Monoprice Monolith THX-365T Mini Tower Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
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I have these as my sides and the towers as my fronts. I think they're great for movies and shows, but not so much for music (not horrible, but I have better speakers for music). The Monoliths seem very dynamic to me...paired with Monolith 7x amp and 4 subs...no one falls asleep watching a movie at my house :)
I EQ with the Audyssey app and leave on the midrange compensation setting. I always thought this helped alot.
Thanks Erin for all the help and your hard work!
Sounds like a great setup!
Did you set the crossover setting at 80Hz for those 365T's or higher?
Yes, crossover at 80 per THX recommendation
What speakers do you have for music?
@Soltballs7608 Right now I'm sporting a pair of Omega Super Alnico High Output monitors driven by a Monoprice Pure Tube Amplifier. I'm using my 4 subs with them as well via input 2 on my MiniDSP...pretty good setup for me. I also had a pair of Monitor Audio 200s prior to this (same setup) and that sounded really good as well.
I like to listen to Chris LeDoux's "Seventeen" track...acoustic guitar...(yes, I am asain).
This is the first time I've seen your channel. I want to see more of this. You described the sound of the speaker like a professional and you had great measurements to back that up. I'm a professional audio engineer and I don't have a lot of experience with newer home audio/theater speakers even though I've heard well over 100 different speakers and have tuned countless sound systems. So, I really appreciate reviews like this. I will admit I skipped around in the video because it was long winded, but it was good information. I'll check out your other videos hopefully there's more like this. Thanks for the great work!
So close to 20K subscribers. I really enjoy your straight forward way of telling us the pros and cons of a speaker.
Honestly, most other kinds of reviews have been relegated to inconsequential or at least trivial. Older audiophile terms are a lot less useful hese days now that data exists to describe sound quantitatively. Less guess work.
Thanks, Tristan! 20k, here I come!!!! :)
Great review! I'm confused James Larson from audioholics reviewed these and gave them a 5 out of 5. He didn't seem to have the same listening issues either. Some of the measurements showed the same issue around the 10khz range but he said it wasn't audible to him. Guess I'll just have to demo them and find out if I like them!
Did you try them?
I wonder if that is why I coudnt pick these over my JBL 590s. I wanted to like them as they have a much better center than the JBL 520c but no matter what, the 590s just have a soundstage, imaging and overall sound that just couldnt be match (with or without a sub).
I have the in wall version haven't installed them yet I will be using them as side surrounds will be using arendal 1723 towers and surrounds for the rest of my system I picked these because they are thx certified and I heard Dan Romer helped engineer these and the arendals do you think they will blend well with each other
No
Clearly designed for HT and cost effective for HT. Under a 1k for a pair seems good deal for HT. Music? Not so much...
Awesome to see a loudspeaker review that is backed up by elaborate measurement data.
I recall THX was known for setting really strict requirements for distortion, and it seems to show.
Glad it was helpful!
I'm no expert but I'm with you on that tipe of speakers,if you want sound coming from the sealing you need to put speakers up there just my opinion
What a terrible speaker basically, especially for all that money.
I would be very curious how the Monoprice THX-465IW does with your testing. Seems like a great band for the buck if it EQs well. Also wonder how that compares to the jbl scl6 synthesis. Enjoy the content!
ASR's data for the THX-365IW looked a lot more impressive than this.
Oddly, the THX-365C also gave a much better showing in Erin's testing; there seemed to be stronger overlap with ASR's review of the THX-365IW, once you account for the latter's +/-90° polar response.
Gary said a little different story for the better
Very interesting that the measurements from Monoprice on the product site don't match up. Usually they are very forthcoming and honest with their information. Also, I wonder how this speaker passed the THX certification tests with these deviations in linearity?
I've seen THX called out by Audioholics due to their inconsistent certification with some products. Maybe it's nothing new. Look at the M&K S150 and how that speaker faired once spinorama data was released by Erin. I got these speakers based on the now known BS marketing. They touted being linear off axis which they're not. I'm glad these companies are being exposed. Let the age of "Hifi" and unaccountable remarks end.
Naming schemes HAVE to be partially because of Inventory system management .. These Alpha-digit names are terrible..
.. Nice to get a deep dive on these. I was looking at this style ..but I don't like the atmos driver up top.
