Speaker reviews following a price reduction

[admin_exported]

I'm still pondering what speakers to go for and was thinking either the Mordaunt Short Alumni or the Tannoy Arena's. The MSA can be had for around £420 and received 4/5 stars on this site (at the time they were listed as £499). The Tannoy's got 5/5 even though the cost at the time was £1200. The Tannoy's can now be had for around £800, does this make them a steal or were they overpriced in the first place?

I'll most likely pair them with the onkyo 606.

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

This is where I struggled. When a speaker system is no longer current and no longer appears in comparisons you are stuck unless you ask on here. I bought M Cubes based on the fact they regained their 5 star status after a drop to 600 pounds. I got them for 400 so I was laughing.

Even the mags product guide doesn't help in the comparison over time/price drop dilemma. Thats when auditioning becomes essential so you can decide whether the cost is worthwhile.

 

[lobby]

You are correct but look at how many speaker packages get released i was told that a £1000 pound quadlite 5.1 av package now costing between £450 and 500 would sound much better than a current £500 speaker package such as the Q acoustics 1010i and after listening to them i agree especially the sub. A five star award when released so £500 is a bargain nothing really has improved for that price range > Currently the Ma Radius range are being reduced due to a new hd range. Silver only excessive stock packages from £519 to £639 also seem a bargain. And even av amps have got reduced due to new models coming out thats why these forums are so good get a list and go listen for yourself.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, my biggest problem has been finding a shop which stocks all the different speakers I'm interested in? I've managed to get a few demos but never one where I've been able to compare directly, there's always been a sub replacement or some other major change that's left me none the wiser.

 

[radovantz]

We might need an additional guidance like performance-based reviews regardless to prices. Product ranking for instance would help us to decide the best option available for the money through time.

We would be happy should What-Hifi could produce a product ranking book of 10 years products (for instance) once a year.

Sounds like another suggestion..

 

[Anonymous]

I guess that's a lot of work for the What HiFi team to put together and would make reviewing much more complicated but it would be good to know. As you may have figured I'm looking for a lifestyle set of speakers as I realise I could probably get 'proper' speakers with better sound for the same price, hence the MSA or TA's rather than something like the Monitor Audio's etc. I'll only be using them for movies and games so that should help.

Any users of either set out there willing to provide feedback on their speakers?

Thanks,

 

[Anonymous]

180273711749

look these up on ebay and watch them. They may go over your budget but they look in good condition and the 'high quality cable' bodes well for a careful owner.

 

[Anonymous]

As nice as I'm sure they are I'm specifically after a sub/sat system. I'm so close to choosing the Tannoy's and a 606, just waiting to see what the new Sony offerings are like.

 

[lobby]

Ok this seem good value and i had a quick listen to them quite impressed but the top shelf of my lcd stand was not high enough. Creative Audio seem your best bet £799 with wall brackets/stands and grilles also speaker cable bundle included. New sony range onkyo and pioneer on its way will sound fine with 606 or the new denon.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Lobby but I think the Creative Audio deal is for the 'Lite' version (same sats but different sub if I'm not mistaken), the 'normal' £1200 Arena set can be had for £750-£800 in a few places.

 

[lobby]

One on ebay bronze colour for £599 plus £20 p&p buy now, or Peter Tyson with spike shoes and speaker cable £799

 

[Anonymous]

So going back to my original point, do the whathifi team think the Arena's represent a steal at £800? Are they worth double that of the MSA's?