New Cheap Speaker Champ? Or is it Overpriced? Monoprice Monolith Audition Speaker Review

Check out Fosi Audio Products amzn.to/3jrId7G and www.fosiaudio.com/product/
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[@cheapaudioman]

Check out Fosi Audio Products amzn.to/3jrId7G and www.fosiaudio.com/product/ Support the Channel by Shopping on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Cheap Audio Man Store Front shop.howl.me/cam Join the best hifi community out there! www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON roonlabs.com/r/RTmYWdCP9kitqouBa5pcIw Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P massdrop.7eer.net/qnOye5

[@vanderbeasley7176]

Hhj

[@vanderbeasley7176]

B

[@vanderbeasley7176]

B

[@myronhelton4441]

There are piles of used dirt cheap Vandersteen speakers with 1st order crossovers that blow most speakers away for the money! I wouldnt have speakers without a 1st order crossover, or no crossover!

[@eshelmen]

Love my DA2120C from Fosi. Unfortunately, their customer service has kept me in the dark requesting a new power adapter.

[@nealphelps5260]

Hey got a video idea for you. You should do a blind speaker rating and guess. Have someone grab 4 or 5 pairs of random speakers of various brands, price and performance. Then you have to listen to them blindly. Rank them and guess their prices/brand/make. It would be awesome to see!

[@WisGuy4]

I second this suggestion. Looks like it’s popular with a lot of other fans of the channel.

[@calebyi2727]

Best idea in a long time. No more bs

[@whiskeyweekly7533]

I’ve been thinking about the same thing for a while now. A real, unbiased test. Wish more creators would do stuff like that. Reminds me of a time when someone pranked a bunch of wine tasters by pouring the exact same wine in different bottles and the tasters had a completely different flavor profile explanation for each one. Lol

[@boomerscs9193]

Love the idea!

[@Gomez561]

Who ever helps setting up speakers between listening sessions should know their best room placement and toe-in so, all speakers get their best shot ✌🏼

[@JimHere93]

Love this concept of review. Nothing speaks as honestly as an educated opinion with no idea of cost. More of this would be great

[@cheapaudioman]

I'm planning on many more like this. it's a lot of fun

[@leecaldwell1029]

the honest reaction was so worth it. It is nice to watch you videos and really feel like your opinion can be trusted. love the channel!

[@Brian_Romska]

I really like when things are reviewed without much or any info ahead of time, good stuff Randy!

[@cheapaudioman]

I appreciate that!

[@spamcan9208]

It was really fun to see him think he nailed it on price only to then discover it wasn't for the pair. Not sure what monoprice is thinking unless this is part of their pricing strategy before dropping it to a more reasonable amount.

[@Bozakky]

Good job, R. As time moves forward, your reviews seem much more relaxed. One thing that hasn't changed is your honesty. Thanks again. Ciao.

[@TheZacharySutliff]

Good review. Thanks for the honest info. Glad you got a sponsor for the video and ofc the honesty in your sponsorship mention.

[@DBB57]

for $250 you can get the Wharfedale Diamond 220s

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Good review. Disappointing price. B1+ is probably a better choice. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@cheapaudioman]

Thanks for watching! and yes, I would agree

[@wayfarin]

sincere congrats on the sponsorship! love to see the channel growth.

[@cheapaudioman]

I appreciate it!

[@mikecampbell5856]

I enjoy all of your videos, especially the value brands. I received a Sabaj A10h headphone amp for Christmas and am using it as a remote volume control. Only 75 bucks on Amazon. Great reviews everywhere.

[@LymanPhillips]

Great video. I like the honest format.

[@Coreycry]

Love the concept because after price reveal, there's the competition comparison that is extremely appreciated.

[@gavinwagner1766]

Like this format Randy. Good stuff!

[@tavomcdouglas]

Now this is the content I came to see! Please do more of these blind reviews!

[@cheapaudioman]

for sure. I'm hoping to make a lot of my content this way in the future

[@itchylois]

Appreciate your honesty. It's why I subscribe and keep watching your videos.

[@cheapaudioman]

Awesome, thank you!

