Monolith THX Compact Satellite Review

[@joentell]

Buy the Monolith THX Compact Satellite: bit.ly/MonolithTHXCompactSatellite Products mentioned: Monolith M-OW1 Speaker: bit.ly/M-OW1 Monolith 5.1 THX System: bit.ly/MonolithM518HT My Speaker Leaderboard: bit.ly/SpeakerLeaderboard My Subwoofer Leaderboard: bit.ly/subwooferleaderboard My Headphone Leaderboard: bit.ly/headphoneleaderboard Access My Exclusive Content: www.avmasterclass.com/joentell Disclosure: The Affiliate links above earn me a commission if you purchase using those links. This is at no additional cost to you.

[@TechnoDad]

Woot woot!! I made the video...WHAT?! Great video man. These things rock! I got the height channels all setup, so I've got all 11 of these running with the SVS PB1000 Pro. Stoked!

[@Goose_Lord]

New gaming setup video incoming? 🔥

[@alexortner2982]

you need to add a category for Atmos, Height speakers

[@1Aquadon]

thanks Joe.. Hey man whats the model of that 1/4' thread speaker bracket you showed in the video?

[@joseloya1274]

Thanks for the video. Appreciate the explanation of THX certification and what it means in simple terms. Since I have in-wall speakers at home and thinking of upgrading at some point in the near future, I would be interested in seeing a full review of Monolith's in-wall THX line and know your thoughts (I understand that sometimes it's not feasible to review in-wall speakers the proper set up - or wall/box needs to be in place).

[@joentell]

I think Erin's Audio Corner might have a review of some in-walls. I've heard good things from others who have installed them. If you can find a guy, Easy HT Tech, on YT, he has some and he says he's impressed even prior to any room calibration. Let him know I sent you.

[@TheReverendSlim]

At 4 ohms and at that sensitivity, it's a hard sell even for a small room. Especially when you can get a pair of Polk OWM3 for $179 that are 89dB sensitivity at 8 ohms with a similar frequency range (and arguably more versatile mounting options). That concentric design is interesting though, and does make sense for height channel use... but I'd worry about them breaking up with truly dynamic content in the heights at volume. Good to see that your Prime Elevations exhibit that same midrange dip that mine do when moderately off-axis. I still think SVS should have gone with a 30 degree baffle instead of 20. Are you running your Elevations with MRC on? I've toyed with it, but it doesn't quite line up with where SVS' crossover occurs (2.5kHz). I'm thinking about manually creating a dip centered there just so I'm not fighting that response.

[@joentell]

I don't use (MRC) Mid-Range Compensation on the SVS Prime Elevations. I've stress tested these with full range test signals, so I have an idea what their limits are. The way I have it set up, I am confident I won't get any distortion with normal content. I haven't tried the Polk OWM3's, but they're larger in comparison. Those can go down to 100hz -3dB according to Polk's website. That extra 20hz is a huge difference in what makes the Monolith Satellites so much lower in sensitivity. If you pushed the Polk's that low, I'm sure they would be much lower sensitivity too. Also, if they're anything like most Polk speakers, they'll have a significant treble rise that when flattened, reduces that sensitivity rating further. They have the same issue as the Prime Elevations of not being a point-source due to their non-concentric design which is less optimal as heights since we know we'll be off-axis vertically and/or horizontally and they will be placed near walls.

[@TheReverendSlim]

@@joentell Well, yours will be closer to walls than mine, I guess. 😉 But I get what you're saying. I agree that the concentric design definitely does lend itself to height use. Good review, man! I'm still trying to devise an angled block to make the Prime Elevations a little more suitable for on-ceiling use. Not that they don't work fine as-is, but... you know I gotta' tweak. I was glad to see that yours exhibit a similar response at what looks like a similar off-axis angle.

[@nainghtetsoeyi7440]

@@TheReverendSlim Bro I picked Polk OWM3 over mono price after I saw your comment. Wish me good luck :)

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Yup.. I hear / see you analysed them the same s Ive used mine for. 7.1.4 heights.. front wall / back wall. Crossed at 100hz. But.. +7db to match the Encore.. and some EQ (for my taste).. Also... Encore white?!.. Hell yes. Maybe a T8 also?.. 🙏🙏✨️✨️

[@Goose_Lord]

Can't wait to join Monolith gang! Except the on-walls for surrounds for aesthetics and to maximize my smaller (still under construction) basement home theater.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

6:41 JoeNTell: I should be using something from the THX Dominus Line. Perlisten if you're watching this Perlisten: Who da fook is dat guy?🤣😭

[@Goose_Lord]

Awesome review as always! Glad to see these still met most of the realistic expectations for such a small and versatile unit. Overall, which do you prefer to use for height channels between these and the SVS elevations?

