Impression of the Monitor Audio RS 6, RS 1 RS LCR with a Marantz SR 12

[petetherock]

This is the first instalment of my impression of the Monitor Audio RS 6, RS 1 RS LCR with a Marantz SR 12.

 

I like these brands and make no attempts to hide this fact. I had been searching for a new HT based setup, trying to keep an open mind, yet remembering my Bronze and Marantz system that gave a wonderful account of itself.

 

An ensuing saga comes to a temporary halt. My search for a HT based system came to a fortuitous point thanks to a incidental purchase from a brother in the forum. We had been communicating about his system and he came to point where he felt he wanted a musical system and was willing to flog off his MA RS system.

 

This aided my decision process about choosing my speakers and solved my own dilemma about selecting either the GS or RS series from Monitor Audio. I had been considering that for HT, plus the fact that I may not be able to discern the extra expense of paying for the GS setup and I actually believe the main components which underpin the HT experience are the subwoofer and the centre speaker. If these are competent, the left and rights plus the rears will fall into place. Obviously a decent amp which can drive the selected speaker system will help and the appropriate application of DSP and surround effects plus a good source playing a well mastered disc will complete the HT experience and room treatment will transform the home into a proper Lido.

 

But enough about how this set came into my possession. The system now consisted of

a Pioneer DV 545 and a Panasonic EX85 as the source (both will be weaker than a proper CD transport);

Marantz SR 12 S1 (7.1 channel THX Ultra II receiver) putting out 110 true watts per channel into 8ohms (more into 6 or 4);

Monitor Audio RS series HT plus a SVS PB 12plus.

 

The listening area is a 7by 10m room but with the speakers sited such that they are almost a metre from the rear walls and far from the side walls. No port plugs were used. They were toed in such that the speaker face points directly at the listening position. The hotspot was about 3m from each speaker in a 60degree angle.

 

Ancillary connections consisted of Audioquest interconnects, QED XT300 tube wires (chosen for their neutral sound with no silver in them)

 

For more information on the amp, it is an ancient amp by current standards with no auto-setup, HDMI and a full review can be found in issue 255 of Hi Fi Choice (thanks Patrick at KEC for lending the issue), http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/index/hardware.shtml a German magazine, plus Home Cinema Choice.

 

My impression of the SVS subwoofer is found in the SVS section: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=43686.0

 

Suffice to say, it represents a wonderful package of extension, tightness and slam with the main issue being that WAF is miserable (it weighs and resembles a washing machine)

 

Reviews of the Panasonic DVD Hard disk recorder are also readily found online at Whxx Lo Fi and Home Cinema Choice.

 

Onto the speakers, a previous impression can be found within this thread: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=43565.0

Many other mags including hi fi choice, Whxx Lo Fi etc carry reviews.

 

This initial review is with the stereo pair of floorstanders. Visually the RS6 has high showroom appeal, with real wood veneers and a certain elegance only bested by speakers in a different price range, such as the GS series. At the listening position the tweeters are just about at my ear level or slightly lower. There is a plinth for the floor-standers and the speakers can be bi-wired. Build quality for a set of made in China speakers is very good. You get a feeling of high value for money.

 

I began with stereo, and as the speakers had been in use previously there was no run-in period. Using a single run of the QED XT 300 tube, the initial impression was pretty impressive, with a serious wall of bass hitting you. The Monitor Audio RS series is about fun, in a roller coaster fashion, and it is hardly subtle. The speakers make their presence felt, and the soundstage is forward, with a definite emphasis in the mid-bass region. In a more confined space the bass can dominate an become unruly or muddy. Give them enough space to breath and they will reward you with a extension and slam that you may not miss a subwoofer even for movies. However there is a definite emphasis of bass around the 60Hz region, which may account for a slam element which helps them become popular with HT or dance music. This can be disconcerting to those desiring a flatter response curve. There is not much output to note under 40 Hz or so.

 

The treble has been noted in various quarters to be on the bright side of neutral, hence partnering this speaker is essential. Get it wrong and you will suffer a grating sound. A warmer amp will definitely help.

 

A point to note is that if you audition this speaker in the showroom, it is driven by tubes, or Primare amps and the room is pretty insulated, so the treble is pretty much tamed and in fact the speaker may sound a lot more subdued than it really is. If your room is very much ‘alive’ it may pay dividends to do some room treatment at crucial reflection points. Get some help from experienced brothers here.

 

Stereophile gave this speaker a resounding recommendation (perhaps too sterling) and some other magazines also gushed effusively about it. I like the sound, but it is definitely not the last word in sound quality. Neither is it the most neutral speaker in the world.