[@bradthurkle7217]

Love your honesty mate. Fantastic review 👏👍🍻

[@carsandstuff711]

Thanks Randy, really like this blind kinda review. Liking all your content...btw I watch your interviews with other audio KZbin....OMG had me splitting my sides... LOL

[@wesluckey230]

Thank you, thank you for doing this style of review. Not only are these videos interesting and informative, they also send a market signal to the manufacturer about the value of their products. Overall, this should put some downward pressure on the costs of overpriced audio hardware, which abound. Thankfully, this revolution is being televised (or at least posted to KZbin).

[@chungang7037]

Fosi is maybe the perfect sponsor for you, in the theme of cheapaudio and one of the few companies that seems open to criticism/wants to improve; something that a lot of companies don't do. Too often I hear of reviewers going on a blacklist because they didn't like a certain product and no one wins in those cases.

[@douglasmoore8033]

Nice review Randy! Love your channel and whole angle on Audio. It got me excited and buying equipment again for reasonable prices. A bit off topic but from Amazon I just got 2 pair of sscs5 Sony open box for 66 bucks a pair so I can do Neil's ultimate mod to one pair for just a few bucks more than these at 250.

[@joerodriguez172]

Wow, For that awesome price the cost of the crossover parts for Neil's Ultimate mod is totally justifiable. I plan to scale it down and do Neil's best bang for the buck crossover mod. Has anyone tried that?

[@stephen8260]

Great video, would like to see more similar ones, thanks.

[@spamcan9208]

Congrats on the new sponsor. It appears Fosi has adults in charge who don't throw tantrums at good faith criticism. My guess is this is a pricing strategy and monoprice will eventually drop it down to something more in line with what people expect.

[@JohnScheppler]

I like this format for review.

[@HaraldMacGerhard]

Really nice, cool, review.... Keep up the good work. way cool 😎

[@lousmith1050]

Hey man love the channel. Thanks to you I now have a great sounding system and I didn't break the bank! Question-can you suggest a speaker splitter box. I have 4 pairs and I want to be able to switch from one set to another with individual volume controls. Thank you.

[@conservativeheathen4771]

Dude, you rock! Just found your channel

[@JWForce1059]

Monoprice Monolith wants to play with the big boys, but has a hard time keeping up. I have a pair of the M1060s from way back when, and I blind bought them when they first came out. I recently replaced the MMCX connectors, which were terrible, with 2.5mm female-to-bare-wire connectors, and that eliminated cutting out. I also did the "fuzzor" mod and replaced the pleather pads with Dekoni faux suede. They're much more listenable after the fuzzor mod and calmed down with the pads. Pads could go either way. Yes, though, they required dialing in, for sure.

[@mdd47]

Monolith makes great stuff. I have a pair of the T6 tower speakers and I absolutely love them. I can just about guarantee they're the best $800 pair of speakers you will ever hear. They have design similarities with the Arendal 1723 series, because they were designed by the same person. I probably wouldn't bother with the bookshelf versions, I tried a pair and they are lacking the presence I'd want for a two-channel music system. They'd probably be OK as surrounds though.

[@baloghlcb]

No way, I guessed $250 for the pair 😅. Really liked these first two reviews like this, looking forward to more of them.

[@MissionFreiheit]

Appreciate the honesty. Emotiva B1+ if you're looking for sth in that price range. Or Polk XT20 if you're looking for sth more affordable. Both speakers will be a lot better in terms of value for money, in my humble opinion.

[@KalebMarshallDulcimerPlayer]

These are currently on sale @ 45 USD each, or 90 for the pair. Sounds like they might be a good deal at that price point.

[@tomkershaw4384]

My first thought was $250 the pair but not something I would consider unless you said they were AMAZING. Actually I'm saving up for a pair of Emotiva B2+. Excellent and honest review. Thanks Randy!

[@wellroundedsound2422]

Emotiva B1+ is better speaker for less money. Check ASR (Audio Science Review) or Erin's speaker corner.

