Monitor Audio Silver RX 5.1-Channel Surround Speaker System (Playback 25)
Turning Silver into Gold
December 3rd, 2009 -- by Chris MartensSource: Playback
Ratings (relative to comparably-priced surround speaker systems)
- Transparency and Focus: 10
- Imaging and Soundstaging: 10
- Tonal Balance: 9
- Dynamics: 9
- Bass Extension: 9
- Bass Pitch Definition: 8
- Bass Dynamics: 9
- Value: 10
FEATURES
Silver RX speaker system technical highlights:
- All models share 1-inch C-CAM gold metal dome tweeters that are virtually identical to the tweeters used in Monitor’s more costly Gold-series speakers. Note: according to Monitor Audio, C-CAM is "an alloy of aluminum and magnesium on which a thin coating fo ceramic is deposited."
- All models share 6-inch aluminum RST bass or mid-bass drivers. The RST feature creates a distinctive, computer-modeled, “dimpled” cone surface said to “reduce cone break up and provide purer, more natural mid-range clarity.”
- Bass and mid-bass drivers feature vented, rigid, non-magnetic cast chassis said to “keep the driver cool as well as reduce internal pressure, resulting in the ability to play louder and cleaner.”
- Ported models feature the turbulence-reducing HiVe II port system, said to reduce port noise and “chuffing” sounds in the presence of high-amplitude bass transients.
- As a means of providing both an extremely stable driver mounting platform and of improving cabinet rigidity, Silver RX drivers are fastened in place by beefy tension rods that pass all the way through to the back sides of the speaker cabinets to reduce “excessive vibration from the driver and cabinet together, giving lower colouration across the entire frequency spectrum.”
- Floorstanding models feature strong and handsome floor plinths with beautifully made floor spike/floor pad hardware that makes the speakers a joy to install.
- The Silver RX-FX surround speaker can be wall-mounted and features switch selectable bipole/dipole modes of operation.
Silver RXW-12 technical highlights:
- Features a 12-inch C-CAM subwoofer driver with “triple suspension and 3-inch long throw voice coil.”
- 1-inch (25mm) thick MDF cabinet walls with heavy internal bracing.
- 500-watt Class D amplifier.
- Offers two pushbutton-selectable EQ curves. The EQ1 curve is optimized for maximally flat frequency response and “the best overall transient response and power output.” With the EQ1 curve selected, frequency rolloff “starts at 27 Hz.” The EQ2 curve provides what many manufacturers would call a “Movie” mode that provides “an additional boost of 4dB … at 21 Hz to give impact essential for action movies.”
SONIC CHARACTER
More so than most mid-priced speaker systems I’ve sampled, Monitor Audio’s Silver RX system is capable of sounding like a much higher-end (and higher-priced) system than it really is.
Part of the system’s inherent goodness revolves around its exceedingly accurate and neutral tonal balance. As is often the case with genuinely neutral transducers, I could see how some listeners might interpret the Silver RX system as sounding slightly bright and lean, but this is an illusion. It’s just that the Monitor Audios are among those “what’s on the recording is what you get” speakers that refuse to inject any artificial warmth or colorations of their own. Interestingly, should you happen to try an automated room/speaker EQ system with the Silver RX system, you may discover—as I did—that there really isn’t much work for the EQ system to do (except way down in the low bass region where most speaker systems’ in-room response curves exhibit a few peaks or troughs that judicious touches of EQ can help smooth out).
But accurate tonal balance is only part of the story, because the Silver RX also offers excellent transient speed and astonishingly high levels of resolution and detail. Put these factors together and you’ve got a system that can really dig down deep into good recordings to retrieve layer upon layer of musical or cinematic detail that most systems at this price would either soften or miss altogether. To be perfectly frank, though, this highly revealing quality can sometimes represent a double-edged sword. When fed great material and driven by high-quality source components and electronics the Silver RX system can sound breathtakingly good. But, when fed so-so program material or driven by mediocre components, the system will dutifully report whatever sonic quirks and foibles it encounters—sometimes to its own detriment. This is a roundabout way of saying that while the Silver RX system is extremely revealing, it is also not terribly forgiving—a point to bear in mind for those of you who, down deep, might not enjoy a speaker system that’s capable, in a literal sense, of conveying “too much information.”