 

With my Panasonic, there was a hardness to it with the treble poorly held in rein and it would be quite fatiguing for music in the long term. For HT, this was very exciting and gave a ride by the seat of your pants kind of experience, despite enhancing the HT fun.

 

Swopping over to my warmer and I reckon better sounding Pioneer, I got more information retrieval without the hardness, and the ride whilst still exciting, became something I can listen to for hours, without my ears bleeding. Imaging was also more accurate and stable, with a deeper soundstage and individual instruments could be discern more easily.

 

The metal tweeter also seems to need some warming up, with a sweeter sound after using it for half an hour or more, although this could be ear conditioning.

 

I reckon a warmer or neutral source, perhaps along the lines of the SACD 7001 from Marantz, or a NAD CD player will help bring the best out of the system. I look forward to trying it with the new DV 7001 Marantz DVD player which get most of the innards of the well regards DV 9600.

 

So how should I describe the RS 6? If it was a person, she would be energetic, sporty, dynamic, colourful and exciting, with nary a dull moment. She would be beautiful and shapely, tall and slim with a vivacious personality to match her looks.She would also be capable of telling the truth, the whole truth and reveal most of the message, from the highs to the lows. She needs room to breathe, and does not like being hemmed in. give her her space and the songs she sings will be seared permanently into your memory. And at the end of it all, you will still feel she’s the one 

:)

[Genesis]

So how should I describe the RS 6? If it was a person, she would be energetic, sporty, dynamic, colourful and exciting, with nary a dull moment. She would be beautiful and shapely, tall and slim with a vivacious personality to match her looks.She would also be capable of telling the truth, the whole truth and reveal most of the message, from the highs to the lows. She needs room to breathe, and does not like being hemmed in. give her her space and the songs she sings will be seared permanently into your memory. And at the end of it all, you will still feel she’s the one  :)

 

Nice speaker conjecture pete....hell I'd buy her based soley on your review, but with your description I can't help feel that I'm either going speaker whoring...if you know what I mean...or found the "woman" of my life  ;D

[petetherock]

Actually I would add, she likes power, and can be a party animal, but is never unruly if she is well partnered and remains in control all the time. If you get it right, she will never quarrel with you but she will take time to warm up to you....

 

she doesn't sing immediately but at least while you are waiting for her voice to mellow, she is nice to look at... :)

[IwishIwasToneDeaf]

Actually I would add, she likes power, and can be a party animal, but is never unruly if she is well partnered and remains in control all the time. If you get it right, she will never quarrel with you but she will take time to warm up to you....

 

she doesn't sing immediately but at least while you are waiting for her voice to mellow, she is nice to look at... :)

 

Now...show us some hot pics of her!

[petetherock]

Alas, I can't post pics (computer goondu)

Besides her picture is plastered in so many rags already.

 

I keep her grilles on for a tamer sound. She is not fussy and isn't high maintainence, surviving well on pop and common recordings, she doesn't need the 'audiophile' stuff, but appreciates a good grip from the amp / source feeding her.

In a couple of weeks time, I will add the surround and centre and introduce you to her equally shapely and lovely sisters :)

[Nstarone]

Alas, I can't post pics (computer goondu)

Besides her picture is plastered in so many rags already.

 

I keep her grilles on for a tamer sound. She is not fussy and isn't high maintainence, surviving well on pop and common recordings, she doesn't need the 'audiophile' stuff, but appreciates a good grip from the amp / source feeding her.

In a couple of weeks time, I will add the surround and centre and introduce you to her equally shapely and lovely sisters :)

 

Lol... take good care of her Pete! :)

[SiriuslyCold]

woo, audio pron. ;D

[1AngMoh]

This is the first instalment of my impression of the Monitor Audio RS 6, RS 1 RS LCR with a Marantz SR 12.

 

 

But enough about how this set came into my possession. The system now consisted of

a Pioneer DV 545 and a Panasonic EX85 as the source (both will be weaker than a proper CD transport);

 

:)

 

While i found the personification i bit distracting...overall this was well written.

 

Just one comment - you really do have to do something about your front end if you really want to hear what your superb amp and speakers are capable of.  I would agree that you should try the Marantz DV7001 - which i understand is due out soon and will be priced around the 1k mark.

[petetherock]

Actually as I continued to listen and run-in, I found the MA tends to get sweeter in the treble.

Matching the source will be important, I reckon either the DV 7001, or a neutral to warm source will help. Each time you start listening, it takes a few minutes to half an hour to really sound right.

I ran through a well recorded

pop CD (Emil Chau) and there was so much detail and the sound was much sweeter with my Pioneer that I will explore a new source soon.

