Thinking of getting Monitor Audio BX2

Marine-RX179 · 18 Jun 2015 at 10:20

Was wondering if anyone are using or have used them?

I have looked at the whathifi for it:
http://www.whathifi.com/monitor-audio/bronze-bx2/review

They seem to a very good pair of standmount speakers...but they did mention something Bi-wiring for these speakers are not so great, so should single to single...can anyone confirm this?

Also I'm thinking of getting them along with stereo amp as a bundle for a discounted price...does anyone know if the Marantz PM6005 bundle would worth the extra £89 over the Monitor Audio A100 bundle?
http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/hi-fi-system-deals/pah012542
http://www.richersounds.com/package/system-savers/hi-fi-system-deals/pah011438

Mason- · 18 Jun 2015 at 10:31

I don't own them but when I went and bought the setup I have now I did demo them. I tried them with a Marantz amp, can't remember which one, it was a very popular combo with the speakers. I thought they sounded good, my brother who I brought along with me didn't like the sound at all. So next we tried same amp, but with Wharfedale Diamond 122. It sounded better. And then we tried NAD C316BEE amp with both the BX2s and 122s and it sounded infinitely better. I think we both said it sounded like there was 'more meat on the bone' it was just a better fuller sound.

I found the 122s go a lot lower than the BX2s. Also in terms of looks the BX2s look fantastic compared to my 122s. But IMO the 122s sound better

.

My advice, go demo them, and make sure you try multiple amps, I was sceptical how much difference an amp could make but it made a huge difference.

TwsT · 18 Jun 2015 at 11:36

Mason- said:
I don't own them but when I went and bought the setup I have now I did demo them. I tried them with a Marantz amp, can't remember which one, it was a very popular combo with the speakers. I thought they sounded good, my brother who I brought along with me didn't like the sound at all. So next we tried same amp, but with Wharfedale Diamond 122. It sounded better. And then we tried NAD C316BEE amp with both the BX2s and 122s and it sounded infinitely better. I think we both said it sounded like there was 'more meat on the bone' it was just a better fuller sound.

I found the 122s go a lot lower than the BX2s. Also in terms of looks the BX2s look fantastic compared to my 122s. But IMO the 122s sound better .

My advice, go demo them, and make sure you try multiple amps, I was sceptical how much difference an amp could make but it made a huge difference.

yeah amps are crazy For the money i often think people are better lookign at second hand higher quality amps.

I think getting a deal on a second hand amp for £150 is better than paying for a £150 brand new one. Sure it doesn't have warranty but i've replaced about 2 fuses in 15 years on my amps they just don't break unless you introduce them to beer or lightning.

that said the deal on that marantz combo is quite some saving they seem to sell for about £150 second hand.

Marine-RX179 · 18 Jun 2015 at 12:45

After some more thought, I think the BX2 would probably overkill since it will be used as speakers on my desk, so I would probably better of getting something like the Whafedale Diamonds 121 instead?

Also I am actually using the Edifier S730, with the satelites replaced with a pair of KEF Coda 7. So I think may be it's worth me try replacing the KEF with the 121 and hooking up to the S730 sub see how it sound first?

If I was to get the PM6005, do you think I can get my S730 to work with it on the audio-out, while with the passive speakers connected to the amp so that I will have sound from both the speakers and the sub, and that the speakers should sound better than being amped by the sub?

Marsman · 18 Jun 2015 at 13:34

I think it's a good idea not to spend so much on the speakers if they are for desk use. Larger hi-fi speakers really work best when they have more room to breathe, maybe further apart and can throw sound into the room more than if they were in a the corner of the room on desk.

Volume is something to consider as well. If you're sitting closer, then chances are the volume will be less than it would if you were listening to them at distance, and larger speakers probably work better when they can be turned up.

I did try my 9.1's on my desk, not only did they look too big, but also they did not work as well as they do in their usual place. If you're spending £100, then that's not too much of an issue really, if you are not getting the best from them, but if you're spending £250, personally, I wouldn't want to be putting them on a desk.

You could connect whatever speakers you decide on to the S730 subwoofer, but I think the amp in that will hold the speakers back.

You could probably rig up something so you have a signal going to the S730, minus the left and right speakers, and the same signal going to the amp. I suppose using some adaptor cables you could connect the S730 sub to the output on the amp.

