Monitor Audio Owners Thread - Page 295

Probably can try both the 3020 and 3010, if my local store still have one of those 3010, they don't sell them on thier website anymore but i can try.
I DON'T have an Apple product and don't intend to get one, so the airplay is USELESS.
As i can see, the 3020 goes for 2666$ and the 3010 goes for 1733, compare the features the 3020 ain't worth the extra 630$ :S.

I agree with Gary's comment 100%. I did the same sampling and could hear the sonic difference between the RX and the GX series, but I didn't understand why the RX6s sounded better to me than the RX8s. Just to be clear, I was part of a blinded comparison between the GX200s and the RX8s. I was immediately struck by the clarity/transparency of the GX series; a fuller soundstage, greater definition from the same source material. Next it was the RX6s to the GX series. I thought they were better. They did not rival the GXs, but they were more composed and better balanced. They seemed warmer and more complete. The best way to describe it is that I thought they were better suited for the tasks they set out to perform, i.e., they may not have had the range of the more expensive speakers, but they excelled in the range they had. Finally, in the direct comparison, I preferred the RX6s to the RX8s. Again, it could have been a whole host of factors why that was the case, but they sounded better to me.

Please note, they are all exceptional speakers. The differences that have been pointed out are only starkly identified when comparing one to another in quick succession. For that reason, I agree with timbre matching too. The ribbon tweeter makes a huge difference to me. If you went with a GX center, I think it would be mismatched and you'd notice it with anything but ribbon tweeters flanking it.

Where are you? Are you in the US? Those prices seem a bit high to me.

If not AirPlay, then the 3010 is a great choice. I think it has the same functionality (perhaps even more as I think some connectivity was removed in the 3020) and similar power. You will not be disappointed.

I'm from the cold cold north, aka Denmark
I have found a new yamaha 3010 for 1100£ and the 2010 for 740£.
The new model is WAAAAY to overpriced for me :S. Have looked alittle into the Denon 4311 and Denen 4520 But havn't looked the prices yet. But found the 4311 used for the same price as the 3010.

Very good comparison. Now I am getting mixed feelings as to why would the RX6 sound better than the RX8? The RX8 should play louder and provide more midrange/midbass as it has larger drivers and one additional driver as well. I understand that specs. do not always translate to a better sound per se, but theoretically the RX8's should provide a clearer and fuller soundstage. Maybe the Rx8 may sound Boomy with too much bass as some reviers have pointed out, as the drivers not moving quick enough to provide tight punchy bass and midrange as teh RX6 can?

Thank you for the input. I don't like the looks much of bookshelves, especially when you factor in the cost of stands. I understand the ribbon and gold tweeters in the GXFX not firing at the same time, but when the gold tweeter is firing versus the ribbon from the GXFX, wouldn't that be a mismatch to the left, right, and center speaker ribbon tweeters sonically?This was my whole point to justify if I could use a gold center with the Silver towers, as even Monitor employees the gold and ribbon tweeter for the surrounds? Maybe the surrounds are not such a big factor than matching the three main front speakers?

My experience between RX8 and RX6 was different. I listened to them (in a blind test, switching back and forth) and felt RX8 sounded more "open". That was the main reason I went with RX8s over the 6s. The audition room was rather large probably 40x30ft.

I have tried the Silver RX1's and the Gold GX300 / GXC350 with an Onkyo TX-NR709, TX-SR706 & TX-SR705. TX-SR705 was used on the RX1's and then replaced by a TX-NR709 also on the GXC350. TX-SR706 owned by my Dad has seen the GX300's & GXC350 together. TX-NR709 really matched well with Monitor Audio speakers for me.

So you didn't find this MA + Onkyo combination too bright?

I am currently running an Onkyo 876 and RS6, RS5 and RS centre and I find the sound to come across as a very digital sound and not a hifi like sound. I have been advised to run a Yamaha receiver with the monitor Audio's as I am looking to upgrade to RX6's.

