Worth changing my Mordaunt Short MS302 fronts to MS902i's?

[NeilF]

Hey! Just thought! I mentioned earlier my beloved bi-amp Sony hifi. Out of interest I'll change the front left/right over to using the bi-amp speakers from that system.

They're even about the same size as the MS902's...

So it will be an interesting experiment... If there's no/little difference then fine... If it sounds better, then 902s are an option

 

[SBD]

I wouldn't bother with having separate amps for your left and right speakers because you wont notice the difference as the speakers you have are not the best in the world, you would notice the difference. If you had a pair of B&W 685, monitor audio S6 wofdale diamond 9.1 ect which cost a lot more then it would be worth it. Although the 9.1's can be had for £120 new which is a very good deal.

Best bet is to save up a bit more cash go to a good hifi shop not richer$ounds (they are good on the odd deal but in general they are just old stock) seven oaks $ound and vision are good most have demo rooms which are a must for when buying speakers imho then you can buy from an online store to get them a bit cheaper

 

[NeilF]

Hey! Just thought! I mentioned earlier my beloved bi-amp Sony hifi. Out of interest I'll change the front left/right over to using the bi-amp speakers from that system.

They're even about the same size as the MS902's...

So it will be an interesting experiment... If there's no/little difference then fine... If it sounds better, then 902s are an option

Well, that was interesting... So I wired in my beloved Sony bi-wire speakers and compared them to the MS302s...

They definately sounded different, and a lot louder (I assume they're a lower ohm?). They seemed to offer more treble, but with that they also sounded a bit more tinny/less even across the range... I definately wouldn't say they sounded 'better'...

 

[NeilF]

I wouldn't bother with having separate amps for your left and right speakers because you wont notice the difference as the speakers you have are not the best in the world, you would notice the difference. If you had a pair of B&W 685, monitor audio S6 wofdale diamond 9.1 ect which cost a lot more then it would be worth it. Although the 9.1's can be had for £120 new which is a very good deal.

Don't forget this thread started with me suggesting I buy MS902i's, but it was suggested I don't as the amp wasn't good enough If my amp isn't good enough for £130 speakers, surely it won't be good enough for £300 speaker

I'd have trouble justifying the sort of money you're suggesting for speakers

 

[badbob]

S&V & Sevenoaks are still high street hifi "box shifters" only slightly better than RS. You should go to Doug Brady, but go in a expensive suit, shoes and watch otherwise he's not interested. Cheapest thing in there is like £10K

 

[Jonnycoupe]

S&V & Sevenoaks are still high street hifi "box shifters" only slightly better than RS. You should go to Doug Brady, but go in a expensive suit, shoes and watch otherwise he's not interested. Cheapest thing in there is like £10K

I dont think he was suggesting to actually buy the speakers from there.

Your last bit is useful...

 

[badbob]

My point being if you want good advice then avoid richer sounds, sevenoaks and sound & vision. They're the company that I can't name but are in a branch of three (computer, electronics x 2 ) of the Hi-Fi world. Bad advice and just want to shift stock.

I wouldn't pair up £200/£400+ speakers with a £200 av amp. I'd get a £500+ AV amp first.

A decent remote to consoidate all his remotes into one, if the OP is big into movies I'd change the sub. Into Hi-Fi then add a stereo amp, then bigger main speakers. Or a better av amp then bigger main speakers.

 

[SBD]

Well i think his amp would be ok for better speakers sure he would notice the difference from getting a better amp but i think he would get more of a difference from better speakers.

Just go to a shop that has a demo room ask them to set up an amp similar to yours and some good speakers then do the same with a better amp and the same speakers and see if you can tell the difference. It really depends on what sort of person you are and if you can hear the difference. I have some friends that say "oh my speakers are better than your cos they are 200W" and they don't seem to be able to tell the difference but when I go to there room and lessen to music most of the time I am tempted to tell them to turn it off because it sounds so bad lol

Edit also look at the second hand market some amps that cost £500+ a few years ago can be had for near £100 or less

 

[IceAx]

I had 302 fronts and rear, as i sit miles away from the TV and basically inches from my rears,
I changed to 902.

The difference was minimal on films but music was far better

Andy

 

[NeilF]

I had 302 fronts and rear, as i sit miles away from the TV and basically inches from my rears,
I changed to 902.

The difference was minimal on films but music was far better

Andy

And what sort of amp did you have out of interest quality wise...