Marine-RX179 · 18 Jun 2015 at 14:28

Marsman said:
I think it's a good idea not to spend so much on the speakers if they are for desk use. Larger hi-fi speakers really work best when they have more room to breathe, maybe further apart and can throw sound into the room more than if they were in a the corner of the room on desk.

Volume is something to consider as well. If you're sitting closer, then chances are the volume will be less than it would if you were listening to them at distance, and larger speakers probably work better when they can be turned up.

I did try my 9.1's on my desk, not only did they look too big, but also they did not work as well as they do in their usual place. If you're spending £100, then that's not too much of an issue really, if you are not getting the best from them, but if you're spending £250, personally, I wouldn't want to be putting them on a desk.

You could connect whatever speakers you decide on to the S730 subwoofer, but I think the amp in that will hold the speakers back.

You could probably rig up something so you have a signal going to the S730, minus the left and right speakers, and the same signal going to the amp. I suppose using some adaptor cables you could connect the S730 sub to the output on the amp.

Thank you once again for you insight Marsman.

Just want to clarify that although the speakers would be on my desk, when I'm not sitting in front of it, I would turn up the volume for fllling the room as well.

I just trying to decide what's the best way to go...the KEF Coda 7 that I am using with the S730 actualy sound pretty good already, but I want to improve the sound more, and I'm not too should what would be a bigger bottleneck...like should I replace my KEF with better speakers, or just keep my existing setup, and get a decent stereo amp instead...

I'm now starting to consider the possbility of may be grabbing a Marantz PM6005 (may be 2nd hand) to try to improve the sound for my KEF CODA 7 with Edifier S730 sub.

Marsman · 18 Jun 2015 at 16:14

Might be an idea to take your KEF's along to Richer Sounds if you can and see if you can demo an amp with them. You'll get some idea then of how much the amp in the Edifier sub is holding them back. If the difference is actually not that much, then maybe a speaker upgrade would be the first thing to do. However, if they are noticeably better, then grabbing an amp first would be a good place to start.

Without knowing how much better the KEF's will perform with a good amp, it's hard to say which is the best thing to consider first, amp or speakers.

Marine-RX179 · 18 Jun 2015 at 16:41

Marsman said:
Might be an idea to take your KEF's along to Richer Sounds if you can and see if you can demo an amp with them. You'll get some idea then of how much the amp in the Edifier sub is holding them back. If the difference is actually not that much, then maybe a speaker upgrade would be the first thing to do. However, if they are noticeably better, then grabbing an amp first would be a good place to start.

Without knowing how much better the KEF's will perform with a good amp, it's hard to say which is the best thing to consider first, amp or speakers.

The KEF is actually handed down from my father, who previously used 2 pairs of KEF Coda 7 as his surround and surround back speakers. He has changed his setup to a full set of Monitors Audio Floorstander+center+surround side 5.0 set, plus 1 pair of KEF as surround back, so I the spare set of KEF from him.

The KEF connected to my S730 while sound decent enough, it doesn't sound as good as the KEF connected to my dad's Marantz SR5009 receiver. If that's the case, I think the answer is already quite clear that I should get a decent amp first?

dacads · 18 Jun 2015 at 16:46

Yep amp first, I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at the further improvement in sound.

Marsman · 18 Jun 2015 at 17:35

To put it bluntly, it's a no brainer.

Marine-RX179 · 19 Jun 2015 at 18:33

After lots of thinking, I came to the conclusion that going for a pair of speakers that's even bigger would be a bad idea, as I think for my KEF one of the main reason why I think it doesn't sound as good is probably due to its size and too "in my face". So I should be going smaller not bigger (the higher low frequency response wouldn't be much of an issue since I have sub).

I went to RicherSounds today and grabbed a pair of Q Acoustics 3010 to replace my KEF. I have just set it up, and whilst it is still breaking in, I can already somewhat feel that it is giving a large sense of space comparing to my KEF when sitting at the desk.

Marine-RX179 · 19 Jun 2015 at 20:45

I might be upgrading to a 2560 res 27" monitor soon as well, so the downsizing of the speakers is probably a good timing as well

Will probably look into may be an amp in a later future.

dacads · 20 Jun 2015 at 14:30

You got enough speakers there mate?