What Hi Fi Sound and Vision

The world's No. 1 home entertainment buyers guide online

Join the Club

Latest Issue

Latest Issue

Have your say & ask the experts

KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Last post Aug 14, 2008, 5:04 PM by vineetpatel69. (27 replies)
Sort Posts:
Page 1 of 2 (28 items)   1 2 Next >

Posted on Jul 22, 2008, 9:41 AM

KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Hi, I am a new comer here and this topic could already been posted but I couldn't find it.  My question is that IF both speakers fit your budget, which one would you pick?  And which amp should be paired with it eg. Onkyo 606 or Yamaha RXV 1800.  I like the sound with authority but yet all details are not sacrificed.


Thanks in advance.


CJ

Posted on Jul 22, 2008, 10:04 AM

106446

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

As an owner of the MT30, I can state you will not find fault with it. Also, the 1575 pound RRP is quite flexible, and others here have even got the price down to 1150.

The 606 has just been knocked off the top spot by Denon's 1909 receiver, but it is 50 quid dearer, and the 606 still retained its 5 stars.
Arcam A65+ & CD72T, B&W 602 S3, Grado SR125, QED S.A Biwire, Russ Andrews Classik Powerkords.

Sony KDL-V40A12U, Sony RDR-HXD910 DVDR, Onkyo TX-SR875, B&W MT-30 7.1, QED S.A XT & HDMI-P, Russ Andrews Yello power cables, Russ Andrews 8-way Silencerblock.

Posted on Jul 22, 2008, 1:24 PM

106458

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

I second Chris on the MT30s, I heard them recently and couldn't fault the sound.

Having said that I also heard the KEF3005SE and if you don't want to go above £1000 you won't go wrong there either.

As for the final price to pay RRP is always flexible. So far I've only made one call to try and source the MT30s and already I've had the price dropped from the RRP to £1400.

Happy hunting.

Posted on Jul 23, 2008, 2:59 PM

106604

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

The MT30's are now quite old, about 5 years now, and many of the competition have moved forward and improved things. The biggest let down of the MT30 package is the sub, which for it's retail price is an under achiever. As stated in another thread here, for the same price you can add another KEF sub for a more even in room response and improved control and power handling. There's also the possibility of putting together a Quad system based on the 9L2 loudspeakers for that price too......
Bloody avatar......

Posted on Jul 23, 2008, 3:03 PM

107188

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Totally disagree, i'm afraid - the PV1 subwoofer is what makes the MT30 still an Award winner after two years: the MT20 package (same M1 satelllites but cheaper sub) is easily beaten by the KEF 3005SEs, which remain the best @£1000 option.

There isn't a style speaker package to date that hasn't been improved by adding the PV1 - we know, because we try it out every time. 

Yes, that money could buy a bigger, better speaker package - Tannoy's Mercury F1 Custom, for instance, crushes the KEFs for less money, especially if you add music into the equation - but not everyone has the room/tolerance for traditional size/design speakers. Which is why we divide the two categories up here online, in our Buyer's Guide, and in our Awards. 

Clare Newsome is Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-fi? Sound and Vision

Posted on Jul 23, 2008, 11:18 PM

107193

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Hi Clare,


So would changing the M1 satellites to KEF 3001SE's but keep the PV1 sub improve the sound? Only reason I'm asking is I have the MT30 package with the satellites wall mounted and the wall brackets are terrible, they make the speakers sound like there rattling at high volume. Or can you reccomend any other style satellites?


Thanks.

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 4:04 AM

107475

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Well, if they are rattling, then nothing is going to make them sound good. Why are they rattling? I understand they are wall mounted, but that's not an excuse for rattling if they are mounted properly. In my opinion, you need to sort this out rather than change the speaker as any speaker that's rattling will sound bad.

Billy Corgan: "Billy Corgan, 'Smashing Pumpkins'."
Homer Simpson: "Homer Simpson, smiling politely."

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 6:04 AM

107513

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Thank you all for your insight. Do you think the Onkyo is a good fit for either the KEF or B&W? 


