Marantz PM5004 + Monitor Audio BX2, bad combination?

[bpanjaitan]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here.. and need your expert suggestion..

I dont know whther i bought the wrong speaker or is it because my amp dont have enough power..

My system : Laptop (Foobar) >VDac II> PM 5004 > Monitor Audio BX2

I've been testing this speaker for a week already. and found the middle-high is bad.. especially for vocal. When i asked the sales person,

she said that's the typical sound for BX model.

I bought BX2 , after read some review from internet (including what hifi), and also did audition with my friend's system (with different amp).

I ever did audition the same system, but with Acoustic Energy Neo One (Bookslf), the sound has good soundstage, and clarity. The low is good as well.

My question : is the amply that can not support bx2?

or is it already a typical of BX2 sound? if not, any suggestion for good budget amplifier for this speaker?

many many thanks for the helps..

 

[Paul.]

Apparently MA speakers take a while to loosen up. If you want to speed up the process, position the speakers facing each other a few inches apart, and reverse the cables on one of the speakers (red in to black, black in to red). With one speaker out of phase and so close together, the sound should to some extent cancel each other out and you can leave them playing whilst out at work without making too much noise. Doing this for a few days should greatly speed up any breaking in (if it exists).

Not sure if this will have an effect, my MAs were ex demo so I never had to worry about breaking in.

 

[matthewpiano]

Firstly, try Paul's advice for running in the BX2s. It won't cost you anything and it has to be worth a try. Also worth experimenting with positioning. Are they on stands with the tweeters at ear height? Are they toed in at all? How far are they from back and side walls (could the sound be reflecting off a side wall, for example)?

Ultimately, the BX2s just might not be for you. They can sound very thin in the area you describe and, having owned a pair and having heard them in other set-ups a few times, I think they need a smooth amp with a greater sense of ease in terms of current delivery than your PM5004 can provide. Although the BX2s are sensitive and should, on paper, be easy to drive, my experience suggests they need an amp with decent damping factor that can really keep control of teh drive units. Even then, you may find the BX2 sound just isnt' right for you. With some amps they can even sound slightly 'phasey'.

If you want a good all-rounder that should work well with your Marantz, try the Q Acoustics 2020i which are simply superb for vocals and have a surprising sense of scale too. The only reservation is that they might sound slightly over-warm with your amp (the 5004 is a very smooth model). If you find that to be the case you could look at the Wharfedale Diamond 121 (though with careful attention to the finish quality) or maybe stretch slightly further and try to hear the new Dali Zensor 3 - which should combine the excellent qualities of the Zensor 1 with a bit more weight. Certainly the Zensor 3 is a speaker I'm keen to hear for my own system as I've always enjoyed Dalis.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[ele101]

I was going to buy the Marantz CD6004 and PM6004 and pair them with BX2s (available for £600 with Peter Tyson). Do you think I would be better off with the Q2020i speakers?

 

[matthewpiano]

I was going to buy the Marantz CD6004 and PM6004 and pair them with BX2s (available for £600 with Peter Tyson). Do you think I would be better off with the Q2020i speakers?

You need to audition ideally. The 6004 has a bit more control than the 5004 but I do think the BX2 is a speaker you either get on with or you don't. It will suit some listeners more than the Qs, but others less.

 

[bpanjaitan]

Hi Paul,

Thanks alot for the suggestion. Will try to do it soon..

 

[bpanjaitan]

Apparently MA speakers take a while to loosen up. If you want to speed up the process, position the speakers facing each other a few inches apart, and reverse the cables on one of the speakers (red in to black, black in to red). With one speaker out of phase and so close together, the sound should to some extent cancel each other out and you can leave them playing whilst out at work without making too much noise. Doing this for a few days should greatly speed up any breaking in (if it exists).

Not sure if this will have an effect, my MAs were ex demo so I never had to worry about breaking in.

Hi Paul,

Thanks alot for the suggestion. Will try to do it soon..

 

[bpanjaitan]

Firstly, try Paul's advice for running in the BX2s. It won't cost you anything and it has to be worth a try. Also worth experimenting with positioning. Are they on stands with the tweeters at ear height? Are they toed in at all? How far are they from back and side walls (could the sound be reflecting off a side wall, for example)?

Ultimately, the BX2s just might not be for you. They can sound very thin in the area you describe and, having owned a pair and having heard them in other set-ups a few times, I think they need a smooth amp with a greater sense of ease in terms of current delivery than your PM5004 can provide. Although the BX2s are sensitive and should, on paper, be easy to drive, my experience suggests they need an amp with decent damping factor that can really keep control of teh drive units. Even then, you may find the BX2 sound just isnt' right for you. With some amps they can even sound slightly 'phasey'.

If you want a good all-rounder that should work well with your Marantz, try the Q Acoustics 2020i which are simply superb for vocals and have a surprising sense of scale too. The only reservation is that they might sound slightly over-warm with your amp (the 5004 is a very smooth model). If you find that to be the case you could look at the Wharfedale Diamond 121 (though with careful attention to the finish quality) or maybe stretch slightly further and try to hear the new Dali Zensor 3 - which should combine the excellent qualities of the Zensor 1 with a bit more weight. Certainly the Zensor 3 is a speaker I'm keen to hear for my own system as I've always enjoyed Dalis.

Hope this is helpful.

Hi Mathew,

Thanks alot for your suggestion.

My curiousity is too big to hold. I just got back from some Audio stores today. I did more audition for some combinations.

I've tried 2 times today (in 2 different store), to make sure about the capability of PM5004 to drive BX2, found the

problem is remain the same.The middle-high are still not open and too dark.

But when i tried to pair it with PM6004, wow..suddenly the sound become so perfect. pefectly open, smooth and balanced.

Compare to QA 2020i, i still prefer the clarity, soundstage and the highs of BX2.

I've decided to upgrade my PM5004, to PM6004.

Being tempted with Acoustic Energy 301 and Rega RS1 speaker, but the price is over budget (USD700/ USD 570).

In my country (Indonesia), PM6004 and BX2,each can be bougth in USD 400.

Once again, thanks alot for the helps.

 

[Tibor]

I have Acoustic Energy Neo 1, is very open and clear sounding with both Marantz Amp. Q Acoustic 2020 is warmer

Avoid bright sounding amps with BX 2!!!!!!