Monitor Audiio - Radius Range

[biggiegc]

Hey guys; I am probably going to be an owner og a huge 60inch pioneer sometime soon, and have now been looking for my sound system:

AV receiver I have chosen to go with is Onkyo 875, reason being it will power my Hi-fi equipment (tape deck and radio and turbtable) and video (Wii, Blu Ray and Sky)

Couple of R225, 1 x R250, and 2 R90's
(if you not sure visit the Monitor Audio Website)

I wanted to know thoughts on the brand, performance, any issues etc, speaker wire has already been laid before my wood floor goes down..

any advice would be great, cheers guys..

 

[DolbyDan]

In my opinion they're the best 'style' speakers in and around their price The subwoofers suck though

I have demoed the following setups

R90___R180___R90_______________________R270__R225___R270
Arcam Solo R720________________________Onkyo 875 B&W PV1
R45__________R45______________________R180__________R180


The first setup I was very Impressed with and had my first AV WOW after many demos of different similar brands. They are very quick and detailed, R45s were lacking in bass, R90 would be fine, didn't like the R720 sub.

The much more expensive setup actually didn't wow me as the first did, but I think the demo room didn't help, plus I knew what was coming. The difference in sound was a wider soundstage with more bass coming from the satellites, didn't seem as quick sounding though. Was a bit unsure of the R180s as rears couldn't put my finger on it, but wasn't overly impressed, I did love the R225 as a centre and the R720 were a much bigger step up for stereo music vs the R90s. The PV1 was a big let down very style over substance.

I am actually awaiting delievery on a pair of R270s and a pair of KEF HTS3001 Eggs. I went for the R720s as I wanted floorstanders and I wanted Radius' no brainer. I will be, once I find one for about £150, getting a R225 centre to match them. I went for the KEFs rather R90s for a couple of reasons, they look the absolute dogs wagglers wall-mounted, there £100 cheaper than the R90s and I thought they had a wider sound projection and sounded better than the R180s. I will be getting a BK sub as they are ALOT cheaper than KEF, Monitor Audio, B&W subs, but also outperform them. www.bkelec.com

 

[biggiegc]

Hey Mend,

thanks for the info there, I wanna basically use the 2 R225 as my fronts, and the R250 as the centre, when I demoed it, it just sound amazing..breathtaking!! But you have answered my question about the rears, i'll probably stick with the plan and get the R90's over the R45's!!

the sub still baffles me, I wanted to go for the 720, but then is the R360 good enough? From what I understand R720 basically is two R360 yeah i know my math is great! lol

im gonna stick with Chord and QED for my cabling though! agree?

 

[DolbyDan]

Don't get either subwoofer they are very over priced and will be weak link in a very good setup. Take a look at www.bkelec.com much more bang for your buck and come in ANY finish. Don't be put off by me recommending these so much read through the subwoofer forum or even post and your understand why BK is such a well regarded subwoofer manufacturer.

 

[cunny678]

Don't get either subwoofer they are very over priced and will be weak link in a very good setup. Take a look at www.bkelec.com much more bang for your buck and come in ANY finish. Don't be put off by me recommending these so much read through the subwoofer forum or even post and your understand why BK is such a well regarded subwoofer manufacturer.

Agreed! I have a BK sub with my radius set up and am very pleased. The whole sytem sounds bigger and louder than it ought to given the size of the speakers!

Mendd3 - If I read your post right you are looking for a R225 for £150.00!!! I bought mine for £150 new from a dealer off ebay! So if your interested I will PM his details and you can contact him direct. He will usually give you a buy it now price if you tell him what you want. Dont want to give his details in open forum as I am not sure if MA like dealers advertising at discounted prices

Chris

 

[True-Blue]

As good as the MA Radius are (previously owned R270 fronts, R180 Centre and Rears) they will be the weakest link when partnered with the Onkyo 875.

Unless you're thinking of upgrading them again in the short term, you'll probably achieve the same sound quality with something a little lower down the Onkyo range. Put the money saved towards a better sub like the MA RSW12 (for an all MA system) or an SVS SB12 (which is better still - but obviously not MA)

Cheers.

 

[DolbyDan]

As good as the MA Radius are (previously owned R270 fronts, R180 Centre and Rears) they will be the weakest link when partnered with the Onkyo 875.

Unless you're thinking of upgrading them again in the short term, you'll probably achieve the same sound quality with something a little lower down the Onkyo range. Put the money saved towards a better sub like the MA RSW12 (for an all MA system) or an SVS SB12 (which is better still - but obviously not MA)

Cheers.

