ski2xblack

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $399.00 from http://www.mksoundst

Summary:
Bought these from M&K's online store, cosmetic B stock (but I could not find a single blemish on them) for $399.

Nothing compares for the price I paid. These speakers have no weaknesses, unless you consider the necessity of a sub a weakness. They are small sealed speakers with a natural rolloff beginning at about 80 hz, so a sub is required. That being said, these are phenomenal speakers. Highs are extended but not bright, midrange is extremely accurate, and instruments sound as realistic as I have ever heard from artificial reproduction. The detail these convey is remarkable, a very analytical sound, but at the same time exceedingly smooth and non-fatiguing. Excellent dynamics, can play surprisingly loud for such small speakers, and perform best with juicy amps. Very good dispersion characteristics, and razor sharp imaging. I've only heard this sort of sound from mega-expensive monitors (Status, Dynaudio and such). That these can be bought for under $400 with no sales tax and free shipping is just ridiculous.

They do have a kind of Dr. Seuss appearance (the cabinet is a trapeziod, with only the top and bottom being parallel.) In addition to helping reduce distortion causing standing waves within the cabinet, this creates a natural toe-in of L and R channels, and, if used above or below a video monitor placed horizontally, to direct the sound at the listening position. This works well for my setup, but other's taste may differ.

The black finish is painted on, has a granular texture, and is handsome if somewhat recording-studio looking. The front baffles have foam pads glued on in strategic locations, which according to M&K improves the sound, but it also, in my opinion at least, makes them look better with the grills attached. I could not detect any sonic degradation with the grills on.

Strengths:
Accruacy, natural tonality, no coloration. If it's on the recording, it comes through.
Equally adept at HT and music (although I only use them for music).
Value (while they last, the S85 cosB's are an unprecedented value for only 4 bills)
10-year warranty

Weaknesses:
Sonically? None.
Practically:
-require sub
-4 ohm impedance, not terribly efficient (probably not ideal for tube systems or low powered amps/receivers)

Similar Products Used:
Various studio monitors (JBL, BlueSky)
Onyx x-ls
Mission M77
Paradigm Studio 40 v2
Older Paradigm Reference

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Price Paid:  $650.00 from Sound Advise

Summary:
I have two pair of these for sides/rears in my H.T. set up. I use the S-125''s (see my review on the S-125''s) as my three fronts. I''ll say i could easily use the S-85''s up front but the 125''s have just a hair more dynamics with the second midwoofer. I could go on and on about how much I like M&K''s. I also have two M&K subs MX-150THX. Awesome combo! If your main concern is Home Theater like me, M&K rules! They sound so real when you watch a movie. Another nice part about them is you can have real high end equipment or just sub-par, and they will give you a great presentation. EX: sound great on my Lexicon/Rotel system and my friend has a pair on his Denon 100w Receiver which also sounds good. Highly recommended.

Strengths:
clean clear accurate dynamic, big sound from a compact speaker. Crankability (if that''s really a word)

Weaknesses:
not alot, needs sub

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch, Martin Logan, Acoustat, Carver, Monitor Audio, Vienna Acoustics, Infinity,

Price Paid:  $675.00

Summary:
I've used a pair of S-85's as my front channels for about 9 months now, and they are amazing. These speakers will not lie to you; what you hear is what the microphone heard. These speakers do really well with string instruments and horns. When listening to string instruments, it sounds like you are sitting right in front of the musician. Most of the time (if it's a good recording) you can even hear the musicians fingers striking the strings. Horns are very vivid and sharp as well. The brightness of the brass really shines through. One reason these speakers are so sharp is because the drivers are amazingly fast. A perfect test of the speed of these drivers is in the federal building lobby seen of The Matrix. Every bullet can be heard very distinctly.

One disadvantage of these speakers is that they don't really extend to lower frequencies. I believe they are rated 87-23000Hz +-2db. It takes awhile to find a good frequency for the sub to pick up where these left off. Once you get it dialed in, you won't notice it at all.

