Advice please on 5.1 speakers

[admin_exported]

I've decided to chuck out my small Bose 5.1 cube speakers and aging Sony STR-DB930 surround amp and upgrade soon to one of the new £1000-ish Yamaha or Onkyo av amps that support the new HD audio formats.

I need some advice for the speakers. Whilst I love the small size and discretion of the Bose cubes, they do no justice to music, producing a thin, uneven and ultimately unsatisfying sound. I want something that is much more flat, natural and analytical, for both music and movies.

So, will I get anywhere close to that kind of sound with the B&W MT-30 5.1 package, or is the extra cost and bulk of something like a system based on 5 x ATC SCM-11's, and an appropriate sub the only option? My room is about 5m x 5m, and is quite "live".

Thanks for any advice or other suggestions.

 

[Anonymous]

The BWs are very good speakers and should fit the bill very nicely. But from your description of how you like audio I have immediately thought Anthony Gallo. You will need to make a package with the MPS150 sub, or something from Velodyne or REL to get a nicer transition from highs to lows. But these are the bees-knees when it comes to detail, accuracy and timing. Not everybody gets on with them though, a demo would be helpful. The BW is certainly the safer but. But for the music lover you just can't get enough of the detail with the Gallos.

Coming completely out of left field, you should also consider Arcams Muso and Logo package (the 5.1 speakers for the Solo Movie). These are relatively small bookshelf/standmount speakers, and are incredible. The tweeter defies logic in what it can produce for the price of the speaker and the sub integrates very well as a package.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Full review of the Arcam Muso/Logo package coming up in the issue out September 20th, if you can wait that long, plus review of the new KEF KHT3005 SE package before that in the issue out August 23rd.

If you can't wait that long, the B&W MT30s are a superb package (still a current Award-winner in fact), largely because the PV1 subwoofer is about the best around, and lifts the entire system to something special.

I'd also check out Tannoy's Arena range, which are highly musical surround packages that also look superb.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Liam and Clare for the advice.

Now I can prioritise some auditions, with the MT-30's at the top of the list. Intruiged to hear more about the Muso / Logo speakers, so will be looking forward to the next few issues of the mag - as usual!

 

[Anonymous]

I too am looking for a compact 5.1 speaker system that sounds excellent for both movies and music. The satellites cannot be more that 10 cm in any direction due to my wife not agreeing to the upgrade otherwise. I have up to £1000 to spend on the speakers. I keep hearing good things about the Anthony Gallo Micros but there are no reviews or opinions ever shown within the pages of What Hifi Sound and Vision. Why would this be the case if they were as good as people claim? Would you advise against the Gallos and if so what would you recommend instead?

 

[Anonymous]

Johnny,
Could you do me a favour and tell me what improvements just changing your receiver makes? As I also have the STR-DB930.