I am REALLY enjoying the Encore series tho ... Bookshelf, center and towers here now .. SO impressive for the money. It's wild. A bit of mild EQ ..and blindfolded .. I swear I'd think these cost $10k
How did these get thx certification? Looks like either bad selection of drivers or a revamp of the crossover network is needed. Unusual driver configuration for a 3-way speaker; the D'Apploito effect is for 2-way speakers.
can you review CMT-340SE2 MINI-TOWER from ascend acoustics?
I was a little interested in this speaker due to another measurement review, but your more extensive testing showed up some things that are a bit off-putting. So close, but just a couple of areas of concern. Thanks for your thoroughness.
Thanks for this review. I've had these speakers for about 2 years now, and I still don't like them. There seemed to he a bit of hype when I bought them and everyone like them. To me, they just sound harsh and don't have any punch. They sound like small speakers that are working too hard, even though they are quite big. In my case, Audyssey didn't fix them.
I'm about to move to a new house and might take that as an opportunity to get better LCR speakers. Is there anything around $1000 each that are flat and sound like studio monitors and can fill a 20'x20' space?
Quite dissapointed to see stamped baskets for the bass drivers when they use such epic (cast) bass drivers in their subs...Can't help thinking about cheap super market speakers when I see these stamped designs...
Not that I want to buy these but its always fun to check out budget style speakers in hopes you get a gem. How would these compare to say the time tested JBL LSr305/8? Looking at your very cool measurements I would say of axis is better on the lsr but just curious if you had any thing to note about comparing the two?
These are probably designed to be used with the Monoprice HTP-1 surround processor which uses Dirac Live.
Its funny really. You dont need a "theater certified" speaker. Any high performance speaker will do. THX is genius marketing to the less informed. Make cheap, impressive looking speakers with zero bass that absolutely require a subwoofer to be purchased, its a guaranteed sale, a neutered speaker that can therefore play really loudly; the badge implies a quality sound "lookie here! These ones is T H X bonafied!", but no audiophile would take these seriously.
The day THX allowed their badge to be slapped on crappy computer speakers (Logitech z623 here is looking at you!) I never took the badge seriously again.
Can you Review Magnat lcr 100-thx pls
Is that notch & 5 k oil canning of the driver? Was wondering the same thing about the 8k issue.
3:17 ask Monoprice if you can hack the bottom plinth off to make the 1"? Lol
to be honest, better to have speaker hanging from ceiling rather than have a top speaker on the main speaker
I liked your review on these and their center channel speaker. 👍
Would the review on this be the same for the in wall version of this?
So not a audiophile speaker👎
What would be the ideal power to run these? 150-200w? They are 4 ohm....and crossed over @ 80hz
The difference between 150w/200w is trivial... about 1dB in output level. Generally I say get the most you can afford but if there's a big enough savings then 150w is adequate for most home theater/stereo applications, assuming you're sitting within 3-4 meters.
Aw you dinn' do a good enough job!!
stamped basket...meh..
Damn, I was heating up a bit for those but after this info I don't know if I can warrant the 500. Too bad, I thought I finally found a good 3 way for home theater that is affordable. Its the combination of problems that cost additional $ to solve (separate amp due to impedance) and unsolvable problems (dispersion and linearity) that is a bit too much to swallow
diy, just get good cross over parts make a solid box. be better than you can buy
@@jsloan5216 Not necessarily true, unless you get really lucky or use a proven design it takes a lot of testing and tweaking to get a loudspeaker to be good. That's why there's so many duds on the low end, the reason they're so much cheaper is partly because they aren't spending all that time and money to refine their design.
Only 5X...impressive!
Made in China…
Thanks!
Thank you!
Vince Gill is a virtuoso guitar player and makes great sounding records!
Indeed. The coolest story I've heard about him is that Mark Knopfler asked him to join Dire Straits before Vince's solo career took off.
no written data link
Great job! Thanks for doing the work! You’re helping a lot of people out.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I don't understand why simple observational notes can't be relayed regarding the towers. You heard them, right?
... and I did give you a couple simple observational notes.
@@ErinsAudioCorner I love it when you describe what you hear. It doesn't always need to be joined at the hip to data. With apparent differences in tweeter height, depending on stands, I was just hoping for a little more than "same but with more bass".
@@DBravo29er I understand.
CONFUSED 😵💫 - Audioholics shows both this Center and Bookshelf never quite reaching let alone dipping below 4 ohms. Also both the On-axis and In-room frequency graphs are quite different. So what gives? Are each of you measuring differently -OR- are we in for a potluck from Monoprice and have no idea what version we will be receiving 😕. Did you by chance test the pair of 365Ts? ...which would maybe show manufacturer variances if any existed.