The bass is prominent so I worry for bros running this in a confined space. It defintely needs to breathe with about 1m behind it. That why the entire frequency can be appreciated and the bass doesn't swamp the rest of the mesage.

I will decide if I want a Toshiba Xa2 or the DV 7001 whilst on my journey.

Missing my MA RS already :)

 

 

[petetherock]

Ah women don't quite make the same music, and maybe more difficult to switch off.....

 

BTW anyone knows the price for a Marantz DV 7001, its about S$953 in HK

 

 

While i found the personification i bit distracting...overall this was well written.

 

Just one comment - you really do have to do something about your front end if you really want to hear what your superb amp and speakers are capable of.  I would agree that you should try the Marantz DV7001 - which i understand is due out soon and will be priced around the 1k mark.

[Nstarone]

Ah women don't quite make the same music, and maybe more difficult to switch off.....

 

BTW anyone knows the price for a Marantz DV 7001, its about S$953 in HK

 

 

 

Hi Pete,

 

Was down in Aldephi on Weds.  Still not out here yet as far as I can see. Not sure if any bros managed to ask in KEC. I did pop in but they were too busy and I didn't ask them in the end. I did check with two other places and still no news.

[petetherock]

Thanks, just committed to HD DVD plus a whole stack of cables and power conditioners, so this is on the back burner now.

Will review the HD DVD when I get home.

I will hookup my Xindak power cables, conditioners and Belkin Power filters too (BTW they are offering a DTS Demo disc as a rebate in USA, plus it costs only 89USD for a PF30 model)

 

 

Hi Pete,

 

Was down in Aldephi on Weds.  Still not out here yet as far as I can see. Not sure if any bros managed to ask in KEC. I did pop in but they were too busy and I didn't ask them in the end. I did check with two other places and still no news.

[rahul]

Nice review Pete.

I pretty much concur with all your findings about the speaker sound quality.

 

Its a nice speaker to enjoy movies and music but not for very serious listening.

 

 

[petetherock]

Unable to sleep, so I decided to listen more.

Added more equipment:

A new Xindak power conditioner XF 1000 for the amp, Xindak FP -5 power cable for the amp, wireworld power cable for the XF 1000, new DC 01 digital cable for the XA2 and Xindak SS1 jumper cables for the MAs.

Also hooked up the centre speaker now, so at least I have 3.1 :)

 

The integration with the LCR and RS6 is very seamless, and this is an important pricepoint IMO for HT.

To outdo this speaker system would require a significant investment, although I reckon the JM Lab 8xx series will give it a good run.

 

Without noticing the boxes of the speakers, they quickly dissapear into the whole expereince.

 

With True HD on the experience is getting very satisfying and even with simple music, the RS 6 can sing well, albeit with the above mentioned caveats of bass distemper.

 

On a seperate note the XA2 gives a very good account of itself as a CD transport. It gives a fairly neutral picture, slight on the steely cold side, and detail retrieval is very impressive. The soundstage is hovering right between the speakers and for video player, it gives a stable imagery, with good seperation and individual instruments and their placement is easily spotted.

 

 

More to come, just got a 50m reel of USA made OFC 12G cable for the rears.

[petetherock]

Connected my XA2 to the SR 12 S1 using new monoprice interconnects, 3 pairs in all.

(Thanks for the recommendation SC for the 7.1 swtcher again)

 

I can't say much about the video yet as my video end is extremely modest.

Listening to True HD and even regular DTS / DD is fabulous. The pairing is superb and there is detail but with the new power cables, wiring, and conditioners I seemed to have tamed the slightly bright treble and avoid masking over detail.

 

Now I can hear more nuances from soundtracks I missed out on, and with the new v 1.5 firmware the XA2 seems to have licked the LFE issue.

 

For those comtemplating the XA2 with a transformer, I recommend using a line conditioner (I use a Belkin) there is a little help.

 

Next step, adding Xindak jumpers for the wire terminals and hooking up the rears to the walls / stands with the new OFC Shark cable from USA.

[petetherock]

Been using the XA2 as a transport hooked up with the Xindak coaxial cable and using the internal DACs of the amp to listen to music.

 

Its actually pretty good, and the setup shows detail with little nuances that my other decks failed to pick up, especially the Panasonic.

 

Now sure the Toshi isn't the killer cd transport that say a Shanling can be, but despites its main designation as a killer hi def player, it does a pretty fine job of playin music too. It gives a rather neutral sound, and does well with my acoustics, pop and orchestral selections, I am achieving a lot of satisfaction with this new setup and look forward to adding a new HD display some time soon

 

[petetherock]

Strange how everyone seems to make an effort to speak in hushed whispers when watching a good movie in darkened conditions...