[@TorontoJon]

Using Randy's Monoprice Audition B5 link as of today, November 23, 2023, each speaker now costs only $44.99 (60% off), so $90 for a pair (plus free standard shipping within the U.S. I presume) is not bad at all. Plus, they're available from Walmart Marketplace Canada for $65 each (Canadian dollars). :)

[@edbrumbaugh9202]

Great video, thanks ... I see the speakers are on sale at Monolith for $44.95/each.

[@toulousesurvivors5656]

Randy: I'm a big fan of the channel. Keep up the good work. Have you ever reviewed anything by the German brand Magnat? I think the Monitor Supreme 102 ($100 pair; Amazon) or 202 ($190 pair; Amazon) would be great for your budget speaker showdown. Likewise for another budget German HiFi brand: Teufel.

[@TheRedSign]

I would like to see that as well

[@connectronix17]

Dang, did anyone else think that was the Pioneer SP-BS22-LR at first? It looks like it could be its twin, or at least it's upgraded brother.

[@tomsworkmail9621]

Anxiously awaiting a review of the Tech Ingredients World’s Greatest Speakers. Might be a good one to add to the blind test.

[@PrezidentHughes]

Checking that port shows good technique 😏

[@ginom407]

Well that's not what I was expecting. I was really hoping they would have the been the next best "bang for your buck" speaker.

[@philm6674]

I was right there with you at $60 each. Look like Pioneer SS BS 22, but less personality. Ouch on the sensitivity! Thanks for the review!

[@TheUsmc0802]

Man, KZbin is pulling their crap again! I had to search to find your videos! Haven’t been provided a new video in my feed for months. Anyway well done!

[@renenowicki]

Always torn between new budget audio and second hand. I’ve been pretty good at finding deals over the years.

[@carlsitler9071]

I love the Monolith M570s.

[@NeilBlanchard]

I have only recently learned that the shape of the woofer frame on this speaker, is called "pincushion". And now you know, too! Seems like they may be candidates for some added bracing, and damping (polyfil and/or drinking straws in the port). This could smooth (and possibly extend) the bass.

[@larryh9525]

Price-wise, they're also competing with Paradigm Atom's (when on sale) and the KEF Q150s when on sale. Both are much better speakers.

[@xchaos77]

@cheapaudioman. Did you try flipping them so the tweeter is at the bottom? May help with positioning for midrange.🤔

[@redstang5150]

With those nice wave guides I'm surprised they were that sensitive to positioning.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@MrSlicer2424]

Just saw an advert for these only $44 each now!

[@vinylordie1301]

Randy! I’ve got two SSCS5s through a Marantz NR1403, plus the Sony Sub… I like the detail I’m getting, though the high end can get tiring. If I added the center speaker you mentioned in this video, would that help give my mix a boost? I’ve felt like something is lacking… not a lot, but something. Help?

[@stevefick3919]

Reminds me of a taller version of the Parts Express "C" Note speaker system. Same tweeter style.

[@roberthorwitz8607]

Great review and spot on about the price. I am looking to upgrade my desktop and found I can get 2 Encore B5 with a Monoprice 8in sub for $150 out the door or 2 OSD Nero AB5's with OSD 8in sub for $300 which do you think would be the better value? Thanks for any help.

[@vannk73]

LOL, that face at 11:40 says it all.😧..😂

[@hitechrr]

I just ordered two Monoprice encore c5 center channel speakers for $70 each with tax and shipping. I plan on using them as vertical bookshelf.

[@jamesbarrick3403]

Randy you are on to something here. I have been here since the beginning. You are talking the real dope on stuff that we dont want. You need to do more of this. I don't know if you are a gear head or if cars are even and interest to you. Regardless, please study Scotty Kilmer and understand WHY he is a youtube legend. If you "get it" you will stop taking any freebees and go rogue. You will become the biggest youtuber in this space within a couple years. But you have to be just like Scotty. He has the blueprint... but nobody wants to follow cuz they want all the free stuff and all that. ITs good advice, choose wisely.

[@AlanWakeford]

Love your channel Randy, what do you think if old Kef C40's for 200$ CAD. Seems a bit overpriced.

