I have Monitor 50s...jump on cheap Monitor 60s?

hiflyer555

Hey guys, I wanted some expertly advice...Newegg has the cherry Monitor 60s for $120 each...did the math and it would be about $275 shipped for a pair. Would these be a step up or side step from the Monitor 50s?

My current system is 5.1: Monitor 50 fronts, CS1 center (will be upgrading to CS2 soon!), Monitor 30 surrounds, PSW505 sub, Pioneer VSX-919 receiver. I listen about 60% HT/40% music. I feel I should also mention that the Pio 919 does not have amp pre-outs (I know I'll take a flogging for that one...:rolleyes:)

Thoughts? Other suggestions? Has anyone been able to compare these 2 speakers? I also looked at the Monitor 70s, but I'm not sure if my current receiver would be able to give those a proper workout. Also, 275 for 60s vs almost 500 for the 70s is a much easier pill to swallow.

Thanks again everyone. By the way...love this forum!

hiflyer555

Thanks for the reply! The Monitor 50s/CS1 have served me well for 4 years now, but I wanted to beef up my system a little bit to take better advantage of the sonic epiphany that is lossless audio/SACD. The Dark Side of the Moon SACD put chills down my spine...

mystik610

If you're spending the money and going through the trouble of upgrading, I say you upgrade to a higher line...RTi-a or LSi.

These are a good deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PAIR-RTi8-BLACK-Towers-Polk-Audio-/230445220346?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35a79b01fa

This cost more...but dollar for dollar, is a more worthwhile upgrade.

For reference, I once had the TSi300's (successor to the Monitor 50) and upgraded to the RTi8's. I'm very happy.

Ern Dog

Sure, going from M50 to M60 is an upgrade and if money is a big factor then maybe this is the best you can do right now. However, in the long run you actually save money by upgrading to the next level Rti or Rtia line because there is a good chance you'll want to upgrade to this anyway in the future. This line is a significant upgrade over the monitor series and it's worth the extra money.

Of course it will sound better being driven with a separate amp, but you don't need to get it all at once. Save up and by a new AVR w/pre-outs next year, then the amp...
I drove my Rti10's with a 75 wpc HK AVR for awhile and had good results.

Rodeo0530

Monitor 70's on sale tomorrow on Newegg just so you know!

mystik610

Ern Dog wrote: »

Sure, going from M50 to M60 is an upgrade and if money is a big factor then maybe this is the best you can do right now. However, in the long run you actually save money by upgrading to the next level Rti or Rtia line because there is a good chance you'll want to upgrade to this anyway in the future. This line is a significant upgrade over the monitor series and it's worth the extra money.

Of course it will sound better being driven with a separate amp, but you don't need to get it all at once. Save up and by a new AVR w/pre-outs next year, then the amp...
I drove my Rti10's with a 75 wpc HK AVR for awhile and had good results.

Exactly. I'm not suggesting that someone should spend more money for the sake of it, but I'm also not suggesting that someone should upgrade incrementally for the sake of upgrading....especially because if you're already following that pattern, you'd probably end up in the RTi line eventually anyway. If its out of your price range, resist the temptation to upgrade and save until you can afford the higher end line.

I've passed up several opportunities to upgrade to the RTi12's....never did it because if I ever put down the money to upgrade, it would be to the LSi's or Paradigm Studios.

RTi speakers driven by a receiver will still be better than the Monitor 60's IMO, and will add for more value dollar for dollar. The 60's are better than the 50's...but not substantially so.

hiflyer555

Thanks for all the responses guys! I really appreciate all the feedback. Well I went and did it...Rodeo's tip on newegg was too good to pass up. Got a couple of cherry M70's headed my way...along with a cherry CS2! I can't wait! Free shipping/no tax and only 80 more bones for the 70's was too good to pass up. I've got to get all my toys before I jump back into this whole marriage thing...

Rodeo0530

Glad to see you took my advice. The 60's are better than the 50's, but the 70's are way better than the 50's or 60's in my opinion. Now leave this place before they all cause you to spend every damn last penny you have on terrific audio equipment!!! Really, I'm serious, there's way too much good information to listen to without spending more and more on your habit.

Seriously, congrats on the new speakers and enjoy!!!

Welcome to CP. Stay around and you really will learn a lot of new things. This place is great.