Buying advice Ma RX1 or B&W CM1

[Dannee]

Hi iam in search for new standmount speakers. I have been Looking for these to speakers the monitor audio rx1 or B&W Cm1.

I was down at the localstore and listen to the Ma Rx1 and i think they sounded really good and with a big soundstage the rx1 was played thru a marantz pm7004 and a cdplayer, i didnt get a chance to listen to some mp3 quality music seemed like the seller didnt want to show it "ihave no idea" and i really want to know how these speakers are with low quality sound files because most of the time when iam listening to music i usally listen thru streaming music services have you guys that have more experience than me know how they are with lower quality music files and old bad recordings.

Second store i was in i listen to the B&W Cm1 and the first impression when i looked at them i was stunned by its looks.

Now to the listening it was thru a Nad c375 and a sonos thing. My impression here was that it was not as near as big sounding as the rx1 and the sound was okeyish here i played compressed mp3 quality music. But they look so good and i think they would fit perfectly to my home. Didnt here these on highquality cd equipment.

I have a real hard time to choose between these two speakers. So i need some expert advise have you guys heard both of these speakers head to head. How do you think they are with both cdquality music and mp3files.

Btw my room is about 15squaremeters. Most of the music i listen to is rock,soul,hiphop,acoustic music and some electroic music.

Cheers/Daniel

 

[matthewpiano]

It would be useful to know what the rest of your system is so that we can give you a more helpful answer.

 

[Dannee]

Hi i currently have marantz pm7004 and xonar stx dac in my computer dont have a dedicated cdplayer yet. Have sold my current speakers it was ma bx6 they where to big for my living room and the ma rx1 sounded way better when i listen to them.

 

[plastic penguin]

As they're from different outlets could you not get a home dem so you could compare side by side. I've been told the RX1s are a little 'fuller' sounding compared to older Silver models. The CM1s I've heard with different amplification (all Rotel set-up) and you get a lot of bang for your money.

Also immensely important to consider room acoustics. I'm a huge believer in this, and wouldn't buy without a home trial.

 

[matthewpiano]

Personally I'd go for Monitor Audio with Marantz. I personally feel B&W responds better to more gutsy amplification like NAD or Rotel and I wasn't very impressed with the CM1s when I heard them. If you have heard the RX1 with your model of amp and liked them then I think you might have answered your own question already.

 

[Dannee]

As they're from different outlets could you not get a home dem so you could compare side by side. I've been told the RX1s are a little 'fuller' sounding compared to older Silver models. The CM1s I've heard with different amplification (all Rotel set-up) and you get a lot of bang for your money.

Also immensely important to consider room acoustics. I'm a huge believer in this, and wouldn't buy without a home trial.

Thank you for your answer. Yes a home trial would be optimal, currently the only thing i know that big floorspeakers not fitting my room after experience with my 2 older floorspeakers. How analytical is the B&W CM1 with lower quality audio compard to others or do you think they are forgiving? Dont get me wrong i have plans to buy i quality cdplayer to for nice sound but just wonder because i stream alot of music.

 

[Dannee]

Personally I'd go for Monitor Audio with Marantz. I personally feel B&W responds better to more gutsy amplification like NAD or Rotel and I wasn't very impressed with the CM1s when I heard them. If you have heard the RX1 with your model of amp and liked them then I think you might have answered your own question already.

Thank you for your answer. Yeah your right about that but i may change amp depending on what setup i end up with. The only thing i didnt get when i listend to the Rx1 was how forgiving they are with lets say mp3/streamed audio from musicservices. But at least i can say they were very good with highquality audio.

 

[plastic penguin]

As they're from different outlets could you not get a home dem so you could compare side by side. I've been told the RX1s are a little 'fuller' sounding compared to older Silver models. The CM1s I've heard with different amplification (all Rotel set-up) and you get a lot of bang for your money.

Also immensely important to consider room acoustics. I'm a huge believer in this, and wouldn't buy without a home trial.

Thank you for your answer. Yes a home trial would be optimal, currently the only thing i know that big floorspeakers not fitting my room after experience with my 2 older floorspeakers. How analytical is the B&W CM1 with lower quality audio compard to others or do you think they are forgiving? Dont get me wrong i have plans to buy i quality cdplayer to for nice sound but just wonder because i stream alot of music.

I am a huge MA fan, owning RS6s since 2007. However, from the new RX range I've only heard the RX6s briefly, so my comments are purely based other forum users comments and dealers recommendations.

The CM1s, to my ears, aren't analytical but they do need a decent current to make them sing, but that's usually a trait of B&W. On the flipside, the MAs are generally easier to drive.

 

[Zax89swe]

Anyone listen to Jade-3? none coloration in cabinent would rock i guess? that issue with coloration is standard in all lower range of speakers including bx, zensor, and maybe rx and cm but they are of course more dead with the box. When it comes to complex tones it just sound false, this problem got my new speakers dali zensor 7 it has the dynamics, details, full sound and enought lows but its pretty all for my ears. Would Rega brio r amplifier handle jade-3? I want more depth in sound landscape, more open neutral and truer clang.

 

[matthewpiano]

Zax89swe, why don't you look at Rega speakers?

 

[Zax89swe]

Not in stock here and they are expensive. my plan is to sell zensor 7 buy jade 3, get rid of modded pc soundcard and buy hrt streamer 2011 or 2012 if it comes out.

 

[Dannee]

Is MA RX1 picky with audioquality or does it sound find with mp3audio?

 

[Anonymous]

im listening to spotify at the moment and the RX1 speakers sound mighty fine to me i also listen a lot to my Ipod classic and that sounds really good as well.

infact they sound good with any source i use

and the speakers also look good in real wood veneers as an added bonus

regards

80s boy
:dance:

 

[Dannee]

Hi tnx for the advice good to hear that i also listen to spotify alot so its important that its not get painfull with that kind of audio.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Daniel

I haven’t herd the MA rx1 but I have auditioned the CM series mainly the CM9's, these are great speakers with great build quality, but I also auditioned the KEF Q series which for me I found to have that little bit more detail and the uni-Q creates a great soundstage. I would recommend looking at the KEF Q100's

A home trial is a must though, as we don’t all have acoustically designed demo rooms at home, the most important thing is to go for whatever sounds best to you.

 

[Anonymous]

I owned the kef q100's, they are a fine speaker, they sounded a bit to bright with my amp, i changed them for a pair of rx'1s and have not looked back, i love the rx's.

 

[Dannee]

Seems like the Rx1 is the way to go for me so i think iam gonna buy them tomorrow in blackgloss. Also i think of change my current amp for a Marantz cr603 or a denon ceol i know it is a downgrade from what i have now but i fits more with the style in my home, anyone tried one of those 2 for the ma rx1?

Btw thanks for all the replys 🙂

 

[Anonymous]

I have them in black gloss, they look the buisness and they soung good too