Without looking at their results I can say that Audioholics uses a different measurement method that is limited in response accuracy and resolution. It's good but it's not up to par with the accuracy of my system (and they would acknowledge this as well).
@@ErinsAudioCorner Hmmm, I compared the THX365C back to Audioholics as well as this THX365T (which were reviewed and different times and therefore very likely different 'batches' of speakers) and the 'differences' was consistent between your (more accurate) measurements and that of Audioholics (and across ALL graphs / measurements). I have to say I am a little bit disappointed that Audioholics measurements (something that I've been relying on for years and years) aren't quite as accurate as I would have liked. The good news is that Erin's Audio Corner is now here with seriously ACCURATE measurements! Thank you !!!
@@johndaddabbo9383 I like the guys at Audioholics and I think James is one of the best reviewers around. Their speaker measurements are quite good and I’d say good enough most of the time. The resolution isn’t as high but I typically get what I need to know from them.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Totally agree! ...and now that I have uncovered what appears to be a TREND in their slightly less accurate measurements I will still be able utilize their measurements. Plus Matthew and James are GREAT!!!
Good job bro keep it up, although im waiting for the Atlantic Technology center
I’m honestly not sure I’ll do a video for it. I wrote a lot of details up in the written review. Normally I save that for the videos. So that combined with me wanting to get other stuff done, I’m just not sure I’ll create a video for the AT.
Sorry to hear that, where can I find the written review at?
@@audiotechguy it’s on the AVSforum. I linked it a couple weeks ago.
www.avsforum.com/threads/atlantic-technology-8600elr-and-8600ec-tower-and-center-channel-objective-based-review.3240929/unread
The narrow portions of the front baffle between the mid-woofers to the mid/tweeter face plate - look to be very problematic. A lot of chance for resonance there ...
Large unsupported panels are typically the more problematic parts of enclosures. The "bridge" between driver mounts are less likely to be a large 'resonator', I *would think*.
@@ErinsAudioCorner Well, the drivers are forming a large surface, in this sense - so the holes are weakening that large panel, right? Well designed cabinets have a rib or a full brace right at this point - it is the weakest part of the structure.
@@NeilBlanchard I don’t believe the drivers will resonate in sync with the panel as you seem to imply.
@@ErinsAudioCorner I am pretty sure that they do - the mid/tweeter plate in particular is a solid item and it is acted on by the air pressure in the cabinet every bit as much as a regular panel - but it is not nearly as strong as the panel; because it is joined by only the mouting screws. If the driver plate was glued in place, it would be a lot stronger, and vibrate less.
And the woofers are vibrating their cones, and for every force, there is an equal and opposite force - so the weakened panel is going to vibrate more than a solid one.
Look at well designed cabinets - they reinforce this exact area.
Great review
Can you do this with JBL pro cinema speakers?
Which specific model(s)?
@@ErinsAudioCorner yours one please. I'd like to see it with that mic testing. The one that reads the frequency response and translate it into charts. Please 🙏🏼
@@bobidderis3880 I meant which JBL speaker model were you looking for a review on. (If you're asking for the ones I use in my HT, they are DIY designs and integrated into a wall... I don't have any real desire to gut the baffle wall to pull them to test)
Oohhh! Nice to see these reviewed and tested.
Does the top speaker share the same enclosure air space as the LF drivers?
It has its own enclosure within the overall enclosure. Looks rather small, though.
Ok. Got it.
You should send the towers over to Amir for testing.
They’re not mine to send.
who is amir
Great review as always. I’d love to see the in wall versions of these reviewed, then compared to these!
I think that will happen.
Did it happen?
I would like to see that still.
Seeing as this is an Atmos speakers it was made for Dirac or Ausessy EQ so it should be a recommendation.
Lets face it, its not the 90's anymore, THX has lost much of its authority for many reasons. Audiophile people often complain that THX amps have too much gain for what thats worth.
Hey Erin, are you going to do more driver reviews? Specially drivers that are ideal for cars? I want to replace my car speakers with a good speaker like a purifi but do not want to spend quite that much. Maybe $100 to $150 max.
Not any in that price range anytime soon.
@@ErinsAudioCorner have any recommendations?
@@yayhoo8848 In that price range? Not that I can think of. I'd check out the hifi compass site. They have some great driver tests from the typical DIY brands.
@@ErinsAudioCorner I might just go with the purifi drivers. I deserve it. Thanks for suggestion for hifi compass!