Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or Klipsch RB-51 ??

[pimvda]

I'm thinking about buying a pair of either the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 or the Klipsch RB-51.

I can get the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 for 220 euros per pair, while the Klipsch RB-51 are being sold for 300 euros a pair

I can test out the Monitor Audio Bronze 1 at a local HiFi store while I can't test the Klipsch RB-51 due to the fact that I can only purchase it from an internet vendor.

Does anyone have good experiences with either one of these bookshelf speakers? I haven't really got a clue.

Thanks in advance.

 

[moodyda]

If you can pay a little extra get the Silver series. They are a fantastic value. But if you had to choose between the Bronze vs. Klipsch, go with the MA. I have owned speakers from both companies and I believe that MA makes speakers that are definately a step (or 2) above Klipsch. I would say that MA is more on par with B&W.

 

[pimvda]

If you can pay a little extra get the Silver series. They are a fantastic value. But if you had to choose between the Bronze vs. Klipsch, go with the MA. I have owned speakers from both companies and I believe that MA makes speakers that are definately a step (or 2) above Klipsch. I would say that MA is more on par with B&W.

Thanks for the quick reply.

After browsing through the internet I had my attention on some more speakers.

Wharfedale Diamonds 9.1 (199 euro per pair)
Mordaunt-Short Avant 902i (99 euro per pair)

Both got some great overall reviews on the net so I think I'm definitely going to check them out (together with the MA) at a HiFi-store close by.

 

[B5I8]

Mordaunt-Short's are on the brighter side. I auditioned them side by side with the Monitor Audio Silver series and I ended up buying the Monitor Audio's. I've never listened to the Bronze lineup though. I also listened to the Klipsch Reference series and didn't like them at all. The horns that the Klipsch use are not my cup of tea.

 

[pimvda]

Mordaunt-Short's are on the brighter side. I auditioned them side by side with the Monitor Audio Silver series and I ended up buying the Monitor Audio's. I've never listened to the Bronze lineup though. I also listened to the Klipsch Reference series and didn't like them at all. The horns that the Klipsch use are not my cup of tea.

Excuse me for my lack of knowledge but what do you mean by "brighter side" and "horns"?

 

[moodyda]

Excuse me for my lack of knowledge but what do you mean by "brighter side" and "horns"?

What is being referred to is the "bright" side of klipsch. They are very efficient speakers that utilize a horn concept that can be very bright (the highs are somewhat piercing at high levels) and can become fatiguing for long listening sessions.

 

[B5I8]

I was saying that the Mordaunt-Short's were bright. The Klipsch is one of those either you like it or you don't deals. Personally I don't like the sound of the horn tweeter. I much prefer a more traditional type tweeter.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I'll come right out and identify myself as a Monitor Audio fanboy! That said, I'd take the Bronze B1's over all comers in that price range. I have a pair of Bronze B2's in front of me hooked up to my computer; the sound is hard to believe at the price.

 

[pimvda]

I'll come right out and identify myself as a Monitor Audio fanboy! That said, I'd take the Bronze B1's over all comers in that price range. I have a pair of Bronze B2's in front of me hooked up to my computer; the sound is hard to believe at the price.

I'm more of the rock/progressive sound, even though I love some good jazz/lounge once in a while.

Do these speakers differ a lot from each other while playing different styles of music (classical, jazz, metal, hiphop)?

 

[Rob Babcock]

Perhaps at the real low end speakers are 'genre specific' but a good speaker will cleanly & accurately reproduce whatever you throw at it. My Bronze B2s do a great job of heavy metal (from Metallica & Slayer to old school Priest & Maiden). But I also play a lot of folk, indie rock & jazz on them. I find them wonderful for all genres I've tried.

I'll further say I've never really cared for Klipsch. Their Reference Series are about the best sounding speakers they've made in years, though.