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Comments
I am a bit confused regarding the "value" of the $1500 subwoffer. The main speakes go down to 32 Hz but the subwoffer goes down to only 21Hz (no -3dB cut-off specified, unequalized response for music).
Sorry, I meant to say 27Hz (not 21Hz, which is the boosted/equalized response for home theater)...5Hz low end extension fo $1500?? It seems not too much value here.
Hi munosmario,
When I first posted my review, I had not yet received final fact-check inputs from Monitor Audio. As it turns out, the Silver RXW-12 sub is actually priced lower than I had been told it would be when I first took notes on the system at CEDIA 2009. The same is true of the Silver RX-Centre speaker.
Correct prices for these system elements are: Silver RX-Centre ($675) and Silver RXW-12 ($1300), making for an even more attractive overall system price of $4475.
I have corrected the review to reflect these prices.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Don't get hung up on specs. The sub provides another half octave of extension below the towers. That's an important half octave if you're watching an action film. More importantly, it would be a real bummer to be limited to 5.0 when so much of what we listen to these days is 5.1. You'd hate to throw away that .1 bass information.
How did the reviewer use Inglourious Basterds as a test movie? The release date for the DVD in the UK is Dec 7th and Dec 15th in the US. Special pre-release copy? Illegal download?
Hi Anon,
Playback received its review copy of the Blu-ray version of Inglourious Basterds several days ago. We would never, ever use (or condone) illegal downloads.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I like your review and I would also like to know what equipment you used with this system. What receivers would you recommend to go with the Silver RXs. Thanks
Hi Matthew,
The system consisted of a Pioneer SC-27 THX Ultra2-certified A/V receiver (as reviewed in Playback 24), an Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray player, with XLO/Ultralink cables. I would say the components made a good match, although I think there are other AVRs that could do as well or better with the Monitor Audio system.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I am considering this receiver or its little brother the 25. Your comment regarding other AVR's that could do as well or better, any suggetions before I buy as the pioneer is my leading contender at the moment.
Thanks
Rod
Hi dobber,
The list would include what I consider the usual strong candidates from Denon, H/K, Integra, Marantz, NAD, Onkyo, Rotel, and Yamaha (apologies to any others I've accidentally left out).
Two major considerations, as I see it, include trying to compare 1) basic amplifier section characteristics, and 2) room/speaker EQ system characteristics--something easier said than done, I know. In my experience, there can be significant "signature" differences between Pioneer's Advanced MCACC system, Yamaha's newest generation YPAO system, the various levels of Audyssey MultEQ systems, and H/K's EzSet/EQ system.
If you plan on using the AVR's room/speaker EQ system, I would try--as a start--to hear samples of each EQ system in action to get a sense for what they do. You may find that one system or another does a much better job of matching up with your personal definition of musical realism.
To try and answer your question more directly, though, let me say that I think the Pioneer's amplifier section is very, very good and quite transparent. The Advanced MCACC system, however, may or may not match your preferences. Experienced listeners who have heard the SC-27 in the Playback listening room have had divided reactions to Advanced MCACC. On the one hand, the system yields a very flat frequency response curve at the listening position and can--at least on some speaker systems--improve retrieval of certain kinds of low-level sonic details. But on the other hand the Advanced MCACC curve strikes some listeners as being overly lean and bright-sounding and as introducing--at least with some speaker systems--a perhaps just barely audible touch of what could be some form of DSP "hash" (in which case the solution is to listen in Pure Direct mode or to use the Multichannel Analog inputs--thus bypassing the DSP system altogether).
With Monitor Audio system (as with all speaker systems I review), I did part of my listening with room/EQ engaged, but a lot of listening without any EQ applied (so that I could hear the pure, unadulterated sound of the speaker system).
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris: In terms of sound characteristics, could you compare the RX8 with the Paradigm Studio 60 v.5 that you previously reviewed?
Hi ScottV,
So much time has elapsed between the two reviews that I'm not sure I can give you reliable comparison impressions at this point. Both systems are cut from similar sonic cloth and both show the impressive characteristic of not needing much in the way of EQ "touch ups" from associated AVR's or controllers (which suggests to me that both have quite neutral tonal balance to begin with).
