Monitor Audio GX-50 issues - need advice!!

[CacáBr]

Hi! Need some help here. Bought some MA GX50 to replace my trusty B&Ws 685, great speakers, but not so revealing and detailed to play symphonic music, at least for my ears. They skip a lot of subtelties of complex music such as a symphony ... they are entry level beasts, after all.

Well, out of the box the GX50 sounded open but too foward and "shouty" at the hi mids. One week later, they gained finesse and detail, but I still found them agressive, and now, after about 100 hours or running in, they still sound somewhat agressive and fatiguing, despite the ultra clear and clean sound they produce, and their hability to dig a lot of information and nuances, with great focus and detail, something the 685 just can't do.

As amplification, I have the CAudio 840A V2, which I consider pretty neutral, especially with the modest power cable I use, as it keeps the sound warm, not provoking the amp into overdatailing. As speaker cables I have got the Chord Charnival Silverscreen, both mono and bi-cabling versions.

My room is reasonably well damped, with a thick persian rug, heavy curtains, fabric sofa and armchair, besides a small upright piano.

I can say that, at least with the B&Ws 685, everything souns fine and tonally balanced.

Could it be that the MAs need more break in, perhaps in high volumes?

I confess that I'm a little dismayed

, as I expected these MAs to be pretty neutral, something like the B&Ws (if a little on the warm side).

Should I sell the MAs GX50 and go for something like the Dynaudios, in order to get a decent stage for symphonic music?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SteveR750]

I personally found the GX300 too forward and harsh for my ears, but I wouldnt have though that the 685s are that far away, not the warmest speaker around for sure.

 

[CacáBr]

Well, thanks, Steve, for your reply!

That's precisely the point: the 685s should't be that far awaly, as they really are not the warmest spkrs around, which means my ears are not usually fed by peachy-silky-tube-like sound, which means, in turn, that I shouldn't be complaining about brightness. Even though, my GXs hurt my ears, even in modest volumes :wall:.

This week I will give them extra doses of break in - higher volumes. Let's hope ...

Cheers

 

[plastic penguin]

Have you tried re-positioning? Most standmount speakers have their oen traits when it comes where they sit from the wall. I've found my RS6s sound best about 12-14" from the wall, pretty much like PMCs DB1is. There are others that sound better a little closer, especially if they are bass light.

 

[audioaddict]

I know my rs1 are no where in same league as yours but been havin same kinda trouble maybe its just ma sound with a lot of their models but like pp says ive had to move mine around a lot to try and get a good balance so give it time and try different things nice speakers youve got by the way

 

[CacáBr]

Hey plastic penguin and audioaddict, thanks for the advice and encouragement. Yes, I will rethink the positioning and try other distances from the back wall, between them and toe in angle.

Besides, as I wrote above, I still hope they haven't ran in properly yet, especially because a friend just told me they need at least 200 hours to get their best ...for now I can say that their transparency is stunning!!!

And yes, they are a thing of beauty ... besides being solidly heavy, they also show a terrific finish!!

Cheers :rockout:

 

[audioaddict]

Your makin me jealous my systems drivin me nuts

 

[CacáBr]

Dear audioaddict, perhaps you don't need to be jealous after all. Happens that the Gx-50, after 48 more of intense run-in, keeps shouting in my ears relentless. I can barely listen to 30 minutes in moderate levels without a insinuating headeache to come by :?. Tryed to change position, etc, etc ... no significant results. Tested them with another amp I have ... same problem, even if it comes in a form of a cristaline and transparent sound.

Being more specific: the upper mids and treble sound too agressive. Are my ears too sensible to those frequencies? Or, else, do I prefer a sonic signature less exciting, laid back, less detailed, but on the other hand more neutral, less (or not at all) agressive? Maybe so.

The fact is I'm decided to sell them and move on. For the time being, I will stick to my old and battered (not so old and battered after all ) B&Ws 685 and those glorious mids.