[@cefarther3945]

Wanted to know if my old Hi-Fi with RCA connectors would be compatible? As of 11/1/2023, Target has them for sale at $40.00. Loved your video, wanted more on specs though and wanted to hear them. Subscribed.

[@peterwinstonaldredge6927]

I enjoy your in-depth speaker reviews but, I wish you provided audio so we could hear what they sound like.

[@leejakubenas5037]

Another watch worthy review! Maybe Monolith should hire Andrew Jones next.

[@racer193wr]

The cabinet and tweeter surround remind me of nuance setup.. they look very very light weight..

[@joerodriguez172]

Yeah, The woofer on those look eerily like the Pin Cushion woofers on the Polk T15. The speaker that you completely panned and slid off your shaky table on a Saturday speaker shoot-out. LOL. Did they sound similar?

[@Mrproper86]

These look exactly like my old pioneers sp22!

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

Please recommend a dual duty (music and home theater) pair of bookshelf speakers with a $300 budget. My old Infinity set are getting tired. I like separation, accuracy, and efficiency. I'll be running them with a strong sub. Thanks!

[@viper527]

I have always thought that a speaker review is affected when you know the price from the beginning. The most common statement in a speaker review "It's pretty good, FOR THE PRICE."

[@SteveApache125]

How does it compare to the Moukey M20-3?

[@jbarks7235]

Speaker placement: about the 8:10 mark you talk about placement, getting tweeters close to ear level. I just ordered the Sony SSCS5 (per your channel, thanks). Is it imperative that I get these, and most bookshelf speakers, up off the floor? I'd like to conceal them a bit and considered a floor position. Apologies, if you've covered this in a video that I overlooked. Thanks.

[@flyingvengeance]

I also bought the SSCS5 speaker due to Randy's sugegstion. I am really happy with them. So I have an old (1930ish) set of Encyclopedia Brittannica books and my wife wanted them gone. BUT instead of tossing them (no real value) I split the stack and use them as the stands for the speakers. I think it's 13 books per side and since they are so heavy and dense, there are no vibrations and the sound doesn't seem to carry down to the wood floors. Cheap easy and honestly it looks pretty good. Great speakers though. Mostly Pink Floyd, Metallica, Queensryche and that era of music going through them.

[@BlackthorneSoundandCinema]

The price has gone up! Now $150 each! That is more $$$ than what you could by some very serious flat pack kits for.

[@Lights480]

Let's design a cement enclosure... for the DIY project. It is for severely reducing the false sound effect due to the cabinet vibration.

[@steves1608]

what's the difference between the audition and encore series? I have the Encore (evidently discontinued) T5 & B5 sets. Sound pretty good to me but I am an "uneducated cheap audio man".

[@madhukark8133]

Want to hear from Sith lord about new sony ESreceivers Bought my DH190 2yrs ago after your recommendation Only other thing I bought was Aiyima tube amp Both perfect Do I really need these new ones???

[@stewnelless2416]

Hi. Stuff the port with some drinking straws ... makes a ported speaker sound like an aperiodic type

[@SpirallingOut]

Can you try and get a pair of Klipsch's new The Nines in for review please?

[@jonfoss3437]

Find any 8 inch 2ways?

[@lopikosmusic9354]

4:32 Mr. Cheapaudioman, not in front of the children!

[@ronalcasid3844]

Are you going to review the Klipsch RM50? They are selling for $279.

[@kevinhill4364]

What kind of watch are you wearing?

[@frankstone919]

Made me look at my Alesis RA150. specs. LOL Actually I could see someone wanting these. I can get KRK Classic 5's for a little over $100 each. Those are amplified. Monoprice needs to build a passive speaker with a 8-10 or 12" driver. I built my own 😏don't need a sub with a 12" driver.

[@n815e]

The waveguide on these is reminiscent of Arendal’s line and I believe I read that they got someone from Arendal to work on these.

[@edverbeek6292]

Great sponsor.

[@garyausten5939]

I have a speaker-related dumb (?) question. If speakers are rated at an hearing-damaging dB level at 1 W, what is the practical reason for amplifiers being sold that upwards of 1000x the power needed to run them. I mean, with a 200 W power supply you can't make the speakers 200 times louder. I understand that some more power might be needed to move the woofer at higher volumes, but how much do you really need?

