Mids and the highs. Beautiful looks.

I bought a 5i in the beginning. I liked the sound, but it seemed a little short to be a tower. I had to return it when I found that it had a blown woofer. 9is seemed little too pricey so I went with the 7is. Well, I like it better, especially in listening to music. I rediscovered listening to CDs again. For DVD movies, it cannot produce the very low end. This doesn't bother me since I have a MA ASW110 sub. Music is better without the sub and movies are most definetly better with one. Very nice speakers.

Similar Products Used:

MA Silver 5i

Great sound incrediable clarity especially in the mid-range

Some shortage of bass but I have found my Tube amplifier provides better bass than most solid states on this speaker

All I have to say is that for the price these speakers are killer. A while ago I thought about upgrading my speakers and listened to the 9's, thought 7's were clearer. Also listen to some Cantons, they never came close, then Mission, then Maggies, then Paradigm Reference, then finally Alon. All in all none of these more expensive speakers sounded as good so for the meantime I will just keep this great pair of speakers. Note, adding sand or lead shot helps the bass significantly. Also these speakers sound much better biwired.

Similar Products Used:

B & W; Thiel; Paradigm; Spectrum

Very well suited for music and no slouch on movie.

I had a MA 5i for a 2 weeks and returned it to the dealer because one had a blown woofer. Instead of getting another 5i, I decided to pay a little more and get the 7i, since people and reviews raved about its mid-range and how musical it was. The first thing I noticed was that imaging was better since the 7i's are taller. It is also sturdier since it is deeper (physically). I am very happy with the sound, both in music and movies. I alos have the Center 10i, 3i for rears, and ASW 110. They all blend very well to my ears. They are definetly worth the listen. If you can pay a liitle more, I would get 7i over 5i. I'm sure that 9is are nice but the price gap is steep on that one.

Most brochures, photos, and even specs show and list 7is as being rear-ported. I checked with MA and they told me that their new model of 7i comes with 2 front ports for people who like to keep their speakers in a cabinet?! Keep that in mind when you shop. I got the new ones.

Similar Products Used:

Monitor Audio 5i

Looks, full bass

Become very fatiguing and bright after a few months

I spent many months auditioning speakers for my new (to me) equipment.

I listened to the "usuals": Paradigm Reference, B&W, PSB, etc.

Without knowing anything about Monitor Audio, I stumbled across them in a store. I was amazed at the soundstage and clarity coming from the 7is. To put it bluntly, I was initially blown away (notice the word initially..).

I came home and read all of the raving reviews. I also saw the information about how they use no internal bracing, etc. That didn't bother me. I purchased the speakers a few days later.

After a couple of months, I found myself listening to them for shorter periods of time. I was experiencing the fabled "listener fatigue". I was finding the speakers way too bright for the music I listen to. On a few occasions, my wife told me to turn it down because they were giving her a headache (and I didn't have it turned up loud at all).

I end up bringing home the Dynaudio Audience 50s to A/B against them. Thanks to the soft dome tweeter, the Dynaudios were so smooth and did not have the brightness of the 7s. At that point I decided to sell my 7is to purchase either the Dynaudios or ACI Sapphire IIIs (I went with the Sapphires - found them used at a great price).

I think the $1400 MSRP is too much - the Dynaudio's are $800 and the Sapphires $1100. Both are much better at playing music than the 7is.

Be sure to audition them at home for a decent amount of time before purcashing them (or any other speaker).

I should also note: The 7is were much better in the midrange than the 5is. If you are debating between the 2, listen to some female vocals on the 7is. Much cleaner.

My system:
Rotel RSP980 preamp
Rotel RB985 110x5 THX
Yamaha CD
Audioquest Type 4 cables

Music:
Rock/Pop/Alternative
Tori Amos
Sarah Mclauchlan
STP
R.E.M.
Smashing pumpkins
Porcupine Tree
etc...

Similar Products Used:

Dynaudio Audience 50, ACI Sapphire III, "normal brands: Paradigm, etc"