Regarding the amp, has anyone tried the Yamaha RXV1800?

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 9:04 AM

107193

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

I bought the PV1 recently paired with an Onkyo 605 and I am impressed with it the more I use it. Initially I was a bit sceptical but after getting the settings and positioning sorted I've not looked back.

I only use it for movies and the bass is great although it probably does not go as low as other subs in the same price range. It replaced a B&W ASW300 which used to be less enjoyable as it would get very loud and hence I used to set the volume quite low.

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 9:39 AM

107544

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Professorhat


The rattling is due to the design of the wall mount. The speaker is held in the wall mount with a single small grub screw which does not provide a very secure fixing. When using the wall mount the speaker leans forward much further than when using the stands meaning that all of the speakers weight is trying to pull is out of the mount. No matter how well the grub screw is tightened there is still movement between the wall mount and the speaker. This movement creates vibrations when the system is on at high volumes. I have had this set up now for over 2 years tried various things to stop the rattle with no joy.


The rattle does not happen all of the time, only at certain frequencies so I have been able to live with it, but now it's time for a change. It's quite disappointing really as the speakers are excellent when used with the desk stands. I will be keeping the PV1 though as it is an excellent sub.


 

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 10:19 AM

107561

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

brew:

Professorhat


The rattling is due to the design of the wall mount. The speaker is held in the wall mount with a single small grub screw which does not provide a very secure fixing. When using the wall mount the speaker leans forward much further than when using the stands meaning that all of the speakers weight is trying to pull is out of the mount. No matter how well the grub screw is tightened there is still movement between the wall mount and the speaker. This movement creates vibrations when the system is on at high volumes. I have had this set up now for over 2 years tried various things to stop the rattle with no joy.


The rattle does not happen all of the time, only at certain frequencies so I have been able to live with it, but now it's time for a change. It's quite disappointing really as the speakers are excellent when used with the desk stands. I will be keeping the PV1 though as it is an excellent sub.


 



My brother-in-law has the same speakers and he has his wall mounted with no problems. Are you sure you have fitted them properly? If so, get in touch with B&W because if you have faulty brackets, they will sort it out.
Cambridge Audio 840A; Arcam FMJ DV27A cd/dvd player; Monitor Audio RS6AV with Radius R90 rear speakers; Chord Chameleon Silver Plus interconnect; Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wire speaker cable; Sony KDL40W2000; Sony STR-DA1200ES; Gotham GAC-1 interconnect; Sky HD.

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 11:27 AM

107586

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Professorhat


You can't mount them wrong its a very simple fixing. You may be correct about them being faulty but I doubt it as it has happened to all 5 speakers. A bit of good news though I have contacted B&W's service department as you suggested and explained the problem to them. They are sending me a replacement set of speaker elbows and wall mounts free of charge. Now thats excellent service. Hope that solves the problem, will save me some money.

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 11:41 AM

107636

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

Well, it was Gerrardasnails who advised you to do it, but I'm glad it's (hopefully) worked out for you!

Billy Corgan: "Billy Corgan, 'Smashing Pumpkins'."
Homer Simpson: "Homer Simpson, smiling politely."

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 11:43 AM

107521

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

FctCJ:
Do you think the Onkyo is a good fit for either the KEF or B&W?

Back to the OP - yes, Onkyo will work fine with either for movies. Haven't heard the Yamaha to comment.

Billy Corgan: "Billy Corgan, 'Smashing Pumpkins'."
Homer Simpson: "Homer Simpson, smiling politely."

Posted on Jul 24, 2008, 9:01 PM

107647

Re: KEP3005SE or B&W MT30 and which amp to pair with them

just bought pioneer 5090 kuro and mt 30s but also cant decide on which amp ! . rather tempted by onko 875 though ,but pioneers new sc lx 71 amp will be out soon (much better looking i think)
Page 1 of 2 (28 items)   1 2 Next >
Latest Issue
  • Fulfill your potential at Haymarket
  • Careers