Be my experience a warning to those who, like myself, by a equipment by sheer impulse or just by reading reviews, without auditioning it long enough. :wall:

But don't get me wrong. Those are good speakers, and incredibly well buit, just not for my tastes.

:cheers:

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Flog the speakers and get yourself some nice Harbeths or Sonus Faber. Pointless sticking with something you're not ultimately going to be happy with.

 

[albireo]

Could your amp be the culprit? I have a pair of MA GS10. According to some these should be even brighter than the current GX series, however powered by a Creek Evolution they sound absolutely beautiful - detailed but I would never call them bright. I should also add that the system is in a room with wooden floors, a lot of furniture and a large carpet. The speakers are about 2m from the back wall.

Edit - sorry missed the bit where you said you tried another amp already.

 

[plastic penguin]

Dear audioaddict, perhaps you don't need to be jealous after all. Happens that the Gx-50, after 48 more of intense run-in, keeps shouting in my ears relentless. I can barely listen to 30 minutes in moderate levels without a insinuating headeache to come by :?. Tryed to change position, etc, etc ... no significant results. Tested them with another amp I have ... same problem, even if it comes in a form of a cristaline and transparent sound.

Being more specific: the upper mids and treble sound too agressive. Are my ears too sensible to those frequencies? Or, else, do I prefer a sonic signature less exciting, laid back, less detailed, but on the other hand more neutral, less (or not at all) agressive? Maybe so.

The fact is I'm decided to sell them and move on. For the time being, I will stick to my old and battered (not so old and battered after all ) B&Ws 685 and those glorious mids.

Be my experience a warning to those who, like myself, by a equipment by sheer impulse or just by reading reviews, without auditioning it long enough. :wall:

But don't get me wrong. Those are good speakers, and incredibly well buit, just not for my tastes.

:cheers:

What other amps have you tried with the GX50s?

Usually, if anyone asks: "Will X sound good with Y..." I usually respond by saying have a demo, or if impossible, buy it with an agreement with the dealer that should they not be to your taste then you can return it.

I heard the Cambridge 840 with RS6 and it sounded okay, albeit a little mechanical.

 

[SteveR750]

Flog the speakers and get yourself some nice Harbeths or Sonus Faber. Pointless sticking with something you're not ultimately going to be happy with.

Just something nice, whatever that is to your ears. One mans meat and all that.

 

[CacáBr]

Hey people, I appreciate your support and opinions ... a lot :wave: . It's been very helpful.

It happens that I haven't got a return contract with the dealer, and while I will have to advertise the speakers so to sell them, I don't have nothing to lose if I continue to load them with some good music in case they "decide" to undergo a radical sonic change. Who knows. I once read the internal silver wiring they have take a lifetime to break in.

On the other hand, the agressive sound I've been whinning about don't match (at all) WHF review, as they even mention treble sweetness and natural sound, not to mention "refinement" and "finesse" (!) ... I mean, another reason for suspecting not enough break in. After all, I usually I agree with WHF point of view. Thoroughly. So, maybe I should be more patient.

Anyway, as suggested above, It's possible that my electronics don't mach the little babies - plain and simple - so that It will be cheaper and safer to change the speakers instead of the rest - specially when I know exactly the kind of sound I want - insightful and organic, with at least a touch of warmth in the midrange (don't need very deep bass) - perhaps a second-hand b&w 805 n or s in good shape would do.

For the while, that's it. I let you know if their sound still changes.

Cheers.

 

[CacáBr]

Thanks Steve! You are right. Our ears must be the judge and the boss - that's all music is about, after all!

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Flog the speakers and get yourself some nice, Harbeth or Sonus Faber, for example. Pointless sticking with something you're not ultimately going to be happy with.

Just something nice, whatever that is to your ears. One mans meat and all that.

No need to delete those, they're merely suggestions about what might be worth a listen, there are lots of others, of course.

