First impressions of Monitor Audio RX1's

claude

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To anyone wondering about the RX1's and more specifically whether they are any different to the RS1's let me tell you this:

I sold my RS1's as I found them too bright and with little bass, which when paired with the RSW12 had a big whole in the mid range.

I received my RX1's two days ago so there still not properly run in but I'm surprised to say that they are very different to the RS1's. I bought them because I wanted the Gloss White finish not expecting them to be much different to the RS1's, but I'm delighted to find that they are less bright in the treble and much more commanding in the midrange and bass, without being boomy.

Some may say that they lose the tranparency of the RS1's but frankly, transparency is no good when it has no rythm! For me the sound is warmer and more whole. I imagine that there would be less of a whole when partnered with a sub (i sold mine!).

I think Monitor Audio have done fabulously with these. There have made a well rounded speaker without giving sacrificing there 'no boomy base' philosophy, well done MA!
 
What I would say about these speakers is that they really need good amplification to get the best out of them. I believe they can sound confused if there isn't the grip that good amplification would exact.

What I'm saying is that if you stretch your budget to get these speakers but don't have quality kit around it, you may be disappointed with them, however if you have a good system then these speakers will shine.

If anyone else has an opinions on these speakers I'd like to hear. Ifelt frustrated by the lack of reviews available on these speakers.

My conclusion is that I love them but need to upgrade my audiolab. I'm saving my pennies for a Naim Nait XS!
 
I drive my MA RX1 with a chinese Cayin 153B (specified to 2x100 W) and that is a combination I'm quite happy with. I've also tried them with a Rotel RA-04 (2x40 W) and even though it worked, it was a big difference! So apparently they need both quality amplification and a bit of power to perform their best.

I have to agree with the conclusion of the thread starter: Monitor Audio have managed to build a speaker that sounds "whole". They have a warm and detailed but neutral sound where nothing sticks out. It has a good top, mid and bottom. This is actually the first speaker I've owned where I haven't started to get annoyed at some little thing that is too pronounced in the sound.

Another thing I'm quite happy with is the fact that they have a big soundstage... at least in my ears. They sound quite a lot bigger than their diminutive size!

I'll probably keep mine for quite some time! :)
 
Hi everyone, I currently have ma br2`s run as my fronts powered by denon 3310.I am toying with the idea of swaping them for rx 1`s. I am not too keen on rx2`s because of there size. Has anyone had any experience with both of these and would it be a sensable move??? Any advice appreciated.
 
Hi everyone, I currently have ma br2`s run as my fronts powered by denon 3310.I am toying with the idea of swaping them for rx 1`s. I am not too keen on rx2`s because of there size. Has anyone had any experience with both of these and would it be a sensable move??? Any advice appreciated.

Have you considered the RS1s (the previous version to the RX1s) which are currently on deep discount? You really should get a matching RSLCR centre at the same time though as they won't be around for much longer.

Silver RS Range
 
Thanks for the advice but i really love the look of the new rx series and don`t mind to pay a little extra for that. Just wondering if the sq of the rx1 is as good as the looks and more importantly is it significantly better than my current br2.
 
Claude, I'm curious what you are using for an amp?

I don't believe you ever said.

Also, do you think they need a specifically powerful amp, or just a top quality well controlled amp?

Steve/bluewizard
 
I have denon avr 3310 and the whole ma bronze package with rel t3 sub.
Br2 fronts, brlcr and brfx. I am quite happy with the current setup but wouldn`t mind to upgrate the fronts and centre.
 
sorry about late reply. My amp is a audiolab 8000s.

I don't think it needs a powerful amp but a good one.

In respect of the question about BR2's, my brother in law has BR2's and whilst there bright sounding, the bass is nothing compared to the RX1's.

The RS1's are a closer sound to the BR2's but with a less boxy bass. The RX'1 are completely different in tone. The bass is awesome from such a small speaker.

My critisism of the RX1's is that the midrange is not as transparent as the RS1's. A direct result of the bassier sound. At times a wish the midrange was more attacking. Acoustic guitars can sound slightly subdued.

On balance though, I much prefer the RX1's the the RS1's. "Heligoland" sounds amazing!!!
 
Today I when to a specialist shop to find out which speakers I was going to fit to the Marantz M-CR502 that I had already decided to buy. In the room with the Marantz has a power unit and some of my CD's I started by auditioning the Diamond 10.1 speakers. At £200 they sounded good but I wanted other perspectives and the next speakers I tried where the Monitor Audio BR2. The BR2's really blown the 10.1's. They sounded much warmer while keeping the high and vocals crisp, much more to my liking. At around the same price, my mind was all for the BR2 at this stage. I had a budget. Then I asked the guy to try the B&W 685, just has a comparison measure. The 685's, as a much more expensive speaker at nearly £400, should deliver much more, right? I was determined to find out, just for the sake of it. And what a difference. What a sound stage. I heard sounds that I hadn't heard before on the 4 tracks I used to try all speakers out. I was stunned at the quality of what I was hearing. But the 685's are quite bulky, and to be honest a bit too crisp and could sounded. The guy then said they had these pure oak mini Pioneer speakers in the shop. So I tried them... but no. They where so tinny sounded. I mean they sounded very good, with high detail and where also very warm but they just did not have the drive to submerge you in the music totally. They where there, the music was there not here, if you know what I mean. So I was not sure. I had been there nearly two hours (poor guy, was an evening audition and he was doing overtime for me). And then I saw the Monitor Audio RX1 at £400. Monitor Audio had already sweetened me with good warmth with the BR2's and so I tried them. I was now beyond my budget of £200-£300. But hey, to try doesn't cost. Well what happened when I hit the play button? Sheer pleasure! My beloved warmth was there, like it was on the BR2's, but unlike the BR2's the sound was tight, so tight and composed. The bass stunned me immediately, a smile ripped my face open. I had just found The Speakers! I mean, I cannot explain but the sound that emanates from these is so beautiful. The highs are not over charged, the mids are clean and clear and the bass manages to be there is abundance but without excess rumbling and loss of composure. Tight is the word, tight and powerful beautiful bass. And they performed well with classical, rock, soft rock and house. I'm so glad I heard the RX1's. I ordered a pair in rosewood and I can't wait for them to call me to pick them up. Sound is a very subjective thing, we all know that, but I advise anyone to give the RX1 a listen and they might be as surprised as I was!

