The On-Wall Speaker to Beat - Monolith M-OW1 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
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*UPDATES & CORRECTIONS: There is such thing as what I was mentioning with just the 4.5" concentric with no passive radiators. It's this Monolith THX Satellite! The only thing is it is 5.9" deep instead of the 3.5" depth on the M-OW series and no cutout for the wire. So, not quite what I mentioned, but close. bit.ly/MonolithTHXSatellite Shout out to my viewer Jord for letting me know.
Also, I mentioned how the M-OW1 can be used for a center channel, but I just noticed that there's a single eyelet on the back. I'm sure there's a way, but not out of the box. My mistake.
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Monolith is one of those brands that I can always recommend to my non-audiophile buddies as an amazing value. They clearly put a lot of thought and engineering into every product, and price them extremely competitively. Thanks for the great review!
Comprehensive review! What a smart design. Perfect for a smaller setup and seems like they’d integrate super well with a sub. Now I need to convince the wife. Love your approach, and I need a pair of those hip glasses 🤓
Joe thanks for all the hard work and dedication you put into this craft. I’ve been following you on Reddit for a number of years.
I just want to say thank you for being upfront about Monoprice’s sponsorship of this review. Unfortunately one well known TH-camr/ online audio magazine doesn’t and it makes me question the integrity of their work.
Since Danny’s call out video I’ve been much more aware of the economics of the audio review process. I definitely think there is a fine line to balance when a reviewer does sponsored reviews, but ultimately I’m okay with it because y’all need to get paid for all the time and effort you spend helping us find audio nirvana.
Thank you for your support. I think it's important to disclose biases or what some people might think can lead to bias. I even disclose when I like a company or someone at a company because that can sway my opinion. I'm human. The key is to be honest with oneself and the audience. For me personally, integrity is of utmost importance. I think one should not compromise their integrity for money. There's no need. You can have integrity and money will still come your way. I might argue that it will likely find it's way to a person with integrity. Someone who can't understand that concept probably doesn't hold that virtue in high regard. I find it odd when people think it's impossible to get paid while keeping one's integrity. Do all people who have jobs suddenly become dishonest people? I would rather quit or fire a client, rather to compromise on something important to me, and I have done so numerous times in the past.
Nice to see such a good off axis response when oriented either horizontally or vertically
Hi Joe. Great subject. As an audiophile for many years I have come to the point where not seeing the entire system, speakers and amps, are starting to make more sense to me. Consider these arguments:
1. We only need our ears to listen to music, we can watch the video on a big screen sure but why do we need to see the rest?
2. On wall speakers are the best way to make them "least visible", and they free up a lot of floor space too.
3. Doing away with visibility means tremendous savings on fancy cosmetics splurged by manufacturers to attract customers.
4. This means manufacturing costs can be concentrated on essentials of performance and sound quality causing significant price reduction.
5. This also does away with the constant heavy lifting speaker placement trial and error routines we do.
Obviously, the one component that will bear the most performance burden will be the speakers. But there are speaker makers known for not compromising on sonic performance wherever they are placed and here are a few that I hope you will get the chance to review and compare.
1, Totem Tribe 3 or 5
2, Dali Oberon on wall
3. Heco Ambient 44F
4. Sonus Faber Sonetto
More power to your channel Joe!
Nice to see measurements. Thanks!
Inverted surrounds used to be standard stuff in the distant past. They typically give a cleaner sound in the mids and highs because those frequencies arent bouncing off a fat surround and scattering around the room. KEF has used this small trick for years
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Perhaps it helps with the diffraction off of that surround.
You are so right on the colour options being key here.
