I have had my Monitor Audio GR series 5.1 system for about a month now, and for the first time in about 10 years, I am not thinking about my next speaker upgrade. I was able to get the MA's at a screaming price because they were recently closed out to introduce the new GS series. It is my understanding that it was mostly a cosmetic change, and pretty similar performance. Just as a point of reference, here is the entire system.
Monitor Audio Gold GR10 (Mains)
Monitor Audio Gold GR Center (Center)
Monitor Audio Gold GRfx (Bipole/Dipole Surrounds)
Axiom EP500 (Sub)
HK DPR-2005 (Receiver/PrePro - Amp for Surrounds)
Adcom GFA-5503 (3x200W Amp for the LCR)
Denon 2200 (DVD/CD/Universal Player)
Hitachi Ultravision 50"RPTV (4x3 standard def)
MX-850 (Universal Remote)
Over the years I have owned just about every combination of Cambridge Soundworks bookshelf Systems. I upgraded to a Polk LSi system for a short period of time. Next came a M&K 850 system, and now my MA golds. I have enjoyed many aspects of each speaker set, but not until the MA's did I realize what I was missing. I now totally feel like I have a 360 degree sound field with no breaks at all between speakers. It doesn't sound like I am listening to speakers. It is a totally different experience to not notice the speakers and I am loving it.
For me, I can't stand bright tweeters, but I crave detail. It has been a struggle to get this right. I demo'd tons of speakers, and to my ears, I was never happy. To me, the MA's do an amazing job of incredible detailed highs without sounding harsh. Also, the fact the L/C/R's go down to 40hz really helped me integrate with my sub (I have it set at a 80hz crossover)
I absolutely love my surrounds. They are switcheable between dipole and bipole. I am still trying to evaluate which dispersion pattern I like better. I currently have them set to bipole, which I feel is a good mix between dipole and direct, but I am still trying to figure that out.
Hopefully I can hold off the upgrade bug for a few years.
Greg
Monitor Audio Gold GR10 (Mains)
Monitor Audio Gold GR Center (Center)
Monitor Audio Gold GRfx (Bipole/Dipole Surrounds)
Axiom EP500 (Sub)
HK DPR-2005 (Receiver/PrePro - Amp for Surrounds)
Adcom GFA-5503 (3x200W Amp for the LCR)
Denon 2200 (DVD/CD/Universal Player)
Hitachi Ultravision 50"RPTV (4x3 standard def)
MX-850 (Universal Remote)
Over the years I have owned just about every combination of Cambridge Soundworks bookshelf Systems. I upgraded to a Polk LSi system for a short period of time. Next came a M&K 850 system, and now my MA golds. I have enjoyed many aspects of each speaker set, but not until the MA's did I realize what I was missing. I now totally feel like I have a 360 degree sound field with no breaks at all between speakers. It doesn't sound like I am listening to speakers. It is a totally different experience to not notice the speakers and I am loving it.
For me, I can't stand bright tweeters, but I crave detail. It has been a struggle to get this right. I demo'd tons of speakers, and to my ears, I was never happy. To me, the MA's do an amazing job of incredible detailed highs without sounding harsh. Also, the fact the L/C/R's go down to 40hz really helped me integrate with my sub (I have it set at a 80hz crossover)
I absolutely love my surrounds. They are switcheable between dipole and bipole. I am still trying to evaluate which dispersion pattern I like better. I currently have them set to bipole, which I feel is a good mix between dipole and direct, but I am still trying to figure that out.
Hopefully I can hold off the upgrade bug for a few years.
Greg