Floor-Standing Speaker options within 30k budget - MA M4 or Tannoy V4 0r ...?

[saumitra]

I am planning to add a pair of entry-level floor-standing speakers within 30k budget. I have audtioned the wharf 10.5, Monitor Audio M4 and also tried the Tannoy Mercury V4 very briefly. I liked the Wharf 10.6 and 9.6 when I tried them few weeks back, but have dropped them as they are going beyond my budget also are bigger in size than I can accommodate in my (15' X 12') room. I was very keen on Monitor Audio's M4 as it was the smaller among the ones I had tried but sounded very nice for music. I had done a side by side comparison of the M4 along with MS Carnival 8 and found the M4 was far better than the Canrival 8. I am now beginning to lean towards the Tannoy V4 - though I have not done any side by side comparison of this with any other FS speakers. I basically liked the Denon 1911 with these speakers a lot for music. I recently bought the Denon 1911 along with Tannoy HTS101 5.1ch speaker system.
My questions to audio experts of this forum are:
1. Between MA M4 (best quote 26k) and Tannoy V4 (best quote 30k), which one is better?
2. I think both has ports at the back, but I was told the Tannoy V4 is ok to place 8-12 inches from the wall. I can actually have 8-10 inches only as the gap between the wall and the FS speakers. Considering that - will it be ok to have the V4 or the M4?
3. Are there any other FS speakers within the 30k range that are considered as good as or better than the M4 & V4? As I mentioned earlier, I can't have the speakers bigger than the V4.

 

[BLASTO]

I am planning to add a pair of entry-level floor-standing speakers within 30k budget. I have audtioned the wharf 10.5, Monitor Audio M4 and also tried the Tannoy Mercury V4 very briefly. I liked the Wharf 10.6 and 9.6 when I tried them few weeks back, but have dropped them as they are going beyond my budget also are bigger in size than I can accommodate in my (15' X 12') room. I was very keen on Monitor Audio's M4 as it was the smaller among the ones I had tried but sounded very nice for music. I had done a side by side comparison of the M4 along with MS Carnival 8 and found the M4 was far better than the Canrival 8. I am now beginning to lean towards the Tannoy V4 - though I have not done any side by side comparison of this with any other FS speakers. I basically liked the Denon 1911 with these speakers a lot for music. I recently bought the Denon 1911 along with Tannoy HTS101 5.1ch speaker system.
My questions to audio experts of this forum are:
1. Between MA M4 (best quote 26k) and Tannoy V4 (best quote 30k), which one is better?
2. I think both has ports at the back, but I was told the Tannoy V4 is ok to place 8-12 inches from the wall. I can actually have 8-10 inches only as the gap between the wall and the FS speakers. Considering that - will it be ok to have the V4 or the M4?
3. Are there any other FS speakers within the 30k range that are considered as good as or better than the M4 & V4? As I mentioned earlier, I can't have the speakers bigger than the V4.

MA M4 are good ones in the budget.

Are you hard pressed on 30k?
Otherwise audition also the MS Aviano 6 and the Jamo C405 and then conclude. The avianos for bass and jamo for the detail.

For your room though, the above will be overpowering. Atleast avoid the rear ported ones if you want to go for Fs (which means no jamo).

KEF Q300 and Aviano 2s will suffice if you want to go for bookshelves instead. They are ideal for your room size.

 

[saumitra]

Thanks, Blasto!
Yes, I have to stick to 30k budget for now, or wait for a few months which I don't want to ...
And book-shelf speakers are not good options for me mainly because of the way the room is organized. Smaller towers like M4 or V4 would be perfect fit, but I am not sure if they would produce the right sound if kept 10 inches away from the wall.

 

[spirovious]

Some online reviews-
Tannoy Mercury V4 review from the experts at whathifi.com
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Monitor Audio M4 Speaker (Black Oak Vinyl, Each)

 

[saumitra]

Thanks, spiro.

Is there anyone in this forum who has used or auditioned the Tannoy V4 or the MA M4 speakers? If yes, can you please share (or point to) your comments/ findings on either of these speakers?

 

[Kittu]

Here

http://www.hifivision.com/speakers/18482-problem-wharfedale-9-6-a.html

 

[BLASTO]

The tannoys are rear ports.
In your room, more than anything, you need to look at whether the speaker is rear ported and avoid them.

