until 07:00pm. I mostly play music sources (I rotate players). Seems like the first few consecutive hours are pretty nice sounding, later I begin to notice more sibilance. I'm thinking this is due to materials heating up maybe? Just a thought.........

Now I'm really burning to try B&W 800 Series.

WCD -

I know just what you are talking about. It was the things that you describe that became a bit of a thorn in my side. There is a lot to like about the GS, but when you hit those hot spots with them, it stands out in stark contrast to the nice qualities.

Interesting observation about the sound quality changing with play time. I've noticed some speakers sounding a bit rough around the edges when cold, but not worse after extended play time.

WestCoast,

The 802D are pretty nice speakers I looked at them very closely before I bought the PL300's, but I decided the overall sound, and looks, of the Platinums were more to my liking. The 802D is a demanding speaker and needs a fairly strong SS amp to drive it well. You might find that JC-1's do a better job than the A21 on those speakers. If I owned them i'd drive them with my McIntosh MC1.2KW's instead of my MC501's.

Thanks! That's good to know. Do you mind saying how big is your room? I have been weighing between the RS6 and RS8 as well, but have read few people claiming RS6 sounds better than RS8. None of the dealers here have a RS8 for a demo, so would be good to know what made you go for them.

And by "top-end" do you mean the the top end of frequencies or the top end of the RS model line?

really appreciate your input. While I would love to get 803D's (or even Platinum PL300's) I probably could'nt afforf it right now. Although I was considering maybe B&W 804S or 803S, was thinking my A51 could drive these pretty good.

Interesting you chose PL300's over the 802D's. I really love the PL300's.

I'm also intrigued on what other models B&W will release soon.

The only new speakers on B&W's horizon is the new 800 Diamond line (not to be confused with the current 800 "D" line). The price for a pair of their stand mount 805Di's will run you more than the GS60's.

805Di = $5000
804Di - $7500

I see. These are price each?

So now's the time to spring for a pair of 803S's (@3000.00ea)?

Those are per pair prices, but yes, if you are looking for a deal, get the current line while you can, the diamonds are due at retail with 2 weeks.

I see, thanks. So I assume the 804Di's are 3-way towers?

Yes, three way tower.

http://www.hemagazine.com/B%2526W_800_Series_Diamond

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=34631

Thanks. Yes, I would love a pair of piano black 804Di's

They're supposed to sound like the second coming of Christ.

I've got a pair of the 805Di's on order. Hope to have them in a few weeks.

whoa, I better hurry and get saved (again)


cool, will be waiting to get your input.

I assume the two floor-stander model examples in the B&W PR shots (from that Home Entertainment article) are both 804Di examples? They each have two woofers. B&W refers to the 804Di as "small floor-standers".

Will send you PM as to not take this thread any further off track.

hey tim did I miss something? What happened with your WB's. Thinking of making changes to my speakers. 804d was a consideration. Currently using PL300s so let me know what your impressions are.

Similar things were said about the last 5 speakers you've owned.

Another possibility: your ears are becoming fatigued after a few hours.

Your amp is fine and will drive the vast majority of speakers wonderfully. If there is a problem with your system, it is elsewhere.

Umm, did I say second coming? I meant the sixth coming....

Just having some fun with WCD. No box with buzzing cones & domes will change your life, well unless you are used to HTIB sound and you buy something decent. But its all downhill from there.