Went to my uni city in search of a job. Think I found one. Walked past Lancasters only hifi shop. Went in and now I have a new best friend!
I heard various speakers, amps and cd players:
-Monitor audio BR2 -Monitor audio RS1 -B&W 685 -B&w CM1 -KEF IQ1 (i think this was the model)
I heard them all through a Rotel amp, maybe the ra-01 or ra-04 I didnt look properly.
Then I heard a few through the NAD C352. Then I heard a couple through the audiolab 8000.
Sound quality wise I couldnt actually notice too much difference in the amps except the NAD exhibited most bass and possibly most detail.
The Rotel I thought was a very neutral amp.
Listening conditions were very sub obtimal as they were all on one big shelf but the guy there was more than happy with me listening upstairs sometime!
The cd players were the last thing on my mind to notice any difference.
The new 685 sound terrific! They were my favourite of the bunch. The KEFs were quite trebly. Both Monitor Audios sounded the same with the BR2s having a bit more bass although I didnt listen for that long so I cant judge this straight off.
They had cyrus stuff, focal stuff, and more upmarket stuff upstairs. Because time was limited I had to go. But I have a new favourite shop, already!!
The Bronze series would be compared to Monitor Series. The Silver series would be the Studio Series and the Gold Series would be compared to the Signature Line. I would go Paradigm for Home Theater and Monitor Audio for Music. IMO. The RS6's are considered by many as one of the best speakers in the world for the price.
They sound quite flat and balanced but they do sound pretty detailed. Suprisingly they're quite warm, the BR2s with a little more warmth than the RS1s i thought.
But really I've found there are 3 things which can affect sound greatly other than placement. One is cable. Two is what is used to jumper the speaker connections if not bi-wiring. Three is ones ability to equalise..I use my computer as source and my soundcard software can use hardware effects-I can choose any frequency, any semitone and decibal drop or increase to a very specific amount. Para and shelf equalisation is excellent.
But still I'm not going to buy anything new because finally after much time and hard work and learning I've got the perfect sound (for the space I'm in).
Here is a picture from my primary listening position(a bed). Its a bedroom and a big mess because I'm preparing for uni. You should hear it baby!!!
In the uni room I'm going to try and space the speakers so I'm in a more central position.
And I cancelled my order for some Wharfedale Evos. These diamonds rock.
