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MTX CTS12SW subwoofer or Cadence CSX12 Mark II

post #1 of 14
2/8/12 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
I'm lookin to build a 5.1 system, and my budget is kinda limited to about $1500 or so for a new AV receiver, and speakers. I've always been a fan of MTX products, and always had good luck with them and felt they are a good value, so I'm looking at their Monitor series for my speaker setup. I'm thinking of the 600i towers up front, and the 6c center, and a pair of the 60i bookshelf speakers for my rear surrounds. I'm working on a decision for a powered sub in the $400 range. My room is about 14' x 16' with a 9' ceiling, so I'm thinking 12" sub. Does anyone know anything about the MTX CTS12SW? It is only rated @ 50w RMS, but MTX's ratings are ALWAYS very accurate, and other companies seem to over-rate their amp specs a lot of times...anyway, that doesn't sound like much compared to the Cadence CSX12 Mark II which is rated at 225w RMS, and it has gotten a very good review in Sound and Vision magazine. Any comments or suggestions about any of these speakers, or even recommendations for other models etc., would be great! Thank you all for your time!
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post #2 of 14
2/8/12 at 6:21pm
I started this reply 3 times and each time it sounds like I'm bashing MTX. Please don't buy MTX speakers. I'll leave it at that.

Look at Axiom, Fluence, Paradigm, Polk or even Elemental Designs speakers. eD offers some great package deals. Spend about $1100 on the speakers and about $400 on the receiver. I'll check back in the morning and come up with some suggestions.
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post #3 of 14
2/8/12 at 7:56pm
Thread Starter 
I'm just looking so far...I've just always had very good results with their car audio. But I suppose that's a different world...
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post #4 of 14
2/8/12 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
Are they poor quality?
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post #5 of 14
2/9/12 at 5:07am
Some of their car audio stuff is good but some is no better than the flea market brands. Their big, top of the line subs are well regarded in the SPL world and can be rebuilt into very good sounding subs. Their amps are average at best. Their Jackhammer subs are overpriced and overhyped. If you go back to the late 80's/early 90's they have some awesome products including a line of "cheater" amps. But they were built by PPI.

I didn't know MTX even made home audio products. I've been on this forum and other home audio ones for over 10 years and haven't once seen MTX mentioned in regards to home audio. They might sound great but if they did, someone would have auditioned them and posted about them.

Here at HTF, we are dedicated to the best sound quality for your budget. We've listened to a lot of different speakers and subs and all have different ideas about what sounds good. That's why we always recommend that you audition speakers for yourself. If you can't and want to rely on us totally, then we are still helpful and will recommend based on other, respected reviews.
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post #6 of 14
2/9/12 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 
Fair enough...it was just an idea...
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post #7 of 14
2/9/12 at 1:02pm
If you are dead set on them, at least audition them first. If you like them, buy them and let us know how they perform. I was extremely skeptical when eD got into the home audio game but they have proven themselves time and time again with each new product as well as their service.
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post #8 of 14
2/9/12 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
I'm not dead set on anything yet, I do lots of research before buying...my wife says I'm a terrible decision maker...I just happened to check out the MTX website, and this Monitor series actually looks pretty good on paper, for whatever that's worth...the towers (600i) have a sensitivity of 92db, and a FR of 33Hz-20kHz, and 150w RMS, with dual 6.5" Polypropylene drivers. I'm sure you can look for yourself if you want to...Those seem like respectable specs. for a speaker in the $150-200 ea. range. But, what do they sound like...who knows...I know with only $600-800 to spend on towers, center, and rear surrounds, I can't expect any miracles. I like the link you sent me on the Fluance speakers. I've never heard of them, but I love the fact that they have so many choices for a 5.0 system. That's cool, and they look pretty good. The only thing I don't like too much is their sensitivity ratings. It ranges from 88db on the lower end models, to 90db on the highest priced package. I'm not sure how important that is in the "real" world, but you know what they say-"every 3db you go down in sensitivity takes twice the wattage from the amp, etc, etc...." Anyway, I'm keeping my options open, and enjoying shopping! I'll check out some more of your suggestions. I've looked at Axiom since you mentioned it, but I'm afraid they are out of my budget, if I want towers, (and I do), unless there's a model I missed. I really wish I had the $$, and I would go for some Axioms!! But thank you for your help! Keep them ideas coming! The more choices-the better!
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post #9 of 14
2/10/12 at 5:35am
Quote:
sensitivity of 92db, and a FR of 33Hz-20kHz
You have to read between the lines on some things. There is no mention of how the sensitivity was measured because that is quite high for that style of speaker. That's a good frequency response if it is + or - 3db. That is a horrible frequency response if it is + or - 10db.
Quote:
The only thing I don't like too much is their sensitivity ratings. It ranges from 88db on the lower end models, to 90db on the highest priced package. I'm not sure how important that is in the "real" world
Those are more realistic numbers. My little bookshelf speakers are around 85db and I can drive my system to a point that my wife will run into the room and I can see her gesturing wildly, while her mouth is just going crazy. I think she's yelling at me to turn it down but I can't hear anything but Motley Crue on DVD.

