As far as I knew it got a very good review from Sound and Vision mag. I have the actual copy.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/speakers/...ker-system.html

Funny you guys just bring out this thread. Been researching for ID speaker and shortlisted few brands, SVS MTS-01, Axiom M80v2, Emotiva ERT8.3 and Songtower QWT. After much reading pass few weeks, SVS is out of the picture. Emotiva not much review and most of the review is by fanboy and I feel it's overhype. Axiom M80 seems like good value for the price but I'm looking at speaker which is better then B&W 700 series. After much research, looks like Salk songtower QWT is a great speaker at around USD 1700. It's a much better speaker compare to Sierra 1 according to some of the shootout. Sierra 1 is a USD 800 speaker so it's not a fair fight. Just shoot an email to salk to enquire total cost for this speaker. Also there is an option to upgrade the tweeter to Ribbon tweeter for another extra USD 700.

I ve auditioned Dynaudio years ago at CMY in Sumway Pyramid. It's performance indeed out of my expectation (so as the price). Since I cldn't afford it, I have to look for cheaper alternatives.

Apparently SVS has re-voiced & re-designed their speakers as a result of the feedback and reviews on the forums last year. In their MTS-01 page it says:

It's rare, but we left a lot of sonic performance and durability enhancements on the table with the launch of these mid-priced speakers early last year. No longer. Now shipping, the redesigned speakers took good, to truly great. The result of costly new new audiophile-grade, crossovers. The results of the new "voicing" has been amazing

But don't know how the new version sounds compared to the old one.

The Ascend Sierra-1 has got a lot of positive reviews. At USD898 for the piano black finish they are quite pricey. Incl shipping and tax, by the time it gets here would be around 4.7k - 5k. Then some more have to add a few hundred to buy nice stands.

In that price range there are a lot of floorstanders you can audition locally.

When choosing speaker, we have to be realistic. You need to set the price range and research which speaker fall within range and their characteristic too. Doesn't mean one type of speaker will fit everyone needs. Some people like very dynamic speaker with good bottom (those people normally like rock, action movie etc), some people put lot of emphasize in mid-range (vocal) etc. So it all depends on personal taste. If you are a first timer in audiophile grade speaker, you will be surprised that the first time you will feel it's dull. This is due to the distortion that you had used to with cheap speaker which normally put emphasize on Bass and upper treble. You feel the zing and boom but nothing in the mid. When clarity open up, soundstage widen you will start to appreciate what's a true music like.

My current research for tower point me into 2 direction: AV123 Rocket RS850 for dynamic and high level output without distortion or Salk SongTower for unbeatable mid-range. Most likely will go for Rocket RS850 as I use it 70% for HT as base on the feedback, rocket will play louder and more dynamic compare to songtower. Their center channel RSC200 is a monster. I always feel that we need a very good and  dynamic center speaker as most dialogue is from center speaker.

and salk haven't reply my email regarding shipping. After further research, I think salk might not play nicely above 100db. So if you looking for very loud and dynamic speaker, have to look into Rocket RS850. Plus the price is USD 500 cheaper. Movie reference level is 105db (THX reference level). Most of us will play in between 85db to 95db which is pretty loud. As for MTS-01 with new XO, not much review and I think most people back off after the first review. As it is their first attempt at speaker, might need to take v2 to get the ingredient right.

Its not that expensive. My friend just got a Dynaudio Audience 52 bookshelf speakers for SGD 1500. The sound blew me away!

Lightning Bro,

Not sure about reviews though, but I think reviews are just the supportive reference when you're unsure and have shortlisted your initial list and budget.

If what the reviewer claims and it goes the same with what you hear and feel then that's a keeper. But again that's when you've already auditioned them, and just unsure which you like best.

Anyway, buying blindly would just be based on reviews and just "blindly", are you the type?

All those are not available here i think, except the Dali which has recently been taken over by A&L, previously i think the other one was in City Square.

Can't just judge which is better based on reviews, at most times.

bro unless u wanna listen to music in full range using only your speakers,without your sub,  u should be looking at ascend 340se.  They are supposed to be more neutral, easier to drive and take more punishment than sierra1,  just cant go as low as sierra1.  They r on sale now too but still u have to be sure neutral speakers r what u r looking for.  Buying speakers based on reviews is never advisable.   I did it but bcoz i was fed up with the few stores that i visited locally.  Either no ready stock to audition, bad service or more bad service with ridiculous price. 

Pls take note dat there r too many fanboys around including ascend and svs  fanboys so take everything  with few pinches of salt.  Just use the reviews as a rough guide to know the characteristic of the speakers.  If u have a frenly local hifi store to go to then it is always a better choice, if u happen to stay in a kampung like me without a frenly local hifi store then maybe Internet Direct maybe your last option.   Sorry talk until off topic liao

Let me share another speaker suggestion - Revel.

You might say "What?!? Revel stuff is super expensive and out of consideration". Actually since we're talking about speakers in the 5k range here, I just found out the 'entry level' Revel Concerta F12 is priced at 5.4k (that is not a typo) and this is a true 3 way speaker.

The reviews are quite positive and demo can be done at Perfect Hi-Fi in Jalan Raja Chulan. I might go there to listen one day.

Another one I might audition later is the Focus Audio FC 8 at 5.8k.

excite is not tat hard to drive actually.... go n listen n compare ..

dun just like keep on copy n paste info and blow blow water

better still let dynaudio blow u away

dun belip? ask the others like MPYW? he was bz looking for the sub....but there aint any...but the sound from small bookshelf is amazing

can buy audisi ...tis one kacang puteh for u

There is thread on this SVS loudspeakers in avsforum. A forummer did post that MTS-01 is good and that it matches the Dynaudio but at much lower price. Post #437

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread....=865504&page=15

So good? I will find out soon

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I have personally auditioned the MTS-01 in S'pore but the venue didn't allow it to perform excellently. It sounds bright too. So, about the one person's view, yes it may be biased.

However, the MTS-01 systems garnered quite good review from Sound and Vision and being awarded 'Certified & Recommended'. I have the mag too. So, kind of itching to listen to its audio quality in a room. 

http://www.svsound.com/reviews/2008-10_Sound_and_Vision.pdf

Having said that, the system needs a beefy power amp to really get it working handsomely just like mpyw's Axiom. On that note, I am tempted to get the Emotiva XPA-5 to do the job as my new 4310 is just puny