Klipsch vs Monitor Audio

[Kliff8817]

I am looking to upgrade my 5.1 system but don't have a lot of room so I've chosen to go the route of the flat-panel systems (even if I do lose some mids). I'm thinking of running my speakers through a Marantz SR5002. I'm down to two choices; Monitor Audio's R225 for center and fronts and the R90 for the rears; or, should I go with Klipsch's RVX-42 surround system with the 42's as center and fronts and RSX-4's for the rears. There is not a lot on the net in terms of reviews for each of these systems and the specs look very similar; which will I get the more "bang" for my buck?? btw: I will be using a 10" floor sub with it, of course; and will be using this system for music (Hip-Hop and Rock) and movies alike. Please help!! Thanks

 

[Kliff8817]

Does anyone have any advice???

 

[mazersteven]

The forum is probably slow this weekend because of the start of the holiday season and people traveling from Thanksgiving and today being Black Friday. So please be patient and people will respond. Welcome to Audioholics

Do you have access to audition the speakers you've mentioned. The sound from both companies will be totally different from one another.

You might like the sound of the Klipsch with your music preferences. (Hip-Hop and Rock) You might not.

 

[mike c]

since you picked the Monitor Audio Radius series ... does that mean you don't like the bookshelves? the BR1 from Monitor Audio is pretty small, and with your budget, the RS1 comes into play as well.

 

[Guangui]

I am looking to upgrade my 5.1 system but don't have a lot of room so I've chosen to go the route of the flat-panel systems (even if I do lose some mids). I'm thinking of running my speakers through a Marantz SR5002. I'm down to two choices; Monitor Audio's R225 for center and fronts and the R90 for the rears; or, should I go with Klipsch's RVX-42 surround system with the 42's as center and fronts and RSX-4's for the rears. There is not a lot on the net in terms of reviews for each of these systems and the specs look very similar; which will I get the more "bang" for my buck?? btw: I will be using a 10" floor sub with it, of course; and will be using this system for music (Hip-Hop and Rock) and movies alike. Please help!! Thanks

Finally, someone who has my same dilemma...I was in your same position, if you read my thread from a few days ago "What Speakers to Buy", you will see we were in the same position, and what I finally did.

I auditioned Paradigm Cinema 220 and 330, MA R250 and R225, and Klipsch RVX-42 (a local dealer has them for $279.00 ea.), and others. But, the ones mentioned where the three finalists. FOR MY TASTE, maybe not your taste, the RVX-42's were too bright. Very nice at first, but after some 10 minutes became kind of annoying to me. The MA's were, as some people put it, laid back, kind of neutral. To me that was a very nice sound, as it was pleasurable and balanced, but lacked some of the punch the RVX's had. Heard MA's RS6 with silver cc, and sfx dipoles, and was taken by that sound; much more expensive than Radius and with compromises that you can read in my thread. For my family room ended up with Paradigm's Cinema 330; they were in between RVX and Radius, not too bright, and not too neutral. I like neutral and clarity for music, but I like a little bit more brightness for movies.

My receiver is a Marantz SR-5001 (1.1 HDMI), same as yours, but not 1.3 HDMI, and some other small changes. I find Marantz sound a little bit more refined than comparable Denon 2307/887, Onkyo 605, and Yamaha V659 or V661. That is why I think it pairs well with MA.

Everyone has a different ear and opinion, so try to audition the three on wall models I mentioned, and decide for yourself. After all, it is your hard earned $$$.

 

[rnatalli]

Having heard both, I'd go with the MA; however, that's what my ear prefer. Like everyone here says, try to audition both so you may decide for yourself. Both are fine speaker manufacturers.

