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~$2000 Speaker Budget (Considering a B&W 600 Series, thoughts?) - Page 2

post #16 of 45
11/21/11 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 

There's one about 20 miles from me that I may be able to make it to later this week. I'll give them a call and see if they have the RX6 before I head that way. Magnolia rooms have Martin Logans and B&Ws. I'll give some of the shops around here a call and see what else I can demo in the next few weeks.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LostArk View Post

I was lucky that I had a local Monitor dealer. The finish on the RX6's is much nicer than the 683's in my opinion, as well; real wood veneers, magnetic grilles so when you remove them for listening there's no unsightly holes in the cabinet, the corners are rounded etc. I'm so confident the RX6's are better or at least as good as the 683's that I can recommend you buy them even if you have to make a blind purchase. That being said, I'm just a guy on the internet so it's up to you how much weight you want to give to my opinion. The 683's would by my second choice hands down, so you really can't lose whatever you decide on. 



 

 

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post #17 of 45
11/22/11 at 7:53am

I had a similar question but was considering bookshelf speakers in the 5-700 range but from many of the same brands mentioned in this thread.  I was considering B&W 685's, PSB Image B6, and a Focal pair in that price range.  Would any of those or any others in that price range be recommended?  I also wondered if any of those bookshelf pairs would be enough on their own with no sub in a decent size(maybe 15x15 but with cutouts to dining room and hallways upstairs and down townhouse style with cathedral ceiling) living room?  This is for music only and I listen to a wide range from vocalists like Bocelli, Streisand, some instrumentals, but also classic rock like Boston, AC/DC but no rap or electronic music.  I have never had a sub but was not sure if I should add one or upgrade my speakers?   Would you generally recommend a sub for music and is it needed in a room of my size to get more full sound?  I would probably prefer not to use a sub as I think I may find it a hassle as I like the simplicity of just two channel but if needed I would give it a try?  Thanks.

 

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post #18 of 45
11/22/11 at 8:02am
Thread Starter 


Subs can be very subtle devices. Kids will crank them up and marvel at the bass, but even just a little bump from a sub brings a lot of life to the music. They're a good investment if you've got the room for one. That's just my experience.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by roark37 View Post

I had a similar question but was considering bookshelf speakers in the 5-700 range but from many of the same brands mentioned in this thread.  I was considering B&W 685's, PSB Image B6, and a Focal pair in that price range.  Would any of those or any others in that price range be recommended?  I also wondered if any of those bookshelf pairs would be enough on their own with no sub in a decent size(maybe 15x15 but with cutouts to dining room and hallways upstairs and down townhouse style with cathedral ceiling) living room?  This is for music only and I listen to a wide range from vocalists like Bocelli, Streisand, some instrumentals, but also classic rock like Boston, AC/DC but no rap or electronic music.  I have never had a sub but was not sure if I should add one or upgrade my speakers?   Would you generally recommend a sub for music and is it needed in a room of my size to get more full sound?  I would probably prefer not to use a sub as I think I may find it a hassle as I like the simplicity of just two channel but if needed I would give it a try?  Thanks.

 



 

 

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post #19 of 45
11/22/11 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by roark37 View Post

I had a similar question but was considering bookshelf speakers in the 5-700 range but from many of the same brands mentioned in this thread.  I was considering B&W 685's, PSB Image B6, and a Focal pair in that price range.  Would any of those or any others in that price range be recommended?  I also wondered if any of those bookshelf pairs would be enough on their own with no sub in a decent size(maybe 15x15 but with cutouts to dining room and hallways upstairs and down townhouse style with cathedral ceiling) living room?  This is for music only and I listen to a wide range from vocalists like Bocelli, Streisand, some instrumentals, but also classic rock like Boston, AC/DC but no rap or electronic music.  I have never had a sub but was not sure if I should add one or upgrade my speakers?   Would you generally recommend a sub for music and is it needed in a room of my size to get more full sound?  I would probably prefer not to use a sub as I think I may find it a hassle as I like the simplicity of just two channel but if needed I would give it a try?  Thanks.

 


 

Based on your taste you probably won't need a sub, but if you decide you want to fill out your low end I'd take a look at the Hsu Research STF-1 or STF-2, best subs you can get for the money. Since you said you prefer 2.0 stereos (as do I) think about getting a pair of floorstanding loudspeakers. I'm a basshead and I bought my RX6's with intent to add a sub later, but they really don't need one at all for music only. Wubwubwub.

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post #20 of 45
11/22/11 at 2:36pm

Thanks for the replies.  Interesting you mention HSU because I was considering the STF-1 but also their bookshelf speakers.  Although more known for the subs on another av forum there are many rave reviews for HSU bookshelf's too.  I was also considering for only about $100 delivered from newegg the Polk PS10 sub.  I want to see how much of a difference a sub will make with my current bookshelf speakers but I don't know if that Polk will give a real idea or could possibly hurt the overall sound.  I would not think so but not really sure.

