Thanks for the replies.
It seeks like general concensus is that the Silver 100's are pretty much the best speaker, but how much better would they be?
I can get the Silver 100 speakers for about £450, the Silver RS6 for £260 and the Bronze 2 for £160.
The Silver 100's are a lot more expensive, so is the expense worth it? Will I notice the difference?
Also, I'll be running the sub via LFE from the amp and I'll try out the different listening modes on the receiver as to weather the sub is on for music playback, but probably it will always be in a 2.1 setup for music and 7.1 for movies.
I think if you google you will find some comments about RS serie being brighter cause i remember clearly that the RS serie was recommended to partner with some warmer amps. They also started to use the RST technology in drivers on RX Silver which is still today on Silver/Apex series. I would certainly listen them before buying.
If one listens lot of music, i would still jump to Silver serie cause what Shane said is true, i have heard the difference myself aswell between 5G S and BX Bronzes, 2ch music comparison. I would have loved to test the full surround setups, but dealers rarely do this.
160£ vs. 450£ is big jump between B2 and S100, but there is very easy way to find out are they worth the extra cost. Book a demo time to your local MA dealer as they should stock both in every shop. Bring your own music with you and you will hear the difference. This won`t cost anything, but will give you some answers for sure! There will be no second guessing afterwards.
Please do this!
280£ vs. 649£ RRP (B2 / S100)
- Higher spec RST technology mid/bass drivers on Silvers, 8" vs. 6,5"
- 35kHz vs. 30kHz C-CAM tweeters, extend higher with Silvers.
- 20mm vs. 18mm cabinet with real wood veneer on Silvers, vinyl wrap on Bronzes
- Audio crossover components & design, internal cabling should be better on Silvers
Detail, soundstage, bass quality, dynamics/scale/depth will be on different level with S100s. Of course the doubling of price will bring differences! Notice S100 needs similar space as floorstanders to sound best. MA recommends 20-36cm from the rear wall, which is same for floorstanding S200 model example.
Bronzes aren´t slouch especially when one has good amp/receiver, for AV use they are one of the best in class. One dealer used to say that to get really singing one needs receiver in the 1k£ class. With Silvers members have reported noticeable changes when driven with powerfull poweramps / expensive amps. So there is lot of potential to make it even better in future.
Ed Selley mentioned on B2 5.1 review (tested with Yamaha flagship 2k£ receiver);
Monitor Audio has managed to create a set of speakers that delivers a convincing cinematic performance that is a cut above the competition at the price. If you want speakers to deliver real excitement and a sense of the action on screen and your budget is £1,200-1,500, this is the one. As a bonus, you will also be buying some of the best built, most attractive and musically satisfying speakers at the price point.
Monitor Audio Bronze 5.1 Speaker Package Review
There is also RX1 at 200£/pair which are step up from B2s.
Monitor Audio Silver RX1 Hifi Speakers | in Scarborough, North Yorkshire | Gumtree
Silver 50 - 330£ , smaller but with subwoofer would be nice! Silver 100 has still been found as better speakers in few places where comparisons have been done.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 Stereo Speakers NEW | in Oxford, Oxfordshire | Gumtree
PS. New Bronze serie will come out ~ early next year! Silver serie just came out, if this matters...