My new flat pannel speakers

ben62670

Well I needed my PC speakers upstairs, and I was with out speakers on my PC. Well I wanted to at least look at my new game so I needed speakers. I saw some stuff in the attic from the previous owners, and new there were some PC speakers. I dug threw the junks, and pulled out these:)
http://www.amazon.com/Sonigistix-Monsoon-IM-700-Speaker-System/dp/B00004Z8A4
On sat is missing the perch that it sits on, but they are fully functional. I played Alison Krauss & Dolly Partons "just when I needed you most" on my PC. I have never had good sound like this before on a PC. It truly pulled emotion from me. The musical experience was very involving. They reminded me of my Emit K tweeters on the highs, and the mids were a new life like experience for me. The bass is real lame, and full of port noise. I think this is mostly do to a high XO point. I see why some of you guys get wood over flat panels. The one thing that just sucks about these is you have a tiny sweet spot. These suckers have to be aimed! I have a nice sound card, and finally have some speakers that can take advantage of it. I will be doing some mods as these sats are keepers:) I am still floored. I can't believe that these were left behind
Ben

zingo

I just had an experience with a set of full size Martin Logans and flat panels can be a cool thing. I like the idea of a flat panel PC rig.

ben62670

I really wish I did not have this experience. I am now thinking of getting some real planers. like Maggies:(

zingo

Well that's a good point...

George Grand

I picked up a set of Monsoon computer sats/sub a few years ago, and it immediately replaced the Boston Acoustics sub/sat system I was using.

ben62670

They are pretty cool. I love the sound. I found out they are crossed over at 250hz. I may have to RonCo these ****:)

Hawkeye

It is interesting to see a couple threads with people thinking "outside the box". Us with the weird gear, Maggies, Sanders and ML know exactly how you feel when you hear a panel with good gear and music you know. I've been into panels for about a year after spending 20+ years in the box and don't know if I could ever go back. There is something magical about the highs and mids a panel reproduces. Match them up with a fast sub like REL, ML, or the Fathom to clean up the bottom a bit and your speaker upgrade days are over.

Gordon

StephenEC

ben62670 wrote: »

I really wish I did not have this experience. I am now thinking of getting some real planers. like Maggies:(

Ben , You could pick up some used MMG's and mod them with X-over parts and wooden frames , and be . . . well , Be in them less say $ 700.00 , and be Blown Away . . . it's an Addiction .:D


There's plenty of info on how and what to do to the MMG's . IfYou want links, Please ask, I'll send You down the path of No Return . . . lolol , The Phlatt Sound will get ya . . .lol

Cheers , Stephen

PS . . . this info is from the extensive work of Others . . . I'm just some one who benefited from the Love of Others , and now Share that same Love . . . as I do with my Love of Old Polks . . . my Original 10's bought back in 1978 are still Going Strong

ben62670

Thanks Stephen. I am a long way from getting more gear, but a couple links would be appreciated. I already have plans to mod these. I have a nice little Tang Band 4"er with lots of Xmax. What I want to do is something like the Martin Logan's with the woofer below the planer:)

StephenEC

Ben ,
Forum member wazoo , built his MMGs a bit different than most . He put his subs at the bottom of the MMGs. The subs are isolated from the MMGs and sit below , in a enclosure that is seen in the following link .

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=116000&highlight=wazoo+pic

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=114253&highlight=wazoo+pic&r=

Forum members have Modded the MMGs in many different ways , from doing X-Over mods to doing full wooden frames with struts for extra rigidity .

Here's a few links to discussions involving the X-Over Mod , which usually means using higher quality components than stock , which in turn requires some kind of external box to house the X-Over .

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=123130&highlight=xover+series

Peter Gunn is the Gentleman I emailed and talked to about modding my MGIIs , he's easy to talk to, and he doesn't mind sharing the information on what to do to mod Your MMG's .

He also Mods the MMG's as a side business , his wood working skills are amazing , however like I said above , he will give the schematic on
how to re-wire the speaker panel for the new X-Over , and what values to use concerning the caps and inductors .

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=mug&n=123161&highlight=xover+series

ben62670

Thanks! I'll save this thread.
Ben

ben62670

These things can be expensive. Just the Sats untested.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200268577177&ssPageName=ADME:B:TB6:US:2

ben62670

OK I finally cranked them with some techno none the less. WOW! These things excel at nearly anything. The best things I found them in the attic! Amazing soundstage!!!
And Pantera Respect

mrbigbluelight

ben62670 wrote: »

And Pantera Respect

You talking to me ?


:cool:

ben62670

I am talking to anyone who will listen:)

zingo

Thought I'd bump these as I just pick up a pair of Monsoons as well for my desktop at work. They are the Planar Media 14 with the larger 8" woofer and 100w amp. Neat looking speakers and overall frequency response is claimed to be 35Hz-20kHz with the ported 8" woofer. This was the flagship model at the time, and I believe the last of this run of desktop speakers with the RCA plug speaker wires, and integral desktop control which includes mute, volume, and bass tuning. I'm interested to give them a listen tomorrow and compare them against my reference PC speaker, the Focal XS Book.

