Monitor Audio Owners Thread - Page 294

I took the RX6's home for demo this weekend I have to return them tomorrow night. Listening to them in my own home really helped me make a decision. I will be ordering these speakers. I really loved the sound they produced. And after watching War of the Worlds with these, I knew I really wanted them.

I will be ordering them in thes finish also I really liked how they looked. This is as picture of my extremely modest set up. I am a beginner to the A/V world. The receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR515

For anyone at the recent Denver Show, did MA release any new models? I am mostly interested to know if the current Silver Series will remain current for a while, or if there are replacements on the way. I noticed that the current silver line was released in 2010? I am considering the Silver series, but if a new one is going to be out in the near future, I do not want to end up with outdated models, if you know what I mean.

In the past, MA has released new silver series speaker about every 4 years or so, so I don't think we'll see new silver series until 2014 or 2015.

I find the RX6 the most forgiving of the RX series.... I have the RX8's and I love them, but they need more careful placement than the RX6's, not sure of the burn-in time of the 6's, but the RX8's took about 6 months to sound good.... in the begining they sounded really terrible... it drove me to buy the GX300s... which out of the box sounded fantastic already .....

after 6 months, the RX8's are great, and sounded like the demo unit I heard in the shop .... in the first 6 months, they were merciless on any less than stellar recording, and high notes sounded mostly harsh..... now its all good.... buyer beware of the extended burn in time on the RX series.... worth it... but it takes a long time to sound good.....

my suggestion is... if you can extend to the GX range.... give it a go .... GX50/GX100/GX300 sound fantastic out of the box....

marcelo,

i know that you say the GX series sounded great out of the box, but did you also discern an improvement over time? i am about 2 months in on my gx300s. i have certainly noticed times when they sound even better than they initially did. for example, i had pandora on (don't laugh) this morning before heading to work and i nearly jumped out of my seat when an advertisement came on. it sounded so clear and transparent, i thought that someone was in the room behind me!

i'm thinking that the final character of my speakers may not be determined as yet. i'm interested to hear what you've noted as the final signature of your speakers as they have matured.

luca

I am a lurker and follow the threads here at avs alot. I recently purchased the GX300s, GXC350, GXFX. I have to say that they sound better and better the more hrs I put on them. I am currently running them with my 4311 until my Bryston 4bsst and 5bst arrive. They are very detailed and transperant as you stated. They did have a little sparkle on the upper regions at first but that has tamed some in the last few days. I think they do take time to settle into their final signature. Just a little picture for you guys. Excuse the pic as my system is not complete just yet. Once my amps and 2 channel preamp with HTBP arrive, it will be complete./

I just moved into a new apartment and creating a home theater system from zero. A friend of mine suggested the following set;

Marantz SR7005 amplifier

MA RX 8 (2 Pairs)
MA Center


I have only read the best reviews about MA. I will be using the system for DVD/Blue Ray and Gaming. Do you guys think it is a good combination? What would be the other alternatives?

Thank you very much in advance for all the help.

A pair of RX8 for surrounds sounds like way too much overkill. I believe you could get away with the RX2 or even RX1 without noticing the difference, and spend the rest in movies and games, or a subwoofer. Do you already have a sub?

VMat

I dont have a sub. Because it might be a problem for the people living in lower floors. I will look into RX 2. Sounds right.

Hello my fellow MA lovers
I'm running with the RX8 on a Denon avr 1912 reciever in stereo bi-amped, and looking forward to upgrade the system with Monitor Audio RX Center and Monitor Audio RXFX for some serious surround when watching movies. Probably gonna upgrade with the sub when i move to a bigger room than 14m2.
My little problem here, i already feel like the reciever can't drive the RX8 to it's maximum potential, and have read they're actually pretty hungry to drive.
Have read the Yamaha rx-a3010/3020 should be a really good choice for the MA setup, but also looking alittle at the Denon 4520:)

I should probably mention i use the setup of the rx8 ALOT from my computer, in stereo, for music. The genre is mainly Hip hop, rap, rock, metal, hardstyle, dance(and such), some Celtic and a little classic.

