Question Upgrade of Front L&R speakers to floor standing

[Countjedi]

Hello,

I currently have x2 Monitor Audio Apex 10's on the relevant stands driving the front surround sound part of my set up, on top of these I have x2 Onkyo SKH-410 Atmos speakers (stuck with blue tack)

Basically I would like to upgrade the x2 Atmos with KEF R50 Dolby Atmos or similar but to do so I will need to change the front A10's, so these can sit on top. (wall mounting or ceiling speakers is not a option)

My line of thought is to upgrade to floor standing speakers to enable me to upgrade the Atmos speakers but keep the rest of the system (Apex A10's rear and surround and A40 centre).

To ensure the balance of the system is kept would I be better buying Monitor Audio floor standing or another manufacture and if so what models should I consider.

Any advice would be welcomed on options and set up's

Thanks

 

[purextc69]

What budget do you have?

I listened to the Monitor Audio Silver floor standers and really didn't like how bright they were. This was with 2 different amps. I did however, love the Golds - hence my kit list below. They were quite a bit more money than the Silvers but worth every penny imo.

At the same time it would be best to upgrade the centre to the same as whatever you purchase so you have a matched front sound stage otherwise it will sound quite odd with your current centre.

Finally, if your budget is not that high then I have heard good things about the Bronze range so they would be well worth a listen.

 

[ashenfie]

What budget do you have?

I listened to the Monitor Audio Silver floor standers and really didn't like how bright they were. This was with 2 different amps. I did however, love the Golds - hence my kit list below. They were quite a bit more money than the Silvers but worth every penny imo.

At the same time it would be best to upgrade the centre to the same as whatever you purchase so you have a matched front sound stage otherwise it will sound quite odd with your current centre.

Finally, if your budget is not that high then I have heard good things about the Bronze range so they would be well worth a listen.

I see you have posted comments about the MA being bright, in a number of posts. When listening to speakers you are listing more to the room than the speakers. So I guess the cause of them sounding bright would have been the combination of room and speaker/ distance from the wall/seating distance etc etc.

I have hearding MAs many times Bronze/Silver/Gold and when compared then with other brands I would say they never came across bright. The characteristics I heard were a great mid range and will integrated top end. I think the Silvers are consider optimal for value verse performance by many and worthy of anyones short list.

 

[PSM1]

How big is your room and how close to the wall/corners will the speakers be? These would be big considerations if looking at floorstanding speakers. If the placement is wrong then they can end up not sounding very good.

 

[Countjedi]

Hello,

Thanks

The room is about 25sm with wooden floor and wooden shutters to the bay window the only soft furnishings are leather sofas.

The TV is in the corner (no other place for it unfortunately) the front speakers are currently 0.5lm away from a wall and 0.5lm away from a wooden shutter.

I will draw a rough sketch of the room if required.

 

[alexbell]

Try Mission SX-03 floorstanding speaker. It compact and I believe would be within your budget for a floorstanding speaker.

 

[Countjedi]

Thanks Alexbell, what would be a suitable centre speaker to add?

 

[purextc69]

I see you have posted comments about the MA being bright, in a number of posts. When listening to speakers you are listing more to the room than the speakers. So I guess the cause of them sounding bright would have been the combination of room and speaker/ distance from the wall/seating distance etc etc.

I have hearding MAs many times Bronze/Silver/Gold and when compared then with other brands I would say they never came across bright. The characteristics I heard were a great mid range and will integrated top end. I think the Silvers are consider optimal for value verse performance by many and worthy of anyones short list.

I've posted about the Silvers being bright specifically, but also said they are worth a listen in another post. I listened to many speakers before choosing my MA Golds (which are not bright to my ears / were not when I demo'd) all in the same treated demo room. I didn't have any issues with any of the other speakers on the same 2 AVR's. Just passing on my opinion is all and how they came across to my ears. Everyone will hear them differently and also may be looking for something like them...

Your last sentence is exactly why i demo'd them first and then again a second time to make sure I didn't like them.

Apologies if my posts have come across as putting them down when really all I wanted to convey is my opinion of them.

 

[PSM1]

A diagram could be useful. Corner placement for a TV is never ideal and can often limit space for speakers which could make floorstanding speakers far from ideal. On another note, if the L/R speakers are very close to the TV then you could do away with the centre altogether.

 

[ashenfie]

Hello,

Thanks

The room is about 25sm with wooden floor and wooden shutters to the bay window the only soft furnishings are leather sofas.

The TV is in the corner (no other place for it unfortunately) the front speakers are currently 0.5lm away from a wall and 0.5lm away from a wooden shutter.

I will draw a rough sketch of the room if required.

I definite audition. Might find the focal arias a better match as they have a more laid back top and work better nearer walls. I would consider a rug and may some other soft furnishings.