Monitor audio RX2 or Kef Q300?

[edited by mods  - can we please keep this thread on topic? Clarification re retailers has been made; any further comment is unnecessary]

sivanessen:

The MA RX2's are quite something.

The size of the soundstage -> 8" bass driver and overall fit & finish are outstanding at it's price point.

Just wish I had a pre/power to do it justice...

Good luck Jez, let us know how you get along!

 

They are superb speakers I've got my RX2's in Gloss Black and theyre gorgeous. The NAD really makes them sing as well; I've yet to try them on the end of my NAD pre/power though. That'll be interesting!

the_lhc:

hifilover1979:

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really...

I can't work out comments like this, there's nothing on the KEFs to be ugly! I could understand "plain" or "bland looking" but there's barely a design feature to be seen, there's nothing on there to be ugly or attractive or anything, they almost define nondescript (would could be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you're after), from what I've seen of them.

Yeah, they're unlikely to elicit a 'What did those cost???!!!' from the Missus. There's no question that the iQ range looked better, but form clearly followed function in the new range. The floorstanders look rather good I think.

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

 

Thanks for the excellent reply and thanks everyone else for the responses.

Its a really hard decision for me, i initially wanted the RX's and was so set on getting them nothing could get in my way. After reading reviews of the new kef's im really on the fence now :S

 Personally i think i prefer the look of the RX's, the build quality seems much better and im not sure i like the look of the all in one tweeter and midrange. In the end though, It doesnt come down to build quality or looks, im more interested in the sound quality in the end and from what i have read, their are many mixed reviews of both speakers, Neither speaker has any negative points (apart from maybe the rx2 can be a bit bassy if not positioned well) but what i think it comes down to is personal taste.

 

I listen to a huge amount of dance music so maybe that can help other people to pursuade me which one is right for me 

manicm:

the_lhc:

hifilover1979:

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really...

I can't work out comments like this, there's nothing on the KEFs to be ugly! I could understand "plain" or "bland looking" but there's barely a design feature to be seen, there's nothing on there to be ugly or attractive or anything, they almost define nondescript (would could be a good or a bad thing, depending on what you're after), from what I've seen of them.

Yeah, they're unlikely to elicit a 'What did those cost???!!!' from the Missus. There's no question that the iQ range looked better, but form clearly followed function in the new range. The floorstanders look rather good I think.

Yeah I like the pedestal on the floorstanders, actually I quite liked how they looked full stop, not really seeing the "ugly" vibe at all...

JezBaker:

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

 

Thanks for the excellent reply and thanks everyone else for the responses.

Its a really hard decision for me, i initially wanted the RX's and was so set on getting them nothing could get in my way. After reading reviews of the new kef's im really on the fence now :S

 Personally i think i prefer the look of the RX's, the build quality seems much better and im not sure i like the look of the all in one tweeter and midrange. In the end though, It doesnt come down to build quality or looks, im more interested in the sound quality in the end and from what i have read, their are many mixed reviews of both speakers, Neither speaker has any negative points (apart from maybe the rx2 can be a bit bassy if not positioned well) but what i think it comes down to is personal taste.

 

I listen to a huge amount of dance music so maybe that can help other people to pursuade me which one is right for me 

if your listening room doesn't have soft furnishings (mine doesn't) then i'd be wary of the rx range, i found my rx6s very fatiguing and slightly harsh in the treble, at least in my room. but a change to my current dynaudio dm 2/7s has made a huge difference, the high frequencies are very detailed yet very smooth, no harshness at all, in fact i personally think the dynaudios are just a better overall speaker, they are fantastic imo

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

Hi hifilover1979

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 

Btw, there is a massive oversight in your review

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

MUSICRAFT:

Hi hifilover1979

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 

Btw, there is a massive oversight in your review

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

that wouldn't happen to be

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs

 

then

 

  but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me,
the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

would it

JezBaker:

I listen to a huge amount of dance music so maybe that can help other people to pursuade me which one is right for me 

Pick one depending on your room size...IMO, if you go for the RX and the bass is too much, simply move it out into the room? I used to have the old Kef iQ3's and the bass was always tight and well defined, but I can't really comment on the new lot.

Btw, here is a sample of what I listened to this weekend:

Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 6
Faithless - Greatest Hits
Armin Van Buuren - A State of Trance 2010
Kaskade - The Grand
Gabriel & Dresden - Gabriel & Dresden


Those 8" bass drivers are lots of fun, but cultured as well.

MUSICRAFT:

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

Hi hifilover1979

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 

Btw, there is a massive oversight in your review

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

Yup; I've mis-written that... It's should read as the leading brands of speakers (for my demo list) were the Kefs, M/A's and Dynaudios (as in they all get rave reviews so need to be demo'd etc...). If any of them were to lead from the off it would have been the Dynaudio's TBH but the M/A's really took control

sivanessen:

The MA RX2's are quite something.

The size of the soundstage -> 8" bass driver and overall fit & finish are outstanding at it's price point.