 

[Kliff8817]

Monitor Vs Klipsch

Thank you for everyone's advice; I have auditioned the RVX-42 system and sounded great with movies; the store was so busy that I didn't get a chance to hear them with music, but I can see how they could sound too bright after awhile of listening (that seems to be downside with Klipsch's horns) but you can tell they are a little more "beefy" in construction. I have not auditioned the MA Radius system yet because it was not in stock, but before I had the store order them for me to hear, I wanted some opinions. I will also check out the forementioned systems from MA as well, the neutral sound between being loud and laid back sounds like what I would enjoy as well. The salesperson said that Monitor is a better brand than Klipsch, but he is also trying to get the sale, so I didn't know if I should believe him. Any other advice or recommendations on this matter would be appreciated and welcomed.

 

[Kliff8817]

Thanks for the input, but now I've got to hear the Paradigm 330's that you spoke of, hahahhahah; it sounds like they are what I'm looking for; an in between sound. How has your Marantz been working for that system?? If you had to do it over again, would you change anything???

 

[Guangui]

Thanks for the input, but now I've got to hear the Paradigm 330's that you spoke of, hahahhahah; it sounds like they are what I'm looking for; an in between sound. How has your Marantz been working for that system?? If you had to do it over again, would you change anything???

Did you get to audition the R225 and 330's??? If an open area, like mine, the 330's might please you. If an enclosed area (bedroom, basement, etc.), then the balance of the R225 might be better. But, it is up to your ear to decide.

Can't complain about my Marantz SR-5001, works great with the Paradigm's, lots of people here swear that a Marantz/Monitor Audio match is one of the best ones there is. But have not audition that combination, as my local MA dealer sells Denon and Yamaha, among other high end brands. My Paradigm dealer does sell Marantz, and I was able to hear the 330's connected to an SR-5001 before purchasing the speakers.

 

[Kliff8817]

Monitor Audio vs Paradigm

I auditioned the R225's and the R330's, both very nice speakers and well made, but when listening to them, whether it be music or movies, the sound just sounded flat and didn't get me excited about some of my favorite recordings; I personally would rather sacrifice a little space for much better sound quality; I took the advice on here and auditioned the MA RS6's and OMG!!! I found what I was missing; these speakers sound, look, built great; everything I thru at them, they handled with grace and persition. The flat panels look great, but I'm more into the sound and didn't know how much I would be sacrificing until I put them head to head; I even tried saving money and going with the R225 for the center Channel, but again, put up against the matching RSLCR sounded flat and un-impressive. Spending this much on a system, I didn't want to have to upgrade in a couple of years to floor standers and thought I'd just go ahead and go with what sounded best to me. I'll have to make up for room space in other ways, but will never sacrifice this kinda sound/money. Here's what I ended up going with and have absolutely no regrets; thank you for everyone's input and advice, it helped a lot; HAPPY LISTENING!! (My neighbors are gonna hate me :
Marantz SR5002
fronts: Monitor Audio Silver RS6 x 2
Center: Monitor Audio Silver RSLCR
Rears: Monitor Audio Bronze BRFX x 2 (thought I'd save a little money)
Floor sub: BRW10

 

[KrisJ]

Good choice

 

[Warpdrv]

Good choice.... I auditioned the MA's... Gold.. I loved them, but they were priced even higher then my Paradigm's..

MA makes some great speakers.... I hope you enjoy them...

 

[Guangui]

LOL!!! Same thing happened to me. Since I am in the middle of a renovation at home, and a theater/music room is being built, I decided to keep the 50" Plasma with the 330's for the family room, and buy Monitor's Silver Series for the HT room. Will buy the RS6 this month, and the rest of the components in the coming months, so when the room is finished all is there ready to be placed in position.

You made a great choice. There are great sounding on-walls in the market, but cost too much money compared to the sound you can get from good towers.

 

[Geno]

You'll be happy

I've been living with my MA Silver RS set for two & a half years now with no regrets. I had a couple of problems early on, but MA/Kevro took care of the problem flawlessly.

 

[Slayermoonlight]

Monitor Audio! Nuff said. Choose either MA's Bronze Series (BR1 or BR2) or Silver series (RS1).

Monitor Audio has exceptional treble and midrange.