Monitor Audio R250 vs Klipsch RVX-42

[SRHookEm]

Until this morning, I had planned on using 3 Klipsch RVX-42's next to our 50" plasma and two Klipsch RS-42 surrounds in the back.

I have received two PM's and a reply to another post (from three different users) suggesting that I listen to the Monitor Audio Radius R250 and go with 5 of them, rather than two dipole in back.

As a long time Klipsch fan, I know you either love them or hate them. However, I do think that I can appreciate other speakers.

Has anyone used 5-R250's in a theater set-up? Here's the pano of my room. The TV is not as recessed as it looks. It is actually closer to the front. Another thought about the R250 vs Klipsch is that they are front ported, rather than side ported. The recessed wall on either side of the Klipsch would probably not be best. But the R250 vents forward so the side wall shouldn't matter that much, right?

Let me know any pros and cons. Also, what sub would match the roll off point the best? I want tight, punchy bass. No boominess!

 

[SRHookEm]

I thought that I would see many thoughts on the this issue. Hmm.....

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You have asked a lot of questions on several different speakers choices on a few different threads. You are going to have to pick some out and enjoy them.

 

[SRHookEm]

You have asked a lot of questions on several different speakers choices on a few different threads. You are going to have to pick some out and enjoy them.

That's not entirely accurate. I have been considering the Klipsch RVX-42 until yesterday. I have been asking for thoughts on them only.

Now I am considering the Monitor Audio R250's. That's not really "several" different models.

I would love to hear them both. I can't afford to buy them both and send one back. I can't find a local dealer that has them--either of them--in stock to listen at their location. So I am putting more emphasis on forum reviews.

I know Klipsch, just not the RVX-42. I have never heard MA.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

The Klipsch sound is unique. As you said, you either love it or hate it. Since you are among those who love it, I think it is what you should stick with. (Personally, I would choose MA, but that is because I do not like the Klipsch sound.)

 

[billy p]

That's not entirely accurate. I have been considering the Klipsch RVX-42 until yesterday. I have been asking for thoughts on them only.

Now I am considering the Monitor Audio R250's. That's not really "several" different models.

I would love to hear them both. I can't afford to buy them both and send one back. I can't find a local dealer that has them--either of them--in stock to listen at their location. So I am putting more emphasis on forum reviews.

I know Klipsch, just not the RVX-42. I have never heard MA.

People have opinions and personal favorites and may pass them on to you! I would do like Joe said, go with what your most familiar with. I would add if you like the sound of Klipsch you wouldn't like speakers with that laid back sound.
*Nice room by the way!!!*

 

[ParadigmDawg]

When I went back and read what I wrote to you it sounds like I was being an ***; this was not my intent. I am simply saying that a time comes when you have to just get something and see if you like it. No one on here can tell you what speaker will sound good to you. It looks like you have narrowed down what you want so just go ahead and purchase it; send it back if you dont like it.

Oh...and get a big sub for that room; you will need it.

 

[SRHookEm]

People have opinions and personal favorites and may pass them on to you! I would do like Joe said, go with what your most familiar with. I would add if you like the sound of Klipsch you wouldn't like speakers with that laid back sound.
*Nice room by the way!!!*

Thanks!

Do MA speakers have "a laid back sound"? The reviews I've read on the Gold and Silver series tend to all say they are "upfront" and "bright" but without the in your face hit that a horn-loaded speaker would bring. I like accurate and I do find Klipsch very good for large rooms and for movies. I have never thought that they were as harsh as some think they are. I have a pair of Klipsch Fortes that sound warmer than many other speakers.

I would think (without hearing them yet) that the tall, skinny R250's with a front port and two woofers may be less likely to be laid back than the floor models that have a larger enclosure to work with.

I am concerned about accuracy and imaging. And this is a special install since it is more about WAF, getting good sound in the big room, good detail in the center for movies, and good music for my 13 year old opera singer. It's a complex situation.

A final note: I do not like the look of Klipsch anymore. It's dated. The reason we have considered them for this room at all is because of the design of the RVX-42's. All other reference Klipsch (not the Heritage series) still have the old, boxy, vinyl covered look. I think they need to take a hard look at some other manufacturer's designs and come up with something new.

