Recommend speakers to replace Monitor Audio GS20s

[Trahern]

Well after listening to a lot of speakers and trying to decide what sound I wanted (probably the warmer side of neutral and I think fairly detailed as it happens) and to some extent taking into account aesthetics I have chosen Dali Helicon 800 Mk1's. These are brand new so still running in but so far delighted. Stunning build quality as well as great sound. It also means I get a good centre speaker (Helicon C200) and rears (Helicon IW 200 Phantom) which are placed in brackets rather than in the wall (makes it easier if I ever decide to move).

Anyway just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. If nothing else it gave me a shortlist and helped me to decide what I was really looking for. Interestingly my kids (13 and 16) thought they all sounded the same and couldn't understand the fuss - think they must have inherited their mother's cloth ears!!!!

 

[MUSICRAFT]

Trahern:

Well after listening to a lot of speakers and trying to decide what sound I wanted (probably the warmer side of neutral and I think fairly detailed as it happens) and to some extent taking into account aesthetics I have chosen Dali Helicon 800 Mk1's. These are brand new so still running in but so far delighted. Stunning build quality as well as great sound. It also means I get a good centre speaker (Helicon C200) and rears (Helicon IW 200 Phantom) which are placed in brackets rather than in the wall (makes it easier if I ever decide to move).

Anyway just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. If nothing else it gave me a shortlist and helped me to decide what I was really looking for. Interestingly my kids (13 and 16) thought they all sounded the same and couldn't understand the fuss - think they must have inherited their mother's cloth ears!!!!

Hi Trahern

Your welcome and i hope you will enjoy the performance of your new speakers for many years to come.

Thanks

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck with your 800's, they sure are nice looking and big too.

Be sure to come back with a review once you've managed to get them set up.

 

[Trahern]

These are beautifully finished speakers; in my view they
have to be because of their size, not that bothers me. They would probably be
prettier with their grills on, because of the number and size of the drives,
but that is not an option because of the cats. In my case I have gloss-finished
rose nut veneer cabinets; they are pieces of furniture in their own right.

They
don't appear to be too fussy about positioning; as I have laminate floors I
have them sitting on granite to help prevent any booming in the bass. Takes 2
granite surface protectors from Tesco's for each speaker. They fit width wise,
but one is not long enough. I have them bi-amped which gives great control and
depth in all areas, bass, midrange and treble.

The sound is just warm of
neutral in the base and midrange and the treble is generally never over bright
(thank goodness) but open and natural sounding. The exception is that it will
show up poorly or brightly recorded music. They are not over forward in their
presentation but unlike the Vienna Acoustic speakers I tried you don't ever
feel they are holding back. There is no harshness with cymbals, violins, brass
or voices; they are all clearly defined, separated, airy and open giving a marvellous
and very musical sound. The bass is available in spades but well controlled and
never booms.

They need a fair amount of running in to hear them at their best.
I have run them for about 50 hours so far and I'm even more improvement over
time. Definite keepers. After listening fatigue with the MA's after only 30
minutes they are a pleasure to listen to for hours on end, if you have the
time. Well here goes nothing. My views on my new Helicon 800 MK1's after about
50 hours so far.

 

[Anonymous]

I am surprised that noone mentioned the Mordaunt-Short Performance 6 loudspeakers.

Congratulations on your purchase, Trahern.

Dan.

 

[Trahern]

Thanks Dan.

All that remains is for me to sell the MA GS20's. I now have no plans for the foreseeable future to upgrade my system, no really! I'm now very happy with what I have, thank goodness (with the caveat that if I inherit some vast fortune I reserve my position).

I'm keeping the MA rears so that will give me 7.1 surround although I haven't wired them up as yet. I can't imagine I will notice any great difference in their sound (given they are rears) to the other speakers. If I'm wrong then it's another item for ebay I guess and I can recoup some of the money I've spent rectifying my initial mistake.