 

Everyone speaks quietly in my new hi fi room

 

I got my TV, hooked up the speakers and the HD DVD player and finally use the RS1 as rears.

Did a spot of calibration and we are off!

 

Many movies have room shuddering bass, and much gut busting blasts in their scenes, but how about listening to the rears in a quiet movie.

 

A good rear tends to surround you in a whole envelop of sound and I didn't get much better effects tonight than the o;d movie "Hunt for Red October"

 

The experience seems surreal, you feel like you are in the water, first in front of the sub, then hear it coming and finally end up behind the sub. The scenes were there is singing is another good workout for the surrounds and the RS 1 is more than up to the task.

There is good range and they will happily go loud for you.

 

In fact they are excellant as front channel speakers, and with a good sub, they are more than adequate, especially in a smaller room. Occasionally they prove too directional, since my room is rather small I think mounting them higher up is better. I might still for dipoles as my next upgrade..

 

Feeling in the mood for underwater programs, I also try out my U 571 and again the quieter scenes are marvellous for showing off the rear channels. As direct radiating speakers, the RS 1 needs some care in placement, so I recommend you try them in the proposed position before attaching them to the wall or shelf or rack permanently.

 

 

I find that biwiring is still a point of prolonged discussion, but a short set of Xindak Jumpers seems to do the trick well, and the whole lot of Xindak equipment was well worth it, albeit at HKG prices.

 

I had to use the RS 6 in a much smaller room than my hall when I shifted to my sound room, but with the help of blackout sound absorbing curtains, the bass is better tamed.

 

Back to the whole enjoyment of my system, tomorrow my Malung chair arrives :)

 

 

 

PS: Thank you Francis and synthesis for your suggestions on placing the RS LCR on cork boards and door stopper to elevate the front of the speaker :)

 

[petetherock]

How to make friends or have a gathering...

Add a large screen, place plenty of speakers in a small room, add a subwoofer and mix.

Then turn up the volume for effect, voila, you have the perfect social tool.

 

Watching alone is ok, and it can get decadent, but with a few friends, the whole Lido experience becomes transformed.

 

Now that the pairing of the MA and the Marantz has been running for a while, I can say that this is a good partnership, complementing each other well.

 

The same caveat applies for those thinking of using the RS 6 in a small space, and it is best used with the 'large' settings for speakers, letting the sub take over after 80Hz

 

My next tweak is to find a dedicated socket for the amp seperate from the other items to see if this improves the sound.

 

Even as I stare enviously at the new amps with the auto-setup, new HDMI versions (mine has zilch), the warm smooth sound of the SR 12 tells me its ok and I enjoy sitting in the hi fi room typing my essays ans reports.

 

Some additional notes, avoid listening front on to the RS, toe in and be a little higher than the tweeter for less treble energy.

 

Give the speakers space or have lots of room treatment. A decent set of cables, nothing too exotic or exhorbitant will help and avoid silver ones.

 

Use the spikes, especially on a wooden floor to tighten the bass.

 

A carpet does wonders too, and having a few posters about with padding also helps stray bass notes.

 

And once you get your setup, sit back and enjoy ;)

[petetherock]

A question from a forum bro - posted here for others to share and benefit:

 

"1) My amp is onkyo805, can drive?

2) U said need a lot of room treatment, how/

Currently i 'm using 3 omnisat micro for LCR, thinking to

switch them back to surround & pair th R6 with an old JBL center."

 

- the RS6 are quite sensitive speakers 91db and a THX Ultra II amp should be plenty

 

- the RS 6 are bass heavy, so make sure you have lot of space or you will need to dampen the bass with room tx

 

- it is best to combine with a similar centre for the best effect, the voicing of your JBL is vastly different IMO

 

 

[petetherock]

Some other Monitor Audio RS series owners:

 

Rahul

 

cst

 

 

[petetherock]

Quoting cst:

 

"I was and still am a newbie in HT.  Like you, I had the same problem.  Went around Adelphi for so many occasions that I cant even remember how many hours I spent there and even more hours on the internet searching for reviews.

