Monitor Audio Owners Thread - Page 278

Well I'm now the owner of a set of dark walnut GX50's! Thanks all.

Congrats! Let us know what you think after a couple of hours of break in.

Is there really that much off a difference between the RS6 and RX6 speakers. Also if I upgraded the RS6's to the RX8's is that chalk and cheese bare in mind the price difference. I am running an onkyo 876 in bi-amp mode.

I want more mid bass and have them crossed at 100hz and my subs at 100hz to get the flattest crossover response.

When I set them to large they sound much better. Is it worth running my RS6's, RS centre and RS5's as large and then set my subs to 100-120hz.



If I lower the crossover I get a dip between 80 and 100hz.

Also what do you cross your RS centres at?

If it was a side by side comparison, then I would say yes, the price difference is worth it. If you are asking to upgrade from your RS to the RX series, then I believe you would have to listen for yourself to see if the money is worth it.

My understanding there is still a love out there for the RS series, they are still some very nice speakers. I'm cheap and I had planned to buy the RS because I felt I could get a deal on them, but when I heard them next to each other, there was no way I was buying the RS line. I had to have the RX's

What kind of sub are you using?

I am using two 15 cu ft multi tuned FI Q18 diy subs which have 12.5hz, 17.5hz and 21.5hz tunings. cheers Graham

I am using a Yamaha RX-A2000 to drive a RX6 & RX Center. I would like to add a power amp, probably 5 channel. Emotiva needs much available space, which I don't have to spare. This tends to drive up the price or reduce the channels to 2. Are these speakers considered hard to drive? How much is "enough" power? Volume is not the issue, but headroom could be improved. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

How do you know that headroom needs to be improved?

The RXs are pretty easy to drive (high sensitivity and don't drop tp really low impedances). I doubt you'd gain much, if anything, with an amp vs that Yamaha, unless you were listening at ear-bleeding levels and/or have a gigantic room.

I agree-unless the Yamaha is clipping I'm not sure you need the Emotiva.

Thanks for both your answers. Sometimes another's opinion helps focus your own. The money would probably be better spent on RXFX's to complete the surround. There is no clipping and I'm beyond the age where I,at least, play at nose bleed volumes. The room is far from gigantic.
Crazy hobby when systems that are relatively new and working fine can still have you thinking you need something more;(

Hello:

Two questions:

1. posted elsewhere but this may be better: Have small open area for H/T setup (eg back part of room is open to dining area). I am contemplating Onkyo AV/Rcvr (TXNR709) and Monitor Audio Speakers (Silver RX + related in ceiling) for a 5.1 set-up. Any thoughts on this pairing?

2. As it is small area - also contemplating doing all in-ceiling (ex-subwoofer of course). Am looking at the 8" C series. Specifically (i) the C280/380LCR for the front and (ii) c265/380FX for the 2 rear.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks!

Agreed, although I find my RX6's LOVE to be driven hard. I'm just saying

I just bought a pair of RS1s used and a TX-NR709. Only thing is, I have the RS1s in my bedroom with an older Sony ES that I just moved out from my main system. I bought the TX-NR709 for my living room with my PSB speakers. I haven't gotten the chance to swap the RS1's into my living room yet, but if I do, I'll let you know (very busy at work lately). I like the Onkyo. It's got lots of power and good low end (better than the ~10 yr old Sony ES it replaced). I think they would sound good together and most say the RX is a decent step up from the RS.

Hi

Yes, this one of those things that make these speakers awesome!
This is why you can get them sound pretty well with a budget amp/receiver.
They are far easier load for amps than for examlpe B&W speakers.
And of course they sound very good, with great detail and thight bass that also goes low, lower than the B&W CM-line.

Do you think the RX's sound better than the CM series? I just bought a pair of RX8's and should be here tomorrow or Wednesday. I will be using a Denon 3312 for the time being, but I will be adding an Emotiva XPA-3 to make em sing!

It's that time of my life (creeping up on mid-life crisis -- coincidence?) where I'm redoing my entire HT set-up from scratch but my budget, at the moment, still isn't as large as I'd like. I also live in Canada which means my online choices are limited (unless I order from the States and get killed by customs on duty and other fees).

There's a dealer in Winnipeg that sells Monitor speakers, amongst others. One of their staff really recommends the RX6 and I've read enough about it both here, and at other forums, that it's a pretty great speaker for the money. Hopefully soon I'll have a chance to test drive them and see if they're all that.

I'm going to build it piece meal as it's probably the best way to go. On the one hand it's frustrating because having everything all at once would be awesome but on the other it's not feasible. So my questions to you Monitor owners:

If I don't get a sub with this purchase (again, the damn budget; plan on ordering one online in the future, perhaps from SVS) what would be the better second speaker(s) to go with: a centre channel or surrounds? Or just wait it out and get one of them later? Right now my wife is allowing me $2500 for the initial purchase. The WAF isn't about the size or kind of speakers, it's how much play money she's allowing me to have.

Also, has anyone done mis-matching with their Monitor set-ups, for example, Silver fronts (L/C/R) but Bronze surrounds? I personally don't have a very large room (about 16' by 14') and any surrounds I do get will be about a foot behind my couch, max.

Finally, is the purchase of speakers the most difficult thing you'll do in your entire life, even more than marriage?

