Upgrading to an entry-level audiophile setup - Advice

[SauRoNZA]

Ok done, some decent separation and I've made enough space for the Monitor Audio Bronze 100's

I've kept the speaker cables and amp's cables in their own sleeve, and the desktop's power cables run underneath

View attachment 1821289

A Lambo man, I like it.

Where did you get the wall panels from?

 

[Bewlen]

Ok done, some decent separation and I've made enough space for the Monitor Audio Bronze 100's

I've kept the speaker cables and amp's cables in their own sleeve, and the desktop's power cables run underneath

View attachment 1821289

ARe the Polks flat on the table, or rubber feet beneath them? My experience was that it greatly affects the lower end

 

[ViciousClone]

ARe the Polks flat on the table, or rubber feet beneath them? My experience was that it greatly affects the lower end

Currently flat on the table, i'll be moving them shortly once those MA Bronze sets come in, so I don't feel like bothering to much right now
But, I do have rubber feet (Gerlmar)

 

[ViciousClone]

A Lambo man, I like it.

Where did you get the wall panels from?

Local shop, Chinese shop, so probably Temu panels - 24 tiles were priced at R220, bought two sets and the rest were installed at the back of the room. There was a echo in the room, which isn't that noticeable anymore.

But to mount these, I took my 85" tv's box, cutting it to size, and stuck them onto that, then the cardboard to the wall with double sided tape - Cheaper idea but helps

Same as these

https://www.temu.com/za/24-pack-high-density-black-foam-acoustic-panels-30-48x30-48x2-54-cm-flame-retardant-sound-absorbing-tiles-for-noise-reduction--ideal-for-home-office-studio-bedroom-wall--sound-panels-studio-soundproofing-modern--durable-construction-g-601100880498928.html?_oak_mp_inf=EPCh06Or1ogBGgZzcnJnbW8g3uqYpe4y&top_gallery_url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.kwcdn.com%2Fproduct%2Ffancy%2F333824c7-0e74-4b0d-8012-62ac30bd5b22.jpg&spec_gallery_id=8652344792&refer_page_sn=10009&refer_source=10022&freesia_scene=2&_oak_freesia_scene=2&_oak_rec_ext_1=MjI4MDA&_oak_gallery_order=1891468743%2C1436630218%2C558542545%2C1956844291%2C188721874&refer_page_el_sn=200049&_x_sessn_id=j8ivoxdg2g&refer_page_name=search_result&refer_page_id=10009_1747592820507_ypigbvgswr

 

[ViciousClone]

Received my MA Bronze 100's today, already hooked up

Bleksem these things are MUCH bigger haha, at least they fit the layout - Will play around tomorrow and give them a good sit and listen
So far, voices are much clearer and present (Teams call)

I just left them on flat EQ for now until they've been tested and adjusted

 

[ViciousClone]

Dumb question
My speakers have binding posts
Does it matter if I use the bottom or too speaker terminals?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Dumb question
My speakers have binding posts
Does it matter if I use the bottom or too speaker terminals?

View attachment 1821871

No it won’t matter as they are connected in parallel as you can see from the plate running between them.

Obviously if you were going to bi-wire then you would remove that plate to separate the frequencies, and then it’s important to wire correctly from the amp side.

 

[Pax]

Dumb question
My speakers have binding posts
Does it matter if I use the bottom or too speaker terminals?

View attachment 1821871

No, as long as the links remain in place.

 

[ViciousClone]

Thank you! Google is full of "Try this first"

Couldn't get a straightforward answer like the above - So thanks!

 

[ViciousClone]

I wish someone kicked me earlier, banana plugs are key*** Yes, they can be pricey, but geeeezz do they make life easier.

 

[Jefferson D'Arcy]

Interesting discussion. I've been running some Monitor Audios through a Wiim in one of the rooms for a good while. I like the setup very much and they look great.

Need to find a subwoofer at some point.

 

[ViciousClone]

Interesting discussion. I've been running some Monitor Audios through a Wiim in one of the rooms for a good while. I like the setup very much and they look great.

Need to find a subwoofer at some point.

View attachment 1821994

I have the same setup then, but added to mine is a Polk PSW10 10” which does give it that extra low end a nice thump

 

[ViciousClone]

Interesting discussion. I've been running some Monitor Audios through a Wiim in one of the rooms for a good while. I like the setup very much and they look great.

Need to find a subwoofer at some point.

View attachment 1821994

Just turned off my sub in the WiiM amp, the MA 100 has bass for sure, but the 10” gives it oomph

 

[ViciousClone]

Little update
The WiiM Amp and Monitor Audio Bronze 100, supported by the Polk PSW10”, is a treat
At my listening levels, at times going to 80dbs, these just sound full and alive.

Nothing wrong with the Polk XT15, but the MA Bronze 100 is the sweet spot I was looking for.

Happy with this combo

 

[airborne]

Monitor Audio make great speakers and I like that they typically go a bit lower versus many of the competitors in their segment.

 

[Grant]

At my listening levels, at times going to 80dbs, these just sound full and alive.

i moved a really old pair of b&o speakers into the study a while back - to save some space - and they look pretty.
they are about 20yrs old, sound like brand new.
cranked the volume up

 

[Grant]

Ok done, some decent separation and I've made enough space for the Monitor Audio Bronze 100's

I've kept the speaker cables and amp's cables in their own sleeve, and the desktop's power cables run underneath

View attachment 1821289

the room looks a bit "barren" - as in an echo chamber of sorts.
carpeting ?
curtains ?

if you have neither, think about having some curtains made, floor to ceiling - use bull denim, it is bleached creamy white, the fabric is quite thick & heavy - does a brilliant job of absorbing sound and will come in considerably cheaper than sound deadening panels.
you want a wide span so they remain "folded"" together - soos vir dit: (worst photo ever)

 

[Grant]

Dumb question
My speakers have binding posts
Does it matter if I use the bottom or too speaker terminals?

View attachment 1821871

here:

Why are there TWO sets of red/black inputs on the back of my speakers?? - Page 2

I find that only necessary when the watts refuse to leave. You yawn and make all the suggestions about needing to get up early the next morning.

forum.polkaudio.com

 

[Harmonic]

Personally I wouldn't stream through a PC - too much noise/interference with all the internals.

Rather invest in a decent streaming amplifier, something like a Marantz M1, or a NAD C700.

Head over to https://www.avforums.co.za/, some decent bargains to be had in the Classifieds section, e.g., a one-week old Wiim Ultra for R7k.

 

[airborne]

the room looks a bit "barren" - as in an echo chamber of sorts.
carpeting ?
curtains ?

if you have neither, think about having some curtains made, floor to ceiling - use bull denim, it is bleached creamy white, the fabric is quite thick & heavy - does a brilliant job of absorbing sound and will come in considerably cheaper than sound deadening panels.
you want a wide span so they remain "folded"" together - soos vir dit: (worst photo ever)
View attachment 1826184



View attachment 1826188

View attachment 1826189

Where are your speakers in that room or am I just blind?