How does the Monitor 30 sound compared to the R15?

Nuzy

Hey folks - just joined the forum and I'm looking forward to reading more and participating. I do have an initial question though, and did not find a previous thread in my search. I have the following setup:

Fronts: Monitor 60 (just replaced R30s)
Center: CS2
Surrounds: R15
Back Surrounds: RCi60 in ceiling (I think that's the model #)
Subwoofer: SVS PB10

I have been contemplating replacing the R15s with Monitor 30s, just to have a better matched set. When I look at the specs, it appears the range on the Monitor 30s goes a little lower than the R15s and is about the same on the top end. Sensitivity is the same at 89db. I have a very good sub, so I'm not sure I will benefit from the lower low end of the range. Is there any other benefit, besides simply reading the specs, to making this "upgrade?" More specifically, have any of you listened to both in a HT environment with a good sub and can you provide me your opinion or input on whether it would be worth spending the money? My surround effects sound good now, but I'm curious whether it will be "smoother" for lack of a better term, if I go with the Monitor 30s.

Thanks!

wutadumsn23

I don't have any experience with the 30's but I run Monitor 40's in my setup and they work very well. If you are happy with what you have, then I would stick with what you have. As for a better "smoother" sound it would be more of a "match" if you ran the 30's with the Monitor 60's, but like I said unless you actually heard the 30's you may not be able to make a comparison judgement. Sorry for the useless, rambling post, hopefully someone will be able to give you better advice on what to do. Good luck and welcome to Club Polk.

Doc99

I think most people will always recommend timbre matching the speakers for best sound. I would go with the monitor 30's since you now changed to the monitor line for your mains. They are a little large for surrounds though if your wall mounting.

cnh

Welcome to Club Polk Nuzy!

I run Monitor 30s as surrounds and perhaps they'd be a little better as surrounds than your R15s but I'd just keep the 15s and upgrade something else. Precisely because you have a pretty nice sub.

You'd notice the 'difference' between those MORE as fronts than as surrounds!

What else do you 'need'? Blu-ray, better amp, CDP? Save your pennies for that. It's really only absolutely necessary to match the front three speakers exactly...the R15s are close enough to those.

cnh

messiah

Got to agree with CNH here. While the upgrade will probably help your system sound a little bit better, your money might be spent better on other areas right now.

Nuzy

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. I'll stick with the R15s and roll with some other upgrade. I've been thinking about upgrading my receiver (Pioneer 1015TX), to something that can handle blu-ray sound from my Sony bdp-s350 and has hdmi switching capability, so perhaps I'll put the money towards that. Thanks again for the help.

double d

I have 30's now, used to have the 15's. There is a difference although I would say it is not a huge difference.