NAD C355BEE

[drummerman]

[quote user="Cypher"]
I've already sold my RS1 speakers. I'm going to buy the C355 and I am planning to buy the new Epos M5i.

[/quote]

Gratulations, a man with good ears.

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="d_a_n1979"]Ewww no... Stay away from Epos... Well thats just my opinion.
You can do hell of alot better than Epos.

[/quote]

Erm ... NO. Rega's R3/5 are just about the only other option and equally good in different ways.

[quote user="d_a_n1979"]B&W 603 S3's or the new 684's would be very good too as would the 685's with good mass-loadable stands[/quote]

funny

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="Cypher"]

What's wrong with Epos in your opinion ? I've heard the RS5 and RS6 and it's the same sound as the RS1 I've just sold. So that's out of the question, the RS1 were tiresome to listen to in the long run.

I do not like the 685, boring sound.

[/quote]

Dont listen to them. I think you've pretty much summed up MA and B&W (budget range) sound. Go with the Epos, M5i or the next model up depending on room size. You wont regret it unlike the gents that bought their MA's and are trying to make them sound something approaching decent for the next 5 years.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="drummerman"]
[quote user="Cypher"]
I've already sold my RS1 speakers. I'm going to buy the C355 and I am planning to buy the new Epos M5i.

[/quote]

Gratulations, a man with good ears.
[/quote]

I've just picked up a pair of the outgoing Epos M5s. £100 of the original list price, from Superfi. I'm still running them in / acclimatising my ears to them (delete as appropriate according to your beliefs) but first impressions are extremely positive.
I AB tested them against some B&W 685s. The B&Ws were more open and neutral, whilst the Epos gave a definite colour to the music. Unfortunately, the B&Ws also came across as pretty dull, whilst the Epos are much more boisterous... and that's the sound I like. Don't expect stadium PA system bass from the Epos, as they're only babies, but they're not without charm in the lower end. They sound respectable at lowish volumes, and fantastic when dialled in. Highly recommended.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="drummerman"]

Dont listen to them. I think you've pretty much summed up MA and B&W
(budget range) sound. Go with the Epos, M5i or the next model up depending on
room size. You wont regret it unlike the gents that bought their MA's and are
trying to make them sound something approaching decent for the next 5
years.
[/quote]

Lol.You just dont really like anything thats budget drummerman.I have read you slag off practically every bit of kit in the budget range that is considered to be very good for the money! I think at about the £300 price point you are always going to have limitations.I think the RS1's are difficult to partner.Get the right amp with a good bottom end and the right cable ( no silver to the tweeters!) and they can sound good.Mine do now. I have always liked the MA sound though.I did consider epos M5's as i felt my Rs1's did not have enough weight and were too bright but the nad and a change of cable has made a big difference.The epos were often commented on as being a bit ragged in the treble, not to mention requiring a powerful amp.In the end it put me off.M5i's supposedly have addressed this but are £175 more than the M5's from superfi. Ruins the appeal somewhat.Mission 790's anyone? opinion on them drummerman? Go on, say they are good.I know you can do it!

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="Fraziel"]Mission 790's anyone? opinion on them drummerman? Go on, say they are good.I know you can do it![/quote]

Ok, here it comes ... , sorry ... can't do it, have'nt heard them but then I've NEVER heard any Mission Speaker I liked! Perhaps in the future.

Nop, I dont 'slag' stuff off cause its budget. Quite the opposite. I've recommended many times components/speakers that many people would'nt consider partnering with existing gear because it does'nt fit the price bracket ie. not expensive enough however ...

These days, when most of us have £700 laptops, £100 ipods, £200 play stations etc etc I certainly think that £300 is about the starting point for HIFI components and speakers. Any less and you really just as well go to currys. Even so, I have recommended NAD's baby amp/player a couple of times as a STOP GAP and even once heard them sound better than 3.5K worth of M/F and Proac. Great eh?!

With regards to speakers, I have listened to (I think) every B&W 6 series model, stand mounters, floor standers, with/without sub and I dont give a hoot what reviewers say, they are ok for HT not for music. Epos M5's, the old model, have a lovely metal tweeter and they are super refined compared to B&Ws!

 

[Cypher]

The tweeter isn't the only problem of the RS1 in my opinion. The bass is very weak and when the music gets too busy they sound like they can't cope with the music, they sound congested. First impression of the sound is very positive but in the long run you get tired of the sound. They RS5 and RS6 I heard have exactly the same problem IMO.

I am going to buy the amp first and listen to the new Epos M5i and some other speakers. I've never liked Mission either but if they have the new 790 I'll go and take a listen.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Cypher"]
The tweeter isn't the only problem of the RS1 in my opinion. The bass is very weak and when the music gets too busy they sound like they can't cope with the music, they sound congested. First impression of the sound is very positive but in the long run you get tired of the sound. They RS5 and RS6 I heard have exactly the same problem IMO.

I am going to buy the amp first and listen to the new Epos M5i and some other speakers. I've never liked Mission either but if they have the new 790 I'll go and take a listen.

[/quote]
Couldn't agree more. The bass booms a little, but that's acceptable at this price point, the mid range certainly sounds cluttered and mashed on some music and the treble gets shrill. Otherwise great speakers lol. This is the second pair of MA speakers I've had and both have made me lose the feeling of magic in my hifi. Obviously a lesson that I should have learnt sooner. Next I'm going to audition Rega, PMC, Proac and Neat

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="igglebert"] Next I'm going to audition Rega, PMC, Proac and Neat [/quote]

One at a time ... ?

 

[Anonymous]

ok, what i find interesting though is that cypher loved his BR2's.Having listened to both, the BR2 is considerabley inferior.Boxier, less resolution, more vague soundstage. less detail, immediately you know they are cheaper. They are very easy to set up though and they like any half decent amp and speaker cable.The Rs1's on the other hand hate silver cable to the tweeters ( my x tube 400 was like fingers down a blackboard, and i like a touch of brightness) and are amp fussy.Set them up right though and they cane the BR2's. I do think though that a £350 speaker should not be that system and cable fussy.In regard to dummermans comment about £300 being a good entry point for decent hi fi considering what else we buy, i am what i would call a weekend hi fi listener.Friday night and saturday usually.I therefore cant justify to myself a really large outlay on hi fi. i do, however, use my laptop and my tv every single day! More expense on that stuff therefore justified, to me anyway.

 

[Cypher]

The BR2's have a more relaxing sound than the RS1 and don't have the congestion problems.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Cypher"]
The BR2's have a more relaxing sound than the RS1 and don't have the congestion problems.
[/quote]
not if you use copper cable on the RS1's.you used silver.I spent 3 hours messing around on tuesday night demoing interconnects and speaker cable.the pure copper cable made a huge difference.And i genuinely mean that.Huge difference.Calm treble, just like BR2's and v enjoyable to listen to.i take your point about the congestion annoying you,although i dont hear it as much as you, but it did everything else way better than BR"'s.Anyway, buy that nad, and trust me on this, you will love it .if you get the epos let me know how you get on and what you think of missions if you hear them.