[@mbstxb7579]

4 or 5 speakers...... do a wall of book shelfs!!! Blindfold guess what's playing, to the death, or maybe just a buzzer

[@onefatstratcat]

My 1986 Boston Acoustics will still smoke em'

[@dcosta912]

The b6(180/ea) went on sale for 136 about 3 months back.

[@cheapaudioman]

that's good. I think around $150-175 would be fair

[@jeremi96221]

Quick question, I'm new to this audiophile stuff, but have some notions. I have seen balanced DAC and amp, but never balanced speakers. Are balanced components worth it? Thanks in advance!

[@derekmaynard5619]

Check KZbin like you are on that question. None the less good question. The biggest benefit is noise, like hum etc. Seems to be better the longer the speaker wire is ran or how close to power cords, such as electrical wires and such. As far as speakers, usually powered speakers, having an eternal amp have the balanced plug. Subs usually do, if they are decently made. Also, I believe most musical speakers have balanced, and monitors. There are connectors that can be bought to make a complete balanced cable end a normal speaker connection and still have the other still balanced to the amp. Good luck

[@jeremi96221]

Yeah I spent the last couple of hours learning all that lol. I always associated balanced cables with XLR, but then noticed the + and - cables on speakers. I may of went to deep and I am now learning about SACD and lord they are not cheap!

[@derekmaynard5619]

@devil96221 amen to that, this hobby is extremely expensive. Somethings are over priced just because of the mind game related to all the Nueces, like cables etc. Basically start small and see of its even something you'd persue beyond the first purchase. Definitely following the right guy for all the knowledge needed here good luck

[@altops4490]

What was time under review? The Ao8pro does 8 ohm very well.

[@cheapaudioman]

Had them for 60 days or more

[@TimBaoht]

4:32 Hmmm.... I've seen my fingers do this before somewhere but I just cant seem to finger out where.......

[@Urinehere]

When you say 7 out of 10 regardless of price, are you saying they are only 30% worse than a pair of Wilson audio speakers or some other high end speakers?

[@joenovak6393]

Nice review and a Hard Pass with that speaker.

[@CarsandCats]

I learned many years ago with car audio to always buy the most sensitive speakers you can, so you don't need as much amp to drive them. Home audio is no different.

[@juhavuorinen6305]

Hi all, i am pretty new to this youtube channel. I am about to buy pair of ELAC B5.2 new for 225euro delivered to home. My amp is old Denon AVR-X2100W i also have a subwoofer, audio pro center speaker and 4 jbl surround speakers in a apartment,. is there anything better for about 200 to 300 price bracket than those elac 5.2, i am also planning to diy/buy some acoustic panels and bass-traps for additional 200 to 300

[@peterrichard3706]

Gonna need lots of power. What's the handling power??

[@ordinaryjoe2247]

50 - 150 watts

[@talon2pro]

Interesting that the pics on their website of the B5, have no port shown.

[@cheapaudioman]

I had the wrong speaker linked. I fixed it

[@mattrandall1808]

These are on sale for $49 each now

[@PaulyWC]

Dude can you try Heco Aurora out? I'm curious your opinion would be 👍 they are on Amazon!

[@randymackenzie8863]

I have a pair of the Aurora 300. I think they are fantastic, and only $419.

[@CandBLawnCare]

These are almost double the price of the coveted RB42’s which probably blow them away. Especially for the price.

[@carlsitler9071]

Have you played "The Last of Us" (and the sequel) video game? It's brutal! Throat slit city, up close and personal.

[@7thsoneli]

I have listened to this line by monolith,all are way too brite.unless you have hearing loss above 5k! What were they thinking? They also use sandcast resistors in line with the bass driver! stay away from their full range speakers.They do have good subs in the monolith series.

[@eonreeves4324]

all of my desktop amps are from Fosi =D

[@edzak7257]

FYI...... your link takes us to the Encore B5 vs the Audition B5, hence the missing port!

[@cheapaudioman]

ah, thanks. I'll fix that