Or do I go for the RX8's instead of the RX6's

The Onkyo TX-NR709 plus RX1 is great. The TX-SR706 with the Gold GX300/GXC350 was fine. The GX series are now paired with a Sunfire Cinema Grand 200x5 since I have my room back to put it all in. I have not tried the TX-NR709 + full Gold GX combo but I suspect it would sound better than the TX-SR706.

IMHO, to really do justice to the speakers I would suggest a separate 5 channel amp... like Emotiva... I have the onkyo 5009... which is no slouch... but once I upgraded to the Emotiva XPA-5 the sound was in a total different league...... the best value for money upgrade ever..... I went on to get an XPA-1 for the GX-350C centre.... very natural voices indeed... ended up pairing the GX300 with tube amps to bring more warmth to the music .... if it was specifically for HT, I'd probably stack some XPA-1's there, or if I didn't have the room, an XPA-2......

however I can' stress enough.... adding a separate amp, will give your HT a gigantic boost in SQ .... I thought since I always bout the top of the range Receivers, I didn't need a separate amp or that the amp would make little difference.... I was hugely mistaken ....

the XPA-5 now runs my rear speakers (RX8s) and height & presence speakers (Quad Lites) - XPA-1 for GX.350c an Cayin A-88T for the GX300's ..... a lot of boxes, but it sounds great for a music/HT combo... if it was only movies I'd stick with Emotiva Amps... if it was only music Cayin A-88T .... this is the best combo I found for my budget....
Edited by big_marcelo - 10/21/12 at 8:39pm

^How did you do your listening tests to conclude that the separates were in a "total different league" compared to the Onkyo receiver? Was this differnence apparent at all volume levels or only when cranked to really high levels?

Greetings! Cold cold North seems like a lovely place. I've been to København on vacations earlier this year, and had a great time. By the way, the guys from Hi-Fi Klubben at Aaboulevard were very nice (I talked to Brian G.).

I'm wondering why you picked Monitor Audio. There are quite a few Danish brands which make excellent speakers, right?

VMat

hello folks.

I've recently invested in Onkyo 818 (upgrading from the 608) and now it's time to upgrade my speakers.
I've been considering RX6 + RXC + RXFX + RXW-12, but I'm not sure how they pair with the 818.

Any thoughts about that? I tend to prefer "warm" sound and powerful (but not "muddy") bass.

Perhaps the RX8 is a better match than RX6?

I have a medium size listening room and it's 50/50 music/movies.
I've also considered the new Dali Ikon 7 MK2 + Ikon Vokal MK2 + Ikon On-Wall MK2 + Ikon Sub MK2
and possibly the B&W CM8 + Center 2 + CS3 + ASW 10CM (which is more expencive and probably above my budget).

Any of you have any experience/thoughts/comments?
There isn't any dealers with decent listeningroom around here....
Edited by AVRams - 10/26/12 at 1:22pm

I really like the new audio quality of the recent Onkyos and Monitor Audio, which I appreciate the combo in that particular price range. Personally I would skip over the RXW12 subwoofer from Monitor Audio.
Stick to the RX6, and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with the RX8, since it will be a 50/50 setup, the RX6’s and sub will be great for movies, and the RX6’s really hold their own for 2channel music.
In the subwoofer dept, look into HSU and/or SVS, with SVS being my favorite.

On
Ok, I'm considering the new SVS SB13 Ultra together with the MA RX setup.
Should be ok with the RX6, don't you think?
Wish I had the possibility to listen to it first...

Currently using Pioneer Elite SC-61 (4 ohm) AVR and GX50's..

Sounds Excellent!!!! Plays VERY CRISP at extremely high levels.

I am running RX8's with dual Powersound Audio XV-30's (Dual 15" Subs) and it sounds great. The 6's are basically the same speaker, I cannot imagine why a SVS would not blend with this set up.

