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My new speakers

After owning Monitor Audio PL500 II speakers for 10 years, I’ve purchased my last speakers, YG Acoustics Sonja 3.3s. They are definitely different than my Monitor Audio PL500 II speakers. In my opinion, Monitor Audio PL500 II speakers offer a great value and do many things well. BUT, the Sonja 3.3s are clearer, tonality is improved, more dynamic and instruments/singers are more palpable. I’m not suggesting a night and day difference, but easily discernible differences. Unfortunately, Incremental improvements are very expensive in this hobby. I would say that I’m done, but I’m sure I’m going to change my Chord Dave DAC.

ricred1
ricred1 OP
2,147 posts
 

parkergetdean,

Thanks so much for your input. I retired from the Air Force after 28 years and in a year or two I’ll retire from teaching. My approach to system building has always been to upgrade what I could afford, with the ultimate goal of getting my last speakers. So my first big upgrade was getting Jeff Rowland 735 mono-amps, then dual REL subwoofers, then I  got the Antipodes Oladra music server, and finally speakers. I had my previous speakers for 10 years. I’ve been blessed in so many ways, including having a system that brings my wife and I so much joy. I know when enough is enough and my system is enough. I’ll still enjoy the hobby, but it doesn’t mean I have to continuously want something better. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,993 posts
 

@ricred1 stated, "I know when enough is enough, and my system is enough. I’ll still enjoy the hobby, but it doesn’t mean I have to continuously want something better" 

Finding such a mindset is a real blessing, to be free from the torment of not being satisfied with the musical encounters available from the choices made. I know this place and fully get the alternative mindset. I know which I am to remain embracing, and that is sharing similar thoughts aligned with ricred1. 

I say this after being loyal to one speaker type for nearly 30 years, and early in 2026 commenced using a new Speaker, which is a current design for a Speaker. 

I do not need any betterment to the sound produced from a Speaker for the rest of my listening years. 

Friends still use the superseded Speaker, so a reacquaintance is easily achieved.,   

parkergetdean
1,098 posts
 

it looks like you have a fantastic room and system @ricred1 !

ricred1 OP
2,147 posts
 

Thanks. I'm 60 years young. I've been building my system since I was 20 years old.

mgrif104
572 posts
 

Hi @ricred1 

again - congrats on getting there!  Very few of us do.

I’m curious if you have any further observations on implementing the #32s. Surely the new speakers don’t need them for extended range or dynamic ability, but perhaps for sound staging. 

I know the size and shape of my room necessitated the need for a pair of #31s (wouldn’t have been able to get #32s up my narrow stairwell) to address some cancellations. But - as you know better than I do - the sound stage and spatial information they brought to my system was almost unbelievable. Pretty amazing if your new speakers are better off without them! 

Best,

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