Not going to argue as you have upgraded to significantly better speakers, but I would put money on the R180 centre being the weak link in your old setup and I wouldn't say your wrong regarding the Onkyo being a tad overkill, but I would never call the radius speakers a weak link in their price bracket!

The MA RSW12 is a great sub shame its well overpriced!

 

[DolbyDan]

Agreed! I have a BK sub with my radius set up and am very pleased. The whole sytem sounds bigger and louder than it ought to given the size of the speakers!

Mendd3 - If I read your post right you are looking for a R225 for £150.00!!! I bought mine for £150 new from a dealer off ebay! So if your interested I will PM his details and you can contact him direct. He will usually give you a buy it now price if you tell him what you want. Dont want to give his details in open forum as I am not sure if MA like dealers advertising at discounted prices

Chris

PM SENT :arty:

 

[True-Blue]

Not going to argue as you have upgraded to significantly better speakers, but I would put money on the R180 centre being the weak link in your old setup and I wouldn't say your wrong regarding the Onkyo being a tad overkill, but I would never call the radius speakers a weak link in their price bracket!

The MA RSW12 is a great sub shame its well overpriced!

Let me re-phrase,

the MA Radius are excellent speakers and not weak or poor in isolation. In fact probably the best sounding 'style' type speakers out there - very respectable indeed.

I dont think you need something as expensive as the 875 to get them to achieve their ultimate sound potential. For a better 'overall' sound, drop down the receiver heirarchy slightly and spend the money saved on a better sub.



Cheers.

and yes, the centre probably should have been bigger than a 180, still sounded great though.

 

[biggiegc]

Hey guys, thanks for the input, can I just ask how much you lot reckon a BK sub will go for? which model?

Onkyo I will stick with, cos its more than jus my tv and I need plenty of inputs..

 

[cunny678]

I have the XLS200 which is excellent! Have a look at Mendd3's link for prices and delivery. Think mine was £289!

 

[Member 639844]

As good as the MA Radius are (previously owned R270 fronts, R180 Centre and Rears) they will be the weakest link when partnered with the Onkyo 875.

Unless you're thinking of upgrading them again in the short term, you'll probably achieve the same sound quality with something a little lower down the Onkyo range. Put the money saved towards a better sub like the MA RSW12 (for an all MA system) or an SVS SB12 (which is better still - but obviously not MA)

Cheers.

I have the 270's but am thinking of upgrading them. I got them because I originally had space constraints and needed style speakers. Now space isnt an issue I want to get the best out of my amp. How much of an improvement would you say can be had with this amp, is it enough of a difference to warrant me going out and spending on say, the new SVS MTS package.

Your thought would be great seeing as you have 1st hand experience.

Cheers.

 

[True-Blue]

I have the 270's but am thinking of upgrading them. I got them because I originally had space constraints and needed style speakers. Now space isnt an issue I want to get the best out of my amp. How much of an improvement would you say can be had with this amp, is it enough of a difference to warrant me going out and spending on say, the new SVS MTS package.

Your thought would be great seeing as you have 1st hand experience.

Cheers.

I haven't heard the new SVS speaker system but I have heard the old one through an 875 and it sounded very good indeed, particularly bearing in mind the £400 ish price tag (without subwoofer).

I have the 905 not the 875 and this does justice to my M&K's, fantastic insight and dynamics. Ultimately, a relatively small speaker enclosure as used by the Radius range will limit dynamics and ultimate achieveable sound quality.

Your amp could easily partner speakers twice the price (and size!) of the Radius (if not more) and give significant improvements in sound quality.

Don't get me wrong, the Radius are fantastic at what they do, but they are limited by their physical size.

If I were limited by ergonomics, and were rebuilding a living room system, I'd have no concerns about going back to Radius, but I'd down grade to a cheaper receiver as IMHO the 905/875 is overkill for the small MA's.

Cheers.

 

[Member 639844]

Ive heard the SB-01 package as well and I know its very good. They didnt have the style I needed (SWMBO) and I think the Radius speakers are bit better too. The MTS is a different ball game all together. Ive always needed floor standers and until now SVS didnt have any. The 875 is a bit OTT for the Radius package but it does allow for speaker upgrade. Not to mention I wanted the Reon and extra inputs it has above everything else lower down the range.

I love to hear from anyone thats been out and bought them given that the SB-01 was so good for the price.

 

[biggiegc]

Hey guys, I have decided on my setup:

R250
2 x R225
2 x R90
R720

however I am having trouble finding a good retailer, sevenoaks rekon around £1200 I am looking for a good deal..can any of you help?

 

[DolbyDan]

Please take our advise and get a different subwoofer

January sales they did 25% off monitor audio