Which loudspeakers.

[admin_exported]

I have a small room - about 12 feet by 12 feet - and am looking for a pair of speakers, budget £400. I have auditioned several speakers including the old Kef iq5's, Monitor Audio BR5's and the RS1's. I am afraid that the BR5's finish counts them out. So I am left with the RS1's or the New iq5 SE's which I obviously haven't heard yet. I am leaning towards the iq5's but are there any others around this price that I should hear? I listen to classical music (incl organ).

 

[Andrew Everard]

In a room that size I reckon the RS1s will be much better bet, or perhaps the new B&W 685s

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much. I auditioned the 685's but thought thay might be too bassy (which was also mentioned in the What Hi Fi review). Again the finish of the 685's was a little plain to get past "the boss" wheras the RS1's come in real wood veneers and look very smart.

I must admit that I am rapidly coming around to the RS1's. Which stands would you recommend, in that case?

 

[Clare Newsome]

The obvious answer would be the Partington Superdreadnoughts, but if you're battling with 'the boss' re the lovely-looking B&Ws being plain (how???), I think they won't pass muster.

We've tested a great pair of real-wood-finish speaker stands in our forthcoming issue, out a week today, if you can wait that long? Think they'd look/sound great with the RS1s, if you can find the finish to match.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much, Claire.

I had another listen yesterday and I think it is between the RS1's and the 685's. Aesthetics aside, my thoughts are that the 685's are a little full in the upper bass for my room and that the RS1's are smoother and more open in the midrange.

I am going for another listen (4th and hopefully final) later. Would you agree with my choice of the RS1's?

I will wait to see your review before buying some stands.

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else have any comments about the relative merits or the MA RS1 or the B+W 685?

Thanks.

 

[Cypher]

I would go with the MA RS1.

I heard the B&W 685 recently and they didn't convince me. The sound was a bit sloppy and less accurate than the RS1, especially in the bass department. The RS1 are just a lot tidier and more convincing in my opinion.

You can also try the MA BR2. Almost sounds the same as the RS1 and a lot cheaper.

 

[Anonymous]

Again the finish of the 685's was a little plain to get past "the boss"

LOL!

Yeah I'd reccomend those superdreadnoughts too, also floorstanding speakers but that's just me😉

did you give the tannoy F2's a look?

http://www.tannoy-speakers.com/s.php?product=120&title=MERCURY+F2&s=25

 

[Anonymous]

i have a 9 x 20 feet room.

wich loudspeakers do you avice me to buy?

i listen mainly to alternative rock and dance music (part of my job), so bass definition is a really important factor (floorstanders preference?).

at the moment i have a pair of old cabase sloop 2 lended by a friend (till i buy my own...)

kind regards,

luis

 

[JoelSim]

Given your musical tastes you'd be hard pressed to beat B&W, which I've always found to be excellent on bass definition and delivery. I have Dali Ikon 6 myself and they sound excellent with dance music, although they are really more about involvement and midrange than bass, and ideally suited to voice and instrument. Having said that track 5 on LHB's 'Dig you may find a friend' is just unbelievable, the soundstaging is huge - shiver down the spine stuff (the complete opposite of watching England football team!!!!).

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, all. Bought RS1's - superb; open, crisp, sharp vocals and sweet. Even "The Boss" likes them and spent a weekend playing her cd's which she has never done before. £400 well spent. Now I have to buy her a Smeg fridge freezer - will only be hopping and using a fork in future.

 

[Anonymous]

My Wife / Boss can't really tell much difference between one set up and the next, I always rely on my own judgement when it comes to the sound. She chooses the kitchen appliances, I choose the hifi! - I suggest you do the same 😛

I love monitor Audio speakers, they all look really good, they are well finished and sound really tight.

 

[Anonymous]

Personally I find tha if you want a tight bass, best to buy stand mounts speakers with some good stands like the partingtons

 

[Anonymous]

She has already chosen a fridge freezer and it will cost me an arm and a leg. At least she recognises what an improvement the RS1's are.