But let's talk about differentiators. The Paradigm system I tested listed for $6493 with Paradigm's PBK-1 "Perfect Bass Kit," (which I used in the review) or for $6194 without the PBK-1 kit. By comparison, the Monitor system lists for $4475--a significantly lower price.
Part of what the Paradigm system's higher price buys you, I think, is the use of dedicated woofers and separate mid-bass drivers in all of its speakers--the mains, center channel, and surrounds. Thus, the Paradigm Studio CC-490 v.5 center is a four-driver speaker (whereas the Monitor Audio Silver RX-Centre is a three-driver speaker), and the Paradigm Studio ADP-590 v.5 surround is a five-driver speaker (whereas the Monitor Audio Silver RX-FX is a three-driver speaker).
Now you can't really judge speaker systems by their driver counts, but that said I think that you could argue the Paradigm system at least partially justifies its higher price by offering a bit more in the way of mid-bass driver specialization.
Speaking from distant (and therefore not entirely reliable) memory, I would say the performance capabilities of the two systems are pretty close (enough so that it would be worthwhile to hear both before making a purchase).
Going purely from memory, I **think** the Paradigm system had a very slightly warmer balance overall, while the Monitor system has a slightly leaner, brighter balance and it may also be more revealing of subtle low level sonic textures and details.
But your (and my) mileage might vary, and we might come to different conclusions, if we had a chance to do an A/B comparison between the two systems in the here and now.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I am wating for theRX8 and RXLCr to hook up to my Denon 4310 . What is your opinio regarding the combination . What cable would you recommend and what type of wiring , BIAMP , OR Biwire .
I am very new to all this and am a bit confused with all I have read .
Thanks alot
Chris - do the Monitors address time and phase coherence in any way?
Hi wlandry01,
Monitor Audio's background literature on the Silver RX series does not mention specific steps taken to address time or phase coherence.
However, the Pioneer SC-27 receiver I used in system tests does have the ability to measure and then graphically display the group delay characteristics of speakers in the system, and on those graphs the Silver RX8 mains and Silver RX-FX surrounds exhibited exceptionally smooth, well balanced group delay characteristics from 200 Hz up to 20 kHz (the limits of the Pioneer's graphical display chart). In fact, the Monitor's uncorrected curves looked better than many speakers' corrected curves, which is pretty impressive.
These results lead me think Monitor payed close attention to the timing characteristics of its Silver RX models.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris,
As you reviewed the Paradigm Studio v5 series earlier this year, how would you say those compared to the Monitor Audio's? I know the Paradigms are a bit more expensive, but not an order of magnitude more expensive. Additionally, as you thought some other receivers/amps might be a better fit than the SC-27 (which I also recently reviewed and loved), what would you consider, and why? Does the potential of a slightly harsher high end from the ICEpower amps not mix as well with the neutral and revealing Silver series as well as a more common Class A/B amp would? Thanks,
- Chris Heinonen
Hi Chris Heinonen,
An excellent comment and question. See my comments in a reply to a post above for my best impressions of the Paradigm Studio v.5 system vis-a-vis the Monitor Audios.
Regarding amplification, I actually found the amplification section of the SC-27 to be pretty smooth and transparent; my questions/reservations have more to do with the Advanced MCACC equalization system, which can be a bit of a double-edged sword. I'd be interested to hear the Monitor Audios with one of the AVRs that incorporates the Audyssey MultEQ equalization system, which I think typically gives a somewhat warmer and also more three-dimensional sound (albeit one that may trade away some of the focus and textbook flat frequency response of the Advanced MCACC system). Of the Audyssey AVRs, I need to hear and review some of the more recent Denon and NAD units to be able to compare them to the Marantz and Onkyo/Integra units I've heard more recently (though I have enjoyed good results with both the Marantz and Onkyo-family offerings). The Yamaha YPAO system falls somewhere between the Pioneer "house sound" and the Audyssey "house sound," I think.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Are there no rear speakers used in this review?Look at the last page.
Hi Awareness,
That is correct; there are no rear speakers used in the review system. It is a 5.1-channel configuration.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
I was thinking about buying rear speakers now,and will complete them into a 5.1 setup in the future.Is using rear speakers in a 5.1 setup not possible?For example,if I buy Rx2,Rx8,center speaker and a subwoofer,doesn't it work well?
