The Apex Club

Hey Jase, with the dedicated stand they end about 102 cm off the floor (without any spikes).

Thanks for the reply. Got some measuring up to do.

Hi everyone, I'm getting close to spending some money now but I've still got some doubts. I still want a style speaker but I might also consider small stand mounted speakers. Will the Apex A10's out perform Monitor Audio RX1's or RX2's in a music or film setting? I want music as well as films to sound more dynamic. Will there be a big difference between my B&W MT-1's which I'm using at the minute and the A10's? Also would my RXW-12 sub be a good match with the ASW-12 to give better bass? I'm going to use five A10's as I can't accommodate the A40 up front.

Hi Jase,

can't comment on the RX's but I can comment on the B&W M-1's vs the MA Apex A-10's.

Before I was looking at the Apex series, I actually was set on the B&W M-1's.

Had a listen and although they don't sound bad, there was something which was missing, especially as I was coming from the 603 S3 floorstanding speakers (and no, it wasn't only the bass).

Following the recommendation I had a listen to the A10's, side by side with the M-1's and the difference, at least to my ears and those of my wife (!!!), was night and day.

The soundstage of the A10's is like it is 10 times wider compared to the M-1's, and the level of detail the A-10's are capable of is just putting the M-1 completely in its shadow.

For me there was no comparison, even with the new revision of the M-1's (which I also auditioned, just to be sure of my choice). The A-10's are more analytic compared to the B&W's, so your taste might be more towards the M-1's, but for me the level of detail these baby's are able to produce is amazing.

Needless to say that the choice was an easy one for me, also being supported by my wife. She isn't one that is easily impressed, but after first hearing the B&W's followed by the MA's, she simply said: You should get those(A-10's). They sound much better! I'm very happy at the moment, saving for the center A-40 and rear R45HD.

Hi gunny, thanks for getting back to me. It's great to get the opinion of someone who as auditioned both my existing and future speakers for comparison. It's been proving hard to find somewhere where I can listen to both without taking my own setup with me. I know from the forum that people love these speakers but that on its own doesn't give you a great understanding of what you'll likely to get for your money. I've decided against both the RX1's & RX2's as although small, I can't accommodate them. The only thing left to think about is whether to swap my sub for the AW-12 or run it together with my RXW-12? Opinions would be welcomed.

I run an Apex set up with an RXW sub because the RXW sub has a speaker grill that offers at least some level of protection against little fingers and puppy paws, and I couldn't discern any difference between the RXW and AW subs when I auditioned them both.   To me they are the same, except for the packaging and the gloss black/white subs match nicely with the Apex satellite speakers.

The question is if you have the feeling that there is something missing with your current sub?

How is your music/movie percentage? If you watch movies about 90% and you have the room, a ported sub will run circles around both the RXW and AW sub. For example the BK Monolith is a beast of a sub and is able to go down to frequencies far below what both the RXW and AW are capable of.

Don't get me wrong, the AW-12 sub is a good sub, but there are other subs out there which will perform on par or above the AW-12 at the same or even lower budget.

I personally opted for the BK XXLS400 DF, which doesn't even need protection as it is a nice, in my case gloss white, downfiring sub which in my eyes is equal to the AW-12 at a much lower cost.

There are people who doubt that the integration with the Apex range could be worse, but it all depends on the cross-over you set, and in my opinion and personall experience the BK (or any other -proper- sub for that matter) will blend nicely as long as you take care of the cross-over and placement of the sub.

If you feel that your current sub is not performing the way it should, you might also want to look at sub placement as it might have a rather big impact on the performance of your sub. An antimode or even a simple granite slab below the sub can result in great improvements.

Chord_freak - i saw your system...I think your placement of surroud speakers is not correct.you may put your speakers to that level, that tweeters must be in the level of your ear while you are seated(or maybe a little bit higher. in my case the roof of speaker is about 1,5m  height)..in my opinion right now they are too low...you may try and have better results in sound...

Hi guys, I'm not really unhappy with my RXW-12. Its more the lack of mid-range with music in my present set-up that's bugging me. I just thought two would be better than one. Just wanted to get a matching bass response.

Jase brown..RXW-12 performance is superb.I suggest try receiver with audyssey multeqx32..I had Pioneer lx-83 and had problems  as you. changed to denon avr-4311 with audyssey multeqxt32 and have very good bass- deep, controlled and no distortion at all, even on high volume...My subwoofer is aw-12( very similar to rxw-12).Pioneer has mcacc calibration, which doesnt care and control low frequency..

Hi Greedy, the surrounds are positioned so when I'm sitting down the tweeters are at ear level, they must look lower in the pic, thanks for the heads-up

Once again a blanket statement, If the system is set up correctly i.e not just being lazy and allowing software to dictate all your set up options, then the bass from the sub will sound right.

Whichever calibration software you use, it is not the be all and end all of calibration.

A friend of mine came to my house recently (not seen or heard my system previously), and asked to have a listen to some music (stereo) he knew well and I also played a movie.

After the music track played he got up looked around and said "where is your sub", I pointed it out and he was amazed that the sound appeared to come from the front speakers and not to some part coming from the sub (this was directly behind him).

My point being if it is set up correctly it sounds right.

For all Audyssey users- maybe someone want to use Audyssey Pro Calibration Kit, i would go for it!

RickyDeG, you may inspire new life to your trusty 3808:)This thing is much better than Multeqxt32.

Can read here

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1346723/the-audyssey-pro-installer-kit-thread/3030#post_22429521  http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/audio-processing/46130-audyssey-pro-installer-kit-demystified.html

Greedy, did you change your post above?!? Earlier I saw it was a reply to Michael Hoy (?).

Yes, I've read-up on Audyssey Pro calibration. However I would not bother with that until I have updated to XT32 because the result of Pro calibration will be based upon the receivers existing Audyssey version. A Pro calibration with XT32 will be better than a Pro calibration with XT. 

You could certainly try it with your Denon though 

Right now I'm keeping an eye out for Marantz up-coming high-end processor AV8801, which would be interesting to pair with a suitable powerhouse from NuForce. But won't be until first quater next year. Then possibly Audyssey Pro. Can't wait to see what Apex will make of all of that!

Michael Hoy> can you tweak your Pioneer manualy- range lower than 63hz?I think it's not posible

Ricky Deg> yes, i changed my post.You right results depends on base multeq system..Marantz?interesting