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.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jun 29 2009, 05:00 PM

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.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jun 30 2009, 12:44 PM

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.

This post has been edited by pierreye: Jun 30 2009, 03:05 PM

Just received an email from AV123 that they don't ship to Malaysia anymore as currently they are in talk with some local distributor. Didn't ask any further question as I had my eyes set on different type of speaker solution. Will post further after I confirm my purchase.