Which Speaker Package QA 2000 Cinema or B&W MT 25

[bigrich55]

O dear ... got new Samsung 46 inch 8000 TV for Xmas and Sony Blu Ray player, sound is not good. Need some action.

Decided on Denon 2310 but unsure about speaker package which seems to come down to the QA 2000 or the B&W MT 25 based on browsing What Hi Fi best buys (keeps it simple) ... wife likes style/size/cost of the QA but I like the B&W. Like to know thoughts on which sound best (will also be used for music) and which balances best with the rest of the set up.

BigRich

 

[bigrich55]

HaHaHa ... oops, a few mistakes there ... the wife likes the B&W style/size ... I like the QA and cost ..... does the greater expense of the B&W give better sound quality or is extra cost just for style with compromise on sound quality ?

 

[lobby]

I feel that traditional speakers offer more detail and natural sound and work better for music, but the B&W MT's do look look great and sound very good, easy to wallmount and very small not quite invisible, but can be placed in very tight corners. I would also look at the Kef 3005se, now at a good reduced price and maybe a compromise for both of you, good size speakers, not bad for music very nice looking, also the Quad-lite mk11 traditional speakers at £699 are excellent, but my money for you would be on the Kefs.

http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/dynamic/eshop_products.set/ref/3139/kef-kht3005se-k2-home-theatre-system-offer/display.html?referer=1

 

[bigrich55]

Lobby, food for thought ... thanks, will check them out as well

BigRich

 

[Andy Madden]

Hi bigrich,

if you're keen on the '2310, then we'd really recommend partnering with a more expensive package such as the B&W 685 Theatre, to really get the most out of the amp. Alternatively, how about going down a small step to the '1910. That would be more of a match for the MT-25 and a decent match for the Q Acoustics package too... You could spend any money that you save on suitable speaker cable etc. Just some more food for thought...

 

[bigrich55]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for your input regarding overall balance ... I will check out B&W 685 package with the 2310 as well as the 1910 with the two speaker packages. My guess is I will be looking to increase the budget LOL.

It still begs a question for me though regarding the two original speaker packages. You say 1910 is 'more of a match' for the MT-25 and a 'decent match' for the QA. Does this imply MT-25 provides a 'better' sound so I can infer that the increased cost of them over the QA is for substance as well as style ?

Bigrich (soon to turn into bigpoor haha)

 

[kinda]

IMO the Tannoy Arena had much better detail and musicality than the KEF 3005 SE and 5005, and B&W MT-30, so if you can track a set down, (they're out of production now, and you should be able to get good discounts), then potentially you'll get the best of both worlds.

I got the Arena a couple of years ago, and after demoing the above it was the only package I'd have been prepared to pay over £1000 for, and I'd have been prepared to pay a fair bit more for the Arena.

 

[chrisup]

Hi BigRich,

I have an Onkyo 905 and I use it with B&W 685 Theatre Package but upgraded the subwoofer to a B&W ASW610. My son and I auditioned smaller satelite speakers but the B&W 685 Theatre have excitement and scale that allows you to be immersed in a movie whether its a DVD or a blueray and they are excellent with music. I would advise you to audition them against the other speakers on your shortlist and take your wife with you. My B&W 685 Theatre in black passed the wife test and she has even commented on how good movies sound!

Best wishes

Chris