 

[paradiziac]

Hi, just wondering what your source is? I didn't notice any mention of it.

 

[SteveR750]

Flog the speakers and get yourself some nice, Harbeth or Sonus Faber, for example. Pointless sticking with something you're not ultimately going to be happy with.

Just something nice, whatever that is to your ears. One mans meat and all that.

No need to delete those, they're merely suggestions about what might be worth a listen, there are lots of others, of course.

Yep, that was the point I was trying to make! I seriously considered the Harbeth's too, but couldn't live without feeling some bass as well is hearing the upper harmonics.

 

[altruistic.lemon]

Flog the speakers and get yourself some nice, Harbeth or Sonus Faber, for example. Pointless sticking with something you're not ultimately going to be happy with.

Just something nice, whatever that is to your ears. One mans meat and all that.

No need to delete those, they're merely suggestions about what might be worth a listen, there are lots of others, of course.

Yep, that was the point I was trying to make! I seriously considered the Harbeth's too, but couldn't live without feeling some bass as well is hearing the upper harmonics.

And that was the point I was making, too, plus tried to be more positive by giving two examples. Don't really understand what your problem was.

 

[SteveR750]

I didn't have a problem, sorry if you took it that way!

Sounds like we are in violent agreement.

 

[CacáBr]

Hey, people, I have som news.

After a bit more running, the GX-50 unleashed its bass, and I must say: they're GORGEOUS!!! Unbelivably articulate, tight and deep, they make my B&W 685's sound almost bassless in comparison :rofl:

The mids has gained warmth too, sounding more natural.

However ... they still sound agressive to my ears, besides somewhat mecanical compared to the 685's.

Can't listen to them more than 30 min without fatigue. It also misses that harmonic sweetness which make the music sounds close to the real world.

Is the tweeter still a bit (or, else, a lot) shy? I hope so ... ray:

Am I a B&W addicted :bounce: ? Perhaps.

That's all for today.

PS. Guys, where I live I can't find neither Harberths, nor spendors or sonus fabers, unfortunately, so they're not even an option. From the school which uses paper or plastic cones and silk tweeters insted of metal, only Dynaudios are available for me.

Thanks again!!

:cheers:

 

[plastic penguin]

Hey, people, I have som news.

After a bit more running, the GX-50 unleashed its bass, and I must say: they're GORGEOUS!!! Unbelivably articulate, tight and deep, they make my B&W 685's sound almost bassless in comparison :rofl:

The mids has gained warmth too, sounding more natural.

However ... they still sound agressive to my ears, besides somewhat mecanical compared to the 685's.

Can't listen to them more than 30 min without fatigue. It also misses that harmonic sweetness which make the music sounds close to the real world.

Is the tweeter still a bit (or, else, a lot) shy? I hope so ... ray:

Am I a B&W addicted :bounce: ? Perhaps.

That's all for today.

PS. Guys, where I live I can't find neither Harberths, nor spendors or sonus fabers, unfortunately, so they're not even an option. From the school which uses paper or plastic cones and silk tweeters insted of metal, only Dynaudios are available for me.

Thanks again!!

:cheers:

Speakers, I would say, just improve with time. I found my RS6s began to tighten up about 2 weeks but they just became sweeter as time went on.

 

[Anonymous]

Demode the gx50's , found the ribbon tweeter to bright for my ears.Lovely finished speaker tho' .

Decided on b&w cm1's

 

[plastic penguin]

Demode the gx50's , found the ribbon tweeter to bright for my ears.Lovely finished speaker tho' .

Decided on b&w cm1's

I heard the GX100s with a Cyrus system. Sounded pretty impressive to me.

 

[CnoEvil]

I heard the GX100s with a Cyrus system. Sounded pretty impressive to me.

....but PP, at your age.........

 

[plastic penguin]

I heard the GX100s with a Cyrus system. Sounded pretty impressive to me.

....but PP, at your age.........

Always dodgy letting a 16 year old loose with GX100s...