Upgrading my Dali Ikon 6 5.1 for Monitor Audio Apex

[admin_exported]

With the arrival of a puppy my Ikons are looking vunerable, I have them connected to a Pioneer LX82 and I have never really been happy that they are well partnered they lack what I would call attack in movie mode, they seem a little lethargic like we have gone by bus to the cinema rather than by GTI. I upgraded the power supply with a QED 6 Block (hard to tell if that worked) I did not upgrade the power lead (which maybe why). Anyway was thinking of changing for stand mounts to keep them clear of the hound and I am rather taken by the Apex package any clues how this would sound? I want speed and clarity not so much blast my window eruptions which the neighbour never appreciates.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pioneer LX 82, Pioneer Blue Ray LX71 (Decent Picture but slow) Mac Mini for internet TV (love to know whether I should stick this through a DAC before going to the LX82) Xtube xt300 cable for the fronts and straitwire for the rears (due an upgrade with the change of speakers) QED 6point power block, standard power cables (need to upgrade) and a Philips 42inch the one with the big white surround old but reliable.

 

[ric71]

The Apex are great and will work well with the Pioneer LX82.

They are fantastic with both movies and music alike.Detailed accurate sound.

They are very flexible when it comes to positioning. Stands or wall mount with brackets that angle in all directions.

Look at the "Apex owners" thread to see what people think.They do need a lot of running in.

 

[Anonymous]

I may get a better deal upgrading to a Dali Ikon 6 mk2 5.1, any thoughts on this over the Apex if they cost the same?

 

[ric71]

I think you will have to have a head to head demo of both the Dali and Apex.

I can only comment on the Apex which are fabulous.

If you were not totaly happy with the the Dali and felt they were lacking it may be a case that you dont like the Dali sound.

 

[Anonymous]

I assume then that the puppy has grown up a bit and not attacking your speakers, or was that just an excuse ( which I often do to Mrs A) to change them?

I run the Apex on a less capable AVR than the LX82, and I will never look back, I have a list of " never replace" kit and these are no on it.

 

[gosalh]

Check out the "Apex Club" thread

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

The Dali's partner very well with the Pioneer sound but they don't have that attacking sound. Do you have the Dali sub? Have you bi-amp'd the front speakers? What room size do you have? Are you using the X-curve on the Pioneer?

 

[Anonymous]

Am using the Dali sub, i don't have the fronts biwired but I could do that I have not got into x curve the Pioneer setup is a bit over my head need to dig deeper but was going to wait now till I order, I think I maybe sold on the Apex solution though I have a big room to fill I don't listen loud and have no where to hang the rears so they sit on the piano which is why i liked the idea of the Apex on stands. Final thought I could flip the fronts to the rear and just upgrade the fronts and centre but the Apex seems the neater solution especially as I just ordered a BDI Marina tv stand in white/black which I think will look awesome with the Apex in Black. Should I get a discount on the Apex? got a quote 2500pds (in Singapore where there is only one dealer) I thought I could try an online dealer in the UK but cannot see anything cheaper being advertised and I have to add shipping though If I got the Vat back that would cover that.

Pioneer LX 82, Pioneer Blue Ray LX71 (Decent Picture but slow) Mac Mini for internet TV (digital connect to the Amp) Apple TV, a bit redundant now as I use the Mac Mini much more. Xtube xt300 cable for the fronts and straitwire for the rears (due an upgrade with the change of speakers) QED 6point power block, standard power cables (need to upgrade?) and a Philips 42inch the one with the big white surround old but reliable. (NAS Synology 211 2TB server, new addition and a steep learning curve but itunes successfully transferred over so far). Harmony One...rubbish

 

[Anonymous]

I find this post a bit strange as I have the very same speakers but would say that they certainly do not lack any attack. In fact both with my previous Arcam AR350 and my current AVR600 I think they sound fantastic. My Naim addict friend even likes them and his system cost many thousands more than mine.I have read that the Dali Ikon 6 Mk 2 speaker sounds more accurate but not as much fun, so I have not gone down that upgrade route and am very happy with what I have (for now

) I use the system for both movies and music and with a suitable SACD disc I am in heaven . I dont think messing around with fancy power leads etc will provide the improvement you want. Maybe it is the amp that is letting down the system? I DO listen to my system loud and the Dali's sound fine right up to pain levels.

I have mine biamped but they sounded good even just bi wired.I dont know how good your amp is but see if you can listen to an Arcam system for comparison.

I am not an Aracm dealer!!!
My dog leaves the room when we watch movies and he is deaf!!

 

[Anonymous]

I expect the Arcam is a superior sounding piece of kit to the LX82 certainly more musical from what I have read, I agree about power leads, this is almost certainly a waste of time, I say they lack attack because when I have had a demo of other sub/small sat speakers they seem to have a crispness, I think its the higher end of the range that I prefer maybe I am a little deaf (sure I am) so I need treble to punch through and in a big space i think the Dali fails to do this but amply fills the space at the lower end. I might wander over to the dealer see if he has Arcam and Dali in the same shop.

 

[TheHomeCinemaCentre]

Having the speakers on the Piano won't help the sound. Is it s grand Piano? I would investigate the settings on the 82 first. Double check the room eq settings and then look to EQ the fronts to your liking.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I am 64 and I know the high frequencies do tail off as you get older, but that shouldnt change the impact or attack of the speakers. I forgot to say my rears are Dali IKon 5's free standers and not the standard wall mounted speakers within the Dali Ikon 5.1 system, but the front, centre, and sub create most of the sound. I would suggest you need to visit a good demo shop and don't be afraid to ask for comparisons. I had the dealer shifting 80kg speakers around, which I am sure he was pleased about, and found real surprises in the comparisons I made. It's very hard to remember a quality of sound, so it is best to try for quick swaps of speakers.I decided not to spend £5000 on a pair of top Dalis to replace my Ikon 6's as the improvement wasn't worth the money.

You also need to be radical in your house if possible and get the speakers in a more ideal position. I am sure a piano is going to resonate badly and play havoc with the sound from the speakers.

A second hand Arcam ar350 would be cheap just to try with the speakers you have. i bet you will, notice a difference.

I am still not an Arcam dealer.

 

[Anonymous]

Dog be damned and I plumped for the following and have made my purchase and get delivery tomorrow of the very sweet sounding Kef q900's front, q200 centre, q500 rear's and a HTB2SE Sub, my room is really just too big to do any justice to a subsat system and I want to enjoy some more music, I , just need some advise on cables as What Hifi say avoid bright cables but there is no real suggestion as to what is bright or otherwise. I am considering bi amping the fronts so would like to consider cables that suit that and my lx82. Or happy take suggestions about the whole biamping idea.