Monsoon speakers seem to be the best computer speakers out there so I've been looking into getting a pair of MH-500s used on ebay. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Because it's a cool name.

They're planar so instantly cool.

Well, reading from random reviews here I thought they were good

Um, so what else should I look at?

Under $100.

I have a lot of room, but I'll probably be lugging these around a lot, so something around the Audioengine 2 size would be good.

I have the original t-amp that I can use, but self powered is nice.

Thanks reks.

Are there any other options in the sub $100 price range>

I had the 2.1 MM-1000s and, for a time, the 4.1 MM-2000s. The MH-500's are the cheaper hybrid containing a small planar driver and a cone in each "satellite", while the higher models had satellites which were one large, planar driver. I really liked the sound of my MM-1000s... until they started to die - the amp (contained in the sub enclosure) started to go south, and things just stopped working.

The MM-2000s are more powerful but tended to have a hiss. Since the setup was in my bedroom and the hiss pissed me off at night, the 2000's went back.

I eventually bought Z5500s to replace my broken MM-1000s, but the sound just isn't as good - if I had found MM-1000s for sale at that time I'd've bought them in a heartbeat, even though Monsoon no longer supports/warranties anything I think.

My first computer speakers were the then top of the line Monsoons. Can't remember the model number ATM, but they were a really nice sounding pair of speakers.

Ah, it was the Monsoon iM-700

Edited January 20, 200917 yr by swt61

Reading from amazon reviews and such, it seems that the low end monsoons are not too great while the more expensive ones are great.

I guess I'll have to wait until a high end monsoon comes around

I guess I'll have to wait until a high end monsoon comes around

I'm pretty sure they've stopped making any systems but you might find some on the bay (although looks like that pair's seen better days). According to the almighty wikipedia all the spare parts are at some unnamed store in Vancouver.

The new magnepan speakers are desktops. I've not heard them, but I would be willing to wager that they give monsoon a run for its money. They're also current production, and likely pretty cheap. Maybe not sub-$100 cheap, but quite possibly sub-$250 cheap. Worth a thought, at least, if you're in the market for planar desktop speakers.

I'm pretty sure they've stopped making any systems but you might find some on the bay (although looks like that pair's seen better days). According to the almighty wikipedia all the spare parts are at some unnamed store in Vancouver.

well, I've been thinking of ebay or agon since theyre discontinued.

The new magnepan speakers are desktops. I've not heard them, but I would be willing to wager that they give monsoon a run for its money. They're also current production, and likely pretty cheap. Maybe not sub-$100 cheap, but quite possibly sub-$250 cheap. Worth a thought, at least, if you're in the market for planar desktop speakers.

Yea, I saw those. I'm going to wait on the pricing but it doesnt seem like its gonna be too cheap since it seems they need some kind of woofer to do anything under 300 hz.

I doubt that figure. I know the reports say that's where they're crossed over, but looking at the panel it seems like 100hz would be more accurate. Worth waiting for pricing info, at the very least. Those things will sing.

Yea, I'll have to see at what price point they end up. I'm thinking more like $300 seeing what people say about their performance

I don't know what scary prices you'll find in online auctions, since Monsoons have become thin on the ground, but try to find the successor to swt61's iM-700, the MM-702 (or the iM-702 if you can find it). The woofer design was better and the amp had more power. I had the 700 myself and the difference in woofboxes is day and night, plus the 702 has upgraded planars.

The 702 sounds great but in my opinion it needs EQ to sound its best. With a good sound card, it's amazing. The trick, as always, is not to pay too much for the damn things.

The 500 and 502 use smaller planars and fill in the spectrum with cone midranges, whereas the bigger panels in the 700 and 702 go all the way down to 200 Hz. The magnetic structure of the 500 series is less astute as well. I also have an MM-1000 and the 702's woofbox beats the 1000's. The satellites are about the same, but the 702's have adjustable tilt.

Actually Wualta that is the set I had. The Black plastic and the screens are exactly the same. I wasn't aware they made so many models.

I don't know what scary prices you'll find in online auctions, since Monsoons have become thin on the ground, but try to find the successor to swt61's iM-700, the MM-702 (or the iM-702 if you can find it). The woofer design was better and the amp had more power. I had the 700 myself and the difference in woofboxes is day and night, plus the 702 has upgraded planars.

The 702 sounds great but in my opinion it needs EQ to sound its best. With a good sound card, it's amazing. The trick, as always, is not to pay too much for the damn things.

The 500 and 502 use smaller planars and fill in the spectrum with cone midranges, whereas the bigger panels in the 700 and 702 go all the way down to 200 Hz. The magnetic structure of the 500 series is less astute as well. I also have an MM-1000 and the 702's woofbox beats the 1000's. The satellites are about the same, but the 702's have adjustable tilt.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/heildriver/MonsoonMM-702bySonigistix.jpg

What do you think is a fair price for the 702s? Theres 2 pairs of 500s on ebay right now. One for $75 with an hour left and one for like $20 with 6 days left.

What do you think is a fair price for the 702s? Theres 2 pairs of 500s on ebay right now. One for $75 with an hour left and one for like $20 with 6 days left.

If memory serves I paid $200.00 new. It could have been $150.00 though. I would think half of that would be a pretty good deal.

I remember hearing the 500s at CompUSA somewhere around 2000-2001, and they weren't anywhere near as nice. I'd hold out for the 702.

These look quite interesting! I had never heard of them. Does anyone know if these were ever sold in Europe?

About those Mini magnepans, here's a picture: http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2009/fooled_ya/

THey were being powered by 700W monoblocks?? Do planar speakers need that much power?

I could imagine a balanced B22 driving those in a desktop setup...

Moar power is better, ofc. I put 300 watts into mine, and they would have loved more.

Thanks for the info on the mini-Maggies. I assume they're push-pull, as are the Monsoons, unlike some (all?) of the big Magneplanars.

I wouldn't pay more than $100 for the MM-702. The question now is whether you'll find one at auction for that price anytime soon.

Anyone heard any of the NXT-based planar speakers? How do they compare?

Hey real Dusty

I cant seem to find examples of the NXT planar drivers in a commercial product. Can you link to one? (or more)

The NXT panels were produced by either Cyrus or Mission (same company at the time) and they even made a statement speaker with a Cyrus logo. See here and here. They also made some speakers which were like picture frames and had a sub woofer but I can't remember what they were called.

Thanks spritzer.

There are some 500s and one pair of 700s on ebay right now. I'll probably check out the 700s if the price is right