As an update to all, I went to a MA dealer to audition some of the RX and GX speakers. They did not have an optimal set-up though, but I got a good taste for the sound. They had both the GX 300 and 200 towers. I listened to the 300, and fell in love All they had was the old GS center though with no ribbon tweeter and the RX center with Bronze surrounds. The GX 300 sounded superb. My only desire on the wish list would be that it had one additional 6 ½ inch driver for a little added midrange/mid-bass. I did not bother with the GX 200, as it looked too small and I honestly do not want that small of a size woofer. As a comparison, the RX8 sounded muffled, as if someone had covered up the tweeter with their hands, when compared to the Ribbon tweeter in the Gold Series. The Silver Center sounded more hollow when compared to the old Gold GS series larger speaker. They did not have matching center for the GX or surround sound for the GX or RX. I think that I may go with the GX 300 and GX 350 Center.

I did a little more research on the GXFX, and have some questions. On the monopole mode, only the 6 ½ inch driver and ribbon tweeter are firing, correct? If so, this is more like a direct firing mode sound, like a bookshelf speaker, correct? Like the type of sound from the GX 100? In order to get the surround diffuse effect, one would have to switch to the dipole setting, but in doing so, the ribbon tweeter is shut off, and only the NON-ribbon tweeters with all woofers are firing, correct? Are the other tweeters on the side baffles the same as the RX Gold tweeters? When in dipole mode, the Gold tweeters will not match the ribbon tweeters from the front stage? How come there is no bipole switch? My main question, is why all of the tweeters in the GX surround ribbon? Was this to keep the cost down? In order for me to really reap the benefit of the GXFX, I would only be able to use it in the monopole direct firing mode for the high end to match the other ribbon tweeters in the front stage? If the GXFX is set on dipole, will it not virtually sound almost identical to the RXFX, but with a little more midrange, due to the additional drivers, but the higher end will sound the same due to the same Gold tweeter in dipole mode?

I want to run your same exact set-up with the Denon 4311. Please let us know if you noticed a large difference with the separate amplifier. Thanks.

Wow, I've never heard anyone use the term "muffled" wrt the treble in the RX speaker. Generally if people have an objection to the RX top end it is that they can be a bit bright. Am I to understand, then, that the GX is "brighter still?" Or perhaps you are referring to a closed-in sound versus an open sound, and not so much the relative level of the highs?

Not that it matters in my case, because the GX are not even close to being in the cards . . .

Yes, when going from the GX300 to the RX8, the high end on the RX8 sounded somewhat "muffled" in comparison, as if someone had covered up the tweeter with their hands or a piece of cloth. The ribbon in the GX300 was so much clearer, louder if you may, and yes to my liking brighter, but not harsh; just with a lot wider soundstage. We did have to turn the volume down though with the RX8, as the massage parlor next door complained of the noise:) Both speakers were only being powered by a Marantz 100 watt receiver.

Picked up my RX6's and RX Center over the weekend. Really enjoying these so far. The receiver is an Onkyo TX-NR515.


Edited by lmyamen - 11/6/12 at 12:18pm

Nice, we have the same setup. I finally got my RX centre...all walnut. Sounds fantastic.

Looking good, but you might want to bring your center channel up as far as you can. Some say it is best to have all the tweeters aligned for a better front sound stage. I have the same problem as you that I can only go so far because the TV is in the way.

Yeah, I realize its not placed optimally, but that's the only place I have for it. I actually had to remove my CD changer from my setup to accommodate it. I was actually going to go without a center but I got such a good on it I couldn't pass it up.

My center channel is placed similarly, height-wise, but I have tilted it up a bit by placing couple of felt pads on the front side.

V
It looks like you might have room to try my solution. I have 2 rubber door stops that angle up the center speaker about 30 degrees and will not damage the speaker. It's a cheap option even to try, and works well here.

Recently added the 60ST50 Panasonic, love it too!