Monitor Audio Gold series

I owned the Gold 60s a few years ago. got them Brand new. Sold them about a year later or so. personally, I think they ain't a bad speaker. My 'system' then wasn't sufficient to get the most from them. (accessories, wires, placemnet, etc)

Monitor Audio has a tough hill to climb. their market share isn't very big, and they have stiff competition on the Brittish front, and elsewhere.

they took a very long time to run in, like JRs. I remember that part especially. they sure could play loud though. their finish was nice too. I wasn't thrilled with their tech support... they take a long time to get back to you IF they get back to you.

Some of their lesser models get high praise, and not much press is avaiable on the upper models... though I don't feel that is a slight on the produts. Just the way it is. I see MA as many other speaker lines that also dwell in less of a spotlight. doesn't mean their not good... just not popular... or don't have much market share.

Lastly, I will say, that for the 4K price of a pair of monitor Audio units... they are also in a terrifically competitive market. that might have something to do with it too.

I had a OK system when I had them... but no peripherals. No wires no filters... no pc's. and not much of a pre... come to think of it my system sucked then.

Sibalence wasn't always an issue after I found out about the cable TV grounding scheme was causing it.. course i sold all that... I think the issue of their eff rating at 90-91 db. played more than a little part there. i've never had speakers that were of themselves, sibalent.

higher eff speakers will surely show off that issue even if its minor... all the more so. Upstream gear, wires, etc. Wtih high eff speakers... you'll hear it all better... well, you'll sure hear what's there to hear... better.

the Ground loop bug a boo sibalence is an electronic issue which affects one area of the sound... all of it... we just hear it usually in the upper mids and low treble areas. it does affect it all though... just harder to hear elsewhere.

on the whole, I'd say though... not much. thing I didn't care for much was they didn't have the botom end I was expecting... not close. I'm not trying to trash them here... more it's about taste. I like a cloth or at least paper tweeter... even a ribbon.. over metals. Mostly. Same way with other cone drivers... metal can and does work in some applications... I, however if given the choice, will mostly opt for fiberous cones. Just my preffs. no real great reason why.

1 MA speakers... check out the Platinum line... just saw some inkling about them in the Stereophile CES 07 show report... online now.

2 Ground loop issues. Esiest way to remove the ground loop is to remove the ground. Usually lifting the ground at the service pole (where ALL Sat & cable grounds wind up) is easiest. Not the safest... but the easiest. Check out the threads here on Ground loop issues.

Conditioning devices as a rule do not address it. Cables, gear, etc... don't either.

finding the origin of the problem, if it's not the CATV or SAT, is simple. Just start unplugging. What I did was just turn off everything BUT the power to the audio system at the breaker box then just turn one on and listen... another person will make this effort easier. taking a few minutes in between engaging breakers is good too. When the sibalence returns, Violin! You'll know what circuit it's on. Just see what is plugged in on that line. I'd bet it's either PC, telephone gear, a battery charger for a cell phone, or a Sat/CATV receiver. If it's still present with all the breakers off but the stereo... go outside and lift the ground. Sometimes you'll have to give it a few minutes to clear out completely... but it'll be better right off.

there are transformers that go inline onto the cable itself and are cheap which do work... if i can remeber the name I'll post the link... it'smade by Dayton and can be had from parts express.. $10 each. Worked for me... or you can lift the ground from your gear using the little cheater plugs which prevent the ground on the power cord from making contact in the receptacle. Lots of ways to address this problem.

Los of things introduce junk into the houses power. PCs, modems, wall wart (transformers, like on PC accessories, speakers, scanners etc.).

I lifted the ground on my cable then had some issues later on...with it reloading info and such. I got a fiber optic system entirely. Phone, web, & TV. Verizon FIOS. they added a battery back up... that was the first thing I disconnected. they are big trouble in a good stereo system. I know. I had a uninterupted power supply once before. Never again... well, unless it's full wave.

oh, and I got rid of all my Monster wires except some M1000 ICs which I use on a TV. I can't give them away. But mine are like six or seven years old. they are probably better these days most likely.

Good luck

no problem, good luck.

Most folks don't know about Home Depot being a high end audio store. Ssssshhhh.