Not too long ago I setup my living room with 3 of these and 2 of the satellites. Paired with an Outlaw 5000 and an Anthem MRX 520. Super happy with the results. Sounds really good and they look pretty sleek, but there are issues. 1. Monoprice doesn’t have a way for you to buy 3 of these. I argued on the phone until the guy would admit this makes no sense, but doesn’t solve the issue. So, I’ve got a spare I guess, but its quite ridiculous. 2. The satellites aren’t a perfect a match look wise. Different finish and non-magnetic grills. So I have grills on the the satellites while the grills are off on these LCR models. Other than that, I’m quite happy with these new Monolith on-wall models. My room is kinda big as it opens up to the kitchen and has a full 2-story ceiling height, but it’s not meant to be a dedicated home theater. Works great as a secondary setup that doesn’t stand out and take up a lot of space.
Can you play them loud enough for movies?
Hard to answer that. For my use case I find them to be plenty loud, but it's not a room where I really push the system and do any real critical listening. But I have not run into any limitations. @@davidsal28
Monolith has been killing from the jump. Amazing products.
I agree that a white version would be awesome. I got the Heco ones for that reason. Another cool thing about the heco is that it can become an in-wall speaker if you cut a hole and that from baffle overlaps the hole which is cool
Nice and tight build on that speaker and driver. Great review as always Joe!
Man I feel like monolith is missing a huge opportunity by not making a center channel version of this. Preferably one with dual woofers rather than radiators, but even if they just repackaged this with proper mounting points and and sold it individually (you can only buy it in pairs). It's so hard to find low profile centers with decent directivity.
I never thought about until this review but you are like a gold pioneer. There were rumors that gold could be found in the Western part of the US and many people traveled west to seek their fortune and many didn't strike it rich because they lacked the skills , work ethic, fortitude, courage and resources to extract the gold. TH-cam is a lot like that. You are extracting that gold because you have all of the above. So much love for you.
🙏 thanks for the love and support!
Another awesome video! I was waiting for someone to review these, and I am very happy it was you! I'd love to hear your more subjective thoughts on the sound quality, imaging, and soundstage. Plus it would be cool to see how they might fit into your current theater.
***FYI*** they already make a smaller version without the passive radiators. They are called "THX Satellite Speakers" and are more cube shaped with the same reported 80hz-20khz frequency response. Plus, they sell for half the price. After this favorable review with measurements I am planning to get 4 of the small satellite speakers to hang from my ceiling and rear wall as the height channels. Then buy 4 on-walls for side and rear surround duties, mainly for aesthetics since they are slimmer and cooler looking LOL.
Oh I didn't know about the satellites! Thanks. I'll check them out now. 🙏
@@joentell No problem! If you're interested in any comparable on-wall speakers for your list here's a few from brands that have a similar direct to consumer model to Monoprice; Starke Sound VS41 (USA), Axiom M2 (Canada), and Home Theater Direct SB1 (USA)
Cheers!
@@Goose_Lord I'm thinking about the HTD HTS1's but there is hardly any reviews, do you know how they compare?
@@trauma50disaster1 I have not heard them but the main tradeoff based on specs alone is the HTD have higher sensitivity (so you can go louder with less power) at the cost of some bass extension. Personally I like the concentric design of the monolith speakers and the fact they have been well reviewed. The build quality and aesthetics I'd also give a slight edge to the monolith.
There is another TH-camr who used a larger version of the HTD speakers in his home theater and seems to really enjoy them.
Hi. Joe and Tell. Thanks for wonderful review. I am little bit confused in creation of new home theatre in living room 14*14*9.
I cannot go for in wall, floor speakers and book shelf. I want to go for on wall speaker which looks nice in living room. However, I don't want to compromise the sound of music especially compared to floor speakers. Can you suggest should I go for heco ambient, monolith or B&w M1 or focal dome flax or focal 301. Budget may be considered secondary. 500-1000$ per speaker can be done. You can also advice other better brand/speakers. Thank you.
I've tried the Heco and Monolith. I prefer the sound of the Monolith but the look of Heco.
@@joentell Please let me comparison of heco with focal 301
I think the inverted surround is to improve the waveguide function.