First a big thanks to everyone in this thread for all the information.

I have purchased a pair of RX6's and the center will be the next purchase. The way my room is setup I cannot use the RXFX for the back speakers.

I am thinking about getting the RX1 instead but I want to make sure first. The room is not large so I do not think I need the RX2. They will only be used for 5.1

Thanks for any info

The difficult part is being happy with the ones you end up buying.

Hi

I dont think RX-series is better than B&W CM-series, I would set the RX line between the B&W 600-series and CM-series.
These two series sound different, the RX line sound neutral, and CM line also sound neutral and a little bit warmer, I think the CM line is a step up the range compared to Monitor RX-series, but this also comes down to personel taste.
So In my opinion, the B&W CM speakers are better speakers than the RX speakers. The RX8 does got more bass and goes deeper than CM9, RX6 also do this if I remember correct, but still I would say for music the CM speakers are better, especially for those who are looking for an allround music speaker.
What I think is very good with the RX6 and RX8 beside that they sound very good is that they got higher sensitivity and the impedance does not go very low, both RX6 and RX8 have a minimum impedance around 4,5 ohm, the CM8 and CM9 both goes down to 3,0 ohm, so they are a far heavier load to the amplifier. So you could say the CM speakers need a far better amplifier to get out their potential then the RX speakers would need.

Do you have more info regarding your room? I couldn't use traditional rears, so I installed the C265-FX (in ceilings) and they're great. If I have any regrets its that I didn't go with the bigger C380-FX...

I have heard the CM9 and the 683 and 684. I have not heard the Monitor Audio RX6/8, but I took a shot and ordered them anyway.

I have listened to the entire B&W CM and 6xx series speakers. Great sounding speakers, but I prefer the sonic characteristics of the Monitor Audio Silver RX series myself and chose them for 1 system. Can't go wrong either way.

I am one step ( the RX center) ahead of your schedule, and I have the same question. My room is 14 x 10 x 8 and currently use PSB alpha's as the surrounds. They are quite good, but I always wonder if the RX1's would be better. There is a window where the second RXFX would be placed,so height is likely too low for optimal placement. Or what height would work?

Hi

I dont think you will be disipointed, the RX8 are great speakers.
I also took a shot first time I bought Monitor Audio speakers, bought RX6 without having the chance to listening to them, I was really suprised and satisfied with how good they actually sounded, great speakers.
But I still think the B&W CM series is better speakers, but this really comes down to personel taste, you wont go wrong with either of these speaker series.
Which finish have you chosen? I have only had them in Gloss Black, but I've been really tempted by the Gloss White one's, they look awesome.
I will probobly buy the RX1 in Gloss White for my bedroom to hook up with a SONOS Connect Amp.

Hey all. No Monitor dealers near me so I need your advice on the Silver and Bronze lines for 5.1 setup. Strengths and weaknesses, probably the RX6 or RX2 for fronts and RX1 or 2 for surrounds, plus the RX center channel of course. If that's too much money then the similar setup but with the Bronze series instead. Any help or knowledge you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

nevermind..

Has anyone been able to compare RS6/LCR/RSFX with the new GX series? I'm considering an upgrade and will listen first but just wondered what others' thoughts were?

I'd say if you can't afford the Silver series, Bronze is a good choice. I have a 5.1 set (BX2 + BX C + BX1), and they sound excellent to my ears. If you prefer towers, the BX5 is not bad either (I have a pair of them too, in a separate 2.0 set).

I used to have some big old (80's) speakers, which were not really bad, but compared to the BX's, leave a lot to be desired. The BX's sound much clearer, much more realistic.

For the price I've paid, I believe they are hard to beat. Although I never tested other similar speakers in my own room - I only compared a few of them in the store (by the way, the guys did have some Silvers too, but I refused to audition them because I don't want to know what I'm missing, since I can't afford them ). So, take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Design is also excellent, simple and clean, traditional, but with rounded corners that give them a modern touch. They are not available in the glossy finishes like the Silvers. But they do have the magnetic grilles and the single bolt driver fixing - they look gorgeous without the grilles. Just keep in mind that they are finished in Vinyl, not real wood like the Silvers (but they still look gorgeous to me).

VMat

I've said it and I will say it again. I auditioned the RX9 against the CM9 on a high-end Bryston setup, and the CM9 couldn't hold a candle to the RX8. At half the price, the RX8 is the no-brainer choice.

Hi

This really comes down to personal taste. But what exactly do you think was better with RX8 vs CM9? In my opinion CM9 is a better speaker, the whole CM line is better than the RX line, I think the GS line is the Monitor Audio speakers the CM line should be compared to/with. The midrange is far better on the CM line, same for treble, MA to aggressive, the CM series is a more complete and better sounding speaker. The only thing the CM line lack a little is the bass, that you get with the RX6/RX8. The CM9 also have got many awards by the HiFi press around the World, the RX-series nothing, if you does not count good reviews in different magazines. I like the RX speakers alot, and think they are very good value for the money, but they are not better than the CM line, NO WAY!

Does anyone know how tight the screw that connects the drivers needs to be? I was surprised to find that, for my speakers, the screws were very loose, and each one at a different level of torque. I tightened them a bit, but careful not to overdo... thought I asked first.