Monitor 40 vs. Monitor 30.....how much better is 40?

Take Five

As a bookshelf speaker with the additional 'woofer' would the extra $$ be worth it?

zingo

Well, with the extra woofer you will be getting lower frequency response. This may be important to you if you are running them alone for music, but if you are using them with a good subwoofer, or in a home theater setting when they are crossed below that point anyway, it may not matter. Go an listen to both of them and pick the one you think sounds better.

Ern Dog

I agree with Zingo. It totally depends on what you will be using it for. I have a set of the 30's that I use as surrounds for HT and they do a fine job. Before I made the purchase, I compared them with the 40's and liked that they sounded more focused and clearer. It really is a personal preference thing.

Take Five

I want to use either one for music(acoustic jazz, mainly)...the way these speakers are set up in C.C.,,,well you get the picture!

My Rig:
Audio Refinement Complete Amp
Rega Apollo
VPI-19 Turntable
A.E. Aegis EVO 1 speakers
Analysis Plus & Rega Couple cabling

jayman_1975

i thought the 30's sounded thin and hollow compared to the 40's.

Ern Dog

Take Five wrote: »

I want to use either one for music(acoustic jazz, mainly)...the way these speakers are set up in C.C.,,,well you get the picture!

My Rig:
Audio Refinement Complete Amp
Rega Apollo
VPI-19 Turntable
A.E. Aegis EVO 1 speakers
Analysis Plus & Rega Couple cabling

You've got a $1000 Killer cd player, a $1000 amp and a $600 TT and you are contemplating between Monitor 30 or 40's !!!??!!! That's like having a Ferrari and putting on cheap budget tires on it. I'd be contemplating between Polk Lsi 7 or 9's. Your speakers need to match the same caliber as the rest of your gear. The Monitor book shelves will be choking your rigs potential.

zingo

Ern Dog wrote: »

You've got a $1000 Killer cd player, a $1000 amp and a $600 TT and you are contemplating between Monitor 30 or 40's !!!??!!! That's like having a Ferrari and putting on cheap budget tires on it. I'd be contemplating between Polk Lsi 7 or 9's. Your speakers need to match the same caliber as the rest of your gear. The Monitor book shelves will be choking your rigs potential.

I didn't notice that; and that's a good point. Check out the LSi9s or (and a favorite of mine) CRS+ if you want to go old school.

nissan_clif

I have the Tsi's and just received my 40's today. Everything I assumed I would hear was incorrect. The TSi's were bassier(!) with a MORE prominent midrange and better midrange impact than the 40's (this part I liked alot). This was after white noise break-in. Before break-in I was a little disappointed. DO THE BREAK-IN. You may be amazed at the difference afterwards. I was. The 40's have a better, more airy soundstage, and more "sizzly" high end but lack a little midrange impact -before break-in and not bi-wired yet so I am anxious to hear after. The TSi's are already in the box to go back tomorrow. The TSi200 or 300 is probably the way to go if $'s and size were not a concern but at half the price I can't pass up the 40's. Both speakers resolve sounds that my rebuilt 19yr old Advent Heritage towers did not (a best buy at the time). Oddly the advents were acoustic suspension (sealed) but were more efficient due to being only 6ohms (which made every receiver i owned run very hot).

Hope this helps!

wutadumsn23

I would look into the LSi's as well for your surrounds. Your system will thank you for it. Nothing against the 40's though, I had those for awhile before I put a set of TSi 500's back there. They would be a good option for most HT rigs, but yours requires a little better of a speaker like the LSi's. Just my $.02, after all it is your money and if the 40's are what you want then it is your choice. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

-Jeff

cnh

If you want some bookshelves. Step up the the Rti series....try the A1s--less bass but better imaging!

If you have the doe...the LSI-9s are very nice....especially for 'music'!

Personally I also like some Dalis I've heard recently....very nice for 'jazz' among other things.

As someone says above..you have some killer gear. So get a better speaker...

Monitors are OK but their tweeter cannot resolve the sound of higher end speakers. Example.....when I pit the tweeter in my M70s against a mid eighties titanium dome....(JBL). The JBL sends out things you'd never hear from either Monitors or even Rtis...clear, focused detail. I know a lot of people don't like pure metal domes but I think this JBL tweeter was one of their absolute best...better than what you see on their consumer products these days!

Go out and listen to some speaks see what you like....my current favorites are Focals.

cnh