Choice of rear surround sound speakers

[beaker_07]

My system is noted below and i had orginally been thinking of adding a pair of Monitor Audio MR1 as rear surround speakers RS recent price £100 but have seen that RS are selling whafedale Diamond 9.0 reduced from £59.95 to £39.95.

Would these be a suitable addition to my system I have read in the forums that it is not so critical to have the rear speakers the same make as the front stereo pair, centre and sub woofer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Leeps]

It's not SO important true, but there is something quite special when all the drivers are identical. I've owned both combos over the years and I'd recommend keeping them the same if at all possible.

In your situation I'd look at used. The Bronze range is really very plentiful on the'Bay. You can probably pick your colour and a seller not too far away from you...don't look twice at anything that's less than mint. Or cheaper again, look at the Bronze BX series (you speaker's predecessors).

Also, I'd really recommend the bi-pole Bronze FX for the rears if wall-mounting is an option in your room.

 

[beaker_07]

Thanks Leeps - I contacted Monitor Audio some time ago about using the bronze fx as rear speakers:-

Orginal question :-

"I have been recommended the Bronze FX surround speakers or the MR1 speakers (which are front firing only and are rear ported).

The two rear speakers will have to be fitted to the rear wall of a 12' x 12' room opposite the TV screen and speakers. They will be directly above the chairs in the room as the seating cannot be moved any further into the room. They will also have to be fitted just below the ceiling level as one of the speakers has to be positioned above a door.

Would this rule out using the MR1's or could they be set at an angle facing slightly into the room? And how far away from the side walls would I need to position the speakers for best sound quality? I assume by the shape of the FX speakers they are more multi directional sound wise?"

Reply :- "Regarding the rears, if you are having to put them up high, you will probably be better off with the MR1/ Bronze 1 and point them down and into the room. Being more directional you can get away with putting them closer to the side walls than you would with the FX’s. The FX’s will need to be at least a couple of feet away. The FX’s offer a more diffused sound and really need to be around 6 feet off the floor. So if you have to put one above the door, then they won’t be able to be used."

​This is what made me think that the wharfedale diamonds might be a suitable cheaper alternative to the MA's?

​Sorry about the different text sizes after cutting and pasting from emails!!

 

[Frank Harvey]

I agree with Leeps. Identical drivers help them to gel better, providing a more cohesive soundfield. And don't buy something for your system just because it's reduced - too many people do that and end up dissatisfied and lose more money changing again.

 

[beaker_07]

Thanks davidf - I wouldn't normally buy an item just because it is on offer over another item. I have had wharfedale speakers before and found them very good also I had managed to pick up from the forums seemingly incorrectly that the make of the rear speakers wasn't as important as having the front speakers all by the same manufactuer and all from the same range is even better.

I am thinking of adding a sub woofer and have asked for advice this under a seperate heading a while back regarding getting a Monitor Audio MRW10 @ £239 as oppossed to the MA Bronze W10 @ £449 as it is way above my budget. Most advicew as that this would work out ok.

 

[Leeps]

It's not a hard and fast rule, but if the fronts and backs are different tonally, you will notice.

As far as subwoofers are concerned, if budget is limited, I'd look at used. Much of my kit is used or ex-demo and I've ended up with a system that's far superior than if I'd purchased everything at list price for the same budget.