Hello to all. Long time lurker, but 1st time poster. So just joining now, and would please appreciate any and all input that you all can provide.
I really enjoy a nice midrange/mid-bass with clear crystal bright highs. I guess that in the audio world I favor brighter more forward speakers. Thus, ribbon tweeters will most likely satisfy my desire in this department. The speakers will be installed in a relatively small den (14 x10 with 8-9 feet ceiling). The listening position is around 7-feet from the center and towers. The surrounds will be mounted to the side of the couch. There is around 3-feet left behind most of the couch which leads to French doors that remain closed.
I will be using a Denon 4311 as the AVR. I also ordered an Emotiva XPA-5 to power the five speakers. The system is hooked up with an Oppo DBP 103 and Sony XBR 929 55-inch TV. The power conditioner is a Panamax M5300 PM. Speaker cables are Audioquest Type 2 and HDMI cables are Audioquest Cinnamon series. The bass is handled by an SVS PB12 +2 (one subwoofer box with two 12-inch woofers).
I like a lot of mid-bass/midrange that can blend in with the sub and not leave a gap in the frequency response. I like to listen at loud volumes with no distortion with very bright, detailed, and clear highs. The system will be used for around 50% music and 50% TV and movies, but I LOVE musical speakers, and really crave loud and clean bright high frequencies with a tight and punchy midrange. If not, the bass of the SVS dominates the arena.
Based on the above criteria, what would you select from the systems listed below:
1) Monitor Audio GX300 towers, GX350 center, RXFX surrounds
OR
2) Legacy Signature SE towers, Silverscreen center, and Deco as surrounds
I was able to audition both the Legacy Classic HD and Signature SE speakers, but only in a two channel set-up, as they did not have the surrounds or center channel speaker. In comparison with the MA GX300's, I felt that the Classic HD's did not measure up as well, especially in the upper higher end frequency. Now the Signature SE's compared more favorably, and they did not have the new Air Motion Tweeter, but still had the previous similar design. I still felt that the MA GX300 was a little more detailed and fuller/more dimensional sounding, especially in the upper frequency range, but the MA's were auditioned in another location, with different amplification, etc... I am more confused than ever now. I considered RBH, but with the inability to audition them, I have boiled my decision to the two aforementioned choices.
The MA GX's are toned identically to one another (same tweeter and high end frequency response for all in the same GX series). The Legacy Signature SE has the new dual air motion tweeter ribbon, the center Silverscreen has the upper section only of that tweeter, and the Deco surround has another version of the spiral ribbon tweeter. Hence the tower, center, and surrounds have different tweeters and high end frequency responses, but legacy assured me that they match in tone perfectly, despite the variations.
I need some input and assistance here. Some have told me that the MA's are better matched in tone and that the frequency response charts are superior. The Legacy's weigh a lot more and look great in Rosewood. Legacy uses thicker MDF, while the MA GX's also look great with the curved cabinets. The MA's also have internal silver cabling. The Legacy Signature SE tower does have Kimber Silver HF wire on the treble and Solen capacitors in the high frequency section, but the center and surround speakers does not. I like the idea that the Legacy's are made in America and custom made to order as well, versus the MA's coming from China. The Legacy's have are 4-ohm rated versus 8 ohms for the MA's, but the Legacy's appear to be more efficient as well. The Legacy towers are sealed as well, which is great for my space, and they can be placed near the wall as well with no ill effects.
So what gives? I want to make an educated decision and one that I will be satisfied and content for the next say 8 - 10 years, at least. Thank you.