My other question is,if I buy 8 ohm rear speakers,and then buy 4 ohm Rx8 speakers,can a avr handle it?
Can a 8 ohm receiver handle 6 ohm speakers?Can a 6 ohm receiver handle 4 ohm speakers?If the answer is "some receivers" then how can I understand if a receiver can handle or not?I looked at a Sony receiver's manual,and it doesn't specify if that receiver can handle lower ohms or not(st least I couldn't find)Is Pioneer a 8 ohm rated receiver?
By Pioneer I meant SC-27.
Also thanks for your previous answer.(you may edit my posts and put them into one post,sorry)
Actually, features and designs of any gadgets, equipment, materials or other technology products doesn't is of no importance for me. What matters most is its performance and ability to produce good results that is of quality. gold buyer
Are there any issues with matching a 4 ohm L/R with a 6 ohm Center and Rear L/R? I assume my A/V can handle it?
Imn Texas,
The answer to you question will vary from AVR to AVR. With the Pioneer SC-27 AVR we used for our tests, there were no operational issues or problems at all (the Pioneer has a stout amplifier section that doesn't mind driving low-impedance loads at all).
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris,
Thanks for your review of the Monitor speakers. Hope you can help me with my question. I have been in the market for a new set of speakers for two years now. No joke. My current set up in a Pioneer Kuro 151 60" plasma, the Pioneer Elite SC94 receiver and the new Oppo 983 blu ray player. I am currently using some old infinity speakers (left, right and center only). I also do not have a sub woofer. I am ok getting a sub seperately from a company like HSU (such as the VTF3-MK3) I was considering getting PSB speakers (Canada) but I think I would need to buy an AMP to use with those speakers cuz the Pionner only goes down to 8 ohms as opposed to 4. Does that make sense? In any event. My budget is around $7,000. Can you tell what speakers and sub would would finish off my system perfectly? I need front, left, center and preferrably in ceiling speakers for the surrounds) Thanks a lot. Chris (Tampa, FL)
Chris,
How would you say this system performs compared to the Bowers and Wilkins equivalent (I am thinking of their 600 series)?
Thanks
Chris
Have been comparing the Monitor Audio RX range to the Paradigm Monitor range for a 7.1 system (want to replace my current speakers). I am a little concerned that my AV receiver, Yamaha RXV-1900, might not be able to comfortably drive the Monitor Audio at the lower impedenace (do not have impedance curves) and not sure how flat the curve is. I suspect my AVR might also not be able to utlilise the 35kHz available on the Monitor Audio and the paradigm should drive a lot easier with its quoted sensitivity of 97dB/W
What would you recommend between the two?
Charl
I feel both product families are excellent, but that they are also in somewhat different price/performance classes.
Paradigm's Monitor range offers terrific value at a lower price point than the Monitor Audio Silver RX range. But the Silver RX range, in turn, is more nearly geared to compete with Paradigm's Reference/Studio range (or perhaps with the new Paradigm Special Edition series).
So, I would pick one family (the Paradigm Monitors) if looking for maximum bang for the buck, but the other ( the Monitor Audio Silver RXs) if my budget permitted and I wanted climb a bit higher up the performance ladder.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Hello Chris,
Help us with a suggestion on using MA RX8 (4ohms) on Denon AVR - 4310 or with new Onkyo receivers (xxx7) which are officialy rated to work only from 6 to 16 ohms speakers. How to manage this? I don't understand why only new RX8 has 4 ohms. All the rest range have 6, also the old RS line.
Thank you in advance for your support.
The Yamaha Receiver range WILL take 4ohm left & right and 6ohm other speakers !
Hello Chris,
Help us with a suggestion on using MA RX8 (4ohms) on Denon AVR - 4310 or with new Onkyo receivers (xxx7) which are officialy rated to work only from 6 to 16 ohms speakers. How to manage this? I don't understand why only new RX8 has 4 ohms. All the rest range have 6, also the old RS line.
Thank you in advance for your support.
sistoc,
This would be a question to pose to Denon or Onkyo. My pragmatic sense of this is that (I think) both the Denon and Onkyo receivers actually can handle 4 ohm loads, though they may get pretty warm when doing so. And there, from the manufacturer's point of view, is the rub.
