ADVICE ON SELECTING THE BEST 5.1 SYSTEM TO FRONT MY EQUIPMET

[mj55web]

I would appreciate some help in choosing a 5-1 speaker set up out of the following, B&W MT-30's, Monitor Audio Radius comprising of 270's Fronts, 225 dialog 90's Rear & RW12 Sub, Also Tannoy Highline 300's [ Has there been a review on these ]. My main equipment will be Arcam AV 280 & Arcam DV137.
I've listened to the Tannoys and the Monitor Audios and believe the tannoy's just had the edge, It would be nice to back this up with some good reviews but i can only find reviews on the 500's. I'm a novice when it comes to choosing equipment and comparing it with one another, can you give me some advice in what to do next.

Maney Thanks,

MJWebb.

 

[Clare Newsome]

We tested the Tannoy Arena Highline 300s in February 2007, where they gained a very strong four-star rating - in fact we said they were the pick in that Group Test if you wanted a particularly musical 5.1 sound.

The MA and B&W set-ups you've auditioned got five stars in that test, being judged to be better all-rounders for the money, and we certainly preferred them with movies.

However, this is all about your system and what you like - and the Tannoys seem an ideal match for both.

Those Arcams are about the most musical AV electronics around, so you'll certainly have a far above-average 5.1 system for stereo sound if you go with the Tannoys - not to mention a fine movie system, too.

 

[mj55web]

Clare,

Thank you for responding so promptly will take on board the advice you have given, The problem i have here in south wales is that there are not to many specialist HIFI retailers, and have had to travel as far as Bristol to Dem some of the systems we have been talking about, This is OK but when you can only Dem one system in each outlet because they don't stock them all its quite difficult to compare systems in this way. This is where you and your magazine is so valuable. Out of all these systems which would you choose to go with my equipment or indeed are there any other systems similar both in size and cost you would recommend.

 

[Clare Newsome]

All depends on what you want from your system.

If it has to be the best for the money with music, and also a good movie listen, i'd pick the Tannoys.

If it has to be a stronger movies system that's also good with music, i'd go with the Monitor Audios.

And if it's a storming movie system that's decent with music, i'd pick the B&Ws - its PV1 subwoofer will set your system alight, and is the main reason this package is our favourite style system at this price point.