That leaves you with only one option I guess..

 

[sydney]

If you are not fixed on your budget then U can also look at the MA M6. The sound is very impressive, costs around 34K.

 

[paritosh]

I'm goin to get Paradigm Monitor 7 for my similar sized room. I auditioned them in a normal room and they were placed not more than a foot from rear wall, and yet did not sound boomy. The sound quality is really good, especially for vocals. Audition them.

 

[denom]

Hi Saumitra,

I have heard the M4's & liked their sound. IIRC, the M4's are front & rear ported & are provided with Foam Plugs if you wish to place the Speakers close to the wall. So that should take care of placement. Have not had the pleasure of hearing the Tannoy V4's so cannot comment on them. Do also give the bigger M6's an audition as suggested by sydney. Best would be for you to hear all & decide which work best for you & pairs well with your 1911. Easier said than done, but best is to carry your 1911 to the auditions & decide for yourself.
Nonetheless, my vote goes to the M4's

 

[BLASTO]

Hi Saumitra,

I have heard the M4's & liked their sound. IIRC, the M4's are front & rear ported & are provided with Foam Plugs if you wish to place the Speakers close to the wall. So that should take care of placement.

Hey denom.. Never knew the M4s are also rear ported.. I saw the front port and did not bother to look at the back side..

Do you have them at your home? Because foam plugs will cause sonic differences which might make them sound completely different from the demo.

Better to demo with the plugs on then.

 

[denom]

Hi Blasto,

Specification - M4 | Monitor Audio

Yes, Rear port was behind the Tweeter. No I do not have the M4's but I heard them with & without plugs in the rear port, purposely to see what it does to the sound. Did not find a very obvious difference, but then your experience may be different to mine.

 

[saumitra]

I'm goin to get Paradigm Monitor 7 for my similar sized room. I auditioned them in a normal room and they were placed not more than a foot from rear wall, and yet did not sound boomy. The sound quality is really good, especially for vocals. Audition them.

How much did the Paradigm Monitor 7 cost you?

Spiro & Blasto,
Yes, MA M4 has ports both at the rear and front. I think it is the same (not very sure though) with Tannoy V4. When I enquired with Lokesh (htstore), he said if I can leave the V4 speakers about 1 foot away from the wall, they should be fine.
I am a little confused now - maybe another round of search/ research & auditioning is the only way.
I started with a 45k budget (for AVR + 5.1 or 7.1ch speakers) and started with Onkyo HTS3400 (~25k), then tried the HTS5300/5400 before I first heard some good speakers (QA's 2020) and the Wharf 9.6 & 10.6 and then Heco Victa & Metas (both FS & BS) and then the MS Carnival 8 along with the MA M4 (& also the M1 BS) then finally the the Tannoy V4 (for a very brief while). I can only say - I am somehow fascinated by what I heard from the FS (especially MA M4, Wharf 9.6, Tannoy V4) and can't think of anything other than a good FS pair for music.
I have already spent close to 75 k (Denon 1911 + Tannoy HTS101) - and told my wife I would buy the FS pair after sometime. So wife is surely not thrilled when I have started talking about finalizing the FS now itself ... But while I am loving my new setup for movies (& general TV especially HD programs), I am yearning for a good pair of FS - that would work w/o any trouble if place them just 1 foot from the wall ....

 

[rjstyles]

Is there anyone in this forum who has used or auditioned the Tannoy V4 or the MA M4 speakers? If yes, can you please share (or point to) your comments/ findings on either of these speakers?

saumitra an M4 owner here. I picked these up after a lot of dilly dallying between different brands. My choice of listening was mostly inclined to music coz movies was only a weekend affair for me.
I have paired the M4's with a Denon 1911 and they sound absolutely brilliant. Well to each his own, I cant comment on the Tannoy's coz I haven't heard them.
Being this sucker for mids and lows I found the M4's to be perfect and not too bright for my tastes.

 

[saumitra]

saumitra an M4 owner here. I picked these up after a lot of dilly dallying between different brands. My choice of listening was mostly inclined to music coz movies was only a weekend affair for me.
I have paired the M4's with a Denon 1911 and they sound absolutely brilliant. Well to each his own, I cant comment on the Tannoy's coz I haven't heard them.
Being this sucker for mids and lows I found the M4's to be perfect and not too bright for my tastes.