What I don't understand is how speakers can make music sound better, but not really films? Surely it's all about clarity/quality what ever the source? Hell, films have music in

 

[Jonnycoupe]

And what sort of amp did you have out of interest quality wise...

What I don't understand is how speakers can make music sound better, but not really films? Surely it's all about clarity/quality what ever the source? Hell, films have music in

Maybe he meant a normal film

 

[IceAx]

And what sort of amp did you have out of interest quality wise...

What I don't understand is how speakers can make music sound better, but not really films? Surely it's all about clarity/quality what ever the source? Hell, films have music in

Its a Denon amp 1306 iirc. The speakers are better fur music due to the size of the. 302's are TINY so dont offer much presence. If your watching a film your not
concentrating on the audio only so its not as important.

Andy

 

[NeilF]

Its a Denon amp 1306 iirc. The speakers are better fur music due to the size of the. 302's are TINY so dont offer much presence. If your watching a film your not
concentrating on the audio only so its not as important.

Andy

So, going back to my original question then, given your experience with your amp, and the amp I have, what's your opinion on me upgrading my front pair from MS302s to MS902i's?

Keep in mind my amp is not bi-amp, so I'll have to wire the speakers accordingly (ie: single pair of wires)

Looking at the cost of the speakers I'm basically not 'upgrading' much... £90->£130... So doesn't suggest much more quality?

 

[badbob]

I've already said, bigger speakers will give you a wider frequency response.

 

[NeilF]

I've already said, bigger speakers will give you a wider frequency response.

OK thanks

The confusion is of course that opinions vary so much. ie: Early posts suggest I'd be wasting my time due to my amp

Anyway, thanks for the advice!

 

[SBD]

For about £120 you can get a pair of walfdale diamond 9.1's and they are very good for the money a bit old about 3 years but sound wonderful. Then if you can tell the difference in movies between the 9.1's and the centre buy the wofdale diamond centre speaker at a later date.

Other brands such as b&w, monitor audio, Kef are good but may be out of your price range. Best advice i can give you is buy a what hi fi sound and vision magazine as most of my knowledge is from when i got my set up (2 years ago) and it should up date you. At the back of the magazine there should be loads of speaker reviews saying which are the best thier might not be a lot in your price range but that should make your choice easier.

 

[NeilF]

For about £120 you can get a pair of walfdale diamond 9.1's and they are very good for the money a bit old about 3 years but sound wonderful. Then if you can tell the difference in movies between the 9.1's and the centre buy the wofdale diamond centre speaker at a later date.

Other brands such as b&w, monitor audio, Kef are good but may be out of your price range. Best advice i can give you is buy a what hi fi sound and vision magazine as most of my knowledge is from when i got my set up (2 years ago) and it should up date you. At the back of the magazine there should be loads of speaker reviews saying which are the best thier might not be a lot in your price range but that should make your choice easier.

Thanks! And these would be a more sensible buy than the MS 902i's, even though all the rest of my speakers are MS?

There is one underlying factor about any speaker upgrade, and that's asthetics... Ideally any new speakers shouldn't dominate the lounge, which 30cmx20cm speakers (with black fronts) could well do... The beauty of my existing 302's is they are VERY subtle

Any large speaker (especially with a black cover) would be far more intrusive... I got a big frown from my girlfriend at the suggestion

 

[badbob]

You can't just plonk the speakers anywhere which you done. Just buy a pair of Martin Login Electrostatics and a pair of Krell Master Reference, withdrawing your kids college funds. When your wife complains stick fingers in ears just increase the volume

 

[oli collett]

Best advice i can give you is buy a what hi fi sound and vision magazine as most of my knowledge is from when i got my set up (2 years ago) and it should up date you. At the back of the magazine there should be loads of speaker reviews saying which are the best thier might not be a lot in your price range but that should make your choice easier.

No offence but WHF S & V is the same magazine which raves about expensive HDMI cables which supposedly make a massive difference to your system. Now i'm not denying that speakers can make a considerable difference to your system, but can you really trust what such a magazine is telling you?

 

[NeilF]

You can't just plonk the speakers anywhere which you done.

TBH - I spent a while putting the speakers in different places/configurations, and couldn't really tell the different between putting them in optimum places (on dedicated stands) and asthetic places (where they are now)... So asthetic it is!

PLEASE don't tell me because one it 14.3cm lower than the other it will sound rubbish