Spendor A6+A5+C5.2 vs Monitor Audio GS60+GS10+GSLCR

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For the same money, which would you choose for a multi-channel surround sound set-up?

Spendor A6 for fronts, Spendor A5 for surrounds, Spendor C5.2 for centre channel duties

Or

Monitor Audio GS60 for fronts, Monitor Audio GS10 (on good, sturdy, loudspeaker stands) for surrounds, Monitor Audio GSLCR for centre channel duties

Powered by a NAD Masters Series M25 7-channel Power Amplifier, with a Marantz AV8003 Surround Processor/Pre-Amplifier.

Dan.

 

[Anonymous]

Now that's a tough call!

I have high regard for both systems, if it were me I would have to sit down and have a good listen to them both before parting with my money.
Let you ears decide.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks mate.

Unfortunately, for the Spendor's, there are no retailers in Perth, Western Australia. I have been liaising with a guy from Queensland who is the distributor of Spendor loudspeakers in Australia.

They have a refund policy, whereby a customer can pay for the loudspeakers by cash or credit card, and they will send the loudspeakers over, and if the customer is not happy with them, the customer can send them back but the customer - understandably - pays for the freight (to and fro).

I enquired about a packaged price for 1 pair of A6, 1 pair of A5 and 1 C5.2. They can do a good price but for special packaged prices, they do not offer a money-back guarantee. I do not want to spend almost AUD$10,000 (about 4,000GBP) on loudspeakers that I have not auditioned.

I am also not sure about the performance of the C5.2 centre channel loudspeaker.

As for the Gold Series Monitor Audio loudspeakers, I have listened to them at a guy's home and they sounded brilliant. However, his room is very different to mine, and his gear is very different to mine.

Dan.

 

[Frank Harvey]

Two quite different systems!

Firstly, one of these might match the M25 better than the other. This can only be confirmed with a demonstration, but no doubt the NAD should drive either of these pretty well, although I'd say the Spendor's require more grunt that the MA's do.

The Spendors are very smooth and easy going, nice bass response and a great midrange. Even though they are smooth they don't lack detail, but are a little soft for AV for my personal tastes.

The MA Gold's are a much more upfront sound. Initially they'll come across as more detailed, and possibly a tad bright for some tastes. Again, how these ultimately sound will be down to the electronics used.

My choice for AV would be the MA's, but if the system was more for music would be the Spendors. Although I wouldn't ignore competition from Proac or the KEF XQ range.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot for your honest and detailed response.

I have heard the Monitor Audio Gold Series, although not with my Power Amplifier and electronics. I do not really want to lug my 43.7kg NAD M25 Power Amplifier to any retailer!

Unfortunately, I am from Perth, Western Australia, and that means we can forget about even seeing Spendor loudspeakers in the flesh. Most people here have not even heard of Spendor loudspeakers!

I am seriously considering the ProAc Studio 140 for mains, ProAc Studio Centre for centre channel duties, and a pair of ProAc Studio 130's or 110's (on good, sturdy, loudspeaker stands), as well.

Aesthetically-speaking, I like the Monitor Audio's best.

Usage for my system will probably be split 50:50; I do enjoy the 'gung-ho' BIG explosive sound for movies, but I like natural, warm, sound for music.

 

[jaxwired]

Maybe it's just me, but using the A5 for surround duty seems like overkill and a waste of a good speaker. How about the SA1 for sourround (although still wasting a great speakers)? Or spendor does make a surround speaker to be partnered with the new A series, the SR5.2.