Hello all, what would be your opinions on replacing MA Apeks with the new MA Gold 50 and 150 centre, do you think it would be a noticeable upgrade?
Thank you
Thank you
Monitor audio apes or new gold 50
- Thread starter Beefheart
- Start date
I've just made the jump from MA Radius (albeit the larger R270HD's) to the GX50 / GXC150.
The answer to your question might be dependant on how you use the Apexes at present. Is it mainly for movies or music?
Having had the GX50's for a couple of months now, the main difference I notice is the treble, the soundstage and the cabinet silence.
The R270HD's were lovely speakers but did have their limitations. They had a resonance on certain frequencies and were very directional speakers with a much more pointy soundstage. This actually made their movie use excellent, but it meant that I often listened to stereo music through all 5.1 channels. I know your Apexes (if we're talking about the A10's at least) are very resonance-free, but if you listen to a lot of 2-channel audio, then I would imagine that the larger cabinet and driver size of the G50 would make a better fist of it.
The MA's gold dome tweeters get a lot of flack, but on the R270HD's I found them really beautiful. Piano was spot-on with just the right amount of bite - just a wonderful tonal balance. But I don't need to tell you that because you have them on the Apexes.
I'd listen carefully before buying though and experiment with the speaker cables. I was initially using QED anniversary silver cable with my GX50's which had a little sibilance in the treble that was absent in the Gold tweeters of the Radius. I've changed the cables and the sibilance has gone, but do bear this in mind with any demo and check out what the dealer's using with them.
Finally I ought to mention that the prime reason I upgraded when I did was because I got the GX50's and GXC150 for almost half price. If you're interested in the larger cabinet size but are a little put off by the expense, do have a serious listen of the Silver 1 and Silver Centre speakers. If I was buying new undiscounted models, that's where my money would be. I don't think the Golds are worth twice the price. Yes they look more bling with the curved cabinets but sound for pound I think the Silvers are better value. Tonally, they'd probably sound like your Apex's but a little beefier in the midrange.
But I come back to how you intend to use the speakers. For movie use, I'd stick with the Apexes. But if 2-channels the lion's share of your system's use, then I'd take a serious look at the Silver 1 / Silver centre.
The answer to your question might be dependant on how you use the Apexes at present. Is it mainly for movies or music?
Having had the GX50's for a couple of months now, the main difference I notice is the treble, the soundstage and the cabinet silence.
The R270HD's were lovely speakers but did have their limitations. They had a resonance on certain frequencies and were very directional speakers with a much more pointy soundstage. This actually made their movie use excellent, but it meant that I often listened to stereo music through all 5.1 channels. I know your Apexes (if we're talking about the A10's at least) are very resonance-free, but if you listen to a lot of 2-channel audio, then I would imagine that the larger cabinet and driver size of the G50 would make a better fist of it.
The MA's gold dome tweeters get a lot of flack, but on the R270HD's I found them really beautiful. Piano was spot-on with just the right amount of bite - just a wonderful tonal balance. But I don't need to tell you that because you have them on the Apexes.
I'd listen carefully before buying though and experiment with the speaker cables. I was initially using QED anniversary silver cable with my GX50's which had a little sibilance in the treble that was absent in the Gold tweeters of the Radius. I've changed the cables and the sibilance has gone, but do bear this in mind with any demo and check out what the dealer's using with them.
Finally I ought to mention that the prime reason I upgraded when I did was because I got the GX50's and GXC150 for almost half price. If you're interested in the larger cabinet size but are a little put off by the expense, do have a serious listen of the Silver 1 and Silver Centre speakers. If I was buying new undiscounted models, that's where my money would be. I don't think the Golds are worth twice the price. Yes they look more bling with the curved cabinets but sound for pound I think the Silvers are better value. Tonally, they'd probably sound like your Apex's but a little beefier in the midrange.
But I come back to how you intend to use the speakers. For movie use, I'd stick with the Apexes. But if 2-channels the lion's share of your system's use, then I'd take a serious look at the Silver 1 / Silver centre.
Frank Harvey
Well-known member
Given the age of the Apex now (still a good speaker, but) I think the new Gold 50s easily have the upper hand. More care and attention would need for the Golds, but they'll be ultimately more rewarding, particularly with music.
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