Rockport Mira not Mira 2 vs. Monitor Audio PL300

Thanks so much for your follow-ups. I agree Cmalak, I really do need to hear these before I purchase, and I intend to. I also value the experiences of those on Audiogon, and I appreciate the feedback I'm getting here.

I certainly didn't mean to argue with anybody, just wondering what the background experiences were, as I read your responses. And I wanted to mention that both speakers may be outliers / different from their company's normal 'house sounds'.

Thank you again.
-Hukk

I don't think the Miras would be considered an outlier of Rockport's sound or design philosophy, although it seems clear the company is now using different drivers in their new models that may very well sound different from legacy models. Not sure about the MAs in this regard. Whose "house" sound you prefer is anybody's guess, but aside from that you've got one speaker that's the cheapest model (now that the Mira Monitor is dead) from an ultra high-end speaker designer and another that's at or near the top of a very good but more mid-fi designer. Personally I like the trickle down situation more than trickle up, but again sonic preferences will be most important driver -- just another way of thinking about the choice between the two and what you're getting.

I'd also mention at this price level you've got a huge amount of excellent alternatives from the likes of Joseph Audio, Nola, Silverline, YG, Vandersteen, etc., etc. I'm sure the PL300s are good speakers, but I'd be sure to hear models from at least a few of these other manufacturers before making any decisions regardless of what you think of the Rockports. Best of luck.

I own Rockport Antares and love them. At the price range you are talking about ($11,000 for the MAs), I'm wondering if you have considered the most recent Merlin VSMs.

Hi Hukk, I've been a Rockport owner for 6years heard MA's in the UK when I lived there

I just cannot see MA coming out of the plateau of their sound that I've heard over the years

The Rockies have a much more refined pedigree and musical presentation.

No disrespect to MA owners the speaker fits comfortably into its buyer niche-- but the Rockports are I'm afraid a cut above.

YVMV

Des