Anyone got some suggestions?.
Thanks ;P

I have a dilemma folks, and hope that you all can help. I was originally set on a pair of Silver RX8 towers, Center, and a pair of RXFX surrounds. With me REALLY wanting to go for the entire Gold series (300 towers and all), but not wanting to swing the entire setup due to budget constraints, do you all feel that the system would be unbalanced sonically if I went with the RX8 towers, RXFX surrounds, BUT instead of the Silver center, going with a GX 350C? Would this throw the system off, so to speak? I thought that this would be a good idea, especially since the center channel does most of the duty, but do not know if the sonic differences will be obvious and force one to recognize the sonic difference from the center to the towers, especially with that wonderful ribbon tweeter. What are your thoughts? I really love that GX 350C. It would be great if Monitor had some sort of line price and quality wise in between the Silver and Gold, but since one does not exist, I am experimenting with different ideas. Both center channels have around the same sensitivity, but the Ribbon tweeters on the Gold series go up quite higher in frequency, but way above and beyound what we can humanly hear, I believe. Please advise. Thanks.

I think most readers will think that having the front 3 speakers from the same series is the best way to go. I know it certainly worked when I added the RX centre to RX6's. If you will have a sub, have you considered the GX200's which will help with the budget and allow an easier route to the GX centre. Your right about the frequency being well above hearing levels, but so is the RX centre.The sound will need to be tested on its own. Tough decision, good luck!

HI, yes, I have an SVS PB Plus 12/2 subwoofer. Even with the GX 200's, they retail for $4.495.00 per pair, when the Silver RX8 retails for $1.750. I think that this is crazy that Monitor did this, as most other speaker lines when moving up a level, they may increase in price anywhere from 50% to maybe 100%, but it Monitor's case, that is almost triple, and that is only to the GX200. The GX300 is mos comparable with the RX8 in terms out output and bass, but those retail for $5,495.00 a pair. Hence my dilemma of adding the GX350 center to the other Silver series, but I would like to make sure that they will blend in properly, versus drawing attention to the center.

If you are doing GX300's in the front I would highly recommend going for a GXC350 center. I'd still kind of recommend it on the GX200's in the front also with a GXC350, but the GXC150 should do fine. I think having the same midrange / tweeter is of sonic benefit since the towers have a separate midrange driver like the GXC350. As for the rear it would be of benefit to have a GX speaker in the rear, but not mandatory. I am temporarily using another brand in the rear but I'm planning on getting the GX300's or maybe the GX200's as I don't really want bookshelf speakers on a stand and rather have a tower speaker instead. I have the GX300's / GXC350 in the front and I am completely sold on them over the RX8 speakers. Wonderfully matched and amazingly accurate. In a separate system for my computer I have Silver RX1's for my computer audio.

Hi, going all Gold's is out of the question for me. the dilemma is if I should go with the RX8 towers, center, and RXFX as side surrounds, or do the same set-up as afformentioned, with the EXCEPTION of getting a GX-350 Center, INSTEAD of the Silver Center. If doing the latter, how well will the front stage match and integrate?I love the idea of the Gold Center over the Silver, as the GX350 is a true 3-way desgn just like the RX8 towers, and I feel that the midrange will be more evenly matched. I wish that they offered a larger center for the Silver series, like they give you the option to do with the Gold series. I feel that in the Silver series, the center is best suited for the RX6, but under-matched with the RX8.

I inquired with Monitor Audio and am awaiting a response, but I believe that what I want to do is okay. Want to know why? Check out a picture below of the GXFX Gold surround speaker. It as 1 ribbon tweeter from the Gold series, but I believe from the picture and reading the description from their website that BOTH displayed side tweeters are the ones from the Silver series:) check the picture below out:

http://www.audioadvisor.com/ViewLargerIMage.asp?title=Monitor+Audio+%2D+Gold+GX%2DFX+%2D+Surround+Speaker&image=images/MRGXFX_NG_BUB-Large.jpg

While I appreciate that the Golds are much more expensive, I was wondering if you had listened to a full Silver front? They are very good in their own right. I think it would be tough to start with the RX8's and then move to the GX300, especially from a cost perspective. If possible, maybe buying the GX series piecemeal would get it done. They were updated fairly recently (2010,I think), so you would likely have several years before another update. I haven't heard a full Gold setup, but the GX300's are quite special. Maybe patience is worth it! Is the centre most important? When we have a 2 channel source, the phantom center works really well when they are set up right and we still get the benefit of good L/R speakers for the front, which is great for music.

Truth be told, I have not had the opportunity to audition any of them as of yet.

PS: I really do need to purchase all five speakers at once.

I have listened to the Gold GX300, GXC350 & GX50 and I have listened to the Silver RX8, RX6, RX Center and RX1. I also had the chance to listen to some outgoing Gold GS speakers also at the time. If cost is an object go for two pairs of RX6's and an RX Center. It is an amazing speaker system and you won't regret it. I'm not sold on the RX8 over the RX6. The RX6 sounded better to me. Maybe the RX8 wasn't as broken in or it was a room issue but the RX6 blew me away, especially at the price.