Thank you. This is really reassuring since I also have the Denon 1911 AVR only. And yes, I also loved the M4, but the audition was done using a stereo amp and not an AVR, so this input from you really helps.
Can you tell me how much gap you have left from the rear of the M4 speakers to the wall? Will 10 inches gap from the wall be good enough? Mr. Palani (from Audio Planet, Koramangala, Bangalore) says a gap of 10 inches should be more than enough for both MA M4 & M6.
The other owner (chanduwala) of Tannoy V4 from this forum has told me that he has left just 12 gap from the wall and finds no issues.

Now I have to decide between the below 3 models:
MA M4 25k
MA M6 35k
Tannoy V4 30k

 

[Kittu]

Considering your HT speakers are also Tannoy , I'd recommend you go with Tannoy FS . You can use them as complete 7.1 and also the sound signature will not vary too much.

Just thoughts..... Facts may differ.

 

[saumitra]

Kittu,
You are right and this is why I was also more inclined towards Tannoy V4. In reality though I would hardly use the 7.1ch setup it would be more like two separate setups - 5.1 (with Tannoy HTS101) and 2.0 stereo setup with the FS pair. I am placing the Tannoy front satellites and the center quite low about 30 inches from the floor, so that they dont get covered by the projector screen (which will be right in front of the TV and the speakers). But I agree this is a nice option to have.

Also, I just read the V4 spec., and it says Enclosure type: rear reflex. My understanding is it (V4) has port only at the back, unlike the MA M4 (& M6) which has ports both at the rear and front. Not sure though how much of a difference this would really make (V4 vs. M4/M6) when I place the speakers just 10 inches from the wall.

 

[rjstyles]

Thank you. This is really reassuring since I also have the Denon 1911 AVR only. And yes, I also loved the M4, but the audition was done using a stereo amp and not an AVR, so this input from you really helps.
Can you tell me how much gap you have left from the rear of the M4 speakers to the wall? Will 10 inches gap from the wall be good enough? Mr. Palani (from Audio Planet, Koramangala, Bangalore) says a gap of 10 inches should be more than enough for both MA M4 & M6.

I simply went by Palani's suggestion. Placed it about 8 inches away from the wall and that's it. I auditioned the M4's with a stereo amp initially and with an AVR. It sounded brilliant with the stereo amp , no questions about it.

 

[paritosh]

How much did the Paradigm Monitor 7 cost you?

Spiro & Blasto,
Yes, MA M4 has ports both at the rear and front. I think it is the same (not very sure though) with Tannoy V4. When I enquired with Lokesh (htstore), he said if I can leave the V4 speakers about 1 foot away from the wall, they should be fine.
I am a little confused now - maybe another round of search/ research & auditioning is the only way.
I started with a 45k budget (for AVR + 5.1 or 7.1ch speakers) and started with Onkyo HTS3400 (~25k), then tried the HTS5300/5400 before I first heard some good speakers (QA's 2020) and the Wharf 9.6 & 10.6 and then Heco Victa & Metas (both FS & BS) and then the MS Carnival 8 along with the MA M4 (& also the M1 BS) then finally the the Tannoy V4 (for a very brief while). I can only say - I am somehow fascinated by what I heard from the FS (especially MA M4, Wharf 9.6, Tannoy V4) and can't think of anything other than a good FS pair for music.
I have already spent close to 75 k (Denon 1911 + Tannoy HTS101) - and told my wife I would buy the FS pair after sometime. So wife is surely not thrilled when I have started talking about finalizing the FS now itself ... But while I am loving my new setup for movies (& general TV especially HD programs), I am yearning for a good pair of FS - that would work w/o any trouble if place them just 1 foot from the wall ....

I'm getting them for 47k! I know, I know, its way out of budget, but someone suggested me to contact Lokesh of htstores. May be you'll get them for as low as 36k.

I had auditioned them along with Polk TSi400 and elac BS57 - (paradigm and Polk powered by onkyo 8255 and elac powered by denon) . Found them way better than the other two

Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

 

[Kittu]

You can get 9s for 47k. Way over priced for monitor 7s. You can directly contact kripindia for this. Or contact lokesh and ask if he can ship to your place.