blakey72 Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 I'm in the market for some bookshelves for around the $500 mark and have been offered some Mission M32i's for $399 (RRP $799 http://sunnybankhifi.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=279). I've had a listen and they sound quite detailed with a very large soundstage. I've read however that they aren't a very popular speaker and are highly overpriced in Australia (150 pounds in England). I've also looked at the Usher S-520's but haven't been able to listen to them. The problem is that I'm in a country town so auditioning is near impossible. Has anyone heard the Ushers? What's thier bass and soundstage like? Another optionI thought of was one of Ascensions bookshelves. Not sure which way to go. Any ideas? Blake.
cableconnoisseur Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Don't buy speakers based purely on others' recommendations. What may sound fab to me may not sound the same to you. If you can't audition them (Ushers).............get the Missions. They are a good speaker (brand) and have been around forever. 150 GBP doesn't automatically translate to $300 AUD. There are costs associated with importing and distributing the product. Hope this advice is of some assistance, Russ.
danter Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 I've had Mission 32i's pass through my hands. They are a good budget speaker - but if you keep your eyes on the Classifieds, much better bargains come up fairly regularly (ie recently a pair of Proac Tablettes for $475 which are in a totally different league). I recently bought a pair of John Blue JB3s for $350 off the forum (a few pairs have gone for $300 since) which from vague memory are a much better option than the Missions. All personal opinion - but as you have little opportunity to audition, keep googling. JD was selling a pair of new Travagans too which may still be available.
nofixedaddress Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 I've lived with a set of M32i's for 6 months or so and they are OK....ish for a budget speaker. Idealy suited to HT more than 2ch work. They don't like having a wall behind them close nor do they sit well on top of things that like to resonate. Imagery was poor and the midrange lacked any presence I found. I'd go with Danter's recommendation and keep an eye on the classified for some far better units for the $$. The Proacs would have severely embarrassed a set of M32i's. NFA
2sheds Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 blakey72 said: I'm in the market for some bookshelves for around the $500 mark and have been offered some Mission M32i's for $399 (RRP $799 http://sunnybankhifi.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_42&products_id=279). I've had a listen and they sound quite detailed with a very large soundstage. I've read however that they aren't a very popular speaker and are highly overpriced in Australia (150 pounds in England). I've also looked at the Usher S-520's but haven't been able to listen to them. The problem is that I'm in a country town so auditioning is near impossible. Has anyone heard the Ushers? What's thier bass and soundstage like? Another optionI thought of was one of Ascensions bookshelves. Not sure which way to go. Any ideas? Blake. I have a pair of the Usher S-520's. I like them. I reckon they are hard to beat at that price, although I would agree with Danter that some remarkable bargains come up on the secondhand market (such as the aforementioned Proac Tablettes). The Ushers are a very good speaker, as most of the reviews will tell you. They are a very smooth speaker, less revealing than the Proac's, for instance. They are a very musical speaker with bass which is unexpected for a box that size. To my mind it would be hard not to like the Ushers. They are not the last word in definition, but for that you will have to pay a lot more money. I have not heard the Mission M32i's, so can't pass comment. cheers 2sheds
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 As Cableconnoiseur has stated, you really need to listen for yourself. FWIW, here's what I suggest: * Listen to a wide range of speakers in your price range. * Seriously consider Australian made speakers. * VERY seriously consider purchasing second hand speakers. Bang for Buck can be outstandingly spectacular. One SNA member I know, recently purchased a pair of Orpheus Aurora 3 speakers (Aussie made) for less than 30% of their new price. A bargain in anyone's language.He is very pleased with his purchase. Whatever you do, please take the time to listen for yourself. Another person's opinion is just that. Their listening bias may be very different to yours.
New Sensations Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, have a look/listen to the Wharfedale 9.1, but don't pay any more than $299! Its successor, the 10.1, has also now landed in Oz and can be had for ~$450. WhatHifi loves the 10.1: http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Wharfedale-Diamond-101/
2sheds Posted July 20, 2010 Posted July 20, 2010 Zaphod Beeblebrox said: Whatever you do, please take the time to listen for yourself. Another person's opinion is just that. Their listening bias may be very different to yours. Very true, ZB, but in this case Blake has mentioned that he is unable to get to the big smoke for auditions. Not ideal, I agree, but these days many of us are taking a punt as hifi retailers are disappearing quicker than a fart in a fan factory And I agree, there are some seriously good Aussie options for speakers at present. cheers 2sheds
blakey72 Posted July 20, 2010 Author Posted July 20, 2010 Thanks for the comments. Yeah I think I'll give the Missions a miss. I've been keeping my eyes out for second hand gear but nothing's come up yet. I might keep track on the great ebay buys thread and classifieds here. If anyone sees a good deal could you please PM me if you get a chance. It would be much appreciated. Thanks again. Blake.
wizardofnoz Posted August 9, 2010 Posted August 9, 2010 Hi all.. chanced upon this forum today. I am from Singapore. Good to meet you all.. well i recently just bought a Mission m32i also. Was shortlisting Usher s520 and PSB alphab1. Went to audtion them in a local mall here in SG where they have all these usual suspects. PSB: Nah! Disappointing after hearing rave reviews Usher: it just lack something that i was looking for. so skip. M32i: my small tube amp can drive it without sounding it was struggling. it was for a bedroom setup. the soundstage was excellent! when i was audtioning in the shop, several people came in and somehow the combi of my amp+mission was surprisingly good! My advise: Hear them with your own ears. If possible, bring your amp to test it out as different combi will bring out different sound. One man's meat is another man's poison. Reviews are just, reviews. Your own listening tool, being your ears, are the best mate to trust
wizardofnoz Posted August 9, 2010 Posted August 9, 2010 blakey72: Just realised you own a daredmp5 from your another thread. it's the small combi that i used for m32i!! i can assure you, it sounds GREAT
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