What does 5* mean?

[pompeygreg]

At the Bristol show today Monitor Audio were demoing the Mass 5.1 system, while I was pretty impressed given the small size, I wasn't blown away. During sections of the Dark Knight rises there were parts where I can only describe it as a wa wa pedal over the vocals - a strange listening experience.

The review doesn't appear to be 100% positive

"There’s a slight bias to the midrange, with the centre speaker feeling a bit forward compared to its flanking speakers. This is no bad thing: the already-expressive and clear vocals are direct and engaging. While there are speaker packages with a more seamless integration across the front channels, we haven’t heard anything better at this price"

So how do these speakers merit a 5* review? They were good, but i'd struggle to call them perfect. Does a 5* review system have enough granularity?

 

[duaplex]

I too went into the demo room and found them lacking, but thinking back on it.... This may be down to the fact that, i saw far better and more expensive speakers before them. Naturally after hearing the 25k PCM speaker demo they would sound flat, so perhaps this could be a factor.

They also looked unattractive to me. Give me the APEX any day over them.

 

[duaplex]

About the review. All reviews are subjective and while testing would have been thorough they may appear to lack substance due to the summertime nature to them.

Also 5* does not always mean its right for you. Take the oppo 103, it received 3*, but remains the best bluray player at that price point for many!

 

[BenLaw]

At the Bristol show today Monitor Audio were demoing the Mass 5.1 system, while I was pretty impressed given the small size, I wasn't blown away. During sections of the Dark Knight rises there were parts where I can only describe it as a wa wa pedal over the vocals - a strange listening experience.

The review doesn't appear to be 100% positive

"There’s a slight bias to the midrange, with the centre speaker feeling a bit forward compared to its flanking speakers. This is no bad thing: the already-expressive and clear vocals are direct and engaging. While there are speaker packages with a more seamless integration across the front channels, we haven’t heard anything better at this price"

So how do these speakers merit a 5* review? They were good, but i'd struggle to call them perfect. Does a 5* review system have enough granularity?

They get a five star review because of the last eight words you quoted.

 

[sta99y]

Hi, after attending the show yesterday i too was disappointed with the 5.1 mass by MA, also an odd shape and imo ugly looking, the Apex in JL room soooo much better.

 

[cstanwhf]

The room also plays a part in how the system sounds.

 

[ear]

there is no way a cener speaker of that size will impress...some AV amps have the ability to expand the center sound to the front speakers..in these configuration you can get a better front stage.