I have solid walls and need the shallowest speakers i can use for all ear level speakers for a future audio upgrade, would you recommend these or do you have any other recommendations I could actually get hold off in the UK?
Looks good. Will they release an on-wall for medium rooms? My theater is about 11x22x7 (about 1700 cubic feet). These are slim enough that I could put them behind an acoustically transparent screen.
Not sure if they have plans
Got the same problem! I’m not sure I would listen at those crazy high levels though…
Hi Joe ! Sorry to be off topic but could you let us know your opinion on the new Q Acoustics M20 . . .
Thx Joe.
With on-wall / in-walls, is there a generalization to be made like "the soundstage side to side, OR the soundstage behind speakers is non existent or very weak" ? Is that a thing, over cabinet enclosed units?
Is there still depth behind?
I think the depth from behind has more to do with how it's recorded. I haven't done enough specific testing to say for sure, but I think the most important aspect is a good sound stage and center image. Everything else comes from that. If an image can appear to come 6ft from behind speakers placed 3ft from a wall, I might assume you could hear sounds that appear to come from behind on-wall/in-wall speakers. In car audio, I've hear people refer to depth to sound stage. I don't know the answer. What have been your experiences?
That speaker looks so clean
Update on the dodge van sounds system please!!! I'm wanting to do the same for my van(
Mr. Tell. I have a UST projector. would this work as my center if I’m using Klipsch R280F’s as my LR, ? Small room 13x18 currently have my 450C 6 inches off the floor angled up. Would like the sound to flow better than coming up from the floor. Thanks
120hz crossed to the subs on a 10db Harmon curve might be a better crossing point. That should allow the driver to shine without overworking it.
That could work too. It depends on your intended listening SPL at your MLP also.
Hey Joe, can you compare these to the Arendal 1961 Monitors? These come in at half the price and half the depth, but have the same impedance, similar height and width, 2.6dB lower sensitivity, and claim to dig 3Hz deeper, despite using 4.5" passive radiators instead of 5.5" woofers. I was dead set on the Arendal Monitors for my desk setup before seeing this, but now I'm conflicted.
Thanks!
I've heard good things about the Arendals, but I've never tried them myself. My gut tells me it's the same designer for both speakers...Dan Roemer now of Perlisten.
Hi Joe! can you comment subjectivly how these sound and in what size room you tested in? thanks!
I use them as heights in a 20x20x9ft room with no issues
@@joentell thank you!!
I have a room where I’ll be sitting about 10ft away and using these as lrc, I know this is slightly above thx spec recommendation but if I’m not listening at ear bleed levels you think I’ll be ok? Primarily will be used for movies. I’m going to be using these as lrc and two additional in the back, with two monolith 10 subs…
These seem like a great choice for building a small home theater from scratch if people understand that their current speakers were probably built for 2 channel listening.
Thanks for the review, can these be placed on the wall horizontally? Reason i ask is going by the back of the speaker it looks like there is only one keyhole fitting for hanging vertically?
Not without some modifications or different mounts. I haven't figured it out myself yet.
@@joentell You would have thought they would have just added more Keyhole fittings for horizontal attachment to a wall?
@@hobbyav7922 I'm with you. I wish they would have.
I’m trying to decide between these and the ELAC Muro OW41 (S or L) for my surrounds. There are so few reviews of either one of these. Can anybody help me decide?
Any chance you will review the monolith dual subs?
It's possible.
They should send you the big daddy of their new 16" sub. Especially considering no one reviewed it on youtube & they are your sponsor as well.
Please no. Those are huge! 🤣
@joe N Tell do you have list of top on ceiling speakers. I have SVS elevations at the moment and have been thinking about the JBL SCS8s but now I am also dipping into Auro 3D....confused
I don't yet. I'm not sure that I plan on doing a bunch of in-wall reviews because it requires cutting holes in my wall.
@@joentell I was asking about on ceiling. I don’t like cutting holes in my walls either
@@Rayman-expertsoundpro oh my bad. I hope to do more on-wall stuff
@@joentell by the way thanks to you and Channa for introducing me to Auro 3D. It’s awesome for a lot of the content. The way I have my speakers on ceiling at the moment they are between Auro and Atmos so seem to work quite good for all formats. 😊
Why is it so hard to find on wall sub woofers?
I bet those passive radiators are just there for appearances. Might fool some people into thinking it's more high-end than it really is.
I think it's for bass extension. Without it, the box may need to be larger to play as loud and deep.
I'd be ordering right now if they had WHITE version!!
Tbh, a single driver that’s smooth up to 3-4kHz would work fine for center dialog. No comb filtering, no crappy crossover.
The sensitivity issue could be addressed by making a self-powered version
I would still want frequencies above 4khz.
How to these compare to the Monolith TXH Satellite speakers??
Similar with higher sensitivity. These don't stick out as far.
Would you recommend these ones for surrounds?
I think they would work well for that
Hard to use an LCR when they old sell in pairs...
True. That's an error on their part IMO.
Let's go🔥❤🔥❤
Is this good for karaoke?
Sure? They aren't powered.
Thats a monster.
White and grill indeed, spot on.
Want some good in-walls
A pair of 4.5 inch speakers for 500.00 dollars ? You can do much better for less money ! Come on Joe !
Show me a better on-wall for less, Wayne. I can easily show you a better bookshelf. Just look at my Speaker Leaderboard. bit.ly/SpeakerLeaderboard
We are talking about on-wall speakers though. I'll wait.
its a coaxial driver
It's just terminology, but since you're calling me out: All concentric speakers are coaxial speakers, but not all coaxial speakers are concentric speakers. Kind of how squares are rectangles, but the inverse is not true. Those car speakers with a tweeter that sticks out and can be rotated around is considered coaxial. The woofer and tweeter share the same X and Y-axis when looking at it from the front, but it does not share the same Z-axis. When you look from the side, the tweeter is further forward than the woofer's voice coil. Example: www.mtx.com/c/thumbs/0004932_525-2-way-45-watt-rms-4-coaxial-speaker-pair.jpeg
A concentric driver, also considered a point source driver, share the same acoustical center point. This means the sound produced is phase and time-aligned. The tweeter is inside the voice coil of the midrange/woofer. media.sweetwater.com/api/i/q-82__ha-d2d6f20eff9f6bb8__hmac-94bc6c437eab61fb917cdb45c09acc48d8677a04/images/items/750/8331SAM-large.jpg (Sometimes companies using concentric designs use the term interchangeably.)
Here's a way to think about if from a 3-Dimensional perspective:
COAXIAL: If you had two different sized rings, and you placed them onto a cone shape, looking from above, using a 2D perspective, you would see two circles sharing the same center point. From the side using a 3D perspective, you would see they do not share the same center point since the smaller one sits higher on the cone than the larger ring.
CONCENTRIC: Take those same rings and place them on a flat table. From above, they would share the same center point, like the first example. From the side, you would see they also share the same plane as well.
A cone shape would be a better representation for speakers, but rings were easier.
Agree?
@@joentell I wasn't calling you out Joe - this reminds me of a time when me and a friend had a disagreement regarding whether or not a particular animal was a 'flying fox' or a 'fruit bat'.... thank for your response and educating us all further on speaker design. :)
@@JohnBog I took it as you were correcting me because I said concentric in the video. I didn't really take offense, but I saw it as an opportunity to see if I really understood the difference or not. I figured if I was wrong, you or someone would be so kind as to correct me.
@@joentell Yeah that's totally cool and I understand how passionate you must be about this subject. I just thought it was a coaxial speaker since the KEFS call it that as do the websites that sell drivers that look like that... and they sorta look like the 'coaxial cable'. Concentric for me means the concentric movement of a muscle, since i've studied anatomy more than speakrology. :)
never on wall for me lol
I get it. If you don't have to, go with in-wall or standalone speakers.
@@joentell lol