Many power rating standards require AVRs to deliver rated power into stated loads even under circumstances where access to cooling air is marginal (picture the AVR installed in a relatively small cabinet with only minimal ventilation). Accordingly, a number of manufacturers have started specifying 6 ohm minimum loads--just to be on the safe side from a "standards" perspective.
I'd consult with Denon and Onkyo tech support to see what they advise.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Hello Chris,
Thank you very much for you quick answer and for your excellent review. If you find more information from Denon on this topic, it will be highly appreciated. As I understood, even Mr. Roger Batchelor from Denon UK made some setups with Denon 4310 and RX8. I'm concerned only on long time efects with this setup, if they are. Hope not.
Again, thank you.
Best regards.
Chris,
Thanks for the excellent review. Previously you wrote that the Pioneer was a good match but that you thought there were other receivers that could do better. I've been considering the NAD T775 and T747 and the Rotel RSX 1560 and 1550 as well as the the Integra DTR 70.1, DTR 50.1 and DTR 9.9. Would you consider any of these AVR's on the better list? Thanks.
Eddie
Eddie G,
The driving thought behind my comment was that Pioneer's MCACC room EQ system might not be the optimal match for the Monitor Audio speakers, so that I would be interested to see how they do with good AVRs that use the Audyssey room EQ system instead. With that thought in mind, both the Integra and NAD offerings would be good to check out. On the other hand, if you don't plan on using room/speaker EQ functions (and some purists prefer not to), then the Rotel could also be a good choice.
Note: I like the core sound of the Pioneer SC-27's amplifier section very much. Any hesitations I have about the Pioneer involves the MCACC system, which some listeners love but others find a less than optimal match for their listening tastes. So, the MCACC system is something I think prospective buyer's should hear before making a final purchase decision, if possible.
Best,
Chris Martens
Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision
Chris,
Thank you so much for the quick response and advice. I know a couple local places to audition the Rotel and Integra units and was wondering if NAD was worth a longer drive. I think I will have to give a listen to all of them, the Pioneer as well. Thanks again.
Regards,
Eddie
Hi Chris thanks for the review.
I have just taken delivery of the RX8, RX1, RXC & RXW-12 along with a Denon 3310. Im going to biwire the fronts with the 2 spare amp channels and run the Audyssey. Can you foresee any issues or problems I might create if I do this?
Chris,
Thanks for the review. I am seriously considering this system (possibly with RX1 for surround, and two subs). You also reviewed the PSB Imagine system several months ago, which is similarly priced. How do you feel the Monitor Audio SilverRX system compares with the PSB Imagine system? Which do you prefer for music and for movies, and why? Thanks.
Hi I am new to the forum. I am in the process of setting up home theater system for my house. The AV guy I am dealing with recommended Monitor Audio RX6AV12 system. The reviews are outstanding. I will be auditioning them in the next few week. The receiver he has recommended is marantz 6005. I want your expert opinion if this is a good choice.
Thanks in advance.
I use RX-8's, a RX-Center, RX-1's, and a velodyne SPL-1200R for a sub. I use a Pioneer SC-27 receiver and an Oppo BDP-83SE. I love this system. The speakers are exceptional, really. I have been in the audiophile community since the early 60's when I built every kit I could afford. I have two channeled, three channeled, quadrophonic'ed, and now 5.1'd. Owned more tubes and transistors than any six people you probably know. Only saying this to let you know that I have a basis on which to make the statement that you will spend substantially more Money before you get anywhere near the performance of these speakers. Unless you are using a huge room for your system, this is where I put money as well as my mouth. Love them with no regrets.
Nephron like you I am new to the forum, having said that however I have been dealing with and listing to Hi quality equipment since the early 70's. I immigrated in 94 and up until this year have not really been able to afford hi end equipment. I have used the likes of Sonab 116's, Meridian M10's (Still the best sounding speaker I have ever heard at any price) and Thiels to mention just a few. I recently purchased the following and would appreciate some feed back from those more knowledgable than myself. Denon AVR 1911, Monitor Audio RX1 Fronts , Ma RX Center, MA Vectors Rear and the Paradigm DSP 3400 V2 sub. Music source is the Crek Evolution CD Player. Any and all comments positive or negative would be welcomed. Room Size is 5mtr x 4 mtrs although no 2 walls are parrallel.
Cheers