Monitor Audio RX2 vs RS8 Speakers

[admin_exported]

Hi forum members. I am in the process of building a music system for my office. I have moved one of my 1st hifi pieces of equipment in there for a temporary measure. So I am in no rush to get things changed instantly. Very very old so it doesnt need

For the speakers I am considering either the Monitor Audio RS8s or the RX2s. The room is 5m squared with solid wall construction. What would give me the best performance out of the 2 speakers mention above. The speakers are similarly priced due to the discontinuation of the RS8 model.

I will be playing mainly DAB in the day time but now and again will be playing CDs/Sonos based system in there as well.

Also can people recommend appropriate amplification and sources for these speakers.

Thanks

 

[d_a_n1979]

IMO the M/A RX2's on decent stands will be more than enough!

The M/A RS8's are superb speakers but theyre damn powerful and I feel would be complete overkill for that size of room.

Theyre best in a decent stereo set-up in a big room with good power amps powering them or in a 5.1 surround sound system.

What would be handy to know is what is your budget? Do you want all new or will you look at 2nd hand?

Amps and CDP as well as the M/A speakers could come around at all sorts of different ranges of budget.

IMO for mainly radio listening I'd be looking at a smooth and detailed amp such as an Arcam, Creek or NAD. Again, for a CDP I'd be looking at the NAD C545BDD or the Rega Apollo CDP's.

I know I keep repeating myself with these 2 but they're really that good IMO and I think you'd have to spend c£1k if not more to better them!

 

[Anonymous]

Speakers would have to be new for me - im really fussy about speakers. Amps and CDP could be either 2nd Hand/ExDem/New.

DAB would be my MF A5DAB.

The system should be musical and detailed - thats my main aim. I suppose I am after one of those systems that just makes you smile after a long hard day.

Budget for the Amp & CD would be less than £1500. Can be slightly stretched I guess - if its worth it.

DAB will be radio 5 & 4

Music will range from Pop to RNB. Typical examples of what I am listening to currently would be Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, Alicia Keys - Element of Freedom & Jay-Z - Blueprint 3

 

[Frank Harvey]

I don't think the RX8's would be overkill, but I doubt you'll get much of a benefit of the 8's over the 6's. If you're going to be playing music at low volumes, I'd go with the floorstanders. The reason for that is that bigger speakers are able to fill a bigger room with bass easier than smaller speakers can, so even if youre not going to push them to their limits, they'll still have benefits at normal levels.

Having said that, I think the RX2's would be capable of a more three dimensional soundstage due to being a smaller, stronger cabinet. Compared to most standmount speakers, they won't lose as much bass in a larger room due to their 8" drivers - most speakers use 6" or smaller nowadays. They certainly won't lack bass, but the RX6's will let you hear a little more at lower volumes.

Rotel's RA05se will be a good solid amp to drive them with.

A good budget CD player like the Yamaha or Marantz will do the trick, but the star CD player under £500 has to be the Rega Apollo if you like a smoother sound.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi David, I will be visiting a local hifi store next week to start the process of building a small office system with upgrade capabilities along the way.

The speakers you mentioned? Did you mean the RX8's or the older RS8s?

The RX8s would be out of a suitable price range for me, for an office system. I was after a comparison of the older RS8s vs the new RX2s. Which are essentially the same price point now.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Vinny7:
Hi David, I will be visiting a local hifi store next week to start the process of building a small office system with upgrade capabilities along the way.

The speakers you mentioned? Did you mean the RX8's or the older RS8s?

The RX8s would be out of a suitable price range for me, for an office system. I was after a comparison of the older RS8s vs the new RX2s. Which are essentially the same price point now.

Get some RS6s!

 

[Frank Harvey]

Sorry, I didn't notice you put RS, not RX! Even so, what I said stands.

They're quite different too. the RS series is much more lively at the top end than the RX series, which is much smoother and easier to match with different amplifiers.

 

[ear]

RX6 are the best you can get

 

[Anonymous]

I'd probably opt for the RX2 if I were in your shoes. The solid walls in your room might overly emphasize the brightness and hardness in the RS8's highs.

I think the RX series just sounds significantly more refined versus the RS series. The highs are smoother and the lows are tighter.

 

[ear]

ok if standmounts be sure to compare the iq30 and the rx2...I'd be surprised if you dont like the iq30 better