Monitor Series II

GTR722

Hello Polk audio forum members

Im new in this page, the reason from this thread is because Im looking for advice in replacing my whole Home theater, currently this is my HT



the reason I want to change its because the Receiver only have one optical audio conecction..no HDMI, no DTS-MA, etc.....well, its just a little old

and the speakers are the "standard" in Home theaters...I want a new Receiver and new Speakers

the thing is...my $$$ is very, and I mean VERY limited

Im planning to build my new HT in two years, for example, now the Front Speakers...in some months the Sub....later in the year the center...and so

my first option was Amazon and Newegg, since Im from El Salvador those are the two better stores for me

I was going to build a Sony HT, with the SS-B3000/1000, SAW2500 and a Sony Receiver...but then I discover the Monitor Series II in the Egg

the prices for the same setup is double than Sony...this is the speakers and receiver I put together



other speakers brands are just to expensive...Klipsch for example is out of my price range...considering I want to build a complete set of speakers from a complete "series" of speakers...I dont want the center one brand, the satellite others and so...

the thing is...some people tell me that the Sony speakers sound better than others 100$+ speakers...and some people tell me that those Sony speakers are trash

so...in the end, maybe the Monitor Series II and the Sony SS series will sound great to me....thats when my other great aspect comes

Build Quality and reliability....Im the kind of person that use its things until its completely necessary to change.....and more with Speakers !! I had seen people rocking 20 year old Speakers...and they sound great !! so Im looking to a set of speakers that last me 10 years

and Im pretty sure the Polk Audio in this aspect beat Sony, build quality. At least, the higher price should confirm that

So, I need help from the Polk Audio users:

-Is that configuration of speakers ok ???
-how is the build quality of those monitor series II ??
-even if they are the "cheapest" series in Polk Audio, how they compare in that price range to others ?
-Where I can find reviews of these Speakers ??

another thing...I don't know why...but I CANT find that speakers in the Polk Audio site.....no specs....no warranty...no nothing....only in Newegg...are they being discontinued ? I know the Monitor Series I are out...but the Monitor Series II too ??

As I said before...I will get the whole HT in 1-2 years frame...and I will be mad if I cant complete it because they stop selling the Speakers

please help !!! :biggrin:

Glowrdr

The series II are a newegg thing - don't worry about any differences, they are purely cosmetic (I think for the better)

I would definately pass on the PSW10 as it is very underpowered. If I were you, I would consider getting rid of the PSW10 and the 40's, and either going with the 60/70's for up front. This will help you with a more future proof system, that you will not outgrow the moment you get a new reciever down the road.

I'm sure others will chime in soon with other options as well. May be worth checking out the FS market here and picking up some used gear. Everyone here is more of a community, and tend to pass on some good deals

EndersShadow

GTR722 wrote: »

I CANT find that speakers in the Polk Audio site.....no specs....no warranty...no nothing....only in Newegg...are they being discontinued ? I know the Monitor Series I are out...but the Monitor Series II too ??

Go to the top of the screen and click on Products and select Recent/Vintage and then do a search for the word Monitor. That will pull up everything your looking for.

If your looking for reviews go through all the posts on this thread if you want as there are many many references to the Monitor series here (Series II and Series I are close enough it doesnt matter really)

Glowrdr wrote: »

I'm sure others will chime in soon with other options as well. May be worth checking out the FS market here and picking up some used gear. Everyone here is more of a community, and tend to pass on some good deals

Normally I would agree, but it appears he is in El Salvador and shipping from the states there would kill any kid of lower price he would be getting.

Loud & Clear

Amazon has that receiver for $253.09 right now.

I've used a Monitor series II setup with a tx-nr 708 with great satisfaction. I love the series II look. Build quality, fit and finish was excellent. I think that would be a great theater setup.

Lietuvis91

Considering his very limited budget, I think his choices are very good. I agree with staying away from the psw10 sub though. It just sucks...

With the limited budget, I would save up money for something like the psw505 sub, and also possibly get the cs2 center, instead of the cs1. The rest looks good to me.

I would not run m70s on that 509 receiver... maybe m60's... but really there's less need for the bigger speaker if you have a decent sub. I think the money is better spent on a higher quality sub. Plus the bigger speakers might kill him on shipping.

Also consider Infinity Primus line of speakers, if you want different brand options. Those are also a good bang for the buck speakers.

Shan87

I'm running the m70's as fronts with m50's as surrounds on a onkyo 609 and loving them... sound great.

EndersShadow

Lietuvis91 wrote: »

Also consider Infinity Primus line of speakers, if you want different brand options. Those are also a good bang for the buck speakers.

I second this suggestion!

GTR722

thanks for the help

so...the MS II are exclusive to Newegg ?? are they new ?? as I said before...I will get one part of the HT now...and maybe other one in 3 months...

I cant get Floor Standing speakers, even if they are cheaper than the Monitor 40 because the weight...the shipping to my country will kill me...in fact...for the 36lbs Monitor 40 (pair) the shipping and all the taxes are like 150$...

I cant find that line of Infinity !!

I think I will order the Center Speaker tomorrow

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290210

64$ !!! even cheaper than the Sony CN5000 center Speaker

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OGA81Q/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_g23_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1YVHYRBK3ESYJFXDFP5S&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

men Im excited

EDIT: anyone have a "real" pic of the brown CS1 ?? I want to see the finish but with real pics

EndersShadow

Primus line link here: http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/primus.html

The 162's are the older model (I have them and love them) the 163's are the new model (not sure about what differences are there). Personally I like my Primus 162's better than my Monitor 40's for both surround and pure 2 channel. That and the Primus center (PC350 is the one I would get) looks to be much better than the CS1 or CS2.