 

The RX6 are Monitor Audio right?  I have never heard that brand but do they have a bookshelf pair in the $500 range that you would recommend?

 

Thanks.

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post #21 of 45
11/22/11 at 4:12pm
Thread Starter 

I contacted the only Monitor dealer around me via email today and he said the RX6 and RX 8 are their most popular models. Asked what finish I wanted and should get back to me on a demo time. The RX 8 is under budget (1800 a pair ish) so I'll comparing those to the 683 and making my choice.

 

Excited for January.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by LostArk View Post

 

Based on your taste you probably won't need a sub, but if you decide you want to fill out your low end I'd take a look at the Hsu Research STF-1 or STF-2, best subs you can get for the money. Since you said you prefer 2.0 stereos (as do I) think about getting a pair of floorstanding loudspeakers. I'm a basshead and I bought my RX6's with intent to add a sub later, but they really don't need one at all for music only. Wubwubwub.



 

 

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post #22 of 45
11/22/11 at 5:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by roark37 View Post

The RX6 are Monitor Audio right?  I have never heard that brand but do they have a bookshelf pair in the $500 range that you would recommend?

 

These are suppose to be pretty good.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRBBX2&variation=PWAL
 

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX1&variation=PBLKOAK

This one cost more but it's the cheapest RX Bookself.

 

What else you were looking into I don't know how the PSB T6 bookself are but I have the T6 towers and they are really great.

 

 

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post #23 of 45
11/22/11 at 5:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MorbidToaster View Post

I contacted the only Monitor dealer around me via email today and he said the RX6 and RX 8 are their most popular models. Asked what finish I wanted and should get back to me on a demo time. The RX 8 is under budget (1800 a pair ish) so I'll comparing those to the 683 and making my choice.

 

Excited for January.
 



 

 

What color do you like?

 

You could check them out here.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX6&variation=EBLKOAK

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX8&variation=EBLKOAK

 

I like the Natural Oak and Walnut.

But any finish is a attractive looking speaker.

 

 


 

 


Edited by mibutenma - 11/22/11 at 5:16pm
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post #24 of 45
11/22/11 at 5:39pm

I'd definitely take a look at the Salk SongTower at $2k.

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post #25 of 45
11/22/11 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 

Black Oak all the way. I told him which one I wanted (I called it Black Ash ie. B&W but then corrected myself). The Oak is the only one dark enough to match the rest of my furniture and audio gear. 

 

They're gorgeous speakers and I like the magnetic grills and silver cones all around vs the yellow one on the 683. After I hear them I'm sure it will solidify my RX8 purchase but I gotta hear them first.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by mibutenma View Post



What color do you like?

 

You could check them out here.

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX6&variation=EBLKOAK

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MRSRX8&variation=EBLKOAK

 

I like the Natural Oak and Walnut.

But any finish is a attractive looking speaker.

 

 


 

 



 

 

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post #26 of 45
11/22/11 at 9:45pm

You'll probably like the Monitor Audio better.

Just from what I read people say B&W isn't really that great anymore and they just have the big name status reputation still that will take awhile to crumble.

But the other British speakers Monitor Audio and Mordaunt Short are the ones to look into but I can't say for sure.

 

I guess if you want to make sure you get the one you like absolutely best you might still want to tryout PSB and Paradigm besides the Monitor Audio.

 

 

 

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post #27 of 45
11/23/11 at 5:42am

Hey Now,

 

I just auditioned a pair of LSA1 Statement Monitors. I have been thinking about replacing my KEF Reference 103.2 and Polk SDA CRS+ in the main room. They sounded very good with the ribbon tweeter.I have seen them advertised on Audiogon for just under 2K. I also have some Paradigm, PSB and Energy in the house as well. The fit and finish on the LSA1 is lovely. They may be worth some consideration. You will need stands, so they may be out of your budget somewhat. Good luck in your search.

 

--

Finest kind,
Chris

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post #28 of 45
11/23/11 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 

So I spent some more time in the Magnolia room today. I was going to try and listen to a Marantz PM8004, but they didn't have one so I decided to try the 683s again. They sounded good and then I tried the CM9 ($3000 pair) just for kicks...

 

The CM9 sounded worse than the 683...The highs sounded very rolled off compared to the 683. There was more bass and much bigger soundstage but for an extra 1500 bucks I'd want more. 

 

After this listening session I have a feeling I'll be going with the Monitor RX8s. The 683 isn't a bad speaker but it is leaving something to be desired.

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post #29 of 45
11/23/11 at 2:01pm

Used Von Schweikert VR4jr's if you can find them

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post #30 of 45
12/1/11 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 

So I still haven't gotten to listen to the RX6 or RX8 yet but I juat sent an email to my local Magge dealer to see if they have a 1.6 and 1.7 for me to hear. As long as I get a decent pre i can use my father's Carver to push them until I get power of my own.

 

Questions about the maggies though...how much room do they actually need and how much power is ideal? I'm in an apartment but I've got most if the space to myself so I think it'd be okay.

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