The ONLY reason I didn't buy RX towers was I listened to the Platinum PL300's and fell in love with the sound of the speaker and that ribbon tweeter. Upon finding out the Gold GS series which was out at the time was going to be replaced by the Gold GX series with a similar tweeter / midrange setup I decided to wait. Glad I did. Maybe if you don't listen to the Gold GX series you won't feel the urge to buy them that I did.

Thanks for the input. The cost issue is that we just redid an entire audio/video home theater. I am stuck between the two below now, which I have narrowed down to:

RX8's, Silver Center, and RXFX side surrounds

OR

RX8's, GOLD GX 350 C CENTER, and RFXS side surrounds

Either way, I really want the RX8 over the RX6, especially because the cost difference is minimal for the two. My biggest dilemma is the center channel.

Please check out the thread below that I created a few days ago, which better describes what I am searching for. Thanks.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1434139/decision-time-monitor-audio-silver-rx8-center-and-rxfx-surrounds-or-aperion-verus-grand-towers-grand-center-and-surrounds

I'd choose A. The RX Center is a better match to the RX Towers. Same drivers, same sonic signature. Funny enough I had my GXC350 sitting above my computer monitor with my RX1's flanking the monitor when I was waiting for the GX300's to come in. Figured I'd give it a try. While the whole setup sounds great, there is a sonic mis-match to my ears at this near-field position. I will be getting a RX Center to match the RX1 unless I decide to go GX50 for my computer setup.

Decisions...

Tell me about it, LOL:) Did you see the link that I posted with a picture where the Gold surround has one ribbon tweeter, but two regular gold tweeters from the Silver series within the same speaker?

I did. The GX Surround looks like an interesting beast and probably matches well in an all Gold GX setup for certain movie setups. I prefer direct radiators in the rear myself, so Gold GX towers in the rear for me. Makes a difference to me with music and I notice no issues with movies.

Part of me recommends you take a listen to the RX6 for rear duty since you are sold on the front being RX8 towers. That combo with the RX Center should put a huge grin on your face when you hear details you have never heard before from all directions.

Due to my room and layout, I need the side bipole/dipole setup to be mouted in the walls next to the listening position. If I had more room and a 7.1 set-up, then I would consider the RX6 for rear duty as direct firing. Below is the layout, minus the speakers, which are obviously being replaced:
HT 2 10 08 12.jpg 251k .jpg file

And below were the side surrounds:

HT 10 08 12.jpg 202k .jpg file

I understand why you would go that way with your room setup. Either way give both the RX6 and RX8 a listen. You might be pleasantly surprised and might pick a 6 for the front. You can't go wrong either way.

Thanks. The side surrounds are right beside that couch around 3-feet above ear level. I have been told by industry leaders that for this type of 5.1 setup, omnipole direct firing speakers as surrounds are not a good idea, hence the bipole/dipole type of speaker. The french doors are around 3 feet or so behind the couch. The den is rather small. I will change the layout a bit. I will bring the RX8's forward from the ones that are in the picture, and will move that subwoofer to the "inside" next to the rack and place the tower next to it on the outside portion. Will also add some drapes, an area rug, and an ottoman as acoustical treatments. I also got an Auralex Great Gramma to place the subwoofer on as well.

Looking at the size of your room, getting the RX8's would be a waste of money. Your room is not that large. If it's in your budget, get the GX 100's , GX 150c and GXFX surrounds. If you for some weird reason, don't have enough bass, buy a second sub.

Even if the GX's I recommended is out of the price range, I still wouldn't get the RX8 or RX6's, look into the RX2's, the RX center sounds amazing in larger rooms then yours.

In another post you asked about the GXFX’s, and it seems you maybe under the impression that is uses the tweeter and ribbon at the sametime, it doesn’t. You have a switch to select either mono-pole or di-pole mode, it uses the tweeters for di-pole, while it uses the ribbon when in mono-pole

No one wanna answer, or just no one who has tryed a complete silver setup with any surround recievers?.

grymok,

I don't think you will be disappointed with either one of those receivers. On my current project, I was going to use the Yamaha 3020 to power MA speakers. The only issue for me is that the Yamaha had not been released when I decided to purchase and I went with another set-up. I will say to get the 3020 over the 3010 if you intend to use AirPlay. You are not going to have a problem powering the RX8s.

If you get a chance, try listening to them both. I like the warmth and richness of the Yamaha sound.

luca