Aperion Grand Versus v Monitor Audio GX300 v ????

[Hlava]

Hi everyone..I am from the UK but read a lot about the US speaker manufacturers..I am still a novice but wishing to upgrade from a lifestyle KEF speaker system to a floorstander based system..style is still an issue, as is value for money but as I want to listen to more music, as opposed just to home theatre, I would like the benefit of your collective wisdom on the Aperions as opposed to the dealer route of the Monitor's, if anyone has heard them..but will also consider opinions on other companies products ????..let's say max budget $4,000 for floorstanders..then will worry about the surrounds..cheers..Robert

 

[GranteedEV]

What about your plan for subs?

KEF's R700 should be right about in your budget iirc

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If you can audition the Monitor Audio GX300, that's a huge plus.

I think the GX300s also look much better than the Aperion speakers.

Home Theater Mag reviewed their bookshelf speakers the GX50, and the on-axis FR looked fabulous:

The GX50’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +1.17/–1.95 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/monitor-audio-gold-gx50-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

It seems like the Monitor Audio GX50 bookshelfs had better on-axis FR than both the Aperion Grand Versus towers and bookshelfs.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/aperion-verus-grand-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures

So I think based on the limited HTM on-axis FR and the aesthetics, I would pick the Monitor Audio GX300 over the Aperion. Of course, the final test is in the actual audition at your dealer.

 

[Hlava]

Thanks Guys..appreciate your input..just checked out KEF R700..look fantastic..don't hit UK till October..will demo..do you know price range?..had a quick listen to Monitor GX300's and comparison with 300PL..sounded excellent and looked the part but many companies out there and I'm not an expert..every dealer says this one is better than that one also demo'd B&W CM9..also good..love Paradigm design but 'pricey'..btw everyone praises their 'Seismic' sub..what was in my head was that maybe get better value from a 'direct' supplier bearing in mind the dealer mark up or best to trust R&D of bigger name companies?..but I do think it is possible to find a great sounding speaker that also looks good too

 

[GranteedEV]

Thanks Guys..appreciate your input..just checked out KEF R700..look fantastic..don't hit UK till October..will demo..do you know price range?

List price is $3600/pr in USA, and KEF is an English company so it might be less there. A good dealer should give you ~20% off list price (if not more) so ~$2900/pr might be a guess for actual street price, or around $1800 british pounds???

..had a quick listen to Monitor GX300's and comparison with 300PL..sounded excellent and looked the part but many companies out there and I'm not an expert

We like to weed out the speakers based on measurements

If the on AND off axis response is not adequate (and it's usually not) then cross it off your list.

B&W CM9..also good..love Paradigm design but 'pricey'

IMO neither of those are great choices.

..btw everyone praises their 'Seismic' sub..

They're silly then ;P

what was in my head was that maybe get better value from a 'direct' supplier bearing in mind the dealer mark up or best to trust R&D of bigger name companies?

Neither. There's some poor direct companies, many poor brick and mortar BIG name companies, and some great direct companies, and many very good brick and mortar companies.

for Subwoofers, on the other hand, Internet Direct all the way. Brick and Mortar doesn't hold a candle. I kind of addressed why in this thread:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72077&page=2