Just wish I had a pre/power to do it justice...

Good luck Jez, let us know how you get along!

Hi sivanessen

The RX2's are indeed excellent. I am glad you are enjoying their performance and liking the superb standard of their build/finish

Btw, the NAD C370 and C160/C270 are worth bearing in mind as these amplifiers will quite happily bounce the RX2's around the room! 

All the best

Rick @ Musicaft

sivanessen:

JezBaker:

I listen to a huge amount of dance music so maybe that can help other people to pursuade me which one is right for me 

 

Pick one depending on your room size...IMO, if you go for the RX and the bass is too much, simply move it out into the room? I used to have the old Kef iQ3's and the bass was always tight and well defined, but I can't really comment on the new lot.Btw, here is a sample of what I listened to this weekend:Tiesto - In Search of Sunrise 6Faithless - Greatest HitsArmin Van Buuren - A State of Trance 2010Kaskade - The GrandGabriel & Dresden - Gabriel & DresdenThose 8" bass drivers are lots of fun, but cultured as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. I listen to a huge amount of trance as well. +1 for the RX2's :D 

JezBaker:

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

 

Thanks for the excellent reply and thanks everyone else for the responses.

Its a really hard decision for me, i initially wanted the RX's and was so set on getting them nothing could get in my way. After reading reviews of the new kef's im really on the fence now :S

 Personally i think i prefer the look of the RX's, the build quality seems much better and im not sure i like the look of the all in one tweeter and midrange. In the end though, It doesnt come down to build quality or looks, im more interested in the sound quality in the end and from what i have read, their are many mixed reviews of both speakers, Neither speaker has any negative points (apart from maybe the rx2 can be a bit bassy if not positioned well) but what i think it comes down to is personal taste.

 

I listen to a huge amount of dance music so maybe that can help other people to pursuade me which one is right for me 

 

The RX2's are superbly bass stong and yes; too close to a rear wall or a corner and you'll get a lot of bass bloom BUT as you would with most speakers TBH

 

Mine are on Partington Super Dreadnought stands; mass loaded with atabites and about 40cm from the rear wall and about 2m from side walls; no bass bloom whatsoever 

 

As for music; I listen to a lot of the likes of Massive Attack to Air to Daft Punk to Deadmouse as well as the 'Back to Mine' and 'Late Night Tales' series of CD's. I do listen to some Jazz and Blues as well as film soundtracks and bits of Swing/30's & 40's music. Even have some Metallica and System of a Down in my collection!

 

The RX2's cope VERY well with all the above so I'd highly  recommend they get demo'd...

 

Also, for me, the Chord range of cables do very well with the M/A speakers but the QED Revelation speaker cable is also one to look out for.

hifilover1979:

MUSICRAFT:

hifilover1979:

I demo'd the M/A RX2's, Dynaudio DM 2/6's and 2/7's as well as the KEF Q300's and the M/A RX1's when looking to build a 2nd system with my NAD C355BEE amp and Arcam DiVA CD72 CDP...

 

The leading speakers straight away were the Kefs, M/A RX2's and the Dynaudio DM2/7's...

 

All sounded superb with my NAD amp but I also demo'd them with the Yamaha AS500, AS1000 and the Rotel RA06SE amps with my Arcam CD72 CDP

 

The Kef's are great speakers but I did find them a little brash at times at the top end and for me, the midrange wasnt as well timed as the M/A RX2's or the DM2/7's

 

The M/A RX2's were superb as were the DM2/7's but the overall soundstage of the RX2's and their massive bass-weight but well timed and detailed midrange and treble led the pack fairly quickly.

 

The DM2/6's and DM2/7's were also superb speakers but there was just something about their soundstage that did gel with me... Couldnt really put my finger on it but they seemed a little off balance at times

 

For me the Kef's are ugly as well and that's a no-no really... 

 

I used the Tron: Legacy Daft Punk soundtrack as well as the Late Night Tales: Back to the Movies CD's to do the demo's (both superb CD's to have in your collection IMO)

 

I demo'd the DM2/7's again with my NAD C355BEE amp as well as the M/A RX2's and the Kef's and found that the RX2's overall soundstage was bob on. Very detailed, VERY punchy with superb bass from, all be it, a huge standmount speaker but their agility and top end is very VERY good indeed. Very detailed and well timed but not in your face as I soumetimes found the Dynaudios and Kefs

Hi hifilover1979

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 

Btw, there is a massive oversight in your review

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

Yup; I've mis-written that... It's should read as the leading brands of speakers (for my demo list) were the Kefs, M/A's and Dynaudios (as in they all get rave reviews so need to be demo'd etc...). If any of them were to lead from the off it would have been the Dynaudio's TBH but the M/A's really took control

Hi hifilover1979

No your oversight was that you forgot to mention cables

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

MUSICRAFT:

Hi hifilover1979

No your oversight was that you forgot to mention cables

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

Bah...