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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 848 Registered: Jun-08 | I'm looking for thoughts and or experience with these two specific speakers. I can get them for the same price. I believe the MSRP in Canada for the MA is $1500 and the Infinity is $1999. I have heard the MA's and like the sound. I have not heard the Infinity and therefore, am questioning whether I should seek them out for an audition, given that I can get them for the same price. Tawaan at one time praised the C336 as the best speaker buy around. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10146 Registered: Feb-05 | I'd bet money to marbles on the MA's. |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3366 Registered: May-05 | Me too, however I'm not quite sure on their pairing with Bryston. I remember David saying they were overly bright with his Rotel stuff. Bryston isn't harsh nor overly bright, but its not exactly warm and smoothed over either. How did they sound together Dave? |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2623 Registered: Jun-07 | For my room and my personal tastes I love the combo. A ton of attack, and smooth. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 849 Registered: Jun-08 | I'm very much leaning on the MA's but it was all the raving I heard about the Classia's as well as Art and the others about the Beta's etc. The Classia's are supposed to have trickle down technology from the Revel line. I believe that Rotel with the MA's doesn't work but Dave also has a natural liking for the warmer side of neutral - hence his love for the Sttafs, though I know he still loves the MA's. So it could be Cambridge 640C for source, Bryston 3B-ST amplification (haven't locked down a pre-amp yet) and then the MA's. Not much in terms of dependable reviews on the Classias out there. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10148 Registered: Feb-05 | You may want to reread the budget speaker thread to see my conclusions relative to the Beta 20's. I'm a big fan of the MA's in the right system. You may want to consider a hybrid pre amp. There are a bunch of them out there just check Agon. |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3369 Registered: May-05 | If you've got room for a big tower, check out the Revel Concerta tower. I thought it was excellent for the money - $1500 USD. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10150 Registered: Feb-05 | That is a good speaker Stu. Very full sounding...about as close as I've seen to full range in that price range. I still prefer the MA's but many would not. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 852 Registered: Jun-08 | Stu, what would the F12's provide over the Classia 336. And I know specs are not always indicative but the F12 only claim to reach down to 58Hz, so how could they be full range...am I missing something? Oh Art, my enquires into the Audio Research SP9 is my investigation into a hybrid pre - though Jan has asked that I make a decision or move on - in not so gracious words...LOL. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2624 Registered: Jun-07 | Take your time George. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 854 Registered: Jun-08 | Thanks Nick...and that I will. The MA's are sweeeet and given that I love detail they have great appeal for me. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2626 Registered: Jun-07 | They have gobs and gobs of midrange detail. Dave may have a different opinion then I have, or maybe he will have the same one. Not sure. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10152 Registered: Feb-05 | I've heard some excellent AR hybrid pre's George. Two of my friends have them and love them. Don't remember the models..but they are fabulous. As Nick said take your time, you'll get it figured out. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2627 Registered: Jun-07 | George you and I are almost shooting in the right direction. My future purchases in audio is 1.) Turntable and 2.) A Tube pre amp. I believe that Bryston power with a high end Tube pre amp is outstanding. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2628 Registered: Jun-07 | Sorry I meant ' same direction '. If I keep going right George I will end up in Lake Ontario! |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3370 Registered: May-05 | George, As you said, forget specs. The Concertas have three 8" woofers! Deep, strong, and more importantly tight bass that'll kick you in the stomach all night long. I'd even be surprised if they didn't pull off home theater explosion bass realistically without a sub. But they're very well balanced. You'll first notice the bass strength, but then realize the speaker is not a 1 trick pony. Equally good mids, and articulate enough highs. They're not the most detailed speaker out there. They've got enough, but its not their suit. If you want to hear every single little subtle detail, you may not be too hapy. But their strengths very easily make up for it IMO. I haven't heard the Classicas, so no comparison from me. I haven't heard the MAs enough to give a fair comparison there either. Patience is a virtue. I have no idea what a virtue is though. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 857 Registered: Jun-08 | Nick/Art: I'll continue evaluating my preamp decision and a hybrid and/or tube is still under consideration. We'll have to hear more from you Nick on your search. Stu - thanks for the details on the F12's. I am a detail freak and actually not a huge bass seeker. I like a balanced sound but a lean towards detail and tranparency rather than fullness and warmth. If I can I'll listen to them. I haven't been to any Revel dealers yet. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2776 Registered: Feb-07 | The MA's and Bryston are a match made in heaven. Nick is driving his with a 3b (ST?), and I've driven mine with a 3b, Power Pac 120s, and currently an ancient 2B. Obviously the Power Pacs were the best of the bunch, but even the 2B drives them nicely. Lots of low end slam and attack, without being bright or fatiguing. I could listen to the combo all day. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 858 Registered: Jun-08 | Thanks for the feedback Dave. I like a snappy tight and detailed sound and the MA's seem to fit the bill. I'd imagine the Classia's to provide a little more politeness but I'm only guessing. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2777 Registered: Feb-07 | I wouldn't describe the MA's as polite, that's for sure. But I wouldn't call them harsh either... My Sttafs are polite, the MA's are detailed. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2629 Registered: Jun-07 | lol I fully agree with David. Polite they are not. More like " Reach out, grab you by the throat and punch you in face with detail" kind of sound IMO. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 859 Registered: Jun-08 | My oops. I worded that incorrectly. I would expect the Classia's to lean towards politeness but I understand and have heard the detail in the MA's, hence my love of them for the jazz/instrumental music I love to listen to. The Sttafs are polite but very nice in their own right. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2630 Registered: Jun-07 | The Staff's are the total opposite end of the spectrum. One is in your face and the Staffs are laid back. Ive only heard the Staff's twice now on Anthem gear but they are very nice. I could see some people preferring Totem sound and others preferring the MA sound. Just a matter of taste. I know Dave likes the Totems. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 862 Registered: Jun-08 | Yeah Nick but all the Totem's are different, there's something there for most. The Hawks are a little more up front than the Sttafs but not as much as the MA's, a very nice middle ground. So far I've heard Totem's I like more than others but I like all the Totem's I've heard i.e. Sttafs, Hawks, Model1, The One, Rainmaker. |
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Gold Member Username: Stu_pittIrvington, New York USA Post Number: 3373 Registered: May-05 | The reason why Totems don't all sound similar is that each model is designed individually from the ground up. The don't do a 'good, better, best' approach. They don't design a speaker then add or reduce the number of woofers. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2631 Registered: Jun-07 | I like that approach |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 2759 Registered: Oct-04 | Remember, there's apparently a new Monitor Audio Silver Series slated for release this fall (as per another member's post, sorry I can't remember who?), and the new Wharfedale Diamond 10 Series should also be competitive in this price range. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2782 Registered: Feb-07 | I'm very much looking forward to hearing the new MA Silver series. Things always seem to become available later here in Canada. Argh.... |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10155 Registered: Feb-05 | I don't think the Diamonds will compete with the MA Silver range. It would be the Evo range in it's next incarnation. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 863 Registered: Jun-08 | Onkyo powering RS6. Dave / Nick does this look a little loose or do they really move like that. The Onkyo is running just shy of max. (at 56 where 63 is max.). Thought is was interesting. http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&rlz=1T4RNWN_enCA260CA260&q=monitor+aud io+rs6&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=d59WSob0Kom6NafewZ0I&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title &resnum=4# |
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Gold Member Username: My_rantzAustralia Post Number: 2301 Registered: Nov-05 | George, the movement of those cones doesn't seem to coincide with the music. Watched the next video (with Musical Fidelity system) and I couldn't see any movement in the cones. How silly though - to demonstrate how speakers sound on U-tube. Yeah, my computer speakers will tell that exactly and especially in MP3 - NOT! |
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Gold Member Username: ExerciseguyBrooklyn, NY United States Post Number: 2760 Registered: Oct-04 | I'd still like to hear those new Diamond, and I'd like to hear the Classia, but that isn't going to happen with NO dealers in the entire NYC area for either. All that being said, I'd wait for the new MA Silver Series before plucking down money. The current Silver Series should start being closed-out soon. I'd keep an eye out @ http://www.saturdayaudio.com/ over the next coming weeks. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10157 Registered: Feb-05 | Good info Chris...looks like they have good deals goin' right now. |
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Silver Member Username: SoundgameRichmond Hill Toronto, Ontario Canada Post Number: 864 Registered: Jun-08 | Yes, closing down prices is something to keep in mind. Thanks CM, another thing to consider. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2783 Registered: Feb-07 | George, I've never seen my MA cones jumping like that man. I think the audio track is out of sync with the video too. |
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Gold Member Username: Nickelbut10Post Number: 2632 Registered: Jun-07 | I agree with David. Even at loud volumes I have never seen the cones on my 6's jump like that. Wierd. |
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Platinum Member Username: ArtkAlbany, Oregon USA Post Number: 10164 Registered: Feb-05 | He won't see it long either. He won't have speakers that function for long at that rate. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2786 Registered: Feb-07 | That's what I was thinking too. I've seen my Sttafs jump a little before (nothing like the video, though) and it concerned me enough to turn it down. |
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Platinum Member Username: NuckPost Number: 12891 Registered: Dec-04 | They ain't subs, man. |
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Gold Member Username: DmitchellOttawa, Ontario Canada Post Number: 2789 Registered: Feb-07 | After already had my Sttaf woofs replaced once, I'm not about to repeat that again. |
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Silver Member Username: VinnyqhPortland, OR Post Number: 208 Registered: Nov-05 | sent you a pm..... |