My first pair of planars, and hopefully not the beginning of the end... :cheesygrin:

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'd like to hear how they stack up against the Focal, as those Focal are the model I'm looking into at the moment.

zingo

The Focals are fantastic and the best desktop speakers I've used. I'm not expecting these Monsoons to sound anywhere as good as the Focals, but anything close would make them still great sounding. I'd be surprised to hear better than the XS Book, especially for the size.

zingo

Been listening to the Monsoons for a few hours this morning; mix of CD music and streaming morning news. These speakers are better than most options out there, and I couldn't image going to BB and picking up something I'd rather listen to in their PC speaker section. Set-up correctly, and it took me about an hour of tweaking and tuning, they provide a very open and airy sound that is simply present; the speakers disappear. The music if full, and lacks the boxy sound that almost every PC speaker has under $400. The combination of desktop panels and subwoofer provide very good frequency coverage that only sounds unnatural where the subwoofer crosses at 200Hz. This requires VERY careful placement of the woofer which I wasn't able to do because of the design of my desk; the woofer would really need to be away from any boundaries to match the natural timbre of the panels, and that's not possible given the wiring limitations. The 8" woofer is very fast and punchy though, and provides a great bottom end for the desktop panels. The control remote that sits on the desktop works well, although uses analog pots which can be a little scratchy at times.

Now the question of the Monsoons verses the Focal XS Book, and that's an interesting comparison. For the best sound quality, the Focals are a clear winner. Their two-way design is so well done that they music flows in an enjoyable way that makes you no even consider the speakers, just the material. They are very balanced, although do not go very low, which is their only aural downside. The cabs are a little funky and fairly deep for their size, and the digital volume/power button is easy to use, but slow to adjust. The Monsoons on the other hand have a better overall frequency response with the integral subwoofer and bigger sound, and take up less desktop space, but more floor space. The magnetic planar sound does rival the XS Book sound quality, except the woofer integration which does create an odd crossover, but still enjoyable. The Focal XS Book are great powered speakers and you would never regret purchasing, although a little pricey. Once you've tweaked the placement of the Monsoons, they also sound great if you can find a good used pair.

zingo

Footnote: I'm played around with various powered speakers as desktop monitors, and for a pair that will be doing computer duty, integrated, stereo volume control is important. There are many great, small speakers that could be used, but you want to be able to control the volume easily without getting into computer menus, etc. Many studio monitors are designed to be controlled by the board, so they are not stand-alone and easy to use for a PC application. This hunt led me to the Monsoons and XS Book, looking for a combination of great SQ and ease of use.

Face

Or use a small desktop integrated amp and open up possibilities even further. :idea:

Also, I would have started a new thread instead of bumping this one...

zingo

After a few months of listening to the Monsoon magnetic planar 2.1 system in my office at work, these are awesome desktop speakers! They disappear and present a very nice image and sound stage, and the quickness of the panels is unmatched by any desktop speakers I've used. The subwoofer integration is not great as it's a little slow and doesn't blend perfectly, but it's easy to overlook given how large and natural the panels sound. They are directional as expected and need to be placed properly (which is pretty easy on the desktop because of how small they are), but since I spend a lot of time in my chair anyway, they are enjoyable and fatigue free for listening all day.

I highly recommend these 2.1 speaker systems if you can find a set, and no matter the used price you find them for, the sound quality they produce outperforms that price.

EndersShadow

zingo wrote: »

After a few months of listening to the Monsoon magnetic planar 2.1 system in my office at work, these are awesome desktop speakers! They disappear and present a very nice image and sound stage, and the quickness of the panels is unmatched by any desktop speakers I've used. The subwoofer integration is not great as it's a little slow and doesn't blend perfectly, but it's easy to overlook given how large and natural the panels sound. They are directional as expected and need to be placed properly (which is pretty easy on the desktop because of how small they are), but since I spend a lot of time in my chair anyway, they are enjoyable and fatigue free for listening all day.

I highly recommend these 2.1 speaker systems if you can find a set, and no matter the used price you find them for, the sound quality they produce outperforms that price.

Have you tried out the Magnepan Mini setup? I ask because it is very similar and since I love Maggies I wonder if it might be just as good. I dont know what price point the speakers your referring to are at.

zingo

I have not, but they also didn't cost me the best $40 of my audio journey. :cool: Usually I see them selling for used between $50 and $150 depending on model and condition, so great sound quality for the price.

I've heard they are very good, and I'm sure they would out perform the Monsoons as planars are Maggies specialty.

These speakers make me want to get a big pair of speakers that have a large radiating area...

EndersShadow

zingo wrote: »

I have not, but they also didn't cost me the best $40 of my audio journey. :cool: Usually I see them selling for used between $50 and $150 depending on model and condition, so great sound quality for the price.

I've heard they are very good, and I'm sure they would out perform the Monsoons as planars are Maggies specialty.

These speakers make me want to get a big pair of speakers that have a large radiating area...

Well those desktop Maggies have that with their bass panel that is meant to go under your desk. They are basically one side of a 3.7 cut into piece IIRC.

But they are 1400 bucks lol, so not a CHEAP solution at all.

Myself I spent some time last night jamming to my USB DAC and rediscovered how much better that DAC is than my computers (which I was using via a 3.5mm out to RCA).