Monitor Audio Bookshelf Speakers - Which one?

[farscaper]

I wanted to read some opinions and reviews on the B2, S2 & RS2 speakers. I have listened to some of the competition but size, price or sound has swayed me to MA speakers. I will have a chance in a couple of weeks to listen to each of them in one sitting. In reality, it’s going to be between the B2 and the S2.
Price wise, I can get two pairs of B2 for the price of the one pair S2 up here in Canada. (I don't need 4 speakers, so I'm told ).
I'm about 60%HT. But lately I've been listening to a lot of my MP3s.

I really have two issues playing out in my head:

Firstly, I have read that the S-2 may be “too detailed” for not-so-perfect sources. I have experienced MP3 through some B&W speakers and boy did it suck. You heard all the impurities. So I’m swaying more to the B-2 because of this.

Secondly, I expect to have these speakers for some time and keep upgrading my system. So I think I should sway to the S2, for future gains?

(I may have to buy a MA center channel just to match up to either option. My PSB Image 8C sound maybe too different to hide. But this would be a purchase for next spring.)

Opinions? Experiences? Reviews?

 

[Rob Babcock]

The Bronze's and Silvers both sound great. After listening to the Bronze's for a while, you're tempted to think that for twice the price the Silvers probably aren't enough better to bother. But then you listen to the Silvers, and you find they are. Everything the Bronze's have the Silvers have in spades- more detail, more "air", better defined bass, smoother treble and an even more natural sounding midrange.

If you plan to listen to a lot of music, it's probably worth stepping up to the Silvers, IMOHO. And you'll have more of everything as you upgrade. Still, the Bronze's are great speakers in their own right, and certainly won't disappoint.

 

[Gatorchong]

If you sit down and hear the two of them together, you'll most likely go home with the S2's. They are great speakers. If you're worried about how they'll sound with MP3's, I doubt the B2's will do much better at hiding imperfections, they're pretty good at bringing out detail as well. To repeat what Rob said, I think the silver's have a little more of everything with better balance. Either speaker would be a good choice.

 

[AVRat]

I agree

Build the best system you can afford, even if it takes some time. Perhaps when you're ready for surrounds, you could bump the S2s to that duty and upgrade your fronts if budget and space allow.

 

[Takeereasy]

I agree with both poster's previous comments. Those S2's should be on sale right now because those RS models are replacing them, so the price should be more reasonable. If I was just starting up a system I would really look into those speakers. I do love the B2 as well, but the s2 is a special speaker.

 

[RMK!]

MA S2's

AudiogoN has a pair of S2's (Black, new in box) for $389. GREAT PRICE!
By the way, I have the S1's and they are really nice sounding speaks.

 

[KrisJ]

Im a big fan of MA speakers. You can't go wrong with any of thier lines. Id spring for the silver "S" as they are pretty cheap as dealers make room for the RS

 

[Rossww]

Is the Radius line decent? They look nice, but what's the quilty like compared to the Silver or Bronz?

 

[Takeereasy]

The radius are well built speakers that are designed to have a smaller footprint than the bookshelf series by Monitor. They are excellent little speakers but I'd rather have a pair of bronze 2's than Radius 90's. That's just my opinion. The Radius speakers do have a high WAF though.

 

[RMK!]

MA Radius

The radius are well built speakers that are designed to have a smaller footprint than the bookshelf series by Monitor. They are excellent little speakers but I'd rather have a pair of bronze 2's than Radius 90's. That's just my opinion. The Radius speakers do have a high WAF though.

I agree, MA's version of the cube speaker, nice looking, sound good but not in the class of the Bronze or Silver speakers.