Monitor Audio experts! -Silver /radius ranges

[GarethG]

I am considering a few Monitor audio options and am trying to narrow things down before tracking around dealers so would appreciate advice please.

System would be 80% home cinema use.

1, 4x RS1 + RSLCR approx £950
2, 2x RS1 + 2x RSFX + RSLCR approx £1000
3, 2 x Radius 270 + 2x Radius 90 + Radius 225 approx £950
4, 4x Radius 90 + Radius 225 approx £650.

Also, currently have MJ Acoustics Pro50 sub, would it really be worth the £650 for the RSW12 to go with the silver range, or £320 for the Radius 360 to go with the radius range?

Thank you

[carl1010_1]

hi m8
im sure you would get a lot lot better prices than those quoted at ; )

try Sight 2 sound they are in swindon and also sell via ebay occasionally , they also post extremley well ,all items are really well packed up
ask for dan and he'll sort you out an unbelievable price i am sure

i got 5 x monitor audio radius 180's for £425.00 posted next day

pm me if u want there number m8 ..

[pwood]

I would keep your current sub for now as it has enough control to integrate with the MA's.

[Knyght_byte]

i'd definitely plump for the 2 x RS1's, 2 x RSFX's and RSLCR option

you get good music sound and you'll get very nice movie sound.....

what amp are you thinking of putting them on by the way? feed them a fair bit of power, they can be run on cheaper amps, but you can easily get more out of them with £1,000+ AV receiver/amps.....but i'd say something around the Denon 2307/Sony 3200 sort of price range is the bare minimum to be worth buying the RS over the Bronze

oh, as for sub, if the room is big enough (say 18x12 approx) and you got a space to put it, break the bank and get a SVS PB12+ and learn how to smile when T-Rex battles the Spinosaurus in Jurassic Park 3 (or if thats too much money, and finish isnt a problem, go for a PB12-NSD)

btw, ring around for prices, but you'll find a lot of dealers less willing to simply offer a deal over the phone on the RS range....they might on Radius...but tbh go for the RS to save wanting to upgrade in future...heh

i would say however if you get friendly with the dealer, RS1's, RSFX's and RSLCR plus cabling could be had for as little as £850 or possibly less depending on if any sales etc.....or you might get unlucky and your local dealers are selling them like hotcakes, which will mean mebbe £50 off plus a load of free cable at best....lol....these are very popular speakers.....but hey, look on the bright side, you get far more than your money worth out of them!

[GarethG]

Thanks for the above replies -do you really think those subs would make much of a difference over my MJ Pro 50 with above systems?

Also, if it is being used predominately for home cinema, with an amp costing £600 max, would the silver range be noticeably better than the radius or even MT-20 (couldn't afford MT-30!) or KEF 3005?

And I know I am drifting away from MA but do M&K offer anything suitable at this budget?

[pwood]

If you have a detached house then yes I would pour the money into the speakers and go for the MA silvers if you want a major all round improvement in movies and music repoduction. The fx rears are also worth a listen as they fit in to a room easier and really spread the sound about.

[GarethG]

Was that the silvers are much better or that you think its def worth the sub upgrade -sorry!

[samip]

Tried both at a recent demo - the Silver's do sound better and will fill a big room better than the Radius. Hard to find any deals on the RS6's though and you do need a decent Amp. I demoed with the Arcam 350 (which was excellent but ££££).

[ahin4114]

Yes sadly the Silvers are much better, and well worth the difference in price. Speakers are much more of a long term investment than electronics so it really is worth spending a little more to keep you satisfied for longer.

As far as the sub is concerned, the MJ is totally outclassed by those Knyght Byte suggests, but look at the difference in price, and you'd half expect that. If you do want to change the sub, have a look at BK's range, they're a cost effective alternative and well regarded by many that loiter around the sub forums.

[GarethG]

Thanks for bringing this back to life!!!

I am not after changing my sub (MJ Acoustics Pro50) for the sake of it as havelimited funds for an upgrade, it was really how noticeable (I know impossible question, go listen etc) a sub upgrade would be.

My amp is 5 or 6 year old Marantz SR4200 and am tempted to concentrate on upgrading this rather than spread money too thinly with sub upgrade?

[samip]

Depends on what's important to you ? A new amp would be my choice (there are some really good affordable amps out there) with a new sub to follow when funds allow. I am going to the BK myself as its cheap for what you get.

[ahin4114]

Originally Posted by GarethG

I am not after changing my sub (MJ Acoustics Pro50) for the sake of it as havelimited funds for an upgrade, it was really how noticeable (I know impossible question, go listen etc) a sub upgrade would be.

Don't fret too much about the bass, you'll find that chaning the speakers may well balance things out for you anyhow. Option 2 will be an excellent package with the sub you have.

[Sniper]

option 2 - too

MA Radius are good speakers - ultimately thou' they're compromised designs cos' of WAF. I've actually heard the Radius and the RS in the same sitting (both powered by some excellent Cambridge Audio amps), and whilst listening to the Radius proved to be nice, the RS where just something else altogether.

I'm not too familiar with the SR4200 - but if it's internals are anything similar to the SR4400, then it should power the speakers at a decent (imo not optimal) level. The RS kinda deserves better - still I agree with ppl above, stick with it till you upgrade ... and leave sub for last. As most ppl will tell you (in the sub forum) buying a sub when on a tight budget is not a good idea - too many compromises!

[GarethG]

Thanks for replies.
Think will audition the radius as it looks so good but the silver sounds the more likely solution, but now thinking of keeping the MJ Pro 50 sub long-term but upgrading amp. What sort of level would be about right for that set up -I note that the Sony's are getting good comments on here?

[OneDesi]

I have the yamaha 757se - wonderful amp, there's a guy selling one in the classifieds for £200 - yo cant go wrong!

I love the radius as for home cinema they are great and the WAF really comes into play.