OK Audiogon, help me out please

Both brands have different sounds. It isn't possible for members to help you if they don't know your sonic priorities. 

Guess that was rather poorly worded, sorry. 

The problem with my current speakers are they seem very bright in the mids and harsh in the upper. Which of the 2 speakers I'm looking at could help with these issues? 

So in a nutshell, roll back the midrange and smooth out the high end.

That sounds like Sonus Faber

Neither of them will help with your 'issues'. 

A pair of Mofi 888 (price is 5k) should fix your issues.

The problem with my current speakers are they seem very bright in the mids and harsh in the upper. Which of the 2 speakers I'm looking at could help with these issues? So in a nutshell, roll back the midrange and smooth out the high end.

You will get more speaker for the money with Monitor Audio. It’s a larger company selling more speakers and they are more consumer than high end. But that doesn’t mean your ears would like MA more than Sonus Faber, you would need to listen to both to know. To my ears, MA is a bit too analytical, not musical enough.

I've heard the MA's today, only heard the Sonetto  V's. 

I'll have to do some research as to where there is a MoFI dealer near me.

The store that has the MA's has offered to loan them to me for a week or so to see how they sound in my system. Probably going to take them up on that.

here is the worst advice when you are focused on 2 models: checkout more. There are 100s of great speakers in your price range

especially used

https://speakerchoices.com/?pricemin=5000&pricemax=10000

@justlance  

What is the rest of your equipment, what is your room like?  What kind of music do you listen to?  Do you play it loud?  or at low volumes?  etc....

All of these things will influence what you hear.  Both speaker brands are solid and well respected with good customer support.  Both their "house sounds" are clean/clear/ precise and not overly heavy on the base.   And from my own experience with MA, they can be sensitive to the electronics feeding them.  The SF models I have heard, see to roll off the highs a little more than the MA's.

So, +1 on grislybutter recommendation, but don't dismiss the other electronics either.  It's all about the synergy of the whole system, including the room itself.

my 2 cents.... (adjusting for inflation, is that now 6 cents...)

The new MA Silver speakers seem like more of what you're looking for and cheaper. Also, matching is the key. 

@grislybutter 

Thanks for the link! I'll certainly browse the offerings.

Sonus Faber makes good speakers too.

@robert53 

The gear is  MICHI P5 & S5. E.A.T. B Sharp TT (99% of what I listen to is vinyl)

Parasound JC3jr phono amp

The room is approximately 11' X 11'. One window @ ground level. walls are cinder block w/  wood panels. Due to the layout of the room, moving speakers to different locations within the room is not real feasible.

I have to go back to Milwaukee today, and I plan on comparing the Silver to the Gold a bit more in depth. After that I am going to go to the SF dealer and see what we can work out for an in-home trial. I can get the MA's in-home, so I'm going to run with that option.

@robert53 

Forgot to add, I listen to mostly rock and blues.

@justlance   With room dimensions of 11X11 both speakers appear too large. Have heard the SF Sonetto G2 V, a diet of Rock/Blues might not play to its strengths.

"The problem with my current speakers are they seem very bright in the mids and harsh in the upper."

So, why would you shortlist another Monitor Audio speaker if you aren't thrilled with the sound you get from the one you have now?

It's not like there aren't dozens of viable options out there.

If you don't like Malbecs, perhaps try a Pinot.

Justlance axpona will be on April 11 to 13. From Milwaukee to Scaumburg Illinois, it’s 1.5 to 2 hrs drive.Plenty of speakers you will be able to listen. Monitor Audio are not for everyone, they are good speakers. It looks like Sonus Faber are the right one for your sound preference.

11 x 11 is definitely an issue...an hour drive is quite short considering the money you are looking to spend...

@ justlance     11x11 and I'm guessing 8 foot ceiling max.  Any room treatments?  Carpet, bass traps, book cases or other diffusion/absorbation (especially at the 1st reflection points, heavy curtains for the window, a lot of furniture, etc.?  

A room that small, with no or minimal room treatment, could be the source of the harshness, as well as some boomy base.  So if you might want to look into that first.

And I agree with @dayglow, the MA 500 Gold's might be too big. The MA 300's (either Gold or Silver) might be better suited for the room.

And watch the used listings.  There are a lot of great speakers at your budget point.

With your other equipment, and in a room that size, I agree with deep_333. Check out the Mofi Point Source speakers if you can too.

Fritz carbon 7s. 

OP: The problem with my current speakers are they seem very bright in the mids and harsh in the upper.

What you’ve described is probably the most common complaint in this forum. I suspect that new speakers may not be the solution. Typically, the remedy lies in cleaning up the power, room treatments and/or speaker positioning. Most likely a mix of each.

Here’s a link to a discussion about: Symptoms of Un-clean power. Many threads are about this subject.

- - -

Speakers can always be found on sale. Take your time to figure out your course of action.

If you do visit a dealer, ask what kind of power conditiong they're using.

From my perspective (which is low-middle income) I would make the drive once or twice to have a listen. Whichever dealer allows you “in home trial” and I think you said one would (and to be fair, at that price it’s not unreasonable to ask) I would lean towards that brand since you can listen in your space with your equipment. When it’s right and your toes are tapping you have a winner.

Op brightness is usually not just from your loudspeakers a system is just that a complete chain so your amplifier and source quality will affect what comes out of it you failed to mention cables use of power conditioner and cart.

many times adding good power cables a power conditioner and toe in will fix this

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

an hour drive is quite short considering the money you are looking to spend...

it's short enough for any budget

@jayctoy 

I'm North of Milwaukee. A trip to Chitown is closer to 2.5 hrs for me.

@jeffbij 

All interconnects and speaker wires are Audioquest, as well as power cables on all gear that I could change that out on. The surge protector is an Audioquest Niagra 1200

@2psyop 

Completely agree with the home trial. I talked with the SF dealer yesterday and he's willing to let me home trial the Sonetto's. If I were to step up to the Olympica series, he'd come to my house and set them up and diagnose other issues that are most likely here.

@tony1954 

The reasons for trialing another MA speaker is twofold.

1) I would like to see if the larger drivers overall have any effect on the issues.

2) I've never had ribbon tweeters and would like to hear how they sound.

@steakster 

My primary audio source is the one that sold me the Niagara 1200 and all upgraded power cables.

That's not to say that noise could be contributing to my issue, but it's not like I have all my gear plugged straight into the wall.

@audiotroy 

Not sure if I replied directly to you or not, the cables, power, interconnects, and speaker are all Audioquest. The cart on the TT is a HANA ML.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I'm trying to reply to everyone offering advice.