 

[SRHookEm]

Pulled the trigger:

5-Monitor Audio R250's in Rosemah
1-Monitor Audio R720 Sub in Rosemah

Got an amazing deal, better than I thought. These should look and sound amazing next to the plasma and behind us on the wall at the junction boxes.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Awesome choice on the speakers! Enjoy...

I dont know anything about that sub. I hope it's big and powerful for your open room.

 

[Nuglets]

Thanks!

A final note: I do not like the look of Klipsch anymore. It's dated. The reason we have considered them for this room at all is because of the design of the RVX-42's. All other reference Klipsch (not the Heritage series) still have the old, boxy, vinyl covered look. I think they need to take a hard look at some other manufacturer's designs and come up with something new.

That's all opinion of course. I think many speaker's with a 'modern' look are quite ugly and seem to be leaning towards a 'futuristic' look which I don't like at all. I would rather have an old square casual looking speaker than a speaker that is all round, shiny, and bubbly looking.

 

[Nick250]

Pulled the trigger:

5-Monitor Audio R250's in Rosemah
1-Monitor Audio R720 Sub in Rosemah

Got an amazing deal, better than I thought. These should look and sound amazing next to the plasma and behind us on the wall at the junction boxes.

I hope the R720 is up to filling that large room of yours. It's capability would be question mark to me by reading the specs. I am curious, what is it's price? There are no reviews I could find, so I may be completely wrong.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/products/radius/series/r720.htm

Nick

 

[SRHookEm]

That's all opinion of course. I think many speaker's with a 'modern' look are quite ugly and seem to be leaning towards a 'futuristic' look which I don't like at all. I would rather have an old square casual looking speaker than a speaker that is all round, shiny, and bubbly looking.

I'm not talking about the "futuristic" look. I'm talking about the rectangular box with wood vinyl or black vinyl. I'm comparing them to Axiom, Rocket, Canton, Monitor Audio, and many others that can make the rectangular box look amazing. Klipsch could too. They need to go back to making speakers that look as good as they sound.

Also, I would say that Klispch has just as many, maybe more, "futuristic" looking speakers out than anyone.

 

[SRHookEm]

I hope the R720 is up to filling that large room of yours. It's capability would be question mark to me by reading the specs. I am curious, what is it's price? There are no reviews I could find, so I may be completely wrong.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/products/radius/series/r720.htm

Nick

I was dealing directly with the distributor. He also reps many other brands including a very high-end speaker manufacturer with subs in the $3000 range. He said that the R720 sounded as good as any of them. He liked the "punchiness" from the two down firing 8" woofers. He said that the sub has no boominess at all--which is exactly what I want. If I find it doesn't have enough low end to fill, I'll add another.

It retails for $950. I can't discuss the price I paid. I recently lost all my gear and most other possessions to a burglary while out-of-town. The distributor did I very nice thing for me since my insurance company is not playing fair with "like kind and quality" and refusing to pay for some items at all.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Your floor plan is very similar to mine; I am concerned with that sub for a room as big as yours. I first purchased a 12'' sub with 650 watts and it didnt touch my room. I moved up to a 15'' sub that has 1500 cont.watts and 4500 peak and it is about right. If you can; look into SVS or HSU, for the same amount of money you can probably get a sub that will work much better for you.

 

[Nick250]

I was dealing directly with the distributor. He also reps many other brands including a very high-end speaker manufacturer with subs in the $3000 range. He said that the R720 sounded as good as any of them. He liked the "punchiness" from the two down firing 8" woofers. He said that the sub has no boominess at all--which is exactly what I want. If I find it doesn't have enough low end to fill, I'll add another.

It retails for $950. I can't discuss the price I paid. I recently lost all my gear and most other possessions to a burglary while out-of-town. The distributor did I very nice thing for me since my insurance company is not playing fair with "like kind and quality" and refusing to pay for some items at all.

Good luck with it then. Let us know how it turns out after you have a listen. Just so you know, boomieness is caused by room acoustics more often than not so keep that in mind. I have a very punchy sub, a Rocket UFW-10, and I needed to get bass traps to relieve the boominess. Greg's post above this one is good information IMO.

Nick