Monitor Audio or Energy-Upgrading Speakers (1 Viewer)

Hello All,


I have been pondering upgrading my home theater lately and I wanted to put it out to the forum as to advice and recommendations on speakers. My thought is I want to upgrade my speakers first and then focus in on my electronics later. Im not someone that changes up their setup frequently and am looking for quality that will last.

I live in a Manhattan Apartment, my Theater Area is about 300 Square feet.


I like to watch Movies, moderate volumes, I also listen to a lot of music. Predominately Spotify Premium at the high quality setting, and then of course my itunes library that I self encoded at high bitrate ~190-256. I am looking to start a record collection too...

I am not overly concerned with a subwoofer as my speakers currently provide more than enough bass and I don't want to aggravate my neighbors.

My current Receiver is a Yamaha RX A700. It is capable of 7.1, I have it configured for 5.0 right now, my energy sub is unused due to the fact I live in a Manhattan Apt.


I have have two energy CB-20's as my front left and right, I have an energy take five center as my center, and then 2 energy take five surrounds.


I have a couple of different options in mind.


1.) Continue going the energy route- upgrade to a Energy CF 50 or 70 for the Fronts, and then move the CB20's to the rears; using the take5's as effect surrounds up front or setting them up as a second zone to play music on my terrace. I would upgrade the center to a CC10.


2.) Make the transition to Monitor Audio. Buy Monitor Silver 6 or 8's for the fronts, Silver Center, and then in the near term use the Energy CB-20's as rears. Eventually move to Silver 2's for the rears.


Some questions-


I have been doing research and I cant seem to find if the Monitors Sound will expose the deficiencies of my Yamaha Receiver?


Secondly, would my receiver provide enough wattage?

As per Yamaha- (7-channel 630W powerful surround sound (90W x 7)?

Is there a value in 7.1? I have been happy with 5.


Are there any other speakers that you would recommend? I tend towards natural sounding speakers, I like strong stereo separation and good transparency. Budget is flexible but not Audiophile flexible; I like bang for you buck. I buy my cables and wires on amazon and I do believe in a point of diminishing returns...mainly because Im not warren buffet...


Looking forward to reading your thoughts! Thanks in advance!

Best,
Lou

...Back to the top...

anyone?

Your Yamaha is a good receiver, so I wouldn't worry at all about deficiencies. Also, it'll drive any non- 4 ohm speaker just fine. For what it's worth, I think iTunes at 196 may be the weak point.


As far as speakers, they're such a personal choice that it's hard to recommend anything. The speaker's you're looking at are fine as long as you like the sound. I happen to like Axiom, and they are considered neutral, so probably fit your requirements. I'd recommend the M22 for a bookshelf.


Since you're going without a sub, you might consider towers. I agree that with a good bookshelf you don't need a sub for music, but it definitely adds something for home theater. Although I understand in an apartment you'd probably have to keep it down so low as to make its worth questionable.

Thanks for your thoughts. I don't disagree on the Itunes library being the weak link; on the plus side I opted for a VBR in the 256 range to get, what I thought, was the best compromise between good sounding music and space.


For those who have auditioned both Energy and Monitor Audio, any thoughts on how they compare? I would be looking at CF50 or CF70 and a CC10 or, if I can get a decent price on some RC's I would consider that as well. I started down the energy road years ago and I have been pleased for the most part with the sound. Is there a tangible difference between the CF or the RC and the Monitor Silvers?


Subs are great for movies, and they have their use in music but it is just impractical in my building. I dont want to inconvenience my neighbors and I dont want to get thrown out of my Coop. lol.

Your AVR is not "90x7". To be fair, none of the mainstream brands are telling the truth. It doesn't matter anyway, once you understand volume doubling.

I've not heard a direct CF50/70 to MS6/8 to know which is "more revealing". Yamaha Aventage don't suck.

Just looked...

The CB20 is 92db efficient.
The CB70 is 96db. So, it needs less than 1/2 the power as the CB20.

Monitor 8 is 90db.

Even with a realistic 45x7 your Yamaha provides, more than enough power...even for the Monitor.

For fun here, lets assume your 15x20 is laid out according to ITU(meaning you sit dead center of the room). That puts you, roughly(and easy math) 9 feet from every speaker(we'll use feet, instead of the more accurate meter...for the sake of math).

After 3 feet, SPL drops 3db every 3 ft. So, 9ft is a 6db drop. (from above)

92db becomes 86.
96 becomes 90.
90 becomes 84.

2 speakers adds 3(so each number above returns to a "half way point"). 5 total speakers is an entire gain of 4.4(law of diminishing returns. Adding 2 more for 7 gets to 4.6 total gain...but we'll skip 5 and 7 for "easy math")

You want 100db(ridiculously loud) at your seat...at 9 feet.

CB20(pairs here, not single speaker) needs 20-ish watts per channel.
CB70* needs roughly 4 watts per channel.
MS8 needs roughly 24 watts per channel.

Of course actual power requirements vary based on room furnishings, reflective surfaces...etc, etc.

*just for giggles. If you bought 7 CB70, you could, conceivably**, achieve 100db on 2.7 watts per channel. Yes, 2.7(there is a period between the 2 and 7).

** if the room had no carpet, drapes, windows and had mission/Amish style furniture.

Interesting post! Thanks so much.