The Monitor Series II were created exclusively for newegg due to the demand they had for the Series I speakers. They are new, but are carried ONLY by newegg. All other retailers carry the TSi line which is what technically replaced the Monitor series.

pdxfj

If you stick with Polk, spend just a little more and get the CS2 center, you'll be happier in the long run. I know your budget is limited..

GTR722

Hello, Im reviving this thread because Im ready to get the receiver

but I will NOT get the Onkyo...

I want to get this Yamaha:

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V371BL-5-1-Channel-AV-Receiver/dp/B004QQXDVC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332047801&sr=8-2


With that Receiver...I will be able to power those Speakers ??

and one more question...how the Monitor Series II compare to the TSi series ??

there is a killer feature that makes the TSi series worthy above the Monitor Series II ??

thanks

cnh

Yamahas tend to sound a bit bright with some Polks? I'd stick with Onkyo or Pioneer options there unless you're buying a higher end Yamaha.

I wouldn't go lower than an Onkyo 609 (and preferably a 709 which has more connections, including pre-outs). The same would be true with the Pioneer (VSX-112X or higher). But these may be too much for your budget.

We also, usually recommend the larger CS2 for the center because in surround sound 50 percent of the information goes to the center channel? And the Polk PSW 505 over the 10 (which is a very boomy and weak sub).

I realize that we may be putting stress on your budget, so you should take the above and consider the upgrades in the following order.

CS2 if you can as a minimum (or sub upgrade). Both make a big difference in surround performance.
Sub upgrade
Receiver upgrade

cnh

Geoff4rfc

GTR722 wrote: »

With that Receiver...I will be able to power those Speakers ??

and one more question...how the Monitor Series II compare to the TSi series ??

there is a killer feature that makes the TSi series worthy above the Monitor Series II ??

thanks

cnh gave you some good info concerning the receiver.

The Yamaha that you're wanting to get doesn't seem to put out very much power.

What speakers have you settled on to try and drive with the Yam? It looks like you are considering the M40's, 30's and CS1 even though more than one member has recommended the CS2. I too would recommend the CS2 only because I've heard them both and to me, the CS2 sounds like the better speaker.

As far as the differences between the TSi's and Monitor SII, it lies primarily in cosmetics. The TSi's are finished off nicer with glossy plastic caps that make them look a little fancier.

For what it's worth, I had considered the differences between the two series and just saved money and with the Monitors.

cascius

I went through a similar route last year and have a few inputs:

I also was on a limited budget and was a bit afraid of buying gear that I would end up replacing down the line. I decided to do the following:

Step 1: bought a pair of M40s + a CS2. I use the M40s as my fronts and was very pleased with those. Already, the front stage sounded very nice with those 3.

Step 2: bought a pair of M70s. I moved the M40s to surround and used the M70s for front.

Step 3: bought a PSW505. This helped quite a bit in providing the extra bass I was lacking.

Going this route has a couple advantages: essentially, you don't have to put all the money up front but still get a very nice upgrade with each step. Everything you buy will be used at the end. This let's you avoid doing things like buying M30s, then selling them later for M40s or whatnot.

Another route would be to start by buying just a pair of M70s and using them in stereo. Then you can add in the following order: the CS2, PSW 505, M40s for surround.

I hope this helps.

- Olivier

Glowrdr

GTR722 wrote: »

how the Monitor Series II compare to the TSi series ??

there is a killer feature that makes the TSi series worthy above the Monitor Series II ??

thanks

The Monitor series II from Newegg is actually a combination of the 2 speakers. I believe it is the old monitors, with the TSi grills and speaker "surrounds". The general consencious is that the series II is the better looking speaker - but that is all in the eye of the beholder. Some people prefer the silver/grey grills over the black.

As far as specs, I believe they are identical? I haven't specifically researched this, but it should be a pretty easy find on the website

michael1947

The series II is just Polk's latest in the Monitor series and it's their new look. I have M70's, M40's and CS2's. I could live with the M40's as fronts as long as there was a CS2 used as a center...and this would actually make a nice little rig. Get the most power that you can and for under 300 bucks it will be difficult, but possible. Check https://www.shoponkyo.com/products_refurb.cfm?specials=1&group_id=1. The web site is shop Onkyo.com and you will find a very nice receiver for 3 to 350...however since you are way out of money for 350 you can buy their HTIAB home theater in a box and the Onkyo HT-S5400 is actually a very nice package and they do free shipping to the states and maybe you can work out a deal with them on shipping as it comes in one very large box. I hate to recommend non-polk but the shipping thing may just cost more than the Polk speakers. Best bet on buying and including shipping is the package deal. good luck

GTR722

thanks for all the help

so, I have clear that the CS2 is a lot better than the CS1, but the thing is...its just too big !!!

according to the Polk Audio page its just 4 lbs more than the CS1 but its a lot bigger

the shipping to my country will kill me

the thing is...my room is small...4x3 meters...the CS1 will be too weak to fill the room ???

the center speaker will be a lot "closer" to me than the fronts and backs

another thing, the taxes for the receiver are pretty high.....thats why Im forced to change to the cheapest option.

that Yamaha at 160$ will end at 325$ when finally reach my hands....my local option here is a Pioneer 821 at 460$...

according to the yamaha page it provide 100 watts per channel....with the 2 M40?s, 2 M30?s, the CS1 and the Polk PSW110 sub... it will be able to power ok all that ??