Polk RTi6, MA (Br2,B2) or Infinity beta 20's

[vdefrancjr]

Greetings all

I am in the market for a pair of bookshelf speakers which will be powered by a Sony Receiver. The Sony was the top-end model (before the ES series) from around 1997.

Primary use will be music and a replacement for the crappy speaker in the tv. (I have another system entirly for HT and music).

I will most likey purchase used as i can get the following pairs of speakers for anywhere between $179-$300.

Polk Rti6
Monitor Audio BR2 or the B2 (last years model)
Infinity Beta 20's

I have listened to the Polk's and the BR 2's and both sounded good, Though i think the MA's had the edge. They were at different stores with different gear so it was hard to make a direct comparison. I can't seem to find anyone who carries the Infinity Beta 20's so i have not heard those.

I am just looking for anyone's thoughts who may have listened to all 3. Also has anyone compared the MA B2 to the Br2's? I'd be interested to know the difference.

Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

Once they are in stock, I would highly recommend the Onix X-LSs or X-CSs in this price range. I'm sure you will get a lot of that and that is because they are excellent speakers for the price.

Will this be for music, movies or both?

Of those you mentioned, I'd probably go with the MAs.

 

[mike c]

what luck you have ... here's my BR2 review

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28964

with an A/B of the rti4 and the br2: (and what a coincidence! I have the beta 10 as well!)



finally, some use for my review

 

[vdefrancjr]

Mike

I actually saw and read your review. Of all the comparisons i read that one seemed to be the closest to what i was looking for.

I think that the polk and Infinity ones that i reference are the next size up. I would imagine that they would be somewhat the same, but i could tell a big difference between the RTi4 and 6's and enjoyed the 6's much better.

Did you ever compare the ones i have listed?

Also have you heard the MA B2 and BR2's side-by-side?

 

[dorokusai]

I've heard more than a handful of vintage MA and have always liked the tonality. You'll find no Infinity fan in me but it looks like you've at least narrowed the field down.

Mike's review would be about what I feel in regards to the MA. They are warmer but that's almost a given due to the tweeter design. I'm a big British "sound" fan from folks like ADS, KEF and Rogers so color me biased in that camp. Good luck.

Regards,
Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[mike c]

franc, sorry, I heard the BETA 20, but not in an A/B listening which makes it pretty much a moot comparison ... I have not heard the Rti6, only the Rti10 again not in an A/B comparison. the B2 was not and IS not in my radar because I simply do not like how it looks (with or without the grill).

I have the BETA 50 as well, of course if you were to A/B the 10's and 50's bass would naturally be stronger with the 50's (and the 20's). but with a properly calibrated subwoofer, both should sound "similar" enough. another thing to note as well is why the BETA 20 will have better bass is that it's enclosure is HUGE! ...aside from the bigger driver.

 

[zumbo]

My vote goes to MA. Love 'em. Polk second, and Infinity last.

 

[vdefrancjr]

Thats kind of what I was thinking.

Now....Has anyone heard the MA B2 vs. the newer Br2's?

 

[mike c]

try to search for Rob Babcock's posts ... I think he talks about the various MA models, specifically the B series. though I don't know if he's had experience with the BR models ... maybe you should PM him.