Worth upgrading to Monitor70s?

MonitorSeriesII

My current setup is: M60s as fronts, CS2 as center, Monitor 30s as rears, and also have a BIC America V1220 12" Sub with a Sony STR-DG720 receiver.

Subwoofer:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882007001

Receiver:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STRDG720-Audio-Video-Receiver/dp/B0015HKR46

NewEgg has the M70s for 150 a piece right now, and just wondering if it's worth the upgrade from the M60s. The M60s would become rears with the M30s becoming surround rears.

What would I gain? Just being able to handle more power and turn it up louder? My fiance is deaf in one ear, so loudness isn't something I'm exactly looking for, although I do enjoy it turned up myself. If the difference in my system would be night and day, I'd probably pull the trigger. If the difference would be negligible, not for me.

PolkieMan

That's a good buy they are coming out with the 75's so I think they are clearing them out. It's not how loud they will play at the same loudness with less strain that's what you want less strain less distortion

B Run

They would sound better, but you might consider upgrading your AVR to get the most out of them.

MonitorSeriesII

B Run wrote: »

They would sound better, but you might consider upgrading your AVR to get the most out of them.

What type of AVR would you recommend?

MonitorSeriesII

Sale ends at midnight so all feedback would be greatly appreciated, still thinking about it.

EndersShadow

Not worth the 300.

MonitorSeriesII

EndersShadow wrote: »

Not worth the 300.

Thank you, these are the type of responses I was looking for. I obviously know the M70s will sound better, but is it worth it...

EndersShadow

MonitorSeriesII wrote: »

Thank you, these are the type of responses I was looking for. I obviously know the M70s will sound better, but is it worth it...

No. Not enough of an improvement to make it worthwhile. Save up for a better sub or receiver (more power to them). For 300 + what you can sell your Sony for you might be able to get into one of the Onkyo TX-NR709 or NR809 models which would provide a MUCH bigger improvement to your setup with better auto calibration, more HDMI's and overall better/more power to your setup.

MonitorSeriesII

DSkip wrote: »

I second Enders. If you get those, they'll probably be starved of power and actually detriment your all-around sound. There's only so much power a receiver can generate, and adding more speakers reduces the amount any one speaker provides.

Just thinking down the line, would upgrading to M70s and a more powerful AVR be a night and day difference? Would it be a waste of M60s setting them up as rears?

tonyb

MonitorSeriesII wrote: »

Thank you, these are the type of responses I was looking for. I obviously know the M70s will sound better, but is it worth it...

Imho....nope. Your bic sub is doing all the heavy lifting. You may gain some improvement with the mids but not much, not for 300 bucks. Spend it elsewhere, newer receiver, a dac, there was a nice Yaqin pre amp in the FM for 3 bones which would drastically improve your music listening over that Sony avr.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk!

Basically, if you want to hear a real "difference" between the M-60s and the M-70s you need to do it in a decent two channel system. If you're running a sub and HT speakers on a receiver, you're just not going to hear what the M-70s can do on "their own". And if you're thinking about a 2 channel system, there are speakers "better" than 2 M-70s. So I wouldn't bother.

I run an M-70 system myself with a huge Onkyo 805 and it's OK, probably better than having M-60s. But I wouldn't spend 300 to upgrade that way if I were you? There are better things you could do with the money!

cnh

MonitorSeriesII

EndersShadow wrote: »

No. Not enough of an improvement to make it worthwhile. Save up for a better sub or receiver (more power to them). For 300 + what you can sell your Sony for you might be able to get into one of the Onkyo TX-NR709 or NR809 models which would provide a MUCH bigger improvement to your setup with better auto calibration, more HDMI's and overall better/more power to your setup.

Do you recommend the Onkyo TX-NR717? It's rated at 125 W/channel.

EndersShadow

MonitorSeriesII wrote: »

Do you recommend the Onkyo TX-NR717? It's rated at 125 W/channel.

Not really. I still like the 709 and 809. Both have a MUCH better auto-calibration than the 717. Dont let the fact they are a bit older or refurbs scare you. I have not heard many if any horror stories about stuff bought from Accessories4less. They are an authorized reseller, the units come with a 1 year warranty with the option to purchase a longer one if you want.

Here is a graph of the different flavors of Audyssey. IMHO you want something with MultiEQ XT minimum. Not how many more filters you get on all channels between 2EQ and MultiEQ XT. 2EQ doesnt EQ the sub, doesnt have nearly as many filters for the remaining channels. Its their most basic EQ.

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mrloren

I know this post is a week old but I need to toss in my two cents.

The 720 is a fine receiver for the Monitor 60's add the extra bigger Monitor 70's (6.5" vs. 5.25") and yes I think the Sony 720 would be a little under powered. Add another pair of Monitor 30's for either front highs or rears and you will be set.
Enough with the Sony bashing. I never really liked lower end Sony receivers till I did a basic setup for the in-laws. They use a Sony 720 AVR from Costco they got for $240 and I was impressed. Sony has gone away from the over bright sound to a more fuller warm sounding receiver with good clean power. In-Laws setup is Monitor 50's for the front, monitor 30's for front high and surrounds and a CS1 center with a PSW 10. It does not come close to my system but is does sound very good for an HT setup @ less than 1k. For music it will play loud enough for them.
I like Sony ES products and yes they cost a ton. I was very lucky I was able to exchange my STR-DA5300ES under warranty for a STR-DA5700ES for free. The difference in the sound is amazing.

MonitorSeriesII

mrloren wrote: »

I know this post is a week old but I need to toss in my two cents.

The 720 is a fine receiver for the Monitor 60's add the extra bigger Monitor 70's (6.5" vs. 5.25") and yes I think the Sony 720 would be a little under powered. Add another pair of Monitor 30's for either front highs or rears and you will be set.
Enough with the Sony bashing. I never really liked lower end Sony receivers till I did a basic setup for the in-laws. They use a Sony 720 AVR from Costco they got for $240 and I was impressed. Sony has gone away from the over bright sound to a more fuller warm sounding receiver with good clean power. In-Laws setup is Monitor 50's for the front, monitor 30's for front high and surrounds and a CS1 center with a PSW 10. It does not come close to my system but is does sound very good for an HT setup @ less than 1k. For music it will play loud enough for them.
I like Sony ES products and yes they cost a ton. I was very lucky I was able to exchange my STR-DA5300ES under warranty for a STR-DA5700ES for free. The difference in the sound is amazing.

So if I'm sticking with the 60s as my fronts you don't think I need to upgrade to a newer, more powerful receiver? Only complaints I have about the 720 is that it only has 3 hdmi inputs, I've actually used an hdmi switch at one point as I have multiple gaming consoles (360, ps3, wii u), plus a dedicated blu ray player, a boxee box, and I also need an hdmi input for my satellite receiver. 8 Hdmi inputs would be clutch, so that upgrade plus the power, it might be worth it for me.

ravaneli

The M70s are not an improvement and your AVR is fine for the M60s.

Don't waste money on minute differences you will never hear. Better save for some high quality speaker or amp.

MonitorSeriesII

ravaneli wrote: »

The M70s are not an improvement and your AVR is fine for the M60s.

Don't waste money on minute differences you will never hear. Better save for some high quality speaker or amp.

Ok, I have one person telling me a new AVR could bring my speakers to life... and someone else saying the differences would be minute. Any other opinions would be appreciated...

jbooker82

MonitorSeriesII wrote: »

Ok, I have one person telling me a new AVR could bring my speakers to life... and someone else saying the differences would be minute. Any other opinions would be appreciated...

See this is the problem with being new. If you had been around for a while you would know who to listen to. If you look at rav's posts in other threads they usually go against what 99% of the people say. Usually threads he post in get locked or shutdown.

Here you go. You decide.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1512111

jbooker82

As for the AVR I would deffinatly upgrade that. It will be a noticable gain. Like the guys said above the 709 is a great avr. You will have the ability to hook up an exteral amp later on down the road if you want to. Had you gotten an avr the first time around that had analog preouts you could be looking at external amplifiers right now instead of another avr.

I didnt realize the Onkyo 717 did not have XT32. That would deffinatly be a deal breaker for me as well. I would go older 709 with XT32 or the current year TX-NR818 wich is the next step up from the Onkyo TX-NR7xx line.

MonitorSeriesII

jbooker82 wrote: »

As for the AVR I would deffinatly upgrade that. It will be a noticable gain. Like the guys said above the 709 is a great avr. You will have the ability to hook up an exteral amp later on down the road if you want to. Had you gotten an avr the first time around that had analog preouts you could be looking at external amplifiers right now instead of another avr.

I didnt realize the Onkyo 717 did not have XT32. That would deffinatly be a deal breaker for me as well. I would go older 709 with XT32 or the current year TX-NR818 wich is the next step up from the Onkyo TX-NR7xx line.

Right now, Amazon is selling the 809 for $426. That would be the cheapest route as far as 709, 809, or 818. Reading the Amazon reviews, and people had problems with their 809 sparking a fire... what the??

jbooker82

MonitorSeriesII wrote: »

Right now, Amazon is selling the 809 for $426. That would be the cheapest route as far as 709, 809, or 818. Reading the Amazon reviews, and people had problems with their 809 sparking a fire... what the??

I would run a 809 with out question. One thing you have to remember with amazon is you dont actually have to buy the product to leave a review. I really wouldnt worry about an amazon review on audio equipemnt. I havent ever seen a post on here about any AVR catching on fire. Running hot and smelling like hot electronics maybe but not a full fledged fire.

spock 2054

I've had an 809 for a about four months. Open box from Amazon Warehouse Deals. No problems with it. I still have my 806 here in the office. Four years, no fires. lol. Found an inexpensive Carver 5 channel amp (av-405) that feeds the pre-outs on the Onkyo to Monitor 70's in the front, CS2 center, 60's surround. The 809 has performed perfectly, and runs almost cold compared to my 806. Give the 809 a shot - even the Monitor 60's sound better with more power. At $300, another pair of Monitor 70's is very tempting. The Monitor series has had a good run...

mrloren

For your current setup I would just add some monitor 30's for front highs and be done. The front highs are not a night and day from a 5.1 but the front sound stage has a more fuller sound.

Now you are tossing in the need for more HDMI ports! There are many good receivers that can be had with 8 ports. I don't know what your budget is but you will need to find what fits your needs. See if you can go to Best Buy or Fry's and have a listen to a few and then start checking on line for the best price. New Egg has the Pioneer 1022 for $249 and the Onkyo TX-NR616 for $342. Both of these will do you fine if there is enough HDMI inputs for you. Fry's and Best Buy will price match Amazon and New Egg.

Lietuvis91

I'd like to ask what exactly do you seek to "improve" with the next upgrade? As in, what specifically is your current system lacking at this point? Are you interested in adding more channels or are you seeking to improve sounds quality?

It's important to define what you are trying to achieve in order to... achieve it.

An avr upgrade with no other changes will gain you diddly squat. If you added an amp with a new receiver then yes you'd see a nice improvement in sound.

If you're looking for meaningfully better quality sound. You're going to need to start from scratch: New AVR + new speakers. That's the only way you'll get a night and day difference.

If all you want to do is add more channels, then mrloren is spot on, get another set of m30s and you'll be fine.

jbooker82

mrloren wrote: »

For your current setup I would just add some monitor 30's for front highs and be done. The front highs are not a night and day from a 5.1 but the front sound stage has a more fuller sound.

Now you are tossing in the need for more HDMI ports! There are many good receivers that can be had with 8 ports. I don't know what your budget is but you will need to find what fits your needs. See if you can go to Best Buy or Fry's and have a listen to a few and then start checking on line for the best price. New Egg has the Pioneer 1022 for $249 and the Onkyo TX-NR616 for $342. Both of these will do you fine if there is enough HDMI inputs for you. Fry's and Best Buy will price match Amazon and New Egg.

I dont think his reciver has the ability to run High or Wides, and if he gets the TX-NR616 he will be right back in his current situation if he decideds to add an external amplifier. He will be stuck with an AVR that has no analog preouts.

PubFiction

The thing is you can sell your monitor 60s to offset the cost. I did the same upgrade, however I had monitor 40 rears and I liked it, I have now moved on to a better system. But I was able to sell my 60s at only a $20 loss on craigslist.

MonitorSeriesII

jbooker82 wrote: »

As for the AVR I would deffinatly upgrade that. It will be a noticable gain. Like the guys said above the 709 is a great avr. You will have the ability to hook up an exteral amp later on down the road if you want to. Had you gotten an avr the first time around that had analog preouts you could be looking at external amplifiers right now instead of another avr.

I didnt realize the Onkyo 717 did not have XT32. That would deffinatly be a deal breaker for me as well. I would go older 709 with XT32 or the current year TX-NR818 wich is the next step up from the Onkyo TX-NR7xx line.

Does the Onkyo 809 have XT32 or just the 818 and 709?

ken brydson

Mamun79 reported