Monsoon Planar Media 14 impressions

Initial impressions are, very nice satellites, crisp clear and hold there clarity at high volumes. I must say the overall clarity of the satellites is better than the PM 5.1's. The build quality is also very impressive. However, the sub is somewhat lacking. It seams to cut off its depth at a fairly high frequency possible in the high 40's lower 50's. I expected a little more from an 8 inch sub. The crossover point isn't as good as the Promedias either, the satellites don't seam to blend quite as well with the sub as the promedia's do. I must say though that someone that hasn't owned a high performance system would be pretty impressed with these. They are built good, very clear and go plenty loud. I'll try more varieties with placement eventually and also let you know how they sound with games.

I should also add that I don't believe there is any 2.1 system in its price range that would outperform it. I think comparing it to the promedia 5.1's is kind of unfair but I will say i'm really liking these satellites. The sub is also growing on me the more I listen to it but still a distinction from the satellites to the sub.

Sweet. Thanks for sharing your impressions! Hopefully with a little break in, the lows will fill out a little bit.

Definitely do give it some time to break-in and be expected to have a surprise. :)

yeah not that I am trying to tell you how you hear and **** 1ct.

But I think the reason why the crossover might sound off, has more to do with the tone difference between the satelites and sub, then the actualy crossover. In the PM9's, I remember that the sub had to do some of the lower end mid bass work and it just kinda doesnt gel well because of the difference in tone between the Ribbon Transducer and the cone driver.

just a thought.

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Originally posted by Isezumi
yeah not that I am trying to tell you how you hear and **** 1ct.

But I think the reason why the crossover might sound off, has more to do with the tone difference between the satelites and sub, then the actualy crossover. In the PM9's, I remember that the sub had to do some of the lower end mid bass work and it just kinda doesnt gel well because of the difference in tone between the Ribbon Transducer and the cone driver.

just a thought.

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Yeah you are probably right, the highs and clarity of the satellites just don't seem to blen all that well with the sub. But I think i'm getting a definate sweet spot in the room for all around sound. I must say, these are great for my second system although right now I have them hooked up on my main system for testing. All in all I am quite pleased though.

Interesting...
A little OT, but did you ever get a chance to try out the THX 550's?
(I remember you wanted to)

I like Monsoon's speakers, as they offer insane detail and clairty, however I don't buy them because I don't like the restrictive "Sweet spot" soundstage, and the subwoofer's still need a little work. As added I'm used to how well the Promedia's blend, I also found that monsoon's don't blend as well, although could be for the reason as stated above...who knows.

thanks for the review 1ctabor. The Planar Media 14 are definitely on the top of my list if my current speakers bail out on me.

I wanted to ask whether the subwoofer on the PM 14 is magnetically shielded. Thanks.

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Originally posted by CrawlingEye
Interesting...
A little OT, but did you ever get a chance to try out the THX 550's?
(I remember you wanted to)

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Nope, still haven't had the chance, I just bought these to go with a second system but yeah I would like to hear them to see how they compare with the pm5.1's.

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Originally posted by InnovaZer0
I like Monsoon's speakers, as they offer insane detail and clairty, however I don't buy them because I don't like the restrictive "Sweet spot" soundstage, and the subwoofer's still need a little work. As added I'm used to how well the Promedia's blend, I also found that monsoon's don't blend as well, although could be for the reason as stated above...who knows.

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Kind of the same impressions I have. Excellent clarity but sub could use some work on blending with the satellites. Either that or i'm just spoiled with the promedia 5.1's. I do however like these better than the promedia 2.1's.

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Originally posted by wizfury
thanks for the review 1ctabor. The Planar Media 14 are definitely on the top of my list if my current speakers bail out on me.

I wanted to ask whether the subwoofer on the PM 14 is magnetically shielded. Thanks.

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That I don't know but i'm doubting it, I don't know if any of the multimedia subwoofers are shielded. Really doesn't matter beings the sub is normally on the floor.

the sub on the PM9s wasnt, so there is no real reason for them to have done it here.

I am asking because my cousin just got a set of the PM14s and he has the subwoofer placed fairly close to the computer (both on the floor), it's about a foot away from the computer. Just wanted to know if it would have any ill effects on the hard drive and other magnetically sensitive components in the computer when it is so close to a subwoofer that is not shielded.

Probably e-mail Monsoon tech support to double check. Thanks for the replies.

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Originally posted by wizfury
I am asking because my cousin just got a set of the PM14s and he has the subwoofer placed fairly close to the computer (both on the floor), it's about a foot away from the computer. Just wanted to know if it would have any ill effects on the hard drive and other magnetically sensitive components in the computer when it is so close to a subwoofer that is not shielded.

Probably e-mail Monsoon tech support to double check. Thanks for the replies.

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Probably not a good idea to have it close to the sub.

I see, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'm quite pleased with my set. They just get smoother and smoother as I've had them. I will confess, they don't get the highest of highs but it's very flat with what it does reproduce and it's not neccessarily limited.

That being the only vice, the bass is very punchy with incredibly clarity.

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Originally posted by CrawlingEye
I see, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I'm quite pleased with my set. They just get smoother and smoother as I've had them. I will confess, they don't get the highest of highs but it's very flat with what it does reproduce and it's not neccessarily limited.

That being the only vice, the bass is very punchy with incredibly clarity.

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I was impressed with the 510d's satellites, just not the sub. So if they are anything like the 510's then i'd probably like them.

I'm not sure how to compare them to the 510D's, I'll say one thing though, the sub's very solid and refuses to distort, even with the bass control turned all the way up and the master volume at 4.

You guys are right. Monsoon tech support confirmed that the subwoofer is not magnetically shielded on the PM-14s.

I just ordered mine. Should be here by Monday. Got it for $116. Is this a good deal? Thanks again.

depends...is the 116 with tax and shipping and all that fun stuff?

Got it at Dell with 10% off for a total of $116 with free shipping. Considering it's $126 plus $8 shipping from Newegg.

sounds like a good deal to me then.

Buying speakers, monitor and cases online, tends to cost you an arm and a leg when it comes to shipping/handling.

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Originally posted by Isezumi
sounds like a good deal to me then.

Buying speakers, monitor and cases online, tends to cost you an arm and a leg when it comes to shipping/handling.

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You said it. I paid well over $150 in shipping for my THX 550's. I overnighted them though.