New speakers for my Rotel RA02 amp

[admin_exported]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, but I have a question. I'm looking for some new speakers for my Rotel RA02 amp. I've found speakers that seem good to me, the Monitor Audio BX2. I've also seen the Wharfedale 10.1 speakers. The speaker will be used in a small room (2.3mx3.3m). Which speakers would be the best choice?

 

[Anonymous]

An audition with your Rotel would be a good idea.
Either speaker would be good buy. I would also include the BX 1 and maybe the new Dali Zenzor in your hunt.

 

[Frank Harvey]

If you like bass, or music that involves a lot of it, the Wharfedales will suit you down to the ground. If you prefer something a little more balanced, the BX2's will more than likely be ideal for you.

 

[matthewpiano]

Yep, both excellent speakers and David's description matches my own experience of them. I agree with The Limey - book an audition of both and see which you prefer.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi n0nam3

I know the RA-02 well as i used to sell this amplifier (and plenty of the 02 series as a whole). The 10.1's and BX2's will both work well with the RA-02. The 10.1's have a fuller rounded presentation whereas the BX2's are tighter, clearer and more dynamic. It just depends the type of presentation you're after.

Fwiw, i would opt for the BX2's as their overall tonal balance will suit the relative smooth and dynamic presentation of the RA-02.

Btw, what colour is the of your RA-02?

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[matthewpiano]

Come to think of it, about 3 or 4 years ago I had a Rotel RA-01 (the same as your RA-02 but without the remote) which I used with Monitor Audio B2 speakers (the first incarnation of the Bronze 2) and it worked very well. My source at the time was a Harman Kardon HD970 CD player.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help. I think i'm going to order the Monitor Audio BX2 online, as I don't have a hifi store nearby that sells them. I hope they will be a noticable upgrade to my current speakers, the Yamaha E-NX800.

btw. The color of my amp is silver.

 

[Lo Fi]

I dont think you will be dissapointed with the BX2s

 

[Frank Harvey]

btw. The color of my amp is silver.

Don't worry, the black and the silver one both sound the same

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, but I have a question. I'm looking for some new speakers for my Rotel RA02 amp. I've found speakers that seem good to me, the Monitor Audio BX2. I've also seen the Wharfedale 10.1 speakers. The speaker will be used in a small room (2.3mx3.3m). Which speakers would be the best choice?

Yup, Wharfedales are a very good match with Rotel. Slightly surprised few have mentioned B&W. The model that springs to mind is the 602s.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Thanks for the help. I think i'm going to order the Monitor Audio BX2 online, as I don't have a hifi store nearby that sells them. I hope they will be a noticable upgrade to my current speakers, the Yamaha E-NX800.

btw. The color of my amp is silver.

Hi n0nam3

Nice one 🙂

RA-02 in silver with blue lights looks very nice 🙂

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

I've been to my local HiFi dealer, and i told him that I wanted to buy the Monitor Audio BX2 for my amp. He recomended the B&W 686 speakers, because they would be a better match with my amplifier. I listened to them on a Marantz Melody-ish amp, and they sounded pretty good. This week I will go back and audition the Monitor Audio BX2 and the B&W 686 with a Rotel RA05 amp, to hear the difference.

Are the B&W 686 speakers better than the BX2's?

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I've been to my local HiFi dealer, and i told him that I wanted to buy the Monitor Audio BX2 for my amp. He recomended the B&W 686 speakers, because they would be a better match with my amplifier. I listened to them on a Marantz Melody-ish amp, and they sounded pretty good. This week I will go back and audition the Monitor Audio BX2 and the B&W 686 with a Rotel RA05 amp, to hear the difference.

Are the B&W 686 speakers better than the BX2's?

Hi n0nam3

The sharper and upfront presenatation of the RA-05 (compared to the RA-02) is very much likely to favour the fuller presentation of the 686 speakers. Therefore for a fairer comparison i'll highly recommend that you take your RA-02 amp to your dealers for listening to the BX2's and 686 speakers.

Fwiw, i feel the relatively smooth and dynamic presentation of the RA-02 will be a better with the BX2's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I've been to my local HiFi dealer, and i told him that I wanted to buy the Monitor Audio BX2 for my amp. He recomended the B&W 686 speakers, because they would be a better match with my amplifier. I listened to them on a Marantz Melody-ish amp, and they sounded pretty good. This week I will go back and audition the Monitor Audio BX2 and the B&W 686 with a Rotel RA05 amp, to hear the difference.

Are the B&W 686 speakers better than the BX2's?

Hi n0nam3

The sharper and upfront presenatation of the RA-05 (compared to the RA-02) is very much likely to favour the fuller presentation of the 686 speakers. Therefore for a fairer comparison i'll highly recommend that you take your RA-02 amp to your dealers for listening to the BX2's and 686 speakers.

Fwiw, i feel the relatively smooth and dynamic presentation of the RA-02 will be a better with the BX2's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[matthewpiano]

I've previously owned B&W 686s and MUCH prefer the Monitor Audio BX2s I have now, but you really have to choose what works best for you. The 686s are boomy little things in my opinion but the best advice would be to do what Rick has suggested and take your own amp to try with both speakers.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

I've been to my local HiFi dealer, and i told him that I wanted to buy the Monitor Audio BX2 for my amp. He recomended the B&W 686 speakers, because they would be a better match with my amplifier. I listened to them on a Marantz Melody-ish amp, and they sounded pretty good. This week I will go back and audition the Monitor Audio BX2 and the B&W 686 with a Rotel RA05 amp, to hear the difference.

Are the B&W 686 speakers better than the BX2's?

Hi n0nam3

The sharper and upfront presenatation of the RA-05 (compared to the RA-02) is very much likely to favour the fuller presentation of the 686 speakers. Therefore for a fairer comparison i'll highly recommend that you take your RA-02 amp to your dealers for listening to the BX2's and 686 speakers.

Fwiw, i feel the relatively smooth and dynamic presentation of the RA-02 will be a better with the BX2's.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Well, i'll have a listen this friday. I hope the dealer plays the Monitor Audio's for a day or so, before i'll audition them. Otherwise the comparison wouldn't be fair. I'll try to bring my own amp, but that will be difficult, as I don't own a car, only a drivers license 😛

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I went to the Hifi dealer and auditioned both speakers, the Bowers and Wilkins 686 and the BX2's. It was a tough decision, but after a long listen, I decided to buy the Bowers and Wilkins 686's. I my opinion they just sounded better. The I now have them a couple of days, and I am verry happy with them.

Thanks for the advices🙂

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Hi n0nam3

I hope you enjoy the performamce of your 686 speakers for many years to come 🙂

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft