monitor 4/5 or monitor 30?

ndrwcn

I have a pair of monitor 40's, a PSW303 sub, and an onkyo 701 receiver. I am going to be adding a center (a cs1 or 2) and surrounds, and would appreciate anyone's opinion on whether picking up a pair of monitor 4's, 5's, or 5jr's would work as a cheaper alternative to getting a new pair of monitor 30's for the surrounds. Or are there other options I have not thought about?

I was also given a single KLH 900 in good condition, and wonder whether it is worth hooking up as a center rear, or should i toss it because it is not good enough to match the rest of my setup.

Thank you for your advice,
Andrew

ND13

I personally prefer the vintage Polks. The newer monitor series doesn't seem to be well received on this forum. They might end up as your fronts once you get 'em home if that's the way you go.
Mon. 5's or 5jr's is what I would recommend out of what you listed as options. Just my opinion, I'm sure someone will ring in and get a little more technical. I'm just an old school kind of guy.

ndrwcn

if i go with vintage monitors, would the monitor 7's be the correct front's to go with monitor 40's in the rear?

ND13

I'm not that familiar with the newer monitors, so I wouldn't know about compatibility, but would assume they would work. I have the Mon 10A's and am enjoying them much. The monitor 7's have a good following here from what I've read.

ndrwcn

what is lacking in the new monitor series? why are the older ones better?

ND13

Originally posted by ndrwcn
what is lacking in the new monitor series? why are the older ones better?

I'm not sure, I've never heard the new ones. All I know is what I've read here. Do a search here for the threads that discuss the new monitors. They just don't seem to be very popular here. I will say that their appearance is nice, just can't comment on the SQ. Of course they are Polks, so the build quality should be well above average.

Brian27

I currently own a pair of monitor30's for rear surrounds in a 7.1 system ran by a onkyo sr800 and they sound good back there.

ndrwcn

i got a pair of monitor 7's today, and in comparison to the newer monitor series, i can hear a difference that is rather amazing. the old monitors sound much lighter than the new monitor series, while the new ones sound richer/darker. not so much better or worse, but different. which means i will have to choose between monitor 40's or monitor 7's for front speakers and use the other pair for surrounds... a hard decision.

aaharvel

imo, the monitors (new) wouldn't be so bad if they didn't creep up on the cost of the RTI- line. Iit's not that the monitors are bad speakers per-say- just that I think the rti- line is better for the $.