New Monitor Audio Bronze range - how do they compare to the old ones?

[Mark A]

I was previously looking into getting a Monitor audio BX5 5.1 system, but left it for a while and have now seen there is a new lineup. I read a lot of comments about the old BX range being a bit bright and from what I can gather the new Bronze range have rectified this with the new driver design. Anyone compared the new and old range? Would love to hear your thoughts as its a fairly big price difference, so wondering if its worth the extra.

Also wondered how much difference there would be between the Bronze 2 bookshelf speakers with 1 x 6.5" driver and the Bronze 5 floor standing sperkers with 2 x 5.5" drivers. Mainly which would have the deeper bass and would either require a separate sub for music.

Really liking the new look over the older design.

 

[covenantuk]

Really is up to you, but if you're thinking of going 5.1 eventually I'd buy the bookshelf and see how they sound on a decent set of stands. You can add a sub when you want and then see how that sounds. If after this you really feel you need floorstanders, buy them and move the bookshelf speakers to the rear

 

[lucid]

I haven't yet had a chance to listen to the new Bronze series, but I am very familiar with the BX range and the BR series before it.

What I'd like to pick up on is two points. The first is price. You said there's a "fairly big price difference"; what are you comparing though? Is it the typical sell price of the BX range before it went end of line versus what the new speakers are selling for, or are you comparing the heavily discounted BX stock? Take the BX2's as an example. They were selling at £249 in most places. The new product is £279. How long have BX2s been around; five years? The price really hasn't changed much in that time despite the ravages of inflation. So is £30 really that much of a difference when you consider all the factors?

Currently the Bronze BX range represents astonishing value at the clearance prices. A pair of new Bronze 2 (£279) plus stands (aftermarket product @ £50+) will cost you more than a pair of BX5 floorstanders on clearance. That kind of value is hard to ignore.

As for the question of floorstanders versus stand mounts + sub, much depends on your main use. For movies a sub is going to dig deeper and give a bit more control of the sound. If your main thing though is listening to music, and provided that you have the space to do them justice, the extra octaves from a good floorstander add extra tonality to the sound that exceeds just the deeper bass compared to a stand mount speaker.

 

[Mark A]

I didn't realise the BX range had been out for 5 years. So it'll be a long time before the new range are any cheaper?

Would it be possible to get a BX2 5.1 system now then maybe add some Bronze 5 floor standing speakers later down the line if needed? Or is it not a good idea to mix speakers from different ranges?

£650 at RS is very tempting.

EDIT: ahh, not in stock in my local store. Think £800 is the next cheapest I can find.

 

[lucid]

Top quality Hi-Fi and AV speakers don't change model like TVS every year. Nor do they fall in price. BX2s were £279 for a good couple of years until the range was released to the Internet and discount sellers. Even then the price changed only a small amount to £249 typically. So if you're hoping to see £50 or £70 off then you'll be waiting a long time or until some other manufacturer manages to produce the same sonic performance for significantly less. That's doubtful though because most of the advances and cost cutting has already been done.

You could mix and match BX2 with Bronze 5 for AV. Most of what you hear comes from the centre speaker. The front left and rights provide music and some panning effects. There'd be a small difference in the front sound stage but you'd get used to it pretty quickly.

 

[Mark A]

Awesome, thanks for your help .

I think I might have a listen to the BX2 kit with Yamaha RX-V677. Seems good value for £999. The only thing i am not sure of now is the stands, they seem to cost a lot for what they are. Looking at £170 ish for some 700mm ones from what I can see.