 

My quest finally ended after seeing Pete's thread on the MAs and found more threads and reviews on the internet, went down to Precision and spent at least 7 hours with Edward on 2 separate days listening to the RS6 vs the BR5...  (nice and knowledgeable chap isnt he?  )

 

With my non audiophile ears, I can tell the difference between the 2 distinctively and settled for the RS6.  I am sure there are countless brands of speakers who are just as good or even better but to me, the MAs are just what I am looking for.  Good WAF too! (my wife like them and call them "transformers" cos I took the grills off.. haha)

 

My setup consists of

RS6, RSLCR, BR1 (rears), RSW12 (sounds good to me and I had no chance to compare with the popular SVS so settled for it.  Although at a price that most will feel a SVS will be more VFM)

 

Next I searched for an AV amp and I auditioned Denon, Cambridge Audio and Marantz.  Finally settled on the Marantz because I liked them for music as compared to the rest.  I could not afford to get the SR7001 and so I settled for the SR6001 which is within my budget and I personally find it not too shabby at all.  SR6001 is a quite a big jump from SR5001 based on what I hear for myself during an audition.  I am also sure the same applies to the jump from SR6001 to SR7001 and SR7001 to SR8001 but at the end of the day, I am happy with my purchase that is within my budget. 

 

After the goods were delivered, I was worried about placement of the speakers because of numerous warnings about floorstanders in untreated and confined HDB flat.  I placed the RS6 about 2.5-3m apart, slightly toed in,  with space of at least 50 cm behind and side from the wall.  To my untrained ears, they sounded nice and not boomy at all.  My living room is about 5x7m and I have no room treatment.  All my furnitures are solid wood with goose feathered cushions and I only have normal curtains for my window.  I also did the standard clap test and hear no echo at all at the listening position with my furnitures in place.  As for the center speaker,  because my TV console is pretty low, I did what others suggested and bought 2 large doorstoppers to tilt it at at angle. And for aesthetic treatment, I bought a nice small carpet from ikea and place it between the ugly doorstoppers and the center speaker.

 

Now I am enjoying every moment of it.  Weekends are now mostly movie marathons with friends or listening to my favorite CDs at my new place.

 

Sorry for the long winded first post at this forum.  Just want to share my limited newbie experience and hope this is helpful to anyone reading this."

[petetherock]

In full flight, the RS series can be driven to fairly insane levels, and still maintain its composure.

No doubt with its sensitive 91db nature, it can be driven by even a modest amp. But if you can feed them quality amplification, you won't regret it and if you get into the THX Ultra sort of power delivery, they can impress you with some serious thump which makes you wonder why you need a sub.

 

There is enough mid-bass energy to satisfy the casual user and who is saving up for a better sub. In a small room, perhaps the SB 12+ will do, but in partner ship with a bigger unit like the SVS PB 12+, this setup comes into its own and can make you forget that you need to see that action movie in a cinema.

 

Combine this with a PJ or largish plasma, you can park yourself in the HT room for hours, as the first xtreme battalion can attest to.... ;)

[petetherock]

Spent Saturday night and a bit of Sunday trying out some of old movies and CDs.

 

Some of these stuff, I hadn't played for a while and in the newly setup room, it is quite a revelation listening to my old Emil Chau CDs, esp after F Woo's nordost treatment.

 

Those 'audiophile cds' I acquired from PRC this year sound smooth, detailed and through the XA2, it acquits itself well as a cd transport, feeding a coaxial output to be decoded using the twin DACs per channel in the SR 12.

 

Friends have pm - ed me asking if this speaker is neutral, it isn't, with a nice meaty bass, and a rather shiny treble, which can give plenty of detail but can potentially jar with treble proud sources. My previous Dynaudios and KEF Reference series were kinder on the ears, giving a more neutral sound.

 

However the word is exciting, which is nicely tempered by the warmer sonic signature of the Marantz to give a detailed yet more smooth sound. Room setup, without the aid of modern auto-setup and eq takes a lot longer and after about 3-4 months, I am getting more satisfied with my system.

 

There is good steering in movies, with effects running seamlessly from the front to the back in panning effects, ambient moments are effortless created, but when sounds need to be pinpoint, you can easily locate the source. On the other hand, the pairing can create a good envelop of sound that allows you to forget its not the local cinema, but a small room of modest proportions. Actually the close distance between the front pair and the rear surrounds lends more to the the small jump from front to back, and there is no gap in the panning.

 

Next project, using it in 7.1, and tweaking the power sockets..... :)

[Mr. Big]

Peter

 

The demo last night was awesome, especially with the House of Daggers scene.  The surround effect was unbelievable.  Always thought one could only experience this in a shop set-up.

[petetherock]

Cheers bro

Pity we didn't demo more songs

Get more music CDs next time ;)

When I set up a 7.1 system, will let you know

 

Aim to be format neutral by year end

 

Peter

 

The demo last night was awesome, especially with the House of Daggers scene.  The surround effect was unbelievable.  Always thought one could only experience this in a shop set-up.