Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Whatmough M30 Speakers by jonbee

Model:	M30
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1000
Description:	MTM 2- way tower
Manufacturer URL:	Whatmough
Model Picture:	View

Review by jonbee ( A ) on October 02, 2003 at 19:00:04
IP Address: 12.228.10.1

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for the M30

This is a review of the Magnum HT system, which consists of the M30 towers, M10 surround, and M05 Center (MSRP $1500 total).
My musical tastes are very eclectic. I use my system for both video and audio. I prize clarity, soundstaging, dynamics and speed over warmth and euphonics.
I own several stereos, and don't really need more, but this manufacturer is trying to get a toehold in the US market, and the price offered on this system (on A-gon) was so low I was tempted to check them out. The speakers are made in China, and designed by a long time Australian designer Colin Whatmough.
The cabinets are built like most modestly priced speakers, comparable to Axiom, Sound Dynamics, and NHT. The vinyl veneer is as good as any, and the overall finish is as good as any in this price range. The speakers use a coated fabric woofer cone, with no foam surrounds(good!), and cloth dome tweeters.
I was most pleasantly surprised to find they are very neutral, pretty detailed, with an overall very smooth and well integrated sound. They play fairly loudly. All the models here have very similar voicing. The overall balance is toward ease and warmth rather than aggressiveness.
I actually prefer them in this price range to the NHT 1.5, Sound Dynamics RTS3, and Axiom M3ti and M22ti(all of which I've owned). Although they all have strengths and weakness, I find the smooth, detailed top end easier to listen to, while the mids are generally comparable. The M22ti does have a better mid, but
I found the Axiom tweeter to be a bit peaky. The Whatmough tweeter gives up a bit of extension and detail for an easier presentation, more like the Scanspeak 9300 which it closely resembles physically. What you give up compared to more expensive true high end speakers is the inner voice separation and clarity. While very good for the price, the inner voices sound veiled, blurry, and indistinct compared to my $2k plus VMPS 626R ribbons (not surprisingly). There is also a bit of midbass emphasis, which also tends to blur the lower mids, but adds warmth and body. I'm experimenting with adding some dacron stuffing, which seems to help matters.
They have no nasty flaws, though, and are easy and enjoyable on the ears, something you usually don't get for the $ that these are offered at.
I've replaced my Henry Kloss designed TV speaker with the M05 CC, and the small M10s are on my desk at work, where they are enjoyed a couple of hours a day. Very tough to beat for the $, IMO, and highly recommended for those with a budget way under $1k for 5 channels of speakers.

Product Weakness: Not as articulate and refined as true (more expensive) high end speakers. Some midbass emphasis.
Product Strengths: Smooth, easy on the ears. Good detail and pretty low coloration.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	PS HCA2
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	CJ PFR
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Modwright
Speakers:	VMPS 626R w/ Auricaps, VMPS NO sub
Cables/Interconnects:	.99999 braided silver/teflon and GoertzTQ I/Cs
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	lots
Room Size (LxWxH):	22 x 18 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	Lots of glass, a bit bright overall
Time Period/Length of Audition:	10 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monster Cable 2000(front end only)
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Not as articulate and refined as true (more expensive) high end speakers. Some midbass emphasis.
Product Strengths:	Smooth, easy on the ears. Good detail and pretty low coloration.