The speaker construction is top notch. Like most (if not all) other M&K speakers, these do not have any ports to create a false sense of bass. The inside is stuffed with insulation to keep the sound in the cabinet to a minimum. The shape is trapezoidal, so there are no resonating frequencies inside the cabinet.

All around, I highly recommend these speakers for anyone who is looking into getting into hi-fi sound without spending a lot of money.

FYI: Current system includes a M&K V-75 Mark II subwoofer.

Strengths:
Clear sound, sharp highs, dynamic sound.

Weaknesses:
Does not extend to lower frequencies.

Similar Products Used:
NHT, JBL, Infinity, B&W, Mirage, Bose, Sony, and Polk.

Price Paid:  $600.00

Summary:
After auditioning various speakers from Paradigm, Polk,
Klipsch and Infinity I heard these little gems and in a
matter of seconds knew they were coming home with me.
Probably the best demonstration of what these speakers can
do for audio and HT are accoustic guitar and gun shots.
Highly recommend you audition them with a demanding CD
and DVD. I am using these speakers for front and center.
My sub and surrounds are M&K MX-105 and M&K Surround 55s respectively. I am driving them with a Denon AVR-2800 (85 WPC)and this receiver/speaker combo is more than enough
to fill my 250 square foot room with loud clean sound.
The only drawback is that the speakers like to be placed
at least 2 feet from any reflective surface. Suspect this
is true of most speakers however.

Strengths:
Definition,transient response, overall musicality

Weaknesses:
Fairly picky about placement

Summary:
Bought a Mirage set the first time. FRX-1s, Center, and rears with a 10" sub. I bought the Speakers when I bought the receiver (Sony 555ES). I was told they were made by the same parent company as Energy and since I heard some good things about the Take 5, I went with them, except upgraded to larger speakers than the take 5 (or AVS for Mirage). But for some reason, I just wasn't happy. I wasn't too impressed with the sound both for movies or music. Wasn't hearing the clarity I wanted, and I guess I like my speakers to be a bit on the bright side. Home theater is my main use, as well as some music. I'd say 70% HT, 30% music. Of course I didn't know any better. But something made me go back to the store (ABT Electronics) and try out some other speakers. I had read so much about the M&K 750 THX Select speakers and was looking forward to hearing them. But the salesman was very helpful and helped me out on a busy Sunday and recommended instead the S-85s. I though to myself: but they're smaller and don't have the THX Select "stamp of approval." But after listening to the two, switching back and forth for both movies and music, and even mixing the S-85s with a 750 center, it was obvious the S-85s were better. Not as bright. Besides, the THX Select certification is nothing like THX Ultra certification. The 750 center pretty much drowned out the S-85s. SO I took the S-85s (5) home and set them up. Even before break-in I could tell how much better they were. I have read so many reviews on so many speakers on this site and everyone thinks the speakers they own are great. Of course it all comes down to personal preference, no matter what the specs or measurements. But the sound... My wife came home and asked how much MORE I had spent. Told her about a grand. (I kept the Mirage Sub. I think they make good subs, but what do I know. It saved me about $400.) Her eyes narrowed. Until she heard them. Then she smiled and took the sweet spot on the couch for about an hour. She's been listening to classic
al all her life (ballet) and can't believe how good it sounds on these. I asked M&K why the S-85s cost more than the 750s given the same drivers and the 750s having more of them as well as the THX Select difference. He said something about better cabinet quality and better/more complicated crossover design or words to that effect. Couldn't find any reviews on the S85s but one on etown (very positive review). I am, however, switching my fronts for the S85-tv which is shielded but promised by M&K that it won't sound any different. If they do, I'd rather have the non-shielded. That's how good I think they are.

Sony 555ES receiver ($690)
Mirage 10" sub (about $350)
S-85s all around. ($540/pair, $425 center)

Strengths:
Clarity, realism, value

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Mirage