How about bookshelf speakers on stands? I see no reason to get big towers if you are going with a sub.
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post #10 of 14
2/11/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 
Well anyway...just a thought...I didn't know I had to "guess" at a manufacturer's speaker specs. I always assume that what they print for specs. ARE the specs. And, I know the Fluances are probably great speakers, all I was saying was that their sensitivity isn't as high as some other "more expensive" brands. That's all, and the so-called "expert" reviews I found, which was only 1 or 2, said exactly the same thing. They sound great-much better than their cost suggests-but they are pretty inefficient-in other words, low sensitivity. So it takes a decent amp to make em sing. Which, these days is no big deal-breaker, cuz most decent receivers will have plenty of power for them. Anyway, I appreciate all your help, and I thank you for your time in answering all my stupid questions etc...I'm leaning towards the Polk Monitor 70s, 40s, and CS2. I can pick em up at Newegg, which is an authorized dealer so the warranty is ok, for about $670. That looks pretty good to me. Thanks again! And MTX has a Facebook page if you're interested! (just kidding...)
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post #11 of 14
2/11/12 at 8:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_J View Post

Quote:
sensitivity of 92db, and a FR of 33Hz-20kHz
You have to read between the lines on some things. There is no mention of how the sensitivity was measured because that is quite high for that style of speaker. That's a good frequency response if it is + or - 3db. That is a horrible frequency response if it is + or - 10db.
Quote:
The only thing I don't like too much is their sensitivity ratings. It ranges from 88db on the lower end models, to 90db on the highest priced package. I'm not sure how important that is in the "real" world
Those are more realistic numbers. My little bookshelf speakers are around 85db and I can drive my system to a point that my wife will run into the room and I can see her gesturing wildly, while her mouth is just going crazy. I think she's yelling at me to turn it down but I can't hear anything but Motley Crue on DVD.
How about bookshelf speakers on stands? I see no reason to get big towers if you are going with a sub.

I think getting towers over bookshelves is more of a macho thing than anything else. I have towers too, btw biggrin.gif, but bookshelves in another room. I also think towers might perform better in the 80-120 hz range. And I like to set the crossover a little lower (to 50 or 60) for music playback but that has more to do with my subs and where they are located than anything else.

But buying bookshelves does free up more money for a better sub. As long as that's what you use it for rock.gif.

Maybe get the Monitor 50's or 60's instead of the 70's?
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post #12 of 14
2/12/12 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KenY View Post

I'm lookin to build a 5.1 system, and my budget is kinda limited to about $1500 or so for a new AV receiver, and speakers. I've always been a fan of MTX products, and always had good luck with them and felt they are a good value, so I'm looking at their Monitor series for my speaker setup.

Here is a page of MTX in-wall speakers from parts express.
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=&srchExt=CAT&perPage=25&sortBy=0&layout=list&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=762&srchMfg=123&srchPromo=&srchAttr=
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post #13 of 14
2/14/12 at 12:14pm
Get the Cadence sub. For the funds, it is a solid sub. Doesn't dig extremely deep, but is clean and has good output.

I would also have to say skip the MTX speakers, and if at all possible, skip in-wall speakers for the front as well.
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post #14 of 14
2/17/12 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
Got Polk speakers & the cadence is on the way.
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