Elac uf5 vs ma bronze 6

[holyxiaoxin]

I currently have a budget of around 3k USD. And I'm considering elac uf5 and monitor audio bronze 6. I live in Singapore and because of that, import prices defer. Considering that the exchange rate costs 2.0x for the elac speakers and 1.4x for the monitor audio speakers (exchange rate favouring ma), I'm wondering which one is more value for money. I've heard good reviews about ma bronze 6 and had auditioned them, it had a great sound stage but maybe the speakers wasn't calibrated properly (angled not facing me etc), it didn't sound impressive. On the other hand, I auditioned the debut f5, and was liking it but the salesman didn't really turn up the volume for me to have a good feel at it. I think the f6 would be better, and definitely the uf5 would be better than the f6. I'm actually waiting to audition the uf5 speakers this Saturday.

While I've read great reviews about monitor audio bronze 6, I've also read how elac speakers can take on speakers 2-3 times its price range. Because of this I might be able to overlook the bad exchange rates on the elac series. So the challenge is, is the f6 able to take on ma bronze 6? Because both of these pairs costs around the same here.

Ultimately I'm choosing between:

1.
Elac uf5
Elac uc5
Elac a4
Svs pb1000
Denon x3300w

2.
Monitor audio bronze 6
Monitor audio bronze ctr
Monitor audio bronze fx
Svs pb1000
Denon x3300w

I'm also throwing in 2 additional ceiling speakers for Dolby Atmos.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

more expensive is not guaranteed to be better. Andrew jones can definitely design a good speaker, but neither u or f series are jaw dropping, not according to other reviewers who heard both.
You could find both of their measurements here:
http://hometheaterreview.com/elac-uf5-floorstanding-speakers-reviewed/?page=2
http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1487:nrc-measurements-monitor-audio-bronze-6-loudspeakers&catid=77:loudspeaker-measurements&Itemid=153
Neither is perfect, I guess it's down to personal preference, but MA may have better resell value.

Also can you get your hands on some Wharfedale speakers?? They are awesome value/quality

 

[holyxiaoxin]

I've tired wharfedale diamond 10.7 too. As well as pioneer Andrew Jones 5.1. Both sounded pretty great and quite similar in sound quality actually (diamond having a worse soundstage). I've been told that the diamond 10.7 was under powered by a bad amp because they were under equiped at the showroom.

Because of all the different setup conditions at the showroom, it's quite hard to tell which is better. A well calibrated speakers in a room can really make a difference. I've heard the Klipsch rf260 5.1 in a well-calibrated room with all the acoustics furnishing in place. God, it was so pleasing to the ear. But the exchange rate on that was 3.0-4.0x (when it should have been 1.4x) so it was a pretty bad deal. Couldn't justify that price tag and thought I could get better value from elac or monitor audio with much better exchange rate and same price range.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I am beginning to suspect that the suckout/drop between 7-8 khz measured on Elac UF5 is due to grill material.

 

[holyxiaoxin]

I am beginning to suspect that the suckout/drop between 7-8 khz measured on Elac UF5 is due to grill material.

I heard that it improves the treble when the grill is removed. But some might find the speakers too bright.

 

[j_garcia]

Speakers are normally designed with the grill in mind. That doesn't mean in production that it doesn't cause issues with response.

 

[Dennis Murphy]

I am beginning to suspect that the suckout/drop between 7-8 khz measured on Elac UF5 is due to grill material.

That's quite likely, although such a narrow-band dip isn't likely to be all that audible if the tweeter by itself isn't misbehaving in that region. The main problem is the peak at 2 kHz, which is almost certainly not a grill artifact.