Currently have Pioneer AX5i , Dv 757Ai and MK K7 x3 , k15 x3 + KX10 sub. Looking at Pioneer SC LX-71 , BD LX-91 and MK M7 x3 , MT4 x2 + SB 8 sub or Monitor Audio Radius HD R270 HD x2 , R180HD x1 , R90 HD x2 + R370HD sub. Want opinions on the MK v MA have had mixed professional advise that one is better than the other ie one for MK , one for MA and one for focal lab sib cub. My main priority would be movie sound but i am looking for a decent music sound without having to go with a separate system for music as my living room is on the smaller side. Opinions welcome.
Style speakers MA or MK
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Frank Harvey
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- Jun 27, 2008
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As far as movies are concerned, the M&K's will far outperform any lifestyle speaker package, even more expensive ones, which are mainly designed for visual purposes rather than audio ones. The MA package is an excellent alternative, but if movies are so important, there's only one choice here.
One thing I would recommend is to look at a different sub. Will the sub be on display? Does it have to be gloss black? The reason ask is that you can pick a KX12 for about £500, which is the equivalent to the £900 SB12 but not gloss. The KX12 is £200 cheaper than the SB8 (rrp), and is a much better sub. SO not only would this bring the cost of your package down, but it will perform better too.
One thing I would recommend is to look at a different sub. Will the sub be on display? Does it have to be gloss black? The reason ask is that you can pick a KX12 for about £500, which is the equivalent to the £900 SB12 but not gloss. The KX12 is £200 cheaper than the SB8 (rrp), and is a much better sub. SO not only would this bring the cost of your package down, but it will perform better too.
AHHH life on what hifi after all is was designed to provoke a response and i got a couple thanks. A couple ÿmore points to ponder , ÿFrank Harvey whats up with your website hifix not been able to get on it recently. So on the MK package you think i would need the SB12 which is the M7 rather than the M3 i was thinking the M7 first but then you put the price up from £1712 to £2150 this was the last time i was able to access your site a couple of days ago hence i thought maybe the M3 at £1600 ish. If i already have a KX10 would i need a KX12 as i was thinking in a small sized terraced property maybe i would not need a more powerful sub my KX10 seems more than adequate to me. This then made me think maybe i might be better with the monitor audio package. as my K7 package is now going for less than half what i paid for and in purely monetary terms the monitor audio set up is twice the price of the equivalent K7 which should equate to an upgrade ? To be honest i would probably go with the M7 package if i went MK but i keep being drawn to the monitor audio's for some reason. Another point made to me was an Onkyo amp would be better than Pioneer any thoughts on this for reference compare the lx-81 against TX-NR906. Home cinema why would you go with the MK over the MA. I'm looking for the best all round package for movie and music in style speakers and would not want to go over £2500. I was also looking at MK xenon but they are not as good musically as the M7 i'm lead to believe.
The Onkyo will work very well with the MK sound as it has plenty of punch but the LX81 would still be my choice as it presents a better overall sound and wins in 2ch playback. I prefer the MKs for they detail and clarity they provide and when you give it some stick they really perform - a very different sound to the majority of small(ish) speakers.
Another alternative - esp if you are looking for good stereo performance - is the Dali Motif. About the same size as an M7 but in a nicer cabinet. Certainly worth a listen.
Nick
Another alternative - esp if you are looking for good stereo performance - is the Dali Motif. About the same size as an M7 but in a nicer cabinet. Certainly worth a listen.
Nick
Thanks Nick. How would a Dali lektor set up compare to the MK ? . (If i was to be swayed away from a style package)ÿ
I just read a comment on a review "no one buys five speakers to listen to stereo music" so if music is not a priority at all would the MK Xenon be the best option for me. ÿi would end up getting a separate music system (probably rega apollo) and finding room for it with the xenon being smaller than the MK M7 this could work. What do you think (Nick, Frank or anyone else).ÿ
The Lektors are very good , surprisingly so for a small cabinet and three LCRs across the front works very well.
Having a balanced system is key and high performing speakers all round makes such a difference even if you do not use 5ch stereo or DVDA/SACD. The Xenons are also very good and I would say on a par with the Dali Motifs for quality although very different in sound. Either of these systems with a good quality sub will deliver the goods it is your choice which is best.
Nick
Having a balanced system is key and high performing speakers all round makes such a difference even if you do not use 5ch stereo or DVDA/SACD. The Xenons are also very good and I would say on a par with the Dali Motifs for quality although very different in sound. Either of these systems with a good quality sub will deliver the goods it is your choice which is best.
Nick
Frank Harvey
Well-known member
- Jun 27, 2008
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Sorry for the delay in replying, I was on my day off yesterday! As mentioned on another thread, our website was down most of last week as a server change/upgrade didn't go swimmingly, but it's all back up and running now 🙂
v1c - M&K had price rises on February 1st, so unfortunately prices had to go up. I did warn people an a.n.other forum, but I don't think this site allows anything businesswise.
As I said earlier, the KX12 is essentially the same as a KX12, but without the high gloss finish, and will save you a fair am ount of money. With the current price we have on the KX12, the package works out to £1630. The KX12 will be a lot better than the KX10 if you can accommodate the larger cabinet. If you stick with the M Series, you may be fine with your KX10, but if you go for Xenons, I'd say it's a necessity.
The Monitor Audio setup won't compete with the M&K's for pure convincing detail. This will be the same for hi-fi speaker packages as well. After all, it's what M&K are designed for. Hi-fi speakers will sound good, but in A/B comparisons, we've rarely come across anyone who hasn't gone the M&K route.
As for comparing the 906 and LX81, they're both great AV amps. I'd lean towards the Pioneer myself. It has a very useful 'X-Curve' feature, which is a great help for rooms that exaggerate brightness (wooden floors/patio doors/bare walls etc) like one of our dem rooms. I'd also consider the Yamaha 3900 or DSPZ7.
A seperate hi-fi system is always the way to go, as an AV system is always a compromise. Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Regards
David
v1c - M&K had price rises on February 1st, so unfortunately prices had to go up. I did warn people an a.n.other forum, but I don't think this site allows anything businesswise.
As I said earlier, the KX12 is essentially the same as a KX12, but without the high gloss finish, and will save you a fair am ount of money. With the current price we have on the KX12, the package works out to £1630. The KX12 will be a lot better than the KX10 if you can accommodate the larger cabinet. If you stick with the M Series, you may be fine with your KX10, but if you go for Xenons, I'd say it's a necessity.
The Monitor Audio setup won't compete with the M&K's for pure convincing detail. This will be the same for hi-fi speaker packages as well. After all, it's what M&K are designed for. Hi-fi speakers will sound good, but in A/B comparisons, we've rarely come across anyone who hasn't gone the M&K route.
As for comparing the 906 and LX81, they're both great AV amps. I'd lean towards the Pioneer myself. It has a very useful 'X-Curve' feature, which is a great help for rooms that exaggerate brightness (wooden floors/patio doors/bare walls etc) like one of our dem rooms. I'd also consider the Yamaha 3900 or DSPZ7.
A seperate hi-fi system is always the way to go, as an AV system is always a compromise. Any other questions, feel free to ask.
Regards
David
Thanks for the opinions , i think i got a bit clouded with the good with movie and music for a bit and hence going for a compromise so i think i'll put the xenon in front at the moment and go for a separate system later one that will beat the kids fatman , mezzo2 combination which is just fantastic to me (and the kids of course).
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