ps- I'll come back with more impressions
 
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I'm thinking of getting some RX1s but am a bit concerned about the quality of my amp - since there are quite a few comments about that being critical. I have an Arcam Alpha 8 (50w), will that cut it or should I go for something more forgiving (and if so what?) by way of speakers. Maybe the B&W 685s, or Epos M12i (I noly mention them because they can be had for under £400 at the moment).

I like the sound of the Arcam and don't particulary want to enter a (never-ending??) spiral of upgrading one part of my kit (in this case the amp) to better (and presumably ever more subtley) improving the complimentarity with whatever it was I just bought...:eek:
 
I'm thinking of getting some RX1s but am a bit concerned about the quality of my amp - since there are quite a few comments about that being critical. I have an Arcam Alpha 8 (50w), will that cut it or should I go for something more forgiving (and if so what?) by way of speakers. Maybe the B&W 685s, or Epos M12i (I noly mention them because they can be had for under £400 at the moment).

I like the sound of the Arcam and don't particulary want to enter a (never-ending??) spiral of upgrading one part of my kit (in this case the amp) to better (and presumably ever more subtley) improving the complimentarity with whatever it was I just bought...:eek:

I think your 50W amp will do well powering the RX1's. In terms of volume you will be OK. 89dB of sensitivity gives the RX1's an easy loudness. They are designed to be powered with amps from 20W to 80W. They are a heavy pair of speakers but they are actually small. They sit in between the BR2's and the RX2's. They are smaller than the 685's and that was a bonus for me since space is not abundant around my bedroom. They work fine with my 50W Marantz system.

If you can give them a go. Go to a shop and listen to them on an equivalent powered unit. These speakers are wonderful.
 
I auditioned the RX1s c/w Partingdon super dreadnought stands against KEF IQ50 compact floorstanders, with Arcam FMJ A18 / CD17 ... (my new house requiring smart smallish speakers in real oak veneer for my "average" 4 x 6m living room, and the ditching of my huge faithfull and very typical and recessed '80s sounding RAMs with their 8" bextrene cones and soft dome tweeters - fantastic uncoloured sound but only when driven at neighbour annoying levels !).

Anyway I was blown away with the RX1s, which were sweet and detailed, warmish rather than clinical, with well defined and surprisingly extended bass, solid at levels from a whisper to ear shattering volume - the 50W A18s clipped well before the RX1s were ready to give up, so maybe more suited to a quality 100W amp ? My listening ranges from traditional folk, bluegrass / country, classical, opera ... all acoustic, to a few guitar pop bands of the '90s (Maniacs, Muses, Sundays, etc.).

The KEF IQ50 floorstanders sounded so cold, thin and lightweight in comparison ... maybe I should have auditioned more speakers but the Monitor Audios delivered exactly what I wanted and more, in a diminutive and ever so pretty and expensive looking package (these speakers are built like bricks - tap or knock them, there is NO resonance - what you hear is the solid controlled sound of their metal drive units !).

Now at home I'm running the RX1s with my Arcam A85 (35W more power than the A18) and my elderly "mellow" Marantz CD67SE-ki (which maybe explains a tiny loss in detail over the demo) and I can't restrain a broad grin as I rediscover my CD collection :) Vocals, acoustic guitar, and fiddle in particular are so real, and as an un-amplified folk club & festival regular this is the staple of my live and "reference" listening !

My RX1s are only 40-50cm from the rear wall and there is no bass boom issue at sensible listening levels ... so not tried the "bungs" ...

In context of a modest £1500 CD playing system which maybe borders on "proper hi-fi", I can't imagine a better choice of compact domestic speaker - a "must audition" ...
 
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and the ditching of my huge faithfull and very typical and recessed '80s sounding RAMs with their 8" bextrene cones and soft dome tweeters - fantastic uncoloured sound but only when driven at neighbour annoying levels !).

Still using my RAM 100s, bought mid to late 70s, on a daily basis for most stereo duties, alongside the Monitor audio RS8s for AV. Delighted with the sound from both!
 
I recently upgraded my 5.1 system from MA BR2 and BR1 + sub to RX1 + the other siblings from the new Silver range. I have them driven by Denon 2310 and have to say that RX 1 speakers (speaking stereo pure direct) sound far superior to the BR2 speakers. I am by no means an expert but the difference is really big. A few weeks ago I started evaluating a new pair of compact bookshelf speakers (twice the price of RX1) in the form of Dynaudio Excite X12 Stereophile: Dynaudio Excite X12 loudspeaker but unfortunately could not decide if I liked them because the auditorium I auditioned them in was really big and probably the worst place to listen to music (an on-line shop storage facility). I would appreciate if anyone here can comment on how these stand vs MA RX1 for Stereo speakers. I don't care that much about 5.1 as the difference will likely not be as pronounced.
 

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