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Showing 1 of 77 conversations about:
benbenkr
20
Sep 1, 2014
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bilditup1
80
Sep 1, 2014
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benbenkrYou've heard both then? I'm pretty happy with my A5+ - also got it from here, bamboo ftw - so if these are actually a damn sight better, that's a bonus. They claim to be have separate amp sections for the woofer and tweeter (iow it's biamped even though the amp is built into one of the speakers).
I'm wondering how they compare to my Energy RC-10s, which I love to death and are definitely better than the A5+s (or anything else I've ever owned).
doge
65
Sep 1, 2014
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bilditup1I've own the D1080-IV and have used the A5+ on and off and will say that the D1080-IV is better once you take price into consideration. Although the build quality of the A5+ is a lot better. If something like the D1080-IV is better then I would think the M200 is loads better than the A5+.
Imo Swan has it right for the 2.0 speakers under $1k but are not popular enough because people haven't heard of them and rather go for Audioengine and such.
Imo Swan has it right for the 2.0 speakers under $1k but are not popular enough because people haven't heard of them and rather go for Audioengine and such.
ployez
13
Sep 1, 2014
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bilditup1They are a 'true' bi-amped speaker, which as I understand it means that they use an active crossover after which each driver is amped separately. Unlike most active monitors the amp section is entirely housed in one of the speakers, and a quad-wire cable connects one to the other. One nice side-effect of this setup is that you can control the volume of both from one of the speakers. They also make a longer-length 8' cable if the one provided is too short for your setup (it was in mine).
benbenkr
20
Sep 2, 2014
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bilditup1Haven't heard the RC-10.
I used to believe the A5+ were the best speakers at the $400 mark. But once I heard the Mk.3, while it is a little bit more than $400, it just... you know, the A5+ has never been the same to me since then.
Everytime I go back to the A5+ after listening to the Mk.3, there's this empty gap that the A5+ is missing. The hazier clarity, the sometimes dull mids, that lower impact on the bass, there's a sense of something very missing from the A5+.
Obviously the A5+ does go on discount a lot more often than the Mk.3 and if one can scour it for say $350 or even less, that tips the favor to the A5+ significantly, that is if price is a factor.
I used to believe the A5+ were the best speakers at the $400 mark. But once I heard the Mk.3, while it is a little bit more than $400, it just... you know, the A5+ has never been the same to me since then.
Everytime I go back to the A5+ after listening to the Mk.3, there's this empty gap that the A5+ is missing. The hazier clarity, the sometimes dull mids, that lower impact on the bass, there's a sense of something very missing from the A5+.
Obviously the A5+ does go on discount a lot more often than the Mk.3 and if one can scour it for say $350 or even less, that tips the favor to the A5+ significantly, that is if price is a factor.
benbenkr
20
Sep 2, 2014
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EWP1They're simply not the same. The build quality it self is already miles ahead on the Mk.3, you just simply... don't compare them like that.
Not saying the Monoprice 8" sound bad, they're actually pretty decent for how much it is selling. But you're really like comparing a Samson/Superlux to a LCD-2/LCD-X, in a headphone metophorical way.
Not saying the Monoprice 8" sound bad, they're actually pretty decent for how much it is selling. But you're really like comparing a Samson/Superlux to a LCD-2/LCD-X, in a headphone metophorical way.
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The mids on the Mk.3 are just so liquidy smooth, so beautiful and has that sense of bone chill when listening to vocal heavy content. While it won't have the weight in bass with systems that come with a sub, the bass on the Mk.3 is tight and profound with enough impact. It's quality bass, not quantity, so if you're a basshead then look into getting an extra sub.
Now the treble, it sizzles with enough energy but at times can feel a little too bright. This does mean plenty of clarity and the A5+ is no match for the Mk.3 in this area. Treble can be adjusted, but I found that having it at around 2 o'clock on the dial is almost just right, with the bass at 11' oclock. Obviously your taste will vary, but I found this to be a very well-rounded setup for most type of content, heavy action movies and games included.
So yes, go for them. Swan isn't easy to get in the US, but they make exceptional products that really beats plenty of the major old-time US contenders, namely Audioengine and Polk.
Oh and for the person asking how it compares with the Monoprice 8", please... just, don't.