[@joentell]

I prefer these for their tonal and off-axis characteristics. I like SVS for it's higher sensitivity, awesome mounting bracket method, and the white finishm

[@Goose_Lord]

@@joentell Awesome, that's great to know! A white option would definitely be a nice addition. Thanks for the info!

[@krislatty1136]

thanks for always being this detailed and thanks for the calculations lol

[@joentell]

👊😁

[@erecher005]

just bought 4 of these for atmos! I might hit you up on IG DM with some questions. Thanks for the video. I am somewhat concerned with the overall volume dropping that you mentioned...

[@pmusic6414]

What swivel mount is it at 4:24?

[@sachinb8199]

It's not a 1/4 inch thread at the bottom, it a M6

[@lawrence09151]

If I had 2 more channels in my 9.1 I’d grab them. They are eligible for the 15% off codes starts Friday!

[@jc4626]

Thank you Joe, excellent video. I have 4 Elac in-ceiling for my Atmos,the Elac's are ok but I think they are not working 100% in my really low ceiling height of just barely 7 feet. I just bought 4 Monolith sats to replace my Elacs, and hope to bring a more imersive soundstage than my elacs. Hope this doesn't kill my Pioneer receiver lol, with the sensitivity. Love the size! And the Concentric tweeter should match my Sonus Toy fronts. Awesome Video's Joe keep up the good work!

[@jc4626]

Just added the 4 Monolith Atmos height channels! Love it - thank you and Techno dad for your height recomendations as well. What a differece!!!

[@dansuess4859]

Do you think the Marantz Cinema 70 could drive 5 of these in a small room? It would be mostly for SACD multi channel music. Thanks.

[@joentell]

I would think so.

[@dansuess4859]

@@joentell Thanks!

[@aperez301]

Look like a solid option for height speakers. Still a little concerned about the low sensitivity.

[@joentell]

I was also concerned about the low sensitivity, so I tried it. That's why it took me so long to get this video out. I was waiting on the X6700H from Channa. The trade-off was -7dB of total output from my system as it lowers the overall sensitivity based on the least sensitive speakers. In my case, the choice of being able to go to only to -2dB vs + 5dB on the AVR prior, vs having a better off-axis response from my height speakers, was easy. I almost never go higher than -10dB, but I always want good sound at all volumes. When I tested these with a 100dB crossover point, I was able to play it at 0dB (reference volume) without any audible distortion. Even that was too loud for comfort for me. That means that if I knew I was crossing over at 100dB, I could manually set the levels higher in Audyssey MultEQ-X to allow me to go to 0dB reference if I wanted to.

[@Goose_Lord]

@@joentell Exactly the type of detailed information someone like me needs to make an informed purchase.

[@Fahrenheit38]

Using Micca COVO-S for surrounds and finding them lacking at higher volumes compared to my HTD Level 3s. I need something that is small enough to hang off my ceiling. What do you think of using these?

[@joentell]

I love these. I bought 12 more.

[@chinmeysway]

any specs on wattage they can take or how loud rms spl they can do ?

[@johnplassay1612]

would these work as "top middle" speakers in an atmos/auro 3d scenario,using bookshelves for "front height'?Thanks john

[@joentell]

Yes, absolutely

[@johnplassay1612]

thank you@@joentell

[@nobody1194]

this would be better if they put that mounting hole in the back not the bottom and used a M8 or 1/4 inch isntead of a M6 nut. If you like this type of speaker Kanto used to make a 5 1/4 inch sealed box cabinet with a titanium tweeter called the Kanto Ben. Imaging and detail was their strong suit and rated to go down to 45hz. Another 4ohm low sensitivity unit though.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

Random Viewer: Would these be good as Atmos speakers? JoeNTell: 3:28 Did you even watch the video?😭🤣

[@m4nc1n1]

I am surprised you did not test them on a desk. Desk and Atmos are about it for these. Yeah, surround would work, but I would not recommend going that small.

[@joentell]

I did.

[@Edward135i]

I really wish these had higher sensitivity, I want them for Atmos Channels.

[@4knate]

Weird use case but would one of these work good as a center channel? Listening distance is about 12 ft. with a few seats off access. Thx!

[@joentell]

I would say that is probably too far to play these at reference volume. They are made for a distance of around 8ft max.

[@dansuess4859]

Speaker mount shown at 4:22?

[@markjoyous3525]

are these a good timbre match for the thx towers and thx center?

[@joentell]

I haven't reviewed those, but I would say different if I were to guess.

[@c.s.herman860]

Are these the best small passive speakers for desktop 2.1?

[@joentell]

One of the best I've found at this price

[@c.s.herman860]

@@joentell I wonder how they compare to Polk ES10

[@markjoyous3525]

damn, klipsch rp-160m are the same price as these. i have the monolith thx towers and thx center. wanted a timbre match with these as surrounds but for the same price i can get the klipsch rp-160m for the same price. i have no idea what to order. HELP!

[@gabelz770]

Damn Joe!! You chose violence today. Started swinging at 55 seconds. Lmfao!! Great review of a speaker like always man. Thank you.

[@joentell]

I hope I made it obvious that I was joking. While I was recording it, I wasn't really saying any bad words, just moving my mouth like an old kung fu movie. My daughter was watching and was wondering why I stopped talking but was still moving my mouth.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

@@joentell 🤣😭

[@puertoricanlovemuscle1718]

So would you use them for atmos sir would the work well as atmos speakers

[@joentell]

Yes, depending on the size of your room though. Look up THX Compact certification

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

2:29 Shout out to some Random Guy.🤣😅😭. That would be a great channel name😅

[@Rockhurst22]

Haha, that was a funny evil distortion look.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

8:25 Techno Dad driving his Formula one car in his living room.

[@dannyblaha9344]

are they bigger than mica covo s

[@joentell]

Check out the dimensions. I would say maybe 1.5X to 1.75X bigger

[@Luke-qs2cg]

This seems a very SMALL room centric speaker. My childhood bedroom was bigger than what these are rated for. Sad. I was seriously considering these for my heights

[@joentell]

I'm using them for heights in my 20x20x9 ft room using an 80hz x-over. Not ideal like I said in my video, but I'm not at -2dB from reference very often. If I bumped them up to 100hz, I would feel pretty confident that I could play them as loud as I would want. Something to keep in mind is that I have 13 speakers all around me and 3 subs, so it doesn't take much to get pretty loud.

[@feeterican]

Yeah, my jaw dropped a bit when I found out that RAZER bought THX not too long ago. I don't hate it since I've been using RAZER keyboards and mice since 2008 and stayed consistent with them. But I never used their headphones or speakers. Although, some people say their audio equipment has been ether A/OK or pretty darn good. Side Note: I'm OK with RAZER since a few years back my keyboard LEDs took a crap and they RMA the board right away and turn around was fast and without hassle. But IDK if that can still be said today.

[@exovitae]

How are the Goldenear Supersat 3/50/60 for Atmos? Any chance you would review them?

[@dmsentra]

Aahh you're too late. Just bought the Yu2's. 😉

[@ulamss5]

Concentric = coaxial?

[@joentell]

Semantics. Another term is coincident meaning all the sound emanates from a single point. All concentrics are coaxial, but not all coaxials are concentric. If you look at the both from the top down, they both have a tweeter in the middle of the cone. If you look at them from a side view, the concentric's tweeter will be flush with the cone's voice coil. A coaxial might have a tweeter that sticks out in front of the cone like those coaxial car speakers.

[@angelfabianmesina6099]

THX certified

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Nice !.

[@BIGBASSSAMA_4]

Can it be used as Atmos speakers?

[@joentell]

There's no way you could've watched the entire video prior to commenting, since I just posted it! 🙂 Keep watching!

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

@@joentell 😅😭🤣

[@thomassiegers3007]

This ore paradigm satellite speaker

[@jackrosati1438]

I have a friend using these as the surrounds in a condo. But wish they made something in between this and the b6 encore for a home theater surround. The b6 are just too big.

[@joentell]

Maybe these? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6PYeWt8g9qartU

[@jackrosati1438]

@@joentell while watching this review I was actually thinking those might be a good choice for a monolith setup.

[@daijoubu4529]

THX 🍞 lol

[@joentell]

🤣👊😎

[@chinmeysway]

danm super low sensitivity. bummer

[@leo11877]

Bass and

[@joentell]

I hear you. But 80hz